Latest Tech News

Stay updated with the latest in technology, AI, cybersecurity, and more

Filtered by: countries Clear Filter

Income Equality in Nordic Countries: Myths, Facts, and Lessons

Abstract Policymakers, public commentators, and researchers often cite the Nordic countries as examples of a socioeconomic model that combines low income inequality with prosperity and growth. This article critically assesses that claim by integrating theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence to explain how the Nordic model functions and why these countries experience low inequality. Our analysis suggests that income equality in the Nordics is largely driven by a significant compression of

Africa Is Buying a Record Number of Chinese Solar Panels

While overall sales to African countries are still small compared to these traditional export markets, the Global South appears to be at a turning point in how it thinks about energy. For decades, energy-starved countries largely had one default option when they wanted to add new power supply: import coal and gas. Now, for the first time, solar energy is emerging as the cheaper and greener way forward, so there’s no need to sacrifice the environment for development. Familiar Story What’s happe

Two Verizon plans are getting some upgrades at no extra cost

Two of Verizon’s mobile plans are getting some upgrades at no additional cost. The improvements are being made to the Simple Mobile and Total Wireless plans. All five of the Simple Mobile tiers are being upgraded, while the same is true of the top two Total Wireless levels … All of the upgrades relate to international calling and data usage whilst travelling abroad. CNET has the details. Simple Mobile The $25 Unlimited plan includes 15GB of high-speed data (up from 3GB) and unlimited calling

Verizon-powered prepaid brands just got a lot more travel-friendly

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Verizon-powered prepaid providers, Simple Mobile and Total Wireless, are introducing several travel-friendly perks across their plans. The updated plans offer new international calling, texting, and roaming benefits, and in some cases, bundled streaming services. Verizon will soon power new global connectivity options for prepaid customers of Simple Mobile and Total Wireless. Starting August 28, the two no-contract prepaid providers under Verizon’s Va

Verizon's Simple Mobile and Total Wireless Plans Expand International Features

Travel patterns are changing, with more people in the US venturing outside the country and needing to stay connected. To accommodate this surge, Verizon is boosting the international options in its prepaid Simple Mobile and Total Wireless phone brands starting Aug. 28. Most phone plans include options to call and text people in Canada and Mexico, along with some roaming options for US travelers. Depending on the plan, those options are extended to many other countries around the globe. But you

Major Plastics Treaty Ends in Failure

This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter here. Diplomats from around the world concluded nine days of talks in Geneva — plus a marathon overnight session that lasted into the early hours of Friday — with no agreement on a global plastics treaty. During a closing plenary that started on Friday at 6:30 a.m. — more than 15 hours after it was originally scheduled to begin — nearly all countries opposed an updated draft of the United Nations treaty that wa

UN Plastics Treaty Talks Once Again End in Failure

This story originally appeared on Grist and is part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Diplomats from around the world concluded nine days of talks in Geneva—plus a marathon overnight session that lasted into the early hours of Friday—with no agreement on a global plastics treaty. During a closing plenary that started on Friday at 6:30 am, more than 15 hours after it was originally scheduled to begin, nearly all countries opposed an updated draft of the United Nations treaty that was put forwa

Once Again, Oil States Thwart Agreement on Plastics

Diplomats from around the world concluded nine days of talks in Geneva — plus a marathon overnight session that lasted into the early hours of Friday — with no agreement on a global plastics treaty. During a closing plenary that started on Friday at 6:30 a.m. — more than 15 hours after it was originally scheduled to begin — nearly all countries opposed an updated draft of the U.N. treaty that was put forward by the negotiating committee chair, the Ecuadorian diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso. Many

Best travel VPNs 2025: Expert-tested for streaming and avoiding censorship

You don't need to leave your privacy at home when you travel. A virtual private network (VPN) can keep your data safe, mask your IP address online, and provide you with protection while you're away from home. Trusted VPNs encrypt and route your traffic through dedicated networks, and you should always consider using one when you travel to avoid cyberthreats. VPNs can also circumvent censorship blocks in the country you visit, including the UK's new age verification laws, and may help you access

Will the UN finally broker a treaty to end plastic pollution?

