News

• Swiss Space Program Targets Thousands Of Pieces Of 'Orbital Debris' February 16, 2012
  The Swiss have only been putting things into orbit for a few years now, but now that they've gotten a look at this debris field, they've decided to do something about it — like playing Felix to the rest of the world's Oscar. […]
• Elie Wiesel Shines Spotlight On Romney Over Controversial Mormon Practice February 16, 2012
  Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel's name and those of his father and grandfather appeared on a list used to select people for posthumous Mormon baptisms. Wiesel is calling on Mitt Romney to use his stature as perhaps the nation's most prominent Mormon to condemn the practice. Romney has not commented. […]
• Obama Seeks To Change Change; Shift Looms For Pennies And Nickels February 16, 2012
  The Obama administration looks to give the Treasury more leeway in minting coins that have gotten more expensive than their face value — specifically, pennies (2.4 cents) and nickels (11.2 cents). […]
• Joe Kennedy III Announces Mass. Congress Bid February 15, 2012
  The son of former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy II and a grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy will be running for the seat now held by retiring U.S. Rep. Barney Frank. He said he would work hard to earn every vote and if elected would "bring that fight for fairness to the U.S. Congress." […]
• FCC Poised To Kill U.S. Wireless Network Plan February 15, 2012
  Officials sought comments Wednesday on revoking LightSquared's permit after a federal agency that coordinates wireless signals concluded that there's no way to eliminate the risk of interference with GPS devices. […]
• Audits Are Under Way At Apple Supplier Foxconn's Plants February 15, 2012
  Audits of working conditions are under way at Foxconn's manufacturing plants in China, a key link in Apple's supply chain of iPhones, iPads and other devices. The effort will include visits to at least three sites, "each with more than 100,000 workers," says Auret Van Heerden of the Fair Labor Association. […]
• Europe Wants Assurances For Latest Greek Bailout February 15, 2012
  The European Union says Greece has made some progress, but not enough, to merit the new bailout it desperately needs to avoid default and keep the euro as its currency. Now, talk is growing about contingency planning if Greece fails to meet the bailout conditions and defaults. […]
• Scientists Debate How To Conduct Bird Flu Research February 15, 2012
  Scientists working with bird flu recently called a 60-day halt on some controversial experiments. The unusual move has been compared to a famous moratorium on genetic engineering in the 1970s. Key scientists involved in that pause on genetic research disagree on whether today's furor over bird flu is history repeating itself. […]
• Robert Rubin: Economic Future Is Most 'Uncertain' He's Ever Seen February 15, 2012
  Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin says the U.S. economic outlook is the most "uncertain" he has seen in his lifetime. Given that he was born during the Great Depression and lived through the Cold War, the 1970s' inflation, and a brutal 1980-82 recession, that may be saying a lot. […]
• Obama's Manufacturing Push Meets Skepticism From Experts February 15, 2012
  Obama has proposed using the tax code to create incentives for manufacturers to create jobs in the U.S. rather than abroad. Rick Santorum, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, has also proposed tax-based incentives for manufacturers. But it's worth noting that some economists see risks in politicians and other policymakers making s […]
• FCC Cracks Down On Telemarketer 'Robocalls' February 15, 2012
  The Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday that it will now require telemarketers to obtain written consent from people before placing an automated phone call. […]
• Fed Divided On Further Action To Boost Economy February 15, 2012
  The Federal Reserve isn't about to launch another bond-buying program to boost the economy — at least not anytime soon, minutes from its recent meeting suggest. While some Fed officials are open to such a move, others believe the economy would need to weaken before taking such action. […]
• Kids Listen When Parents Say No To Teen Drinking February 15, 2012
  The stricter the parents when it comes to teenage drinking, the less likely a teen is to succumb to an impulse to imbibe, Dutch researchers have found. […]
• Goodbye To The King Size: Mars To Downsize Candy Bars In 2013 February 15, 2012
  Candy-maker Mars says it's setting a 250-calorie limit for all of its candy bars. That means a regular Snickers bar will lose 30 calories and the king-size bar will be no more. […]
• Drinking Takes Center Stage As London Prepares For Olympic Spotlight February 15, 2012
  Britain has a drinking problem. And it's not just a question of alcoholism, but how the country should grapple with what some call an ingrained tradition, and others call a $4.24 billion nightmare. That's how much the National Health Service says it pays each year in alcohol-related incidents. […]