Oxford compiles list of top ten irritating phrases

A top 10 of irritating expressions has been compiled by researchers at Oxford University. Heading the list was the expression ‘at the end of the day’, which was followed in second place by the phrase ‘fairly unique’. The tautological statement “I personally” made third place – an expression that BBC Radio 4 presenter John Humphreys has described [...] "eliotcobb.com"

Gov. Sarah Palin denounced anonymous criticisms leveled at her by former John McCain aides as lies, including allegations that Republican lawyers were traveling to Alaska to reclaim her high-priced wardrobe and that she didn’t know Africa was a continent. “Those accounts are not true,” the former Republican vice presidential candidate said in her first public [...] "eliotcobb.com"

The French presidency of the European Union expressed “strong concern” Friday over a Russian plan to station new missiles near Poland’s border. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced Wednesday that Moscow would deploy missiles in its western outpost of Kaliningrad in response to U.S. plans to station an anti-missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. “The presidency of [...] "eliotcobb.com"

Pope Benedict condemned the trade in human organs as an abomination Friday and urged caution in removing organs for transplant from dying donors who might not actually yet be dead. The pontiff told scientists and bioethicists meeting at the Pontifical Academy for Life that the worldwide illegal organ trade often made victims of innocent people, including [...] "eliotcobb.com"

Barack Obama referred to himself as a ‘mutt’ last night in his first press conference since being elected America’s first black president. The president-elect brought up his own mixed race roots while talking about the type of puppy he’d promised his daughters for their move to the White House. Although the focus of his first public appearance [...] "eliotcobb.com"

A daredevil surfer is pictured tackling a giant 41 foot wave in a bid to win himself a prestigious award. Kerby Brown took on the monster during a session at a top secret reef, and nearly didn’t live to tell the tale. Moments after these pictures were taken, he suffered a devastating wipeout which nearly killed him. He [...] "eliotcobb.com"

President-elect Obama said Friday that the country is facing the greatest economic challenge in a lifetime and “we’re going to have to act swiftly to resolve it.” In his first news conference since winning the presidency Tuesday, Obama said Congress must pass an economic stimulus measure either before or just after he takes office in January. [...] "eliotcobb.com"

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and a top UN official urged industrialised nations Friday to alter their lifestyles and not let the global financial crisis hamper climate change efforts. Industrialised nations should also help developing countries respond to climate change, Wen said at the opening of a two-day international meeting on global warming in Beijing. “The developed countries [...] "eliotcobb.com"