● LIVEECB RATE 2.4%·EUR/USD 1.1622·EUR/GBP 0.8590·BRUSSELS 15°C — OVERCAST·BOND YIELDS ARE SURGING GLOBALLY BUT WHY AREN’T EQUITIES FALLING?·FROM GIANT TVS TO 'JAMES BOND GLASSES': TCL'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE·BARDELLA SIGNS PACT WITH FARAGE TO STOP SMALL BOAT CROSSINGS 'FOREVER'·SENIOR EU OFFICIALS RETIERATE NEED FOR NEW EUROPE-WIDE TAXES IN NEXT BUDGET·PASSPORT FOR A NEWBORN: BIRTH TOURISM AS PART OF RUSSIA'S NEW EMIGRATION·INSIDE THE QUIET LUXURY REVIVAL OF THE VENICE LIDO – HOME TO THE GLITTERING FILM FESTIVAL·WEEK 38 · N°261·● LIVEECB RATE 2.4%·EUR/USD 1.1622·EUR/GBP 0.8590·BRUSSELS 15°C — OVERCAST·BOND YIELDS ARE SURGING GLOBALLY BUT WHY AREN’T EQUITIES FALLING?·FROM GIANT TVS TO 'JAMES BOND GLASSES': TCL'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE·BARDELLA SIGNS PACT WITH FARAGE TO STOP SMALL BOAT CROSSINGS 'FOREVER'·SENIOR EU OFFICIALS RETIERATE NEED FOR NEW EUROPE-WIDE TAXES IN NEXT BUDGET·PASSPORT FOR A NEWBORN: BIRTH TOURISM AS PART OF RUSSIA'S NEW EMIGRATION·INSIDE THE QUIET LUXURY REVIVAL OF THE VENICE LIDO – HOME TO THE GLITTERING FILM FESTIVAL·WEEK 38 · N°261·
Independent European journalism — politics, power, technology and public life
Brussels · Europe
N°261 · Week 38

The Debate.eu

Friday, 18 September 2026
Read across Europe
CONTRIBUTOR · 37 articles

Indrabati Lahiri

Indrabati Lahiri is a journalist whose reporting on Technology and Business appears on The Debate.

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Technology · Business

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37 articles
NERDs: The Gen Zers who believe they will never be able to retire
Technology

NERDs: The Gen Zers who believe they will never be able to retire

An increasing number of Gen Zers have stopped believing in pensions and are convinced they will never be able to stop working.

By Indrabati Lahiri04 September 2026
Before New York City, Norway had already banned AI in schools
Technology

Before New York City, Norway had already banned AI in schools

This move follows New York City clamping down on smartphone usage in schools last year, and has been widely supported across social media platforms like X.

By Indrabati Lahiri03 September 2026
Why Gen Z may not actually be ready for the workplace
Technology

Why Gen Z may not actually be ready for the workplace

Despite several young workers believing they already possess skills needed for the workplace, many managers and senior leaders think differently.

By Indrabati Lahiri03 September 2026
From ghost launching to broligarchy: The tech terms defining the current digital era
Technology

From ghost launching to broligarchy: The tech terms defining the current digital era

As the digital landscape evolves, more new tech terms have surfaced, covering everything from the overwhelming presence of AI to the rising power of tech bros.

By Indrabati Lahiri01 September 2026
What are phantom scams, and why do they end with you robbing yourself?
Technology

What are phantom scams, and why do they end with you robbing yourself?

No hacker, no crime, no bank on the other end of the line — just a script designed to make you empty your own account.

By Indrabati Lahiri01 September 2026
What is phubbing? The tech habit quietly damaging relationships
Technology

What is phubbing? The tech habit quietly damaging relationships

As our digital footprints grow, questions about digital privacy and tech habits are becoming more common between couples.

By Indrabati Lahiri25 August 2026
African nations ramp up their space programmes in a bid to reduce reliance on the West
Technology

African nations ramp up their space programmes in a bid to reduce reliance on the West

Eighteen African countries have now launched satellites, as the continent builds its own space sector and looks to cut reliance on foreign, Western powers.

By Indrabati Lahiri24 August 2026
From iPods to wired headphones: Why more Gen Zers are picking retro tech
Technology

From iPods to wired headphones: Why more Gen Zers are picking retro tech

As social media fatigue grows, Gen Zers are opting to take a break with retro devices like flip phones and vinyl records.

By Indrabati Lahiri24 August 2026
Could magnesium become the new lithium for electric vehicles?
Technology

Could magnesium become the new lithium for electric vehicles?

