Technology

ISIS Uses Cyber Capabilities To Attack The U.S. Online

4:37pm April 25, 2016

by Mary Louise Kelly

The U.S. and the West aren't the only ones operating on the cyber-battlefield in the war with ISIS. The terror group has cyber-capabilities of its own. NPR takes a look at these capabilities and explores how they play into the larger expansion of cyber-strike and counter-strike throughout the Middle East.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper appears on Capitol Hill in February.

National

U.S. Spy Chief Considers Disclosing Number Of Americans Surveilled Online

4:31pm April 25, 2016

by Lauren Hodges

National Intelligence Director James Clapper says there are multiple obstacles in calculating just how many U.S. citizens are ensnared in government data-collection programs targeting foreigners.

If there was a way to keep using your phone forever, would you want to?

Environment

Phone, Everlasting: What If Your Smartphone Never Got Old?

4:30pm April 25, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

For many of us, when a phone starts slowing down we face a choice: spend the money to try to fix it or get a new one. But could there be a phone that never loses its luster?

Liam is a robot Apple created to disassemble iPhones.

These Earth-Saving Robots Might Be The Future Recyclers

2:32pm April 24, 2016

by Zhai Yun Tan

Apple recently unveiled Liam, a robot with 29 arms that takes apart iPhones so materials can be recycled and reused. As we accumulate more waste, recycling robots like Liam might become more common.

A container ship is unloaded at the Port of Los Angeles. Voters in this year's presidential election have deep feelings about trade — and often are at odds with each other about it.

A Nation Engaged: Trade Stirs Up Sharp Debate In This Election Cycle

5:13pm April 23, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

Americans shared their views on trade with NPR and member stations. One thing is clear: Millions of voters have deep feelings about trade — and often are at odds with each other about it.

A trip to Iceland wouldn't be complete without a dip in the Blue Lagoon, a man-made geothermal pool on Reykjanes peninsula.

#NPRreads: 3 Stories To Soak Up This Weekend

1:36pm April 23, 2016

The premise of #NPRreads is simple: Correspondents, editors and producers from our newsroom share the pieces that have kept them reading and each weekend, we highlight some of the best stories.

National

Over 60 Years In, The B-52 Bomber Is Still Kicking

9:36am April 23, 2016

The B-52 Stratofortress bomber was first developed by Boeing in 1952. NPR's Scott Simon talks with Wired's Eric Adams about how an aircraft that old has such staying power.

The U.S. Justice Department has again found a way to access a locked iPhone without Apple's help, so investigators can access data involved in a court case.

National

Government Drops Another Demand For Apple's Help With Unlocking An iPhone

11:10pm April 22, 2016

by Barbara Campbell

As it did with the San Bernardino terrorist's phone, the Justice Department has told a court it no longer needs Apple to intervene to bypass a device's security. Someone has provided the passcode.

The death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014 and ensuing confrontations between officers and protesters highlighted a lack of national data on police use of force.

Coaxing Police To Share Data On Officers' Conduct

8:00pm April 22, 2016

by Martin Kaste

A project to encourage police to be open about the use of force stems from a lack of information following the 2014 Ferguson protests. Some departments keep good data and some keep none.

National

FBI Paid More Than $1 Million To Access San Bernardino Shooter's iPhone

6:10pm April 21, 2016

by Laura Wagner

FBI Director James Comey said Thursday the bureau spent "more than I will make in the remainder of this job," which comes out to be more than $1 million.