To tackle what's been called the plastic "epidemic," the UN spun up a committee in 2022 tasked with brokering a legally binding global agreement. This ambitious treaty between UN member states was to address the full life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal: In short, define what counts as plastic pollution and curb the sorts of unchecked production that inevitably leads to it. But across five sessions since, countries have failed to reach a consensus on the text. What was meant to b

China calls for the creation of a global AI organization

China wants to work with other countries and has laid out its plans for the global governance of artificial intelligence at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai. Li Qiang, the country's premier, warned about "technological monopolies" and said that AI could become "an exclusive game for a few countries and companies." As such, he proposed the creation of a "world AI cooperation organization" during the event. Li didn't specifically mention the United States when he ta

UK wants to weasel out of demand for Apple encryption back door

The UK government is reportedly set to back down from its battle with Apple to obtain back door access to secure user data protected by the company’s iCloud encryption. Victory hasn’t come through the courts, or government figures changing their minds on privacy matters, but thanks to ongoing pressure from the US during the two countries’ trade talks. Multiple unnamed UK officials told the Financial Times that the UK government is working on a way out. “The Home Office is basically going to hav

Best travel VPNs 2025: Expert-tested for streaming and bypassing country blocks

You don't need to leave your privacy at home when you travel. A virtual private network (VPN) can keep your data safe, mask your online activities, and provide you with protection while you're away from home. Trusted VPNs encrypt and route your traffic through VPN networks, reducing the risk of internet protocol (IP) address monitoring, tracking, and data theft. You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when relying on unknown Wi-Fi connections, as it's impossible to know what cyb

The first babies have been born following “simplified” IVF in a mobile lab

While IVF is increasingly commonplace in wealthy countries—around 12% of all births in Spain result from such procedures—it remains expensive and isn’t always covered by insurance or national health providers. And it’s even less accessible in low-income countries—especially for people who live in rural areas. People often assume that countries with high birth rates don’t need access to fertility treatments, says Gerhard Boshoff, an embryologist at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Sub

Trump’s next tariffs will target South Korea and Japan

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. President Donald Trump plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from South Korea and Japan. The levy will go into effect on August 1st, which is when the Trump administration will begin enforcing sweeping tariffs on a wider swath of countries that fail to reach a trade agreement with the US. The US was set to begin imposing its “Libera

Spain and Brazil push global action to tax the super-rich and curb inequality

Presented during the UN’s 4th International Conference on Financing for Development – taking place this week in Sevilla, Spain – the proposal highlights a growing problem: the richest individuals often contribute less to public finances than ordinary taxpayers, thanks to lower effective tax rates and legal loopholes. “Our countries need more and more public revenues to meet their needs. Inequality is a problem everywhere and the richest pay less than the middle class – even less than lower-inco

Nearly 20% of cancer drugs defective in four African nations

Across Africa, cancer medications have been found to be substandard or counterfeit. That means people are being given medicine that may not work, or that could even cause them harm. An alarming number of people across Africa may be taking cancer drugs that don't contain the vital ingredients needed to contain or reduce their disease. It's a concerning finding with roots in a complex problem: how to regulate a range of therapeutics across the continent. A US and pan-African research group publ

Nearly 20% of cancer drugs defective in 4 African nations

Across Africa, cancer medications have been found to be substandard or counterfeit. That means people are being given medicine that may not work, or that could even cause them harm. An alarming number of people across Africa may be taking cancer drugs that don't contain the vital ingredients needed to contain or reduce their disease. It's a concerning finding with roots in a complex problem: how to regulate a range of therapeutics across the continent. A US and pan-African research group publ

G7 agrees to exempt U.S. multinationals from global minimum tax

The Group of Seven nations said on Saturday (June 28, 2025) they have agreed to exempt U.S. multinational companies from a global minimum tax imposed by other countries — a win for President Donald Trump's government, which pushed hard for the compromise. The deal will see U.S. companies benefit from a "side-by-side" solution under which they will only be taxed at home, on both domestic and foreign profits, the G7 said in a statement released by Canada, which holds the group's rotating presiden

The World Birth Rate Is Now Dropping Precipitously

Image by Getty / Futurism Studies Whoever wrote in the Book of Genesis "be fruitful and multiply" never accounted for the cost of children these days, especially when you factor in expenses like college tuition, sports, tutors, clothes and childcare. And that's one of the reasons why people are having less kids, according to new reporting from the BBC. A new paper from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed that one in five adults in 14 countries don't have, or think they won

The best VPN services of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

Virtual private networks (VPNs) encrypt your data and hide your IP address. But there is far more to VPNs than that: they are essential tools to stop others from spying on your online activities, and they can help protect your sensitive information from theft. A VPN is vital when you are traveling or when you have to use public Wi-Fi networks. They forge an encrypted tunnel between your device and the service you are trying to access, which can prevent eavesdropping and stop you from being so e