While magnesium is cheaper, more abundant and potentially safer than lithium, significant practical considerations remain before magnesium batteries can become more common in electric vehicles.

By Indrabati Lahiri21 August 2026
AI has failed to win people's trust. Its makers? Even less trusted
Technology

AI has failed to win people's trust. Its makers? Even less trusted

Surveys on both sides of the Atlantic reveal a public more wary than wowed by AI, with distrust extending well beyond the technology and onto the tech executives promoting it.

By Indrabati Lahiri20 August 2026
Meta 'knew and did nothing,' whistleblower reveals in child safety trial
Technology

Meta 'knew and did nothing,' whistleblower reveals in child safety trial

Prosecutors have claimed that Meta was aware of the damage its platforms did to young users' mental health, but chose to hide it and keep harvesting their data.

By Indrabati Lahiri20 August 2026
Unitree's viral dancing, rollerblading robots make a 600% stock market debut
Technology

Unitree's viral dancing, rollerblading robots make a 600% stock market debut

Unitree, known for its dancing and backflipping robots, saw shares surge as much as 629% on its Shanghai stock market debut.

By Indrabati Lahiri19 August 2026
UK inflation hits four-month high of 2.9% as energy bills soar
Business

UK inflation hits four-month high of 2.9% as energy bills soar

A 13% jump in the energy price cap drove UK inflation to 2.9% in July, the sharpest gas price rise in almost four years.

By Indrabati Lahiri19 August 2026
Everything you need to know about Meta's biggest legal battle yet
Technology

Everything you need to know about Meta's biggest legal battle yet

A landmark trial in California could force Meta to overhaul Facebook and Instagram after four states accused the company of designing its platforms to hook young users and hiding what it knew about the harm.

By Indrabati Lahiri18 August 2026
UK wage growth lags as Iran war weighs on cost of living
Business

UK wage growth lags as Iran war weighs on cost of living

The ongoing Middle East crisis has led to soaring energy prices across the UK and much of Europe, further contributing to higher living costs.

By Indrabati Lahiri18 August 2026
Want to retire in your 40s? Young workers are turning to FIRE
Business

Want to retire in your 40s? Young workers are turning to FIRE

As more employees face workplace burnout or choose to pursue passion projects, FIRE is increasingly becoming a way to achieve financial independence early.

By Indrabati Lahiri18 August 2026
Space storms could put airline passengers at radiation risk, scientists warn
Technology

Space storms could put airline passengers at radiation risk, scientists warn

Extreme solar storms could expose airline passengers and crew to dangerous radiation levels and trigger the kind of aircraft electronics failures that grounded 6,000 Airbus jets last year, researchers say.

By Indrabati Lahiri14 August 2026
Why do women need 12 times their salary to buy a home, when men need only eight?
Business

Why do women need 12 times their salary to buy a home, when men need only eight?

A consistent pay gap and more difficulties in saving for a deposit compared to men are some of the factors holding women back from home ownership.

By Indrabati Lahiri13 August 2026
China's lead in orbital data centres risks leaving Europe behind
Technology

China's lead in orbital data centres risks leaving Europe behind

China is racing ahead on orbital data centres while Europe still debates the concept, a new policy brief warns, and the gap is starting to widen.

By Indrabati Lahiri13 August 2026
Which countries have the best cyber security? Albania tops the global list
Technology

Which countries have the best cyber security? Albania tops the global list

Estonia's e-Governance Academy ranks Albania and Czechia as the world's most cyber-secure nations, with major attacks often forcing the top-to-bottom overhauls that push smaller, easier-to-coordinate states ahead of larger powers like Germany and the US.

By Indrabati Lahiri12 August 2026
MySpace comeback? Owners drop a major hint and here's what we know
Business

MySpace comeback? Owners drop a major hint and here's what we know

While the potential relaunch of MySpace is sure to bring considerable nostalgia and anticipation, analysts warn that the social media platform could have a tough time competing in the current market.

By Indrabati Lahiri10 August 2026
US employers slash 23,000 jobs amid ongoing Iran war pressure
Business

US employers slash 23,000 jobs amid ongoing Iran war pressure

July's unemployment rate eased slightly to 4.1% from 4.2% in June, as more Americans leave the labour market.

By Indrabati Lahiri07 August 2026
Trojan horse alert: Pirated online versions of 'The Odyssey' could contain hidden viruses
Technology

Trojan horse alert: Pirated online versions of 'The Odyssey' could contain hidden viruses

Desperate to watch The Odyssey for free? Pirated copies are already spreading malware capable of raiding your passwords, payment details and more.

