Wendi Is All Over Rupert Murdoch’s Twitter Vibe – As the News International tycoon opened his Twitter account on New Year’s Day by pouring scorn on the British for taking too much time off over Christmas – from the sun-kissed Caribbean island of St Barts – Mrs Murdoch was quick to deflect any criticism. Follow the link to see what she tweeted. [telegraph]

Yousou N’Dour Announces Senegal Presidential Bid – Musician Youssou N’Dour has announced he is running in February’s presidential elections in Senegal. “I have listened… and I am responding favourably,” Mr N’Dour said on his own TV network, referring to requests that he put himself forward, AFP reports. You will know him from his Grammy Nominated song Seven Seconds. [bbc]

Steve Jobs Action Figure Is Eerily Realistic – A toy company has set up a promotional page to tout the launch of its Steve Jobs action figure, showing the tech visionary in a signature black turtle neck, circular rimless glasses and blue jeans. The 12-inch figurine from In Icons -– which will sell for $99, before shipping — will go on sale in the U.S. in February. The site said it is selling the action figure “to honor the American icon and great visionary Steve Jobs.” [mashable]

Christchurch Hit By 17 Earthquakes In 18 Hours – New Zealand’s quake-ravaged city of Christchurch was rocked by 17 earthquakes in 18 hours on Monday. No serious damage was reported from the cluster of quakes, which included two shakes stronger than magnitude 5 and another six between magnitude 4 and 5. [mail&guardian]

Coca-Cola Accused Of Propping Up King Mswati III – Coca-Cola has been accused of propping up one of Africa’s most notorious dictators, Swaziland’s King Mswati III — accused by activists of human rights abuses and of looting national wealth. The multibillion dollar beverage company owns a concentrate-manufacturing plant in the impoverished kingdom ruled by Africa’s last absolute monarch and its operations, activists say, contribute an estimated 40% to the country’s gross domestic product. [mail&guardian]

Human Remains Found On Queen’s Estate – British police say they have found human remains on the Sandringham estate, a vast area in rural Norfolk where the royal family retreats for the holiday season. A terse statement posted to the website of the Norfolk Constabulary said a member of the public found the remains in an area of woodland at Anmer, a tiny village about 185 kilometres north-east of London. [smh]

German Man Arrested For LA Arson Attacks – The man who terrorized L.A. for three nights with a series of 53 arson fires turned out to be a 24-year-old from Germany identified as Harry Burkhart, at least according to authorities. “I hate America” were the words he reportedly uttered after he was pulled out of his car during a traffic stop at Sunset Boulevard near Fairfax Avenue shortly after 3 this morning following another outbreak of fires in nearby West Hollywood. [laweekly]

Elton John Wants Timberlake To Play Him In Biopic – In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Elton John talked about his forthcoming biopic, which John describes as “a surreal look at my life, and not just a factual look at my life, more in the manner of a Moulin Rouge. So who is John’s number top choice to play him in the film? “I’ve got a wish list of people. No. 1 on my wish list is Justin Timberlake,” he told the paper. [musicmix]

ANC Centenary Celebrations Kick-Off This Week – The African National Congress marks its 100th anniversary this week with celebrations expected to be attended by dozens of heads of state. More than 100000 people are expected in Bloemfontein, where the South African Native National Congress was founded on January 8, 1912. It was renamed the African National Congress in 1923. [businessday]

Australian Cancer Blogger Dies – An Australian cancer patient who shot to global attention after a tribute video for his wife went viral on the internet died on Monday in hospital, his family said. Kristian Anderson, 36, and his young family wound up on television after US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey learned of his internet video to wife Rachel, to thank her for supporting him after his shock 2009 cancer diagnosis. [news24]

Injury Scare For Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal and pace bowler Dilhara Fernando are both in doubt for the third and final Test against South Africa, according to captain Tillakaratne Dilshan. Chandimal was struck on his right elbow in the nets on Sunday afternoon by bowler Dhammika Prasad and suffered bruising to his right elbow, with x-rays ruling out a fracture. “We’re still not sure about Chandimal but we think he will be fine for tomorrow,” Dilshan said on Monday. [sport24]

Aretha Franklin Engaged – Aretha Franklin is engaged to longtime friend William “Willie” Wilkerson. The Grammy-winning singer told The Associated Press in a statement Monday that she and Wilkerson are considering a summer wedding, perhaps in Miami Beach, Fla. The Queen of Soul wants to follow the ceremony with a reception on a private yacht. [associated]