The Federal Reserve raises its benchmark interest rate to the highest level in 15 years, indicating no reductions until 2024. / CNBC

Eight social media influencers are charged in a $100 million stock manipulation scheme. / Business Insider

A study from the CDC says US deaths tied to long Covid exceeds 3,500. / The Los Angeles Times

China is likely to have more than a million Covid deaths over the next few months. / The Economist

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." Why scientists continue to look for alien life. / Big Think

See also: A year in the life of a person who pretended to be a computer pretending to be a person. / The Guardian

Nanotechnology might soon prevent glasses from fogging up. / Engadget

The editor of New York's "Sex Diaries" column explains how she gets people to open up to her. / The Cut

According to a trend article (sourced by three people), lower-back tattoos are cool again. / Yahoo! Life

Your Thursday long read: "Avowed Atheist Joins Mormon Tour in Mesoamerica in Name of Journalism." / Pipe Wrench

How many syllables in "World Cup?" An academic says definitely three. / Language Log

Novelist Pitchaya Sudbanthad says fountain pens "help my work feel a little more like play." / Lithub

In case you missed it, announcing the short list for our 2023 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes. / TMN, Field Notes