facebooknotifications
In the last few days, I've started getting Facebook notifications both in the web app and on iOS for some status updates or photo uploads from friends.
The notifications have a star icon 
and the URL includes notif_t=top_news_story, suggesting I get notifications for "top stories".
I would prefer it the way it was before, where I only get notifications for comments on my stuff, when I'm tagged in a picture etc.
I haven't yet found the setting to disable this. Anyone?
Are you referring to your News Feed (Top News), News Feed (Most Recent), or the Recent Activity on your profile?
I think that News Feed (Top News) only displays what Facebook considers to be most interesting to you, so I wouldn't expect your own likes/comments there. The News Feed setting that you mentioned applies to the Most Recent setting.
News Feed (Most Recent) does not display individual stories for comments and likes on posts; you would only see them under the corresponding post, if it is expanded. Are you saying that you expanded the likes/comments and you can see comments from other people but your comment is not there? Sometimes it takes some time for it to show up although it shouldn't take days (unless it was deleted).
If you are referring to the Recent Activity on your profile, there is an additional setting for that that you didn't mention. On your profile's Wall (not your News Feed), scroll to the bottom and click Edit Options. If you have hidden any kinds of stories from your Recent Activity these will be listed and you can unhide any of them by clicking the X and then Save.
As for the Photos tab, that used to be a known issue although the link to Facebook Help in that answer does not seem to work now. I don't know if that means that it should be fixed.
Try going to the notification tab on top of Facebook page (the World looking one). Put your mouse over the notification spam. Click the x on the top right of that notification. Then click turn off. Hope that helps.
Best Answer
I came here looking for help on this same issue and instead found the answer myself and thought I would share:
Click on the "Notifications" button / icon at the top left of your profile (third button to the right of the FB logo).
Hover over the offending notification and an "x" will appear at the top right of the said notification.
Click on the "x" ("Turn Off") and you will be asked to confirm "Turn off top friend activity notifications"
The End