Business
Ethereum's 'Merge' Is a Big Deal for Crypto—and the Planet
One of the most influential cryptocurrency projects is set to finally ditch proof-of-work mining.
Spyware Scandals Are Ripping Through Europe
The latest crisis that rocked the Greek government shows the bloc’s surveillance problem goes beyond the notorious NSO Group.
Smiling Dogs? Horses Made of Clouds? Captcha Has Gone Too Far
Users face increasingly impossible challenges to prove they are not bots.
Will Europe Force a Facebook Blackout?
Regulators are close to stopping Meta from sending EU data to the US, bringing a years-long privacy battle to a head.
By Matt Burgess
Amazon Workers in the UK Walk Out in a Cost-of-Living Rebellion
After news of a “pointless” pay increase spread, workers at three warehouses stopped work to demand higher wages as inflation and interest rates surge.
Shutdown
The Rise and Fall of a Bitcoin Mining Sensation
Compass Mining grew quickly during crypto’s halcyon days. Now, its customers and their thousands of mining machines are stuck.
Small Change
What Twitter’s Move to Shutter Offices Signals for Big Tech
Companies are cutting costs by embracing remote setups, but what happens to the hubs they leave behind?
Hot Work
How Siestas Might Help Europe Survive Deadly Heat Waves
The snooze is optional. But as climate change intensifies, Northern European countries are seeing the appeal of Spain’s controversial midday break.
Food on the Move
Gig Workers Are Losing Their Hard-Won Rights
A battle between unions and Just Eat France sets a troubling precedent for platform workers.
Data Melt
Data Centers Are Facing a Climate Crisis
Companies are racing to cool down their servers as energy prices and temperatures soar. And the worst is yet to come.
Tech Earnings
Big Tech Can’t Stop Obsessing Over Apple and TikTok
Earnings season was dominated by two companies—both existential threats to their competition.
Air Mail
Drone Contraband Deliveries Are Rampant at US Prisons
Law enforcement officers face an air assault as drugs, weapons and phones are flown in to prisoners.
By Jeff Link
Ticket to Ride
The Case for Making Public Transit Free Everywhere
From Spain to Germany and Luxembourg to Estonia, more and more countries are experimenting with fare-free transportation.
By Nicole Kobie
Future Proofing
How to Prevent Another European Transport Meltdown
This summer’s heat wave knocked roads, railways, and runways out of action. But existing solutions could help shore up critical infrastructure.
Drive Time
EV Makers Think They’ve Figured Out What Women Want
Men are more likely to buy electric vehicles, and carmakers are eager to diversify their base. But what will it take to close the gender gap?
By Morgan Meaker and Aarian Marshall
Hybrid Approach
Canary Wharf Is Trying to Make a Comeback
The business district in London, home to bankers, lawyers and office workers, is pivoting to stay relevant in the work from home era.
Time’s Up
TikTok Starts Layoffs in Company-Wide Restructuring
The company laid off some US staff and told workers in Europe and the UK that their jobs are at risk.
Backward Logic
Twitter Has Entered the Elon Musk Twilight Zone
In the tortured deal’s alternate reality, it makes sense for the company's leaders to try to force Musk to take over—but things will get tricky if they succeed.
Reproductive Rights
Abortion Pill Demand Is Driving an Underground Network
Desperate people in the US and beyond are turning to an unregulated, cross-continental supply chain.
Making Waves
Is It a Bird? Is It a Plane? No, It’s a Flying Ferry
An electric hydrofoil ferry could be the future of public transportation in Stockholm—and beyond.
By Nicole Kobie
Deal or No Deal
As Elon Musk Walks, Twitter Workers Say No One’s in Charge
Days after the deal to buy Twitter fell apart, fed up employees say they are being kept in the dark.
By Chris Stokel-Walker and Tom Simonite
Green Machine
Escooter Rentals Aren’t as Green as You Think
Dubious design and inefficient operations are just some of the reasons why shared scooters’ eco-credentials are thin.
Left Behind
The Digital Divide Is Coming for You
More services are going online-only—catching more people on the wrong side of a widening gulf.
Plug In
Autonomous Drones Could Soon Run the UK’s Energy Grid
The National Grid is testing computer-manned drones that can save millions in maintenance work.
Crypto Crackdown
Crypto’s Free Rein May Be Coming to a Close
Lawmakers in the US and Europe are considering ways to regulate crypto and crack down on money-laundering and other illicit activities.