Killer robots are closer to becoming a reality than you might think. Mary Wareham is part of the fight to stop them before it’s too late.
Via Newsy
Russians circumvent lingerie ban by 3D printing it
3D printed lingerie.
A Eurasian Union law prevents the production or import of lace garments, but the German lingerie brand, Lascana, has turned to 3D printing to circumvent that law. Lingerie lovers rejoice because you next pair of sexy undies may be on the way to you thanks to 3D printing.
Continue reading… “Russians circumvent lingerie ban by 3D printing it”
Germany considers ban on after-hours office communications to workers
A ban on office communications in the evening and during vacation time could even become law.
Some German companies such as BMW, Volkswagen and Deutsche Telekom, in the last few years, have banned after-hours calls and emails to workers. The point of the ban is to actually let people take time off in the evening, rather than effectively being half-working all the time.
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Turkey’s Twitter ban backfires
After banning Twitter last week, the actions of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have failed spectacularly. Immediately following Turkey’s ban, Twitter issued an SMS workaround. Then, “#TwitterisblockedinTurkey” became a globally trending topic on Twitter.
Continue reading… “Turkey’s Twitter ban backfires”
Analysts predict $13.1 billion game market for China in 2013 with end of game console ban
The end of the console ban means that Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft can now legally sell their systems in the country.
Niko Partners, an Asian games market research firm, predicts a $13.1 billion game market for China in 2013. This is in its China Games Market Mid-Year 2013 Update Bulletin, which includes data and analysis of video game salesfor the country that has recently lifted a long-standing ban on consoles. That’s a 28 percent growth for online PC games compared to 2012 and a 60 percent increase for mobile games revenue.
Chinese government bans internet anonymity
“Absolute freedom of the network does not exist … the virtual society and social reality are inseparable.”
China wants to pass a law that will abolish online anonymity which requires citizens to identify themselves when signing up for Internet and telecommunications services.
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Why soda drink sizes got so huge
On Thursday, the New York City Board of Health voted to ban the sale of sugary soft drinks larger than 16 ounces at restaurants. This is a move that has sparked intense debate between public health advocates and beverage industry lobbyists. When did sodas get so big in the first place?
Colorado considers nation’s toughest trans-fat ban in schools
Several states already limit trans-fat in school cafeterias.
Colorado is the nation’s leanest state and it is taking aim at junk food in school cafeterias as it considers the nation’s toughest school trans-fat ban.
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NTSB urges states ban all cellphone use by drivers
A sign in Havre, Mont., notifies drivers of the city’s handheld cellphone ban, which took effect in October.
The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday called for a ban on all cellphone use by drivers saying its decision was based on a decade of investigations into distraction-related accidents, as well as growing concerns that powerful mobile devices are giving drivers even more reasons to look away from the road. This is the most far-reaching such recommendation to date.
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Most Americans want a ban on smoking in public: poll
Nineteen percent believe smoking should be illegal.
Most people in the U.S. want smoking banned in all public places, but only 19 percent believe that cigarette smoking should be illegal in the United States, according to a new Gallop poll.
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Ban on the incandescent light bulb would save consumers $12.5 billion by 2020
The average household’s energy costs would be cut by 7% or $85 every year.
Making it’s way through the U.S. Congress is a bill that would block certain provisions from a 2007 energy law signed by George W. Bush that “effectively bans the 100-watt incandescent bulb next year and other versions subsequently”. The law simply mandates that bulbs need to be 30% more energy efficient, an improvement that could have great economic and environmental benefits.
Continue reading… “Ban on the incandescent light bulb would save consumers $12.5 billion by 2020”
California To Be First U.S. State to Ban Styrofoam Containers
Styrofoam takes forever to biodegrade, it clogs up waterways, and wildlife mistake it for food and ingest it.
The state Senate in California just voted to ban the sale of Styrofoam containers. Restaurants and shops would be banned from distributing food in foam containers. Californian’s takeout and sodas will have to be sold in more sustainable, or ideally, reusable containers. Some 50 municipalities in the state have already enacted such bans. If the measure passes the state Assembly, it will make California the first in the nation to ban styrofoam.
