We don?t usually do god on More or Less, but one listener got in touch to ask us to investigate a stat used by an Anglican priest on a BBC radio programme.
Speaking on the ?Thought for the Day? slot, Reverend Lucy Winkett said that around 85% of the world's population practice a religion.
Is this true? We speak to Conrad Hackett, from the Pew Research Center, and the person whose research is the source for the claim.
Presenter: Tim Harford
Producer: Natasha Fernandes
Series producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
Sound mix: Nigel Appleton
Editor: Richard Vadon
Journalists Christopher Robbins & Katie Way from the independent outlet Hellgate return to the show to help update us on NYC Mayor Eric Adams' chaotic administration. We look at the scandal and indictments surrounding a number of top Adams officials, including multiple sets of siblings, all embroiled in bribes, extortions, and various other forms of graft. We also discuss NYPD scandal in light of the recent subway shooting which left multiple people injured and one bystander braindead.
Follow Hellgate’s New York City coverage here: https://hellgatenyc.com/
It's ... Indicators of the Week! We roundup the economic indicators that caught our eyes and ears. This week, all our attention was on the Federal Reserve, which cut interest rates by half a percentage point. (Egad!)
On today's episode, we've got dot plots, why the Fed rate cut may not bring immediate relief, and ... Sasquatch?!
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has continued his largely successful push to centralize power in Mexico under him. Cato's Ian Vasquez says the turn away from markets and freedom will bring dire results for average people.
Aside from Oprah having a Kamala lovefest, the political story of the day involves attacks on Donald Trump's words about American Jews. These attacks seem peculiarly related to polling showing the Republican candidate making startling inroads into the Jewish vote, which could have a significant impact in the key state of Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, actual anti-Semitic garbage from the Republican gubernatorial candidate in North Carolina may imperil Trump's presidential bid even more. What's going on? Give a listen.
A popular activity that millions of people around the world engage in every week is bowling.
Today, all the equipment manufacturers and bowling alleys constitute a multibillion-dollar business.
However, this modern pastime has a history that goes back not hundreds of years but thousands.
Learn more about bowling, where it came from and how it has developed on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
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Another day, another round of maddening polls showing the race locked in place—with Harris ever-so-slightly ahead—even as voters agree that she beat Trump handily in the debate. Jon and Dan go through the latest numbers, preview the Harris campaign's reproductive rights event with Oprah Winfrey, and attempt to process the revelations about North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's, um, online interests. Then, Tommy, Jon, and Dan debrief Lovett on his (spoiler alert!) brief but iconic run on Survivor.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
James McBride, the literary giant and author of books like The Color of Water and Deacon King Kong, was awarded this year's Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. In a conversation with NPR's Michel Martin at the National Book Festival, he said that leaving a career in journalism allowed him to find creative fulfillment in fiction. In today's episode, McBride discusses growing up in a community that relied on laughter, keeping a notebook on him at all times, and the inspiration behind his most recent novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.
To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday
Yesterday we looked at Donald Trump's key economic proposals for a second term. On today's show, we do the same for Kamala Harris, examining the Democratic nominee's plans for taxes, housing and grocery store prices.
Related episodes: What are Trump's economic plans? (Apple / Spotify) Three Kamala Harris indicators (Apple / Spotify) Bad economics, smart politics (Apple / Spotify) How much do presidents ACTUALLY influence the economy? (Apple / Spotify) When Uncle Sam stops paying the childcare bill (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.