Technology

Planes that remain subject to flight restrictions around 5G cell phone towers are disproportionately smaller jets flown by regional airlines.

5G cleared for takeoff near more airports, but some regional jets might be grounded

7:50pm January 28, 2022

by David Schaper

The FAA says Verizon and AT&T can turn on more 5G cell phone towers as safety concerns over interference with planes eases. But some smaller regional jets still face restrictions.

National

Choosing the skin tone of an emoji is more complex than we might think

5:08pm January 28, 2022

Using skin tone emojis is a seemingly easy choice that in reality can be fraught. NPR's Asma Khalid talks with writer and researcher Zara Rahman about the complexities behind the selection.

National

How one venture capitalist fought back against Uber's founder

5:08pm January 28, 2022

Uber's CEO Travis Kalanick grew the company fast, but a venture capitalist wanted him out due to scandals. What ensued was a story about the tug-of-war between venture capital and founders in tech.

National

Multiple states are turning to online crowdfunding to help fund community projects

4:53pm January 27, 2022

by Sarah Lehr

Michigan is among a number of states giving matching dollars to local governments that turn to online fundraising to pay for projects. But these crowdfunding models can lead to significant inequities.

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Neil Young, performing in Lake Hughes, Calif. in 2019.

Spotify removes Neil Young's music after he objects to Joe Rogan's podcast

10:09pm January 26, 2022

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The move comes two days after Neil Young requested that his work be removed from Spotify in protest over coronavirus misinformation on Joe Rogan's podcast.

Workers at Amazon's warehouse on Staten Island are expected to vote on whether to unionize in the coming months.

National

Amazon faces another union vote, this time at a Staten Island warehouse

8:37pm January 26, 2022

by Alina Selyukh

Federal labor officials found enough support among Amazon workers on Staten Island to pave wave for a union election. It could be the second union vote for Amazon this year.

A bot that tried to spoil the fun for Wordle users has been banned by Twitter.

Arts

Twitter boots a bot that revealed Wordle's upcoming words to the game's players

3:31pm January 26, 2022

by Bill Chappell

A bot account sent mean notes to users who posted their Wordle score — and it also revealed the next day's answer. It was suspended for violating Twitter's rules.

World News

If Russia doesn't invade Ukraine with troops, it could still launch a cyberattack

5:23pm January 25, 2022

by Jenna McLaughlin

With U.S. troops on heightened alert and NATO forces on standby, fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine remain. But even if Putin doesn't send troops in, he could still launch a crippling cyberattack.

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Education

Starting in 2024, U.S. students will take the SAT entirely online

5:23pm January 25, 2022

by Elissa Nadworny

The College Board, the organization behind the test, also announced that the exam will shrink from three hours to two, and students will be able to use a calculator for the math section.

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A soldier pauses in territory controlled by pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine. The U.S. and its allies are preparing responses and counter-responses if Russia invades Ukraine.

President Biden says a Russian invasion of Ukraine 'would change the world'

4:10pm January 25, 2022

by Brian Naylor

Biden said should Russian President Putin move in using the more than 100,000 Russian troops surrounding Ukraine, "it would be the largest invasion since World War II. It would change the world."