The state department. The department of defense. The Venezuelan government. And a Barbados-based oil company. At the center of it all is one man. Who is Alejandro Betancourt? 🕵️‍♀️ Here's all you need to know about him... in under four minutes. Only on NPR 🛢️🇻🇪🎧📻⬇️

Who is Betancourt, the man behind the company the US is partnering with in Venezuela?

The man behind the company that the US is partnering with in Venezuela is Alejandro Betancourt. He has faced multiple investigations in Spain, the United States and Switzerland for money laundering.

npr.org

The state department. The department of defense. The Venezuelan government. And a Barbados-based oil company. At the center of it all is one man. Who is Alejandro Betancourt? 🕵️‍♀️ Here's all you need to know about him... in under four minutes. Only on NPR 🛢️🇻🇪🎧📻⬇️

Who is Betancourt, the man behind the company the US is partnering with in Venezuela?

The man behind the company that the US is partnering with in Venezuela is Alejandro Betancourt. He has faced multiple investigations in Spain, the United States and Switzerland for money laundering.

npr.org

Lots of media on oil, 🇻🇪, nationalization (by 🇺🇸!), but it’s key not to lose the big picture: ramping up new oil is a climate catastrophe. While the planet burns, Chevron & Trump are doubling down on a fossil-fueled future. My latest w/ @npr.org's @juliaradio.bsky.social: www.npr.org/2026/09/02/n...

Chevron's expansion in Venezuela has implications for the oil industry and the planet

Chevron is expanding its current operations in Venezuela. The deal expands the company's footprint at a time of political and economic uncertainty in Venezuela.

npr.org

The Trump administration announced a deal Friday to develop a vast amount of Venezuela's oil reserves, with the U.S. taking a majority stake. Energy experts say there are many reasons to be skeptical. n.pr/4i4cqFM

The U.S. Venezuela oil deal won't lower your gas prices. Here's what you need to know

The Trump administration announced a deal Friday to develop a vast amount of Venezuela's oil reserves, with the U.S. taking a majority stake. Energy experts say there are many reasons to be skeptical.

n.pr

As the climate continues to warm, scientists warn that the frequency of disasters like the floods in Nepal will increase. n.pr/46rrSof

A melting glacier contributed to the deadly Nepal floods. We can expect more like this

As the climate continues to warm, scientists warn that the frequency of disasters like the floods in Nepal will increase.

n.pr

If you haven't yet listened to the Peabody-winning 9-part podcast series "Dolly Parton's America" from @radiolab.bsky.social @wnyc.org ... ...now's your moment. 🎧📻💓⬇️

Dolly Parton's America : Episodes | WNYC Studios | Podcasts

The story of a legend at the crossroads of America’s culture wars.

wnycstudios.org

Climate change is just constantly checking in on family and friends around the world who are experiencing events ie wildfire, smoke or heatwaves that are made more intense and/or likely by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. (This weekend it's checking in on family in France. They're okay but 💔)

As Canadian wildfires spread smoke across the U.S. the air pollution is dangerous to health. But there are ways to protect yourself. Here's what to know. n.pr/4wFOwEs

Wildfire smoke is like smoking 'half a pack a day.' Here's how to protect yourself

As Canadian wildfires spread smoke across the U.S. the air pollution is dangerous to health. But there are ways to protect yourself. Here's what to know.

n.pr

Higher oil prices since the Iran war began mean many oil companies have brought in excess profits. Some U.S. lawmakers want to tax those windfall profits and give the money to lower-income Americans.

Oil companies are making billions. In the U.S., calls to tax their windfall are growing

Higher oil prices since the Iran war began mean many oil companies have brought in excess profits. Some U.S. lawmakers want to tax those windfall profits and give the money to lower-income Americans.

n.pr

Around 70% of planet-heating emissions come from burning oil, gas and coal. You may have noticed 👀 oil and gas prices are higher because of the US-Israeli war with Iran - and Q2 profits for oil companies are expected to be big. Senators now want to tax those windfall profits in the U.S. More ⬇️🎧📻

Oil companies are making billions. In the U.S., calls to tax their windfall are growing

