Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, July 31

Dollar Tree is pushing back against claims by a hacking group called INC Ransom that it suffered a data breach. The company insists the leaked data actually belongs to its competitor, 99 Cents Only, and not their own systems.

Editor’s Note: This story highlights the growing risk of cyberattacks targeting retailers, as well as the confusion that can arise when hackers misattribute stolen data. For consumers, it’s a reminder to stay vigilant about potential scams or identity theft—especially when discount stores, which handle sensitive payment info, are involved. Even if Dollar Tree wasn’t breached, the incident raises questions about how secure customer data is across the industry.

Figma's highly successful initial public offering (IPO) is paying off big time for its early venture capital investors, with firms like Index Ventures and Greylock each set to pocket around $7 billion from the deal.

Editor’s Note: This isn't just a win for Figma—it's a massive payday for the venture capitalists who bet on the design software company early. It shows how lucrative backing the right tech startup can be and could fuel even more investor interest in high-growth tech firms. For the broader market, it's a sign that big IPOs are still capable of delivering huge returns.

This article explores the complexities of the identity management ecosystem, breaking down how different components like authentication, authorization, and user provisioning work together to secure digital identities. It likely draws from discussions on Hacker News, offering insights into why businesses and individuals should care about these systems.

Editor’s Note: Identity management is a big deal—whether you're logging into your email or a company managing employee access, it’s the invisible framework keeping data safe. With rising cyber threats, understanding how these systems function helps both tech professionals and everyday users stay ahead of risks.

Amazon's latest quarterly sales outperformed expectations, but its stock still took a 7% hit because Wall Street was disappointed with the growth of its cloud computing division, which lagged behind competitors like Microsoft and Google.

Editor’s Note: Even when a tech giant like Amazon delivers strong overall results, investors can still react harshly if one of its key divisions—especially a high-growth area like cloud computing—underperforms. This shows how much Wall Street prioritizes future potential over current success, and it could signal tougher competition in the cloud market.

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman believes the platform should become a primary search engine, arguing that its community-driven content offers more authentic and useful answers than traditional search engines. He envisions Reddit as a place where people can find real human experiences and advice, not just algorithm-generated results.

Editor’s Note: As people grow frustrated with SEO-driven search results full of ads and low-quality content, Huffman’s push positions Reddit as a potential alternative. If successful, this could shift how we search for information online—prioritizing real conversations over corporate-backed answers. It’s a bold bet on the value of human discussion in an increasingly automated digital world.