The 10 biggest stories of 2011 in mobile tech

Editor's note: Amy Gahran writes about mobile tech for CNN.com. She is a San Francisco Bay Area writer and media consultant whose blog, Contentious.com, explores how people communicate in the online age.

(CNN) -- For Americans who own cell phones or other mobile devices (at least 85% of the adult population, according to a new survey), 2011 ushered in a whirlwind of news.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il dead after heart attack, state media repor

(CNN) -- North Korea's enigmatic leader Kim Jong Il -- who, after succeeding his father 17 years ago, captained his poor, closed nation and antagonized its enemies -- is dead, state media reported Monday.

Kim, 69, died at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, according to state media.

A tearful broadcaster reported that Kim died due to "overwork" after "dedicating his life to the people."

Kim suffered "great mental and physical strain" while on a train during a "field guidance tour," North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency reported.

At least 180 dead after storm pummels Philippines

Manila, Philippines (CNN) -- At least 180 people are dead after Tropical Storm Washi pummeled the Philippines, officials said Saturday.

The deaths occurred in areas such as Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities and Compostela Valley and Zamboanga del Norte provinces, said Benito Ramos, chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

At least 400 people are missing after the storm, which is called Sendong locally. More than 2,000 have been rescued, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said officials are investigating reports that an entire village was swept away.

Over 100 killed in the Philippines

Flash flooding overnight -- following 10 hours of rain -- fueled the devastation, compounded by overflowing rivers and tributaries. As much as 20 centimeters (8 inches) of rain fell within 24 hours in some areas.

Ramos said despite government warning, some did not evacuate.

Though Washi was headed away from the Philippines on Saturday, trouble could loom for Vietnam, as the storm's westerly path could cross Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

Spanish international star Villa breaks his leg as Barcelonal brush Al Sadd aside

Spain striker David Villa had recently lost his place in the Barcelona team to Chile's Alexis Sanchez

(CNN) -- Spanish international striker David Villa suffered a broken leg as European Champions Barcelona brushed aside Qatari side Al Sadd 4-0 Thursday to reach the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Villa fractured his left tibia while trying to latch on to an Andres Iniesta through ball after 34 minutes of the semifinal clash in Japan's Toyota City and was carried off on a stretcher.

Spanish champions Barca will come up against Santos in Sunday's final after the Brazilian team beat Japan's Kashiwa Reysol 3-1 Wednesday.

Write off Barcelona at your peril: The European champions show their worth at the Santiago Bernabeu

soccerlens.com - Saturday’s El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid lived up to all expectations; there was passion, spell-bounding skill and goals – the only thing missing was the heavily anticipated Madrid victory. Pep Guardiola’s European champions are not ready to hand over the Primera Division crown to their bitter rivals just yet, as an Alexis Sanchez strike, a Marcelo own goal and a Cesc Fabregas header gave the Catalans a deserved 3-1 victory.

Mourinho targets quick recovery

breakingnews.ie  - Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho believes his team can regain top spot in the Primera Division table from rivals Barcelona by Christmas.

Mourinho’s side lost 3-1 at home to Barcelona on Saturday and also gave up top spot on head-to-head results to the Nou Camp side, who have played a game more.

Reports: Anelka set for move to China

breakingnews.ie - Nicolas Anelka will leave Chelsea for Shanghai Shenhua next month on a two-year contract, according to the Chinese Super League club.

Anelka, 32, has reportedly agreed a deal worth in the region of £175,000 a week to the striker, who recently had a transfer request accepted by the Blues.

No Nadal for 2012 Davis Cup

sport24.co.za - Seville - Spain's fifth Davis Cup title party in 11 years fell flat when Rafael Nadal revealed he'd skip next year's title defence while brother-in-arms David Ferrer called time on his tournament duties.

World number two Nadal, who battled back from a set down to defeat Juan Martin del Potro and give Spain victory over Argentina in an epic clash on Sunday, insisted that the defence of his Olympic title must be a priority.

Ferrer, who defeated Del Potro in a marathon five-setter on Friday, said that at 29, his five-year tour of Davis Cup duty was virtually over.

The double blow, coupled with captain Albert Costa's uncertainty over his availability and the worrying decline of doubles pairing Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco, left Spain looking seriously under-powered for 2012.

Ferguson faces up to Europa

sport24.co.za - Manchester - Alex Ferguson said his remark that having to play in the Europa League was Manchester United's "penalty" for not reaching the Champions League knockout stage was not a criticism of the second-tier competition and they wanted to win the trophy.

United missed out on the Champions League last 16 after a 2-1 defeat in Basel on Wednesday but despite that disappointment their manager told a news conference on Friday they now needed to focus on trying to win Europe's second-tier competition.

"It's a good competition. (When) you see some of the teams left in it, it has got to be a strong competition," he told reporters.

"When I say it's a punishment for us to be in the Europa League what I mean by that is for 20 years what this club has only thought about is the Champions League. All we've thought of is winning that European Cup.

Video MU vs Basel (Manchester United knocked out of Champions League)

vivanews.com

Manchester clubs exit Champions League at group stage

(CNN) -- Manchester United and their city rivals Manchester City both made embarrassing exits from the European Champions League on Wednesday.

United were beaten 2-1 in Basel to leave the Swiss side and Benfica as the qualifiers from Group C, while City beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium but went out as Napoli won 2-0 at Villarreal.

It left Bayern and the Italians to go through from Group A to complete a chastening first experience of Europe's top club competition for Robert Mancini's expensively assembled side.