Here are some of the contenders for today's biggest...news...of...the...day...

• Job cuts and cost reductions at Alcoa Inc (AA)...
• An upbeat earnings report from Monsanto Co (MON)...
• An upbeat earnings report from Family Dollar Stores Inc (FDO)...
• An upgrade for AK Steel Holding Corp (AKS)...
• Word that US Airways Group (LCC) expects to post a loss...
• Downbeat comments about retail sales...
• A warning from Time Warner Inc (TWX)...
• A warning from Bank of America (BAC)...
• Skepticism on the ability of Apple Inc's (AAPL) iPhone to function efficiently in the corporate world...
• A warning from Intel Corp (INTC)...
• Upbeat comments on Intel Corp (INTC), American Express Co (AXP), Alcon Inc (ACL), and Diageo plc (DEO)...
• A scandal at Satyam Computer Services Ltd...
• A statement from Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) that says "the developments at Satyam aren't expected to hurt the company's business..."
• New product features from Synaptics Inc (SYNA)...

While those are all stories worth watching, I think it is obviously clear that the biggest news is this set of stories -

• Terrorists could use 'insect-based' biological weapon - "I think a small terrorist cell could very easily develop an insect-based weapon..." [courtesy of Colleen]
• Lou the mule credited with saving woman from fire - "...Lou's braying and acting up got her attention..."
• Madoff collectibles flood eBay - "...there's a booming business on eBay in collectibles from the securities firm of the disgraced Wall Street financier..."

So...I now have to add insects to my list of things to worry about. On the bright side, it seems that there might be some splinter groups within the animal uprising. And, it occurred to me last night, that is has been quite some time since we have seen articles about stuff randomly falling from the sky.

As far as the last story goes, I guess it was only a matter of time. After last year's story about someone paying $1,350 for a corn flake, it became obvious that some people will buy anything.