Surely you can't be serious

In honor of the new year, here's a round-up of today's unexpected news items:

• Usability expert Jakob Nielsen advocates usability features for cats.
• Google has announced a scratch-and-sniff app for your Android device.
• Virgin America will acquire Alitalia.
• Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage will leave the series next season.

Updates as the situation warrants.