European Union Fines Meta $1.3 Billion Because of NSA Spying Programs
The record penalty seems to be based less on the Facebook parent company's lax data practices than the U.S. intelligence community's data-collection programs.
Europe
Wealth Taxes Result in Rich People Fleeing, Turns Out
Norway hiked its wealth tax. A bunch of rich people got the hell out.
Taxing the Rich Will Have No Meaningful Effect on Our Sky-High National Debt
The U.S. tax system is extremely progressive, even compared to European countries—whose governments rely on taxing the middle class.
Did the Pentagon Just Make a $3 Billion Accounting Error—or Did It Do Something Even Worse?
The Pentagon’s “accounting error” will allow President Joe Biden to send an extra $3 billion in military aid to Ukraine without congressional approval. Was this deliberate?
Trump on Ukraine: 'I Don't Think in Terms of Winning and Losing—I Think in Terms of Getting It Settled'
He's not wrong about that.
A Bonus Reason Roundtable. Live From New York City!
Enjoy a special video episode recorded live from New York City’s illustrious Comedy Cellar at the Village Underground.
Storks Don't Take Orders From the State
Falling birthrates, pro-natalist policies, and the limits of population control
Debate: The E.U. Was a Mistake
Are the plausible alternatives to continental governance any better?
Without Nuclear Power, Germany's Energy Future Looks Short of Energy
Green dreams are no substitute for good planning and reliable electricity.
Belgium Destroys Thousands of Miller High Life Cans Over 'Champagne of Beers' Slogan
Plus: No one is excited about a 2024 rematch between Biden and Trump, it's showtime for House Republicans' debt ceiling bill, and more...
Debate: The U.S. Should Increase Funding for the Defense of Ukraine
Does Ukraine face an existential risk? Does it matter?
Deirdre McCloskey: 'What We Want Is a Nonslave Society'
The economic historian and Magatte Wade, Alex Gladstein, Mohamad Machine-Chian, Tony Woodlief, and Tom Palmer are challenging authoritarians everywhere.
Italy's Plan To Ban Lab-Grown Food Would Hurt Cuisine and Consumers
The move would close a promising culinary door and deny Italian consumers the opportunity to buy products that fit their preferences.
Rape Rates Go Down as Countries Legalize Prostitution, Rise With Sex Work Prohibition
Plus: States move to stop cops from lying to kids, Biden wants to raise Medicare taxes, and more...
The Luddites' Veto
Beware of activists touting "responsible research and innovation." The sensible-sounding slogan masks a reactionary agenda.
No, the World Is Not Heading Toward 'Mass Extinction'
Despite an apocalyptic media narrative, the modern era has brought much longer lives and the greatest decline in poverty ever.
Lockdowns Had Little Impact on COVID-19
Data show Florida and New York had similar death numbers despite vastly different approaches.
Britain's Conservative Government Sticks It to Consumers With Plastic Fork Ban
The country's new ban increases costs for businesses while doing nothing to address the problem of global plastic pollution.
Review: When Americans Turned Their Backs on Holocaust Refugees
The U.S. and the Holocaust condemns anti-refugee policies of the World War II era.
Germany Is Planning To Reform Its Immigration Policies. The U.S. Should, Too.
With high job vacancies and a low birth rate, Germany is turning to the world to fill the holes in its economy.
Free Speech on Twitter? Not If Europe Has a Say
EU officials threaten to make their restrictive content rules a global standard.
Europe Threatens New Tariffs Over Biden's 'Buy American' Tax Credits
Amid initial concerns about the 'Buy American' electric vehicle tax credit, the European Union is now considering further protectionist retaliation.
Electric Cars Are Good, but We Still Need Fossil Fuels
"Engineers are really good at making things better, but they can't make them better than the laws of physics permit."
The Election Betting Markets Fell Short. They're Still the Most Flexible Predictor.
People with money on the line try harder than pundits to be right, and they adjust quickly when they've made a mistake.
Buy American Falls Short on U.S. EV Production and Risks a European Trade War
The Buy American program, used to encourage the buying of American made electric vehicles, not only limits access to EVs but risks a trade war with the E.U.
Liz Truss Is Flailing, Politically and Economically
The British Conservative Party can’t figure out what it wants.
The Woman King Rewrites History for a Feminist Twist on the Slave Trade
Hollywood often takes liberties. But there's a distinction to be made between poetic license and historical revisionism.
It's a Mistake To Turn Away Russian Civilians Fleeing Conscription
Several countries are rejecting Russians fleeing forced military service. But offering them refuge would help protect dissidents and deprive Putin of critical manpower.
Germany's Criminalization of Online Offensiveness Shows the Perils of Weakening the First Amendment
A crackdown on insults, hate speech, and misinformation punishes dissenters who express themselves in ways that offend government officials.
Liz Truss Is Britain's Next Prime Minister. Should Libertarians Be Happy?
Only time will tell if Truss reverses the big spending style of her predecessor.
Artificial Intelligence Helps French Tax Authorities Find Thousands of Untaxed Swimming Pools
When taxing authorities get more resources and power, they will find ways to make everyone pay more.
Closing Borders to Russians Only Helps Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russians should "live in their own world until they change their philosophy." But keeping Russians isolated plays into Putin's hands.
Government Goons Murder Internet-Famous Walrus
The Norwegian government euthanized Freya the walrus on Sunday, citing safety concerns for the crowds that gathered to watch her sunbathe.
Spain Bans A.C. Below 80 Degrees During Record-Setting Summer Heat
This stunt to save energy will do very little but make people sweat
After a $54 Billion Airline Bailout, Elizabeth Warren Thinks She Gets To Make the Rules
More airline workers and more flights—not bailouts and restrictions on mergers—is the better policy.
Europe's Energy Wounds Are Self-Inflicted
Unrealistic policy and dependency on fickle neighbors like Russia are no substitute for working power plants.
My Baby Needed Special Formula From Europe. U.S. Trade Policy Made It Almost Unobtainable.
The FDA should not stand in the way of parents doing what’s best for their children.
Review: The FDA's Awful Labeling Regulations Made the Baby Formula Shortage Worse
Elaborate labeling requirements blocked the importation of direly needed European baby formula.
A Global Tax Cartel Is Floundering. Good.
Just as you don't attract bees with vinegar, you don't attract corporations by promising to tax them heavily.
Ukraine Fights On as Western Allies Waver
Ukrainians aren't giving up, but some international supporters are growing pessimistic.
Diablo Immortal and the Paternalistic Futility of Video Game Loot-Box Bans
The game won't be playable in Belgium or the Netherlands thanks to local gambling laws.
Ukraine War Unlikely to End Anytime Soon
Early and unrealistic hopes for a quick victory by Ukraine's forces over invading Russian troops have faded as the reality of an extended conflict sets in.
After the War
In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it's time for Europe to step up and America to step back.
