2023 was extremely hot. Then came 2024
It's looking like 2024 will be the hottest year since record-keeping began, unseating 2023 for the top spot. Climate change is playing a role, and scientists say it was even hotter than expected.
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Coffee prices haven't been this high in 47 years
Coffee prices on the futures market hit a 47-year high last week. The increase is beginning to drip down to grocery stores and coffee shops. -
Finding The Forgotten Creators Of The Oxford English Dictionary
There are few books in the world that most people have heard of. There are even fewer so recognizable that are 500,000 words long. That's right, we're talking about the dictionary. The Oxford English Dictionary is the longest English variant of its kind in the world. But many of those who made significant contributions to its creation went unknown for years — until now. These included hundreds of women, people without formal educations, and patients in mental institutions. In other words, the people who helped make the OED were as diverse as the words in it. We discuss how the Oxford English Dictionary came to be and how our relationship to the dictionary has changed. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. -
People in colder countries understand the magic of winter. What's their secret?
Researcher Kari Leibowitz traveled to places with some of the harshest winters on Earth to understand how people thrive in the cold and dark. Her findings may inspire you to find comfort and joy in the season. -
Massacre in Haiti leaves almost 200 dead, says UN
As Haiti spirals deeper into crisis, gang violence killed nearly 200 people over the weekend. This takes the death toll in 2024 in Haiti to 5,000 people. -
Journalists explain the ‘chaos and joy’ in Syria after rebels toppled Assad regime
The fall of the Assad regime ends a brutal dictatorship, but questions remain over the future of peace in Syria and the Middle East. -
Jubilation and gunfire as Syrians celebrate the end of the Assad family's half-century rule
Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital. -
Pope Francis goes electric in new eco-friendly popemobile
Pope Francis, who heads the Catholic Church, has doubled down on his commitment to the environment with a new electric popemobile presented by Mercedes-Benz. -
How George Soros forced the UK to devalue the pound
As people learn more about Donald Trump's pick for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, one story comes up over and over: a legendary trade that he played a small part in while he worked at George Soros' hedge fund in the 1990s. In 1992, Soros' fund set its sights on the British pound, betting that some time in the fall of that year, the pound would plummet in value. Opposing them in this trade was the Bank of England, which was determined to keep its currency stable. The financial battle that followed was intense and proved to be a watershed moment in the balance of power between markets and governments. On today's show, we speak to Robert Johnson, a former managing director at Soros' fund, for a blow-by-blow account of those fateful days in 1992. This episode was hosted by Keith Romer and Alex Goldmark. It was produced by Willa Rubin and edited by Martina Castro. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and engineered by Cena Loffredo. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer. Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.Always free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.
