Some scientists looking to preserve vulnerable species have turned to a controversial technique: synthetic biology. This catchall term often means genetic engineering – introducing new genes to an organism. And a recent narrow vote by the International Union for Conservation of Nature on using the technology shows how divided scientists are on the issue of releasing genetically altered species. Science correspondent Nate Rott wades into the debate with us and reveals whether or not the Union voted to place a moratorium on releasing gene-edited species.
Read more of Nate’s reporting on the topic.
Interested in more science debates? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.
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What Next | Daily News and Analysis - Are Democrats Already Fumbling a Win?
Off-cycle elections generally favor the party that isn’t in the White House. And with a large voting bloc of federal employees, Virginia Democrats were feeling good about the upcoming elections for governor and attorney general. Then texts from their AG candidate hit the news.
Guest: Eva McKend, correspondent covering national politics for CNN.
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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther.
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Engines of Our Ingenuity - The Engines of Our Ingenuity 1461: Telescopes
Episode: 1461 George Everett Hale and BIG telescopes. Today, we look through some really big telescopes.
Global News Podcast - Israeli air strikes test ceasefire with Hamas
President Trump says the ceasefire in Gaza is still in place after Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people and aid deliveries were suspended - as Israel and Hamas blame each other. Also: twenty years of socialist dominance comes to an end in Bolivia as the centrist politician, Rodrigo Paz, is elected president. Thieves loot the Louvre in a daring daylight raid, escaping with priceless jewels from the famous French museum. China's top leaders are gathering in Beijing this week to decide on the country's key goals and aspirations for the rest of the decade, and the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew and his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continues as police investigate new allegations concerning Virginia Giuffre.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
It Could Happen Here - Squatting with Andrew
Andrew and James discuss the history and political function of squatting.
Sources:
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/crimethinc-hidden-histories-of-resistance
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/anders-corr-anarchist-squatting-and-land-use-in-the-west
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Israel said it would resume aid deliveries to Gaza and that it would return to observing the ceasefire in the territory.
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Good Bad Billionaire - Evan Spiegel: Snapchat fratboy
Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel dropped out of Stanford Business School when the disappearing messages app made him a millionaire. Four years later, he was named the world’s youngest billionaire at 25. BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng tell Spiegel’s story, from shy schoolboy to partying teen, to tech titan, all in just a few years. Spiegel formed Snapchat with a fraternity buddy and their app soon spread around the world, but old emails and a lawsuit caused controversy. Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics and success. There are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. From iconic celebrities and CEOs to titans of technology, the podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility, before asking the audience to decide if they are good, bad, or just billionaires.
To contact the team, email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or send a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. Find out more about the show and read our privacy notice at www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire
The Economics of Everyday Things - 111. Product Recalls
Every year, thousands of products are recalled from store shelves. How does the process work — and who foots the bill? Zachary Crockett gets a refund on his frozen shrimp.
- SOURCES:
- Chris Harvey, senior vice president at Sedgwick.
- RESOURCES:
- "FDA Advises Public Not to Eat, Sell, or Serve Certain Imported Frozen Shrimp from an Indonesian Firm," (FDA, 2025).
- "U.S. product recalls reach second-highest level in six years during 2024," (Sedgwick, 2025).
- "Lot Codes For Food Tracing: How Are They Used?" by Thomas Burke (Forbes, 2021).
- "How Globalization Challenges Safety In The Food Supply Chain," by Elliot Maras (Food Logistics, 2015).
- EXTRAS:
- "Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts," (FDA).
- "Recalls & Public Health Alerts," (USDA).
- "Recalls & Product Safety Warnings," (CPSC).
- "Check for Recalls," (NHTSA).
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The Source - Lennar pushes for Guajolote Ranch sewage treatment plant
Opposition continues to mount against Guajolote Ranch, a proposed residential development on approximately 1,100 acres in northwest Bexar County west of the intersection of Scenic Loop Road and Babcock Road.array(3) {
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The Source - The dramatic and controversial rise of RFK Jr.
He’s the most well known Kennedy in America today and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. How Robert F. Kennedy Jr grew up a scion to a political legacy, became a former heroin addict, then a vaccine sceptic and the leader of the Make America Healthy Again movement. A PBS Frontline documentary tells the story.array(3) {
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