Higher oil prices since the Iran war began mean many oil companies have brought in excess profits. Some U.S. lawmakers want to tax those windfall profits and give the money to lower-income Americans.

npr.org

Oil companies will announce their profits from the 2nd quarter later this month. They're expected to be big-in part because of high oil prices because of the Iran war. The U.K. taxes those windfall profits. Now @whitehouse.senate.gov tells NPR he has a plan to tax them here in the U.S. More ⬇️🛢️🎧📻

Oil companies are making billions. In the U.S., calls to tax their windfall are growing

Higher oil prices since the Iran war began mean many oil companies have brought in excess profits. Some U.S. lawmakers want to tax those windfall profits and give the money to lower-income Americans.

npr.org

Higher oil prices since the Iran war began mean many oil companies have brought in excess profits. Some U.S. lawmakers want to tax those windfall profits and give the money to lower-income Americans. n.pr/4fimkk9

Oil companies are making billions. In the U.S., calls to tax their windfall are growing

Higher oil prices since the Iran war began mean many oil companies have brought in excess profits. Some U.S. lawmakers want to tax those windfall profits and give the money to lower-income Americans.

n.pr

Oil companies are projected to see big profits in Q2 from higher oil prices linked to the Iran war... Now calls for a U.S. windfall oil tax are growing. This tax - @whitehouse.senate.gov tells @npr.org - wouldn't have the same issues the windfall oil tax in '80s had 🛢️👀 More ⬇️ only on @npr.org 🎧📻🛢️

Oil companies are making billions. In the U.S., calls to tax their windfall are growing

Higher oil prices since the Iran war began mean many oil companies have brought in excess profits. Some U.S. lawmakers want to tax those windfall profits and give the money to lower-income Americans.

npr.org

The new round of bombing in the Middle East has underscored the precarity of relying on fossil fuels. The war is speeding up the global transition to EVs, solar, and batteries, experts say. n.pr/4vlRdKm

The Iran war has pushed some countries away from oil and toward clean energy

The new round of bombing in the Middle East has underscored the precarity of relying on fossil fuels. The war is speeding up the global transition to EVs, solar, and batteries, experts say.

n.pr

Solar's sharp rise continues. As of April 2026, global solar capacity now exceeds 3 terawatt. 1 gigawatt → 1 terawatt: 20+ years 1 terawatt → 2 terawatt: 33 months 2 terawatt → 3 terawatt: 19 months

In today's story about the ongoing Iran war, oil and gas analysts write: "If China's car industry were handing out a salesman of the year award for 2026 President Trump would be a leading contender." They're talking about Chinese EVs, folks. IEA projects oil demand to fall this year🛢️ More here ⬇️

The Iran war has pushed some countries away from oil and toward clean energy

The new round of bombing in the Middle East has underscored the precarity of relying on fossil fuels. The war is speeding up the global transition to EVs, solar and batteries, experts say.

npr.org

Oil and gas consultant: China is winning Iran War; uncertain supply and rising oil prices have surged its solar panel and EV exports. If China were awarding "EV Salesman of Year" prize, Trump would be a contender: @juliaradio.bsky.social @npr.org @wvxu.org: bit.ly/4f11HJ6 @jobsohio.bsky.social

The Iran war has pushed some countries away from oil and toward clean energy

The new round of bombing in the Middle East has underscored the precarity of relying on fossil fuels. The war is speeding up the global transition to EVs, solar, and batteries, experts say.

bit.ly

The Iran war has pushed some countries away from oil and toward clean energy writes @juliaradio.bsky.social www.npr.org/2026/07/09/n...

The Iran war has pushed some countries away from oil and toward clean energy

The new round of bombing in the Middle East has underscored the precarity of relying on fossil fuels. The war is speeding up the global transition to EVs, solar, and batteries, experts say.

npr.org

Allez les lions! 🇸🇳

JM =^D@jm539581.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Belgium 0-2 Senegal 51'- Ismaïla Sarr

We regret that our event on Extreme Heat: Improving governance and strengthening action around the world has been cancelled due to the red extreme heat warning issued by the UK Met Office. Our apologies to everyone who was planning to attend the event.

