Google Chairman Eric Schmidt Visits North Korea – As diplomatic encounters go, it has to be among the most intriguing: the head of a revolutionary technology company that has helped secure the open flow of information around the world steps inside one of the globe’s most closed societies. [guardian]

Batman Killer In Court – The student accused of opening fire at a Colorado cinema faces a key court appearance – amid an ongoing debate over US gun laws. [skynews]

US Conservatives Ring In Gun Appreciation Day – Gun-lovers in the US can finally let their enthusiasm show without fear – on Gun Appreciation Day, which a coalition of right-wing organisations has designated as January 19. [rt]

Call To Snub The Fruits Of Cape ‘Slave Labour’ – The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry has voiced its strong disapproval of calls for a resumption of the Western Cape’s agricultural strikes. [bdlive]

Stampede As Cops Storm Free State Prison – Around 50 inmates of the Groenpunt prison in Deneysville, Free State, suffered minor injuries in a stampede when police entered the facility early today. A riot had broken out at around 16:00 on Monday when prisoners refused to eat and started setting fires. [news24]

Associated Press Will Start Selling Tweets Via AP Twitter Feed – The Associated Press is the latest news organization to experiment with trying to make money from Twitter by using its feed to advertise for other companies. [mashable]

Apple Says Application Downloads Have Exceeded 40 Billion – Apple Inc. said customers have downloaded more than 40 billion applications from the App Store, with almost half of those in 2012, escalating a duel with Google Inc.  over which company is gaining the most traction with users. [bloomberg]

Radical Temperatures And Wildfires Across Australia – New wildfires flared across Australia on Tuesday as temperatures soared to near record levels, fanned by hot outback winds, and as Prime Minister Julia Gillard warned the nation to prepare for possibly its worst day of bushfires. [reuters]

Corpse used in Local R,5m Insurance Scam – The body of a woman was buried in men’s pyjamas allegedly as part of a R1.5-million life insurance scam. Six people, including two undertakers and a government mortuary employee, have been arrested for fraud. [timeslive]

Was Vittorio Missoni Kidnapped? – A mysterious SMS sent late Sunday night has given family members hope that the missing Milanese designer and fellow passengers are alive and were kidnapped, not victims of an air-sea accident. [dailybeast]

Protesters In China Call For Press Freedom – Hundreds of press-freedom advocates have gathered outside the offices of a liberal Chinese newspaper at the centre of a censorship row to call for media freedom in China. [aljazeera]

Hillary Clinton Back At Work – Now With A Football Helmet – Hillary Clinton went back to work as secretary of state yesterday and was greeted by colleagues showing off their sense of humor. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides handed Clinton a box, saying, “As you know, Washington is a contact sport.” [cnn]

iPhone 5s Rumours Start – The next iPhone will feature new touch-sensor technology, a choice of two screen sizes and will be available in a range of five colors, according to recent rumors. [luxuo]

Diana Ross Throws Diva Tantrum In Restaurant – Diva Diana Ross threw a supreme hissy fit at restaurant La Scala in Beverly Hills after she was not allowed to sit at a table until her daughter showed up. The tiny Italian eatery has a policy of not seating incomplete parties unless someone has a reservation. [nypost]

Stomach Sucker Patent Brings Yuck Factor To Dieting – It’s a stomach-turning idea – but an invention detailed in a US patent application nevertheless holds out the hope of a treatment for morbid obesity without the invasive surgery and drawbacks of a gastric bypass. [newscientist]

Elvis Impersonator Crowned King Of Europe – Midlands-based impersonator Gordon Elvis wins the annual European Elvis Championships in Birmingham, ahead of what would have been the American singer’s 78th birthday. [telegraph]

Brad Pitt Joins China’s Version of Twitter, Creates Confusion – World-traveling man of intrigue Brad Pitt has joined China’s version of Twitter — Sina Weibo — and in his first message hinted that he could be making a visit to the country, which he had reportedly been banned from visiting. Or maybe not. [wired]

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COMING UP TODAY

How Are Your Children Coping With Being On Holiday? – After a little break, the Mommy Matters team are back in the swing, and behind the microphones tomorrow morning again at 9am. Tune in to hear about their adventures – they’ll be sharing our travel experiences, how our children are coping being at home for weeks on end, and as usual. We’d love to hear from all of you on Facebook and Twitter, about your holidays, and stand a chance to win a lovely pamper prize from Mamo Mia to help mom’s cope over this crazy time. [mommymatters]