In the North Sea — between the United Kingdom, Norway and Denmark — thousands of flies swarmed an oil rig. Engineer Craig Hannah noticed they’d stay still on the rig for hours, suddenly taking off all at once. He was seeing hoverflies. Often confused with bees, they’re unsung pollinators. And they migrate, often hundreds of miles – including, it seems, to the middle of the ocean.
Today on the show: The mystery of why these insects are landing in the open ocean. Plus, a surprising finding in the Amazon rainforest and the sounds of life in a coral reef.
Interested in more science behind skincare products? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.
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NPR's Book of the Day - Two new history books use the past to explain what’s important now
Two new history books make a strong case for why learning about the past is critical to understanding the world today. First, History Matters is a posthumous collection of writings by American historian David McCullough. In today’s episode, co-editor Dorie McCullough Lawson and historian Jon Meacham tell NPR’s Scott Simon about McCullough’s endless curiosity. Then, in Midnight on the Potomac, Scott Ellsworth explores little-known corners of Civil War history. In today’s episode, he speaks with Here & Now’s Sarah McCammon about long-held myths about the period.
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1A - The Link Between Misogyny And Violent Extremism
How does hatred towards women relate to violence?
We’ve seen more than a few incidents of political extremism and mass violence in the U.S. over the last few years.
In the days, weeks, and months after acts like these, we seek motives. We try to understand why violence is perpetrated in hopes of preventing it in the future.
One expert argues that in that search for answers – we’re missing something crucial. Something that keeps us from addressing this violence and extremism head on. That blind spot is misogyny.
We sit down with Cynthia Miller-Idriss. She is a sociologist and founding director of the Polarization and Extremism Research & Innovation Lab, or PERIL at American University. She’s also the author of “Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism.” She joins us to talk about her book and latest research.
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
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We’ve seen more than a few incidents of political extremism and mass violence in the U.S. over the last few years.
In the days, weeks, and months after acts like these, we seek motives. We try to understand why violence is perpetrated in hopes of preventing it in the future.
One expert argues that in that search for answers – we’re missing something crucial. Something that keeps us from addressing this violence and extremism head on. That blind spot is misogyny.
We sit down with Cynthia Miller-Idriss. She is a sociologist and founding director of the Polarization and Extremism Research & Innovation Lab, or PERIL at American University. She’s also the author of “Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism.” She joins us to talk about her book and latest research.
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Consider This from NPR - Here’s how the shutdown is playing out across the U.S.
The government shutdown is on. Already, it’s being felt across the country.
National Parks are preparing to scale back or close. Furloughed federal workers are facing tough choices about how to pay the bills when they can’t count on their paychecks. Some people trying to access government services have found locked doors.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers are at an impasse after dueling proposals on the senate floor failed Wednesday.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has vowed that his party is in the shutdown fight to win it. He weighs in on Democrats’ strategy and what he’s hearing from his constituents.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Kathryn Fink and Vincent Acovino, with audio engineering byTed Mebane.
It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon and Sarah Handel.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
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State of the World from NPR - Youth-led Protests in Multiple African Countries
Protests in Morocco and Madagascar, two disparate and distant African countries, highlight the younger generation’s frustrations over enduring years of poor governance. Our correspondent in Africa tells us these youth movements are fueled by social media and are demanding government accountability.
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Up First from NPR - Kentucky’s governor on the shutdown and political divisions
Andy Beshear is widely popular in red state Kentucky and he's considering a run for president. The Democratic governor sat for an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep and talked about the federal government shutdown, political divisions, tariffs and a lot more.
Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Reena Advani. It was produced by Adam Bearne and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Jay Czys. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.
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Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
This bonus episode of Up First was edited by Reena Advani. It was produced by Adam Bearne and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Jay Czys. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.
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Up First from NPR - White House Shutdown Cuts, Government Services Interrupted, Gaza City Evacuation
President Trump’s budget director is canceling billions in projects and threatening mass layoffs as the White House uses the government shutdown to push for deeper spending cuts. The shutdown’s ripple effects are spreading nationwide, with key federal services slowing or stopping. And in Gaza, Israel has issued a final evacuation order, warning that anyone who remains in Gaza City will be treated as a militant as Hamas considers changes to Trump’s ceasefire plan.
Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Russell Lewis, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Lindsay Totty
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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The Indicator from Planet Money - How close is the US to crony capitalism?
We have seen a blurring of boundaries between government and business under President Trump. It has some political commentators ringing the alarm bell over something called “crony capitalism" — a corrupt system where political power meets big business. Today on the show, is the Trump administration nudging the U.S. further down the road toward crony capitalism?
Related episodes:
China’s trade war perspective
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
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The Indicator from Planet Money - How close is the US to crony capitalism?
We have seen a blurring of boundaries between government and business under President Trump. It has some political commentators ringing the alarm bell over something called “crony capitalism" — a corrupt system where political power meets big business. Today on the show, is the Trump administration nudging