News

When it comes to Internet security, many experts agree outsourcing can create added risks, even if they disagree on the merits of outsourcing in the first place.

With Tech Outsourcing, The Internet Can Be 'A Scary Place'

12:08pm February 27, 2014

by Aarti Shahani

When you hear the word outsourcing, you might think of threats to jobs. To cyber experts, there's another threat: to our data. Hiring third parties with lax security can leave data vulnerable.

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The Search For Drinking Water In California Has Led To The Ocean

12:08pm February 27, 2014

by Nate Rott

As the state slogs through a major drought, officials look for new water sources — like desalination plants that make water from the Pacific drinkable. Opponents worry about environmental damage.

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Chinese billionaire Xander Feng, played by Terry Chen, shakes hands with Francis Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey, in Netflix's House of Cards.

Arts

To Play The Part, Actors Must Talk The Talk — In Chinese

12:08pm February 27, 2014

by Hansi Lo Wang

As Hollywood and China grow closer, more roles are opening up for Asian-American actors to play Chinese-speaking characters. But before they can sound fluent on screen, some turn to dialect coaches.

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A vehicle inside the U.S. Consulate compound in Benghazi is engulfed in flames after an attack on Sept. 11, 2012. "There is no evidence whatsoever that al-Qaida or any group linked to al-Qaida played a role in organizing or leading the attack," says New Y

World News

In Benghazi, U.S. Intelligence Wasn't Focused On 'Homegrown Militants'

5:14pm February 26, 2014

New York Times correspondent David Kirkpatrick spent months on the ground in Benghazi, Libya, trying to get to the bottom of the deadly Sept. 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. Consulate.

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Howard Blum is a former investigative reporter for The New York Times who's now a contributing editor at Vanity Fair.

Books
Arts

During World War I, Germany Unleashed 'Terrorist Cell In America'

12:06pm February 26, 2014

In Dark Invasion, Howard Blum explores the campaign of sabotage that Germany inflicted on an unsuspecting U.S. As ships and factories blew up, "no one really suspected a spy network," he says.

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Sure, you can try doing your Internet browsing this way, but we can't promise that it will help you protect your personal data online.

Books
Arts

If You Think You're Anonymous Online, Think Again

11:00am February 26, 2014

In Dragnet Nation, Julia Angwin describes an oppressive blanket of electronic data surveillance. "There's a price you pay for living in the modern world," she says. "You have to share your data."

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Amid Controversy, 'Right To Refuse' Bill Hits Governor's Desk

8:01pm February 25, 2014

by Ted Robbins

Opposition in Arizona is growing against a controversial bill that would let business owners to refuse service based on religious beliefs. Gov. Jan Brewer hasn't yet decided whether to veto the bill.

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Before Lawmakers, Former Inmates Tell Their Stories

8:01pm February 25, 2014

by Carrie Johnson

Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin is calling on federal and state prisons to ban solitary confinement for juveniles, pregnant women and the mentally ill. He held a hearing in Washington on Tuesday.

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Economy

The 787 Returns, And Boeing Is Watching Its Every Move

6:58pm February 25, 2014

by Wendy Kaufman

After being grounded for months, Boeing's 787 jetliner is back in the air. To help ensure that the planes keep flying and arrive on time, the company is monitoring the entire fleet in real time.

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Joaquin Phoenix stars in the film Her, in which his character falls in love with an operating system. When will artificial intelligence programs like Siri evolve to the point where we'll fall in love with them?

That's Just Like 'Her': Could We Ever Love A Computer?

5:36pm February 25, 2014

by Laura Sydell

There are hurdles to overcome before we can form relationships with artificially intelligent beings.

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