Features

Deep dives into technology and human behavior.

A worker in a blue uniform and hard hat walks along a rocky ledge in a quarry, holding a tool, with layered hills and rocky terrain visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

EV Revolution 8 July 2025

Dangerous mines: A death at the bottom of the EV supply chain

In Zimbabwe, the EV rush has brought a surge of Chinese investment into lithium mines. But many locals feel left out — and some have turned to stealing.

By Tawanda Karombo and Kimberly Mutandiro

A collage featuring a mathematical graph overlaid with a portrait of a man, combined with a background of a U.S. dollar bill. The image includes various geometric shapes and equations, emphasizing themes of finance and mathematics.

Features 27 May 2025

The math tutor and the missing $533 million

From Dubai, the enigmatic founder of Byju’s recounts how he made his empire — and vows to rebuild it.

By Yudhijit Bhattacharjee

A playful illustration featuring large, white letters spelling 'OLA' against a black, ribbed wall. Nearby are two small scooters, one green and one purple, with disassembled parts scattered around them, including tires and tools.

Features 30 April 2025

Inside the spectacular rise and crash of India’s largest EV company

Can Bhavish Aggarwal fix Ola Electric's problems — or is he one of them?

An abstract illustration of a meeting scene, featuring a silhouetted figure standing at the head of a table, surrounded by seated individuals in shadowy outlines. The background includes light filtering through a holographic screen, creating a contrast with the darker foreground. Blue tones dominate the image, enhancing its contemplative atmosphere.

Features 21 January 2025

The global struggle over how to regulate AI

Big AI companies have come out hard against comprehensive regulatory efforts in the West — but are receiving a warm welcome from leaders in many other countries.

By Katie McQue, Laís Martins, Ananya Bhattacharya and Carien du Plessis

An illustration of a whimsical scene featuring miniature figurines, some hanging and others standing, with thought bubbles made of cloud-like shapes that contain emergency symbols like an ambulance, a firefighter's hat, and "SOS" messages against a blue sky.

Features 11 December 2024

When disaster strikes, the world opens WhatsApp

Meta's messaging app has transformed communication in conflict and crisis areas.

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Features 10 December 2024

Movie stars, matchmakers, and aunties: How WhatsApp became an unstoppable cultural force

The world’s most popular messaging platform is synonymous with the internet for millions of people.

By Sonia Faleiro

A stylized globe with green land and blue oceans surrounded by white speech bubbles, representing communication, against a bright green background.

Features 9 December 2024

How WhatsApp ate the world

WhatsApp is already the world’s most widely used messaging app. Meta wants it to be a lot more.

By Issie Lapowsky

A photo of men carrying a coffin along a tree lined street.

Features 15 October 2024

WhatsApp vigilantes in India are converting Christians by force

How far-right Hindu nationalists use WhatsApp to target Christian families when they’re most vulnerable — by preventing them from burying their dead.

An illustration of star sign cards in rows against a black background.

Features 17 September 2024

Destined for clicks: YouTube is driving an astrology boom in Pakistan

Pakistanis are looking for certainty. Astrologers on YouTube want to help.

A photograph showing a man in a white suit, seated on a white chair, speaking into a microphone while staring into a number of cell phones positioned on tripods in front of him.

Features 31 July 2024

Can a church exist exclusively on the internet?

Inside the emerging virtual-preaching economy in internet-obsessed Kenya.

By Vincent Owino

Mauricio Bustos (right) together with his brother Marcelo Bustos (left) who wears a white robotic mask. Both are sitting on the bed in the small room they share in Santiago, Chile, sunlight shining through one side.

Features 9 July 2024

The AI artist who used Bad Bunny’s voice — and shot to fame

Meet the Chilean artist who made it big using others’ voices.

By Charis McGowan

A collage of images taken from a group on WhatsApp, showing a man holding a candle against a purple background. The images are set against a green background used on WhatsApp.

Features 15 May 2024

Inside the BJP’s WhatsApp machine

An analysis of thousands of messages reveals how India’s ruling party uses the app to campaign free from public scrutiny.

By Srishti Jaswal