News

Health & Safety

Soda Wars Backlash: Mississippi Passes 'Anti-Bloomberg' Bill

5:11pm March 13, 2013

by Jeffrey Hess

A bill now on the governor's desk would bar Mississippi counties and towns from enacting rules that require calorie counts to be posted, that cap portion sizes, or that keep toys out of kids' meals.

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Samantha Grimaldo was born with a rare disorder, Perisylvian syndrome, and has never been able to speak.

New Voices For The Voiceless: Synthetic Speech Gets An Upgrade

1:23pm March 13, 2013

by Alix Spiegel

For those who rely on technology to speak, there are a limited number of voices. "Perfect Paul" sounds robotic, and "Heather" can seem too old for some. Now, a researcher is using sound samples from people who have never been able to speak to create new, personalized voices for them.

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The New York City Zara store on Fifth Avenue.

World News

The Reclusive Spanish Billionaire Behind Zara's Fast Fashion Empire

8:18pm March 12, 2013

by Lauren Frayer

Amancio Ortega has just bumped Warren Buffett off his No. 3 spot on Forbes' list of billionaires. The Spanish entrepreneur's clothing chain has become highly popular around the world, but do you know the man behind the label?

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Dunkin' Donuts plans to go green by committing to purchasing all of its palm oil from sustainable sources.

Can Dunkin' Donuts Really Turn Its Palm Oil Green?

7:13pm March 12, 2013

by Ilya Marritz

Under pressure from the New York state comptroller — who oversees one of its largest shareholders — the doughnut chain has agreed to set a goal of using only 100 percent sustainable palm oil to make its doughnuts. Production of palm oil has caused serious deforestation in Indonesia.

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A screenshot shows game designer Mike Mika's Donkey Kong: Pauline Edition he created for his daughter show she could play as a female hero.

Dad's 'Donkey Kong' Hack Recasts Female As Hero For Daughter

6:42pm March 12, 2013

by Steve Mullis

In an industry full of damsels in distress, game designer Mike Mika hacked the classic game to let his 3-year-old play as the female hero. His story is becoming part of a larger conversation about gender roles in the video game industry. But Mika says he didn't set out to push a feminist agenda or statement.

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National

Cyberattacks, Terrorism Top U.S. Security Threat Report

6:42pm March 12, 2013

by Tom Gjelten

In his annual assessment of threats, the director of national intelligence also cited Iran and North Korea. He warned the spending cuts mandated under the sequestration jeopardized the nation's safety.

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National

Death Cafes Breathe Life Into Conversations About Dying

1:20pm March 12, 2013

by Deena Prichep

Jon Underwood, a British Web designer and self-named "death entrepreneur," helps people talk about the taboo topic over tea and cake. "When we acknowledge that we're going to die, it falls back on ourselves to ask the question, 'Well, in this limited time that I've got, what's important for me to do?' " Underwood says.

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Noah Zandan shows off his Zeo sleep-tracking headband. His other self-tracking devices are on his wrists. Noah and his father, Peter, are both part of the growing "Quantified Self" movement.

Self-Tracking Apps To Help You 'Quantify' Yourself

11:11am March 12, 2013

by Elise Hu

Technology is making it easier than ever to track everything from your sleep cycles to the food you eat — and even your amino acid levels.

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World News

In Upcoming Venezuelan Vote, Hugo Chavez Looms Large

5:17am March 12, 2013

by Juan Forero

With Chavez gone, his handpicked successor is in the spotlight. Nicolas Maduro has adopted Chavez's style and anti-imperialist rhetoric. That should help boost his appeal as he faces opposition leader Henrique Capriles in a special election April 14.

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Owens Lake — which dried up after losing its water source, the Owens River, to Los Angeles — is known to be a source of air pollution. The city of L.A. is in court over obligations to control dust pollution at the lake.

National

Owens Valley Salty As Los Angeles Water Battle Flows Into Court

6:30pm March 11, 2013

by Kirk Siegler

Almost 100 years ago, a water-supply diversion from Owens River helped quench Los Angeles' thirst some 200 miles away. L.A. thrived, but it drained the Owens Lake and created a salt flat that now pollutes the air. A century later, the finger-pointing continues, and this week, the city's water department is back in court over its cleanup plan.

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