Major world news seems to ebb and flow in terms of severity. These days, though, it seems to be coming in an uninterrupted string of fits and starts. Tornados...the capturing and killing of a 'most-wanted' terrorist leader, earthquakes, flooding, a royal wedding, a tsunami... It's been pretty intense, right? That's what makes it so much fun to offer up this inspiring human interest story.

As you may or may not be aware…

Toyota is partnering with Microsoft to create an in-car electronics system designed to aid the efficiency of their battery-powered vehicles. Both companies will invest one-billion yen ($12 million) in a Toyota subsidiary that will provide data services for drivers.

Toyota and Microsoft indicate the forthcoming system will incorporate a suite of telematics services, including data, in-car entertainment, navigation, and multimedia. Powered by Window's Azure cloud computing platform, it may also be employed to manage…