World
How Global Shipping Routes Shape What You Pay at the Checkout
From narrow straits to congested ports, the paths container ships take ripple through to store shelves. Here is how ocean freight works and why its costs reach households.
World
Eleanor Hayes
Editor-in-Chief
Eleanor Hayes leads the Meridian Daily newsroom. Over two decades she has reported from more than thirty countries as a foreign correspondent and wire-service editor, with a focus on migration, trade and climate adaptation. She oversees our editorial standards and corrections process.
Readers can reach Eleanor through our contact page. Learn how we report in our Editorial Policy.
Articles by Eleanor Hayes
World
Running Dry: How Cities Around the World Are Responding to Water Scarcity
Growing populations, aging pipes and shifting rainfall are straining urban water supplies. Cities from southern Africa to the American Southwest are testing new ways to stretch every drop.
Society
More Than Books: How Public Libraries Became Everyday Community Hubs
From job help and tool lending to quiet study rooms and language classes, libraries are quietly expanding what they offer. Here is what that looks like and why it matters.
Business
Remote Work and the Changing Office Lease
Hybrid schedules have changed how much space companies need and how they want to rent it. Landlords and tenants are rewriting the rules of the traditional office lease.
World
Sleeping Their Way Across a Continent: The Return of Europe’s Night Trains
After decades of decline, overnight rail services are expanding again in Europe. Travelers are drawn by comfort and lower emissions, but operators still face tough economics.
World
Holding the Line: How Small Island Nations Are Adapting to Rising Seas
For low-lying island states in the Pacific, Indian Ocean and Caribbean, sea-level rise is a present-day planning challenge. Their responses blend engineering, nature and diplomacy.
World
What’s in the Basket: How Food Prices Affect Household Budgets Worldwide
Food takes a far bigger bite out of some household budgets than others. A look at why grocery prices move, who feels it most, and practical ways families are adapting.