Mark Singer was my friend and he was a real mensch. He shaped me as a writer and a person. If you want an example of good writing, look to his pieces. He paid attention to details. He chose his words with care. Such good care. And he made the best lasagne and pesto. May his memory be a blessing. 💔

Mark Singer, Longtime Writer for The New Yorker, Dies at 75

nytimes.com

"She used to talk about the beach like it was a person. Her bond to the sunset, her bond to the water and the turtles….she was really into conservation, and into the soul, the spirit of conservation." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Lebanese turtle conservationist Mona Khalil killed by Israeli strike

Mona Khalil, who had refused to leave the beach she had spent years protecting, died from her injuries after the Israeli strike.

bbc.co.uk

George Santos called me after my story revealing federal investigations into his suspected market manipulation on Kalshi. And he said: "This story is going to get you a gun in your face." Then he lied about it. www.npr.org/2026/06/04/n...

I wrote about George Santos. Then he made a violent threat and lied about it

NPR reported on new federal investigations examining the former Congressman's bets on the prediction market site Kalshi. Then he threatened the NPR reporter who broke the story.

npr.org

The only parenting hot take I can claim as my own is "Buy the same color socks. Just one color. Tiny kids socks all get lost, this saves you a headache." (we do dark grey) *And buy used kids clothes otherwise

Frankie Huang 黄碧赤@ourobororoboruo.bsky.social · 5mo ago

I’m so sick of former bird app takes, I want to hear everyone’s parenting hot takes

There are so many opportunities for local communities, countries, and states to be powerful drivers of change. If you’re feeling despair right now, check out this series for some inspiration. Wins are blueprints we can use in other places!

Julia Simon@juliaradio.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Forget shark week -- It's climate solutions week y'all This year the theme is LOCAL solutions - ways that cities and states and neighborhoods are stepping up when the federal government backtracks on climate action. I'll thread the stories here as the week goes on... Here's our intro ⬇️📻🎧

Donate, my friends. www.npr.org/donations/su...

Donate : NPR

Power independent journalism in your community. Donate to your NPR station.

npr.org

David Folkenflik@davidfolkenflik.bsky.social · 5mo ago

NEWS: NPR plans newsroom restructure and modest jobs cuts as it confronts era without federal funding. CEO Katherine Maher says NPR intends to save $8M from newsgathering & related units; shows and podcasts not eligible for buyouts or targeted for layoffs. www.npr.org/2026/05/18/n...

Forget shark week -- It's climate solutions week y'all This year the theme is LOCAL solutions - ways that cities and states and neighborhoods are stepping up when the federal government backtracks on climate action. I'll thread the stories here as the week goes on... Here's our intro ⬇️📻🎧

As the federal government rolls back climate action, U.S. cities and states step up

NPR's Julia Simon kicks off Climate Solutions Week with a look at how cities and states are working to reduce emissions.

npr.org

Against the backdrop of an energy crisis and a warming planet, more than 50 countries have come to Santa Marta, Colombia, to discuss concrete ways to phase out oil, gas, and coal.

In the midst of an energy crisis, countries make plans to ditch oil, gas and coal

Against the backdrop of an energy crisis and a warming planet, more than 50 countries have come to Santa Marta, Colombia, to discuss concrete ways to phase out oil, gas and coal.

n.pr

Want to learn more about Los Angeles mayoral candidate and former reality TV star Spencer Pratt? He makes a cameo in our story about false narratives related to the LA fires. Read here 🎧📻 @npr.org ⬇️ (No paywalls, as always!)

After the LA fires, false narratives on social media impacted state policy

Misinformation spread quickly after the wildfires in Los Angeles last year. Some of these false narratives on social media had an impact on California policy.

npr.org

This was a hard story to report. Newborns who don’t get a vitamin K shot are 81 times more likely to develop a condition where they bleed uncontrollably. But more and more families are declining the shot. And babies are dying. www.propublica.org/article/more...

Babies Are Bleeding to Death as Parents Reject a Vitamin Shot Given at Birth

A lifesaving injection given at birth to prevent severe bleeding has become collateral damage of the anti-vaccine movement.

propublica.org