The secret economics inside the new Planet Money board game
From Nobel Prize-winning research to the Laffer Curve, Scabby the Rat, Veblen's peacock, and more — the economic ideas and inside jokes hiding throughout Planet Money's new board game.
Headlines
Former Syrian President Assad sentenced to death in absentia
A Syrian court sentenced Assad along with his brother to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria's 14-year conflict that left about half a million people dead.
The school year begins in LA with one big change: limited screen time
As educators in the nation's second-largest district prepare for the new limits on classroom screen time, some teachers say it will be a difficult adjustment.
A year in, thousands of armed troops have quietly become a fixture of D.C. life
The deployment is expected to cost in the billions after it was quietly extended until Inauguration Day of 2029.
Turkey's parliament approves a pardon-like bill for thousands of PKK militants
Turkey's parliament approved legislation that would introduce a conditional pardon for thousands of Kurdish militants in a bid to advance the government's peace initiative with their insurgent group.
Primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota pit progressives against moderates
NPR's Leila Fadel asks Jessica Taylor of the Cook Political Report about battles between moderate and progressive candidates in Tuesday's Democratic primaries in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Alabama heads into a second primary election after redistricting
Alabama voters are again selecting candidates for four Congressional districts after the state changed the district map to favor Republicans. The redistricting is causing confusion among voters.
Trump and RFK Jr. try again to upend vaccines for kids
President Trump signed an executive order on Monday about vaccines, saying children should get fewer. His administration has been blocked in the courts from changing the vaccine schedule.
U.S.
'The Nerd Reich' tracks the 'unmasking of Silicon Valley's true politics'
Journalist Gil Durán argues that a small circle of Silicon Valley billionaires and venture capitalists have concluded that democracy is in their way — and that they should be governing in its place.
World
China's courts side with workers displaced by AI, but job anxiety persists
China's workers are vulnerable as the push to adopt AI comes from top leaders amid a sluggish economy.
Lebanon abolishes death penalty in landmark parliament vote
This is a locator map for Lebanon with its capital, Beirut. (AP Photo)2026-08-11T10:41:39Z BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon’s parliament Tuesday abolished the death penalty, making it the first country in the Arab world to replace the sentencing with life imprisonment wi
2 custodians found shot dead inside Chicago elementary school, police say
Two school custodians were found shot dead on Monday inside Mark Twain Elementary School, just north of Chicago's Midway International Airport.
Ukrainian military says it attacked oil refinery in Russia's Orsk - Reuters
Ukrainian military says it attacked oil refinery in Russia's Orsk Reuters
Business
Does spending money make you feel bad? Read this comic
If spending — or not spending — money makes you feel shame or regret, you might be grappling with financial guilt. Financial planner Lauryn Williams breaks down three types and how to deal.
Trump Media Reports More Than 10 Sign-Ups to Real-Time Truth Social Feed - WSJ
Trump Media Reports More Than 10 Sign-Ups to Real-Time Truth Social Feed WSJ
Tech
Meta Unveils an Open Version of Its Most Powerful A.I. Model
The release of Muse Glimmer, a model that can be freely downloaded and modified, is likely to intensify a debate over whether A.I. should be restricted.
His Start-Up’s Goal: A.I. That Is Trainable and Not Controlled by a Big Company
A co-founder of xAI is going all in on building open-source artificial intelligence so that “anyone can control and shape A.I. for their own needs.”
The Surprising Truth About Instagram’s VHS Dates Videos
VHS Dates advertises itself as resurfacing lost dating service videotapes from the 1980s. The account’s followers have been genuinely touched.
Science
Who really needs testosterone?
The military plans to start screening service members for low testosterone, and social media is overflowing with claims about testosterone therapy. But who actually needs it?
In a Summer of Climate Misery, Businesses Confront the Need to Adapt
Repeated heat waves, wildfires, droughts and storms are solidifying the understanding that new investments are unavoidable.
Perseid meteor shower reaches peak: When and where to catch a glimpse - BBC
Perseid meteor shower reaches peak: When and where to catch a glimpse BBCHundreds of meteors will soon paint the sky: peak hours & where to watch in Oregon KATU4 major celestial events to dominate the night sky this week FOX WeatherHow to spot the Perseid meteor show
Sports
WATCH: Top college quarterbacks to watch this season
ESPN senior writer Adam Rittenberg reports on the most-talked-about college quarterbacks chasing a championship in the 2026 season.
In a Sweltering Summer, These Italians Want Romans to Curl
By setting up a curling rink in the shadow of the Colosseum, sports officials hope to capitalize on the fresh popularity of the Winter Olympics phenomenon. Even in a heat wave and without any ice.
The transgender controversy surrounding the WNBA
After the Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham said it was "common sense" to ban transgender women from women's sports, a row has emerged in the WNBA - with former NBA players saying eligibility rules mean they can enter the 2027 Draft.