By Indrabati Lahiri07 August 2026
Meta launches Muse Code tool amid AI hacking revelations
Technology

Meta launches Muse Code tool amid AI hacking revelations

Meta’s announcement comes shortly after OpenAI and Anthropic also reported that their AI models had breached other companies during testing.

By Indrabati Lahiri06 August 2026
Trump administration refunds $100 billion in “Liberation Day” tariffs
Business

Trump administration refunds $100 billion in “Liberation Day” tariffs

The refunds follow a February US Supreme Court 6-3 ruling stating that Trump had acted beyond the Congress’ tax-setting authority and had no constitutional authority to impose these import taxes.

By Indrabati Lahiri06 August 2026
How Europe’s working day is increasingly encroaching on personal time
Business

How Europe’s working day is increasingly encroaching on personal time

One in five EU workers say that they are contacted for work reasons beyond normal working hours many times a month, contributing significantly to always-on culture and adding considerable stress.

By Indrabati Lahiri03 August 2026
British oil giant BP prepares to sell North Sea business
Business

British oil giant BP prepares to sell North Sea business

Amid higher windfall taxes and volatile global energy markets, BP's proposed sale could bring an end to around 60 years of North Sea production under the British energy giant’s ownership.

By Indrabati Lahiri31 July 2026
Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% despite inflation risks
Business

Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% despite inflation risks

Although UK inflation fell in June, the Bank of England held interest rates steady as renewed conflict in the Middle East and volatile energy prices clouded the outlook.

By Indrabati Lahiri30 July 2026
How the heatwave is taking a toll on European industry as key waterways run low
Business

How the heatwave is taking a toll on European industry as key waterways run low

Prolonged low water levels have forced several European industries, including oil refining, nuclear power and chemicals, to reduce output because of raw-material and cooling-water shortages.

By Indrabati Lahiri30 July 2026
Microsoft posts record profit as shares surge 10%, while Meta disappoints
Business

Microsoft posts record profit as shares surge 10%, while Meta disappoints

Microsoft reported record quarterly profit and forecast accelerating Azure growth, while Meta’s profit and margins were hit by severance costs and legal expenses.

By Indrabati Lahiri30 July 2026
Porsche profit jumps 34% despite China slump and falling sales
Business

Porsche profit jumps 34% despite China slump and falling sales

Porsche maintained its full-year guidance as cost-cutting and stronger 911 sales lifted profit, despite a 32% fall in Chinese deliveries and plans to eliminate thousands of jobs by 2035.

By Indrabati Lahiri29 July 2026
South Korean chipmaker SK hynix reports 1,242% profit surge on booming AI demand
Business

South Korean chipmaker SK hynix reports 1,242% profit surge on booming AI demand

Despite record second-quarter profits fuelled by AI demand, SK hynix shares plunged as investors questioned whether the boom can last amid Middle East tensions.

By Indrabati Lahiri29 July 2026
The challenges companies face to launch robotaxis in Europe
Business

The challenges companies face to launch robotaxis in Europe

European carmakers like BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have continued to struggle significantly to roll out commercial robotaxi fleets, unlike Chinese companies, but why?

By Indrabati Lahiri24 July 2026
Venezuela earthquake damages add up to almost $20 billion, World Bank says
Business

Venezuela earthquake damages add up to almost $20 billion, World Bank says

Almost a month after the devastating earthquakes, Venezuela has a mammoth task ahead in terms of rebuilding, rehabilitating and mitigating the social and economic damage of the biggest natural disaster in decades.

By Indrabati Lahiri23 July 2026
9 things European entrepreneurs should know before becoming digital nomads
Business

9 things European entrepreneurs should know before becoming digital nomads

From taxes to finances and cybersecurity, these are some of the key factors to be aware of before embracing the digital nomad life.

By Indrabati Lahiri23 July 2026
Volkswagen’s Chinese branch doubles down on self-driving technology
Business

Volkswagen’s Chinese branch doubles down on self-driving technology

Amid rising competition in the self-driving technology market, especially in China, Europe’s biggest auto company plans to make some big moves to catch up.

By Indrabati Lahiri22 July 2026
Energy and fertiliser crisis due to war will continue to drive up food inflation, UN says
Business

Energy and fertiliser crisis due to war will continue to drive up food inflation, UN says

Rising energy and fertiliser prices are likely to continue contributing to food inflation globally, the UN warned in its latest report.

By Indrabati Lahiri22 July 2026