Natasha Bernal

Natasha Bernal

@natashabernal.bsky.social

Senior business editor @WIRED. I like news

24.5K followers103 following102 posts

Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

This evening, join me in treating yourself to a subscription to @jakelahut.writes.news's brand new newsletter! One door closes and another opens ❤️

Jake Lahut@jakelahut.bsky.social

I was one of the four people who got canned. In the interim, you can subscribe to my newsletter, Straight From The Hut. No paywall, but feel free to choose the pay to support model. I'm not going anywhere — the show goes on, and I'll be back on MSNBC Saturday night. straightfromthehut.substack.com

straightfromthehut.substack.comStraightFromThe Hut | Jake Lahut | SubstackA campaign and communications strategy newsletter, plus a home for Jake Lahut's freelance feature reporting and other notebook items (no paywalls, but pay to support). Click to read StraightFromThe Hu...

Natasha Bernal reposted

Zeyi Yang 杨泽毅
@zeyiyang.bsky.social

In college, I'd always walk past an unremarkable store in Beijing that sold a variety of trendy, but tacky, toys. That store has turned into Pop Mart, the $45-billion Chinese toy empire behind Labubu, the biggest global fad of 2025. This is my big story/pilgrimage trip to explain how they got here

wired.comA Journey Into the Heart of LabubuI made an epic trek across four countries to answer one question: Why is the world going mad for a plushie monster?
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

I covered the protests in London against Trump for @wired.com. Protesters aren't convinced by the AI deal from US tech giants: They want to know what the UK is giving them in exchange for up to $45bn in investment and where the power for data centers will come from www.wired.com/story/climat...

wired.comAnti-Trump Protesters Take Aim at ‘Naive’ US-UK AI DealThousands marched in London to protest President Donald Trump’s second state visit. Among them were many environmental activists unhappy with Britain’s new AI deal with the US.
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

Environmentalists joined pro-Palestine and pro-Ukraine groups and those defending human rights to march. They all told me that what unites them is opposition to Trump's politics. Clive from Extinction Rebellion said: "If we weren’t here, he’d be coming down the Mall. We are here to stop him.”

Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social
WIRED@wired.com

Over 200 contractors who work on improving Google’s AI products, including Gemini and AI Overviews, have been laid off, sources tell WIRED. It’s the latest development in a conflict over pay and alleged poor working conditions. www.wired.com/story/hundre...

wired.comHundreds of Google AI Workers Were Fired Amid Fight Over Working ConditionsOver 200 contractors who work on improving Google’s AI products, including Gemini and AI Overviews, have been laid off, sources tell WIRED. It’s the latest development in a conflict over pay and alleged...
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

NEW: OpenAI is putting together a team capable of developing algorithms to control robots and appears to be hiring roboticists who work specifically on humanoids. Great piece from @willknight.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/openai...

wired.comOpenAI Ramps Up Robotics Work in Race Toward AGIThe company behind ChatGPT is putting together a team capable of developing algorithms to control robots and appears to be hiring roboticists who work specifically on humanoids.
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

NEW AI Lab this week: an AI-powered version of Atlas (Boston Dynamic's biped dancing robot) is demonstrating some surprising new improvisational skills to complete task—a significant step toward general-purpose robot algorithms. www.wired.com/story/this-h...

wired.comThis Robot Only Needs a Single AI Model to Master Humanlike MovementsAtlas, Boston Dynamics’ dancing humanoid, can now use a single model for walking and grasping—a significant step toward general-purpose robot algorithms.

Natasha Bernal reposted

Joel Khalili
@joelkhalili.bsky.social

**THREAD** Yesterday, WIRED launched a shiny new subscription package! On top of all of our journalism, subscribers now get five premium newsletters, access to AMAs with reporters, and narrated articles. I cover crypto for WIRED. Here are some of my favourite stories from the past twelve months:

Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

New from @knibbs.bsky.social today: people are being asked in interviews whether they're willing to work from 9am to 9pm, six days a week FOREVER if they want to get a job in some US AI startups. This is just wild www.wired.com/story/silico...

wired.comSilicon Valley AI Startups Are Embracing China’s Controversial ‘996’ Work ScheduleIn an industry once known for cushy perks, some founders are now asking staff to commit to a 72-hour weekly schedule. You’re either in or you’re out.
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

New: Trump's AI Action Plan continues the crusade against “woke” AI, recommending that federal procurement guidelines are updated so that only AI companies that “ensure that their systems are objective and free from top-down ideological bias” are given contracts. www.wired.com/story/trumps...

wired.comTrump’s AI Action Plan Is a Crusade Against ‘Bias’—and RegulationThe Trump administration’s new AI policy blueprint calls for limited regulation and lots of leeway for Big Tech to grow even bigger.

Natasha Bernal reposted

Amit Katwala
@amitkatwala.bsky.social

New from me: The Enhanced Games, a version of the Olympics where you're allowed to take drugs, has announced a host city (Las Vegas), a date (next May) and a that an 'enhanced' athlete has set a world record in the 50m freestyle! www.wired.com/story/the-en...

wired.comThe Enhanced Games Has A Date, A Host City and a Drug-Fuelled World RecordThe Enhanced Games, where athletes are allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs, will host its first event in May. One "enhanced" former Olympic swimmer has already broken the 50m freestyle record.
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

Backstabbing! Sabotage! Spreadsheets! This story about how @joelkhalili.bsky.social went undercover to try to win a huge pot of crypto in a winner-takes-all game is so nerdy and fabulous pls read thanks www.wired.com/story/crypto...

wired.comI Went Undercover in Crypto’s Answer to ‘Squid Game.’ It Nearly Broke MeI spent 10 days competing in Crypto: The Game, a winner-takes-all contest where hundreds of players try to finesse and backstab their way to claiming a $140,000 cryptocurrency prize.

Natasha Bernal reposted

WIRED
@wired.com

As the Trump administration continues its efforts to slash the US federal workforce, the team responsible for publishing data used in advanced research in astrophysics, nuclear fusion, and other fields appears to be on the chopping block.

wrd.cmTrump Admin Plans to Cut Team Responsible for Critical Atomic Measurement DataThe team at the National Institute of Standards and Technology publishes measurement data crucial for advanced research in areas like astrophysics, nuclear fusion, and semiconductors.
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

Last week, a handful of Jeep owners reported that they had advert popping up on their dashboard every time they braked. This was a glitch, but the idea of using this type of messaging in the future very much isn't. Great story by @aarianmarshall.bsky.social

WIRED@wired.com

When Jeep owners complained ads were appearing while driving, the carmaker said it was a glitch. But as auto makers consider connected car opportunities, in-vehicle selling might be too tempting to ignore.

buff.lyAds Popped Up on Drivers' Screens. There May Be More on the WayWhen Jeep owners complained ads were appearing while driving, the carmaker said it was a glitch. But as auto makers consider connected car opportunities, in-vehicle selling might be too tempting to ignore.
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

Reading between the lines, the amazing deal he wants to strike with Russia... is just to hand it Ukraine? "Speaking aboard Air Force One later on Wednesday, Trump said Russia had “taken a lot of territory, so they have the cards” in any peace deal with Ukraine." www.ft.com/content/dc98...

ft.comDonald Trump calls Volodymyr Zelenskyy a ‘dictator’ as US rift with Ukraine deepensUS president warns Ukrainian leader he ‘better move fast or he is not going to have a country left’
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

US and Russia are working out a peace deal for Ukraine. They talk about "practical reality of "some discussion of territory." They say “No one is being sidelined here.” Except Ukraine. Whose future they are deciding. Whose president described these talks as a "surprise." www.ft.com/content/b427...

ft.comUS and Russia agree to ‘lay the groundwork’ for ending Ukraine warNegotiations were first high-level talks on the conflict since early months of Vladimir Putin’s invasion
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

This reminds me of the COVID shortages, when I was only able to buy a single unwrapped toilet roll from the corner shop man because he took it upon himself to ration us all to "see us through"

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Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

A new investigation promises to get to the bottom of one of crypto's biggest conspiracies (that banks were turned against them during the Obama administration). @joelkhalili.bsky.social reports on the high hopes from those who claim to have been debanked www.wired.com/story/operat...

wired.comChokepoint 2.0: An Investigation Promises the Truth About Crypto's Biggest ConspiracyDid bureaucrats in the US plot to cut the crypto industry out of the banking system? An investigation begins.
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

FYI WIRED journalists do not promote memecoins, we just report on them. If you ever see any messages like that on our socials, pls assume we've been hacked

Joel Khalili@joelkhalili.bsky.social

WARNING: Yesterday, my X account (@JKFruit) was compromised and used to promote an inauthentic WIRED-branded crypto coin. Please disregard any further posts made to that account.

Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

Let me get this clear: Thames Water wants to continue hiking prices, claiming that it needs the cash to swap out ageing assets that can be dangerous for the public and for the environment. Yet it's already under investigation for not doing anything about them www.ft.com/content/7581...

ft.comThames Water appeals to competition regulator over cap on customer billsIndebted utility says Ofwat’s limit on price rises by 2030 will not support investment
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

As Tesla sales go into freefall in Europe, some Tesla owners are themselves defacing their cars, with the “I Bought This Before We Knew Elon Was Crazy” bumper sticker being a particular favorite.

WIRED@wired.com

Staggering sales drops, swastika-daubed EVs, companies culling fleet models, and fan-forum owners selling their cars—Elon Musk's alt-right antics are seriously impacting his electric car business.

wired.comElon Musk’s Toxicity Could Spell Disaster for TeslaStaggering sales drops, swastika-daubed EVs, companies culling fleet models, and fan-forum owners selling their cars—Elon Musk's alt-right antics are seriously impacting his electric car business.
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

I love Reuters live blogs. If I wasn't reading one I would never have known It's NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's birthday today and he's spending it at the Munich conference 🥲https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/munich-security-conference-updates-jd-vance-arrives-2025-02-14/

Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

FT says European officials are struggling to reach Trump officials re. the peace deal they're bartering between Ukraine and Russia, which Europe is expected to pay for, and are now trying to 'glean information' from their contacts to figure out what's going on www.ft.com/content/f727...

ft.comEurope reels after Trump announces US-Russia talks over UkraineGermany criticises US for making ‘public concessions to Putin before negotiations have even begun’
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

"In real life, when bodies bear the cruelties of war, we stay and do the postmortem cleanup. We talk to parents and hold them when their legs buckle from under them." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.comI tried to save your young life in a Gaza hospital. Now your face haunts me | Seema JilaniThe first time you came into my hospital, shards of glass shredding your tiny body, I saved you. The second time I failed, says paediatric specialist Seema Jilani
Natasha Bernal
@natashabernal.bsky.social

Of course, Trumpcoin could lead to an epic rug-pull, or a massive flop. But perhaps more worryingly, it's an easy vehicle for bribing Trump without repercussions. Read @joelkhalili.bsky.social's excellent piece on Trump's dangerous foray into crypto www.wired.com/story/the-tr...

wired.comThe Trump Memecoin's 'Money-Grab' EconomicsWhen he launched his own cryptocurrency, Donald Trump produced unimaginable wealth from thin air. But it will come at a cost to someone.

Natasha Bernal reposted

Leah Feiger
@leahfeiger.bsky.social

it is genuinely baffling to me how many organizations and media outlets have decided to entirely misrepresent elon musk's nazi-like salutes today, especially as....nazis themselves are openly celebrating it. read @davidgilbert.bsky.social, as always: www.wired.com/story/neo-na...

wired.comNeo-Nazis Love the Nazi-Like Salutes Elon Musk Made at Trump's InaugurationThe far right is celebrating what it views as a clear signal from the X owner and Donald Trump associate, who made the gestures on stage Monday.

Natasha Bernal reposted

makena kelly
@makenakelly.bsky.social

Last night, MAGA influencers took their victory lap, celebrating the content and creators who secured the election for Trump. Oh, and Big Tech footed the bill. www.wired.com/story/maga-i...

wired.comThe MAGA Influencers Take Their Victory Lap, With Big Tech Picking Up the TabAt parties throughout Washington over the long Inauguration weekend, creators and strategists who take credit for Donald Trump’s victory toasted their success on the dimes of TikTok, Google, and Spoti...