Top headlines:
Why 'Mama' and 'Dada' are baby's first words: Languages in many cultures have apparently made the task easy by creating words for mothers and fathers that feature patterns of repeating sounds, a new study suggests. ›18:44 27 Aug, Wed
Alaska voters decide mining over fish: Alaskans were given an option when voting for an initiative in their primary election: mining or fish. ›23:56 28 Aug, Thu
Live to 43 or 86? Depends on where you live: Major inequalities in health and life expectancy persist worldwide, according to an independent World Health Organization commission. ›15:42 28 Aug, Thu
Minn. economy buffeted by crosscurrents: High energy prices have become the No. 1 issue for Minnesotans in this years presidential race. High food prices are important, too, but they cut both ways in the agricultural state. ›15:28 29 Aug, Fri
Bochco brings Raising the Bar to TNT: The Emmy-winning hitmaker enlisted Seton Hall University law professor David Feige, a former public defender who wrote the 2006 criminal justice system memoir Indefensible, to help co-create and supervise Raising the Bar. ›22:02 29 Aug, Fri
Advancing Atlantic swallows African village: The old shore road to Totope is now under the sea, and when developers began carving out another one, it was washed away so often they abandoned it. ›14:13 26 Aug, Tue
A-list vintages: Top celebrity-owned vineyards: We tour 10 of the world's finest wineries that just happen to be owned by celebrities, including those by Francis Ford Coppola, Sam Neill, Mario Andretti and Gerard Depardieu. Could a Brangelina Sauvignon Blanc be far behind? ›21:53 29 Aug, Fri
Breaking Ramadan's fast in Ramallah: Have you ever wondered what it's like breaking Ramadan's fast in Ramallah? Epicurious' Raja Aziz Shehadeh had the chance to break fast with Muslim friends in the Middle Eastern city. ›21:16 29 Aug, Fri
McCain praises VP choice Palin's 'tenacity': Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain introduced his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, at an Ohio rally Friday, praising her "tenacity" and "skill" in tackling tough problems. ›18:32 29 Aug, Fri
Julia Roberts designs T-shirt for AIDS fight: The Oscar-winning actress has returned to work with Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani to raise money for the fight against AIDS in Africa, designing a T-shirt to be sold under the "Red" label. ›19:42 28 Aug, Thu
Speed limit likely around Atlantic right whales: The government on Monday recommended a speed limit for commercial ships along the Atlantic coast, where collisions with the endangered right whale threaten its existence. ›00:28 26 Aug, Tue
Ramadan's memorable recipes, traditions: Ramadan is not about starving yourself," says author Huma Siddiqui, "it's about taking a step back." Epicurious examines memorable recipes and traditions of Muslim holy month. ›21:15 29 Aug, Fri
A new day dawns for King's dream: Forty-five years after Martin Luther King Jr. spoke in D.C., America has first African American presidential nominee. ›06:50 29 Aug, Fri
How you can downsize without compromise: Here are 10 of the safest cars on the market that prove you can downsize without compromising. ›15:15 29 Aug, Fri
Thicke reflects on race and Something Else: Race never seems to be far from the mind of Thicke, who was heralded for furthering the next generation of blue-eyed soul after the platinum success of his second album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke. ›19:34 28 Aug, Thu
Todd: Obama's night for the history books: Will these nights simply be a page in the history of America or the start of a completely new chapter? NBC Political Director Chuck Todd previews Obama's acceptance speech. ›16:20 28 Aug, Thu
Early ear infections may pack on pounds later: Chronic childhood ear infections may damage a vital taste-sensing nerve in kids, perking a preference for rich foods and making them prone to weight gain later, new research suggests. ›14:00 26 Aug, Tue
Machinists union leaders call for Boeing strike: Leaders of Boeings Machinists union called for a strike Friday after deciding a proposed labor contract the aerospace company called its best and final offer wasnt good enough. ›22:48 29 Aug, Fri
Hundreds of oiled penguins die off Brazil: More than 200 oil-slicked penguins have washed up dead on the beaches of a popular Brazilian resort, and officials say they are searching for the source of the oil. ›20:51 29 Aug, Fri
In Bordeaux, a white wine road less traveled: Its back-to-school time again, and many families are trying to figure out just what to pack in school lunchboxes. TODAY food editor Phil Lempert presents affordable and nutritious foods that'll keep your kids happy and healthy. ›15:52 28 Aug, Thu
Travel abroad to see your donations in action: It used to be that if you wanted to give money to charity, you simply sent a check. Nowadays, people are traveling abroad to see their donations in action. Below, what you need to know before you go. ›18:27 28 Aug, Thu
Tidbits: Decathlon champ says Phelps not best: Bryan Clay says that though Michael Phelps may be the world's best swimmer, he's not well-rounded enough to be considered the world's best athlete. ›13:51 29 Aug, Fri
Raft made of plastic bottles crosses Pacific: Tanned, dirty and hungry, two men who spent three months crossing the Pacific on a raft made of plastic bottles to raise awareness of ocean debris finally stepped onto dry land. ›14:54 28 Aug, Thu
Still in a home, by the skin of her teeth: Gut Check America profiles a single mom in Minnesota who found herself buried in debt after raising three kids. It took an unexpected windfall to save her from foreclosure. Msnbc.com's Kari Huus reports. ›09:50 29 Aug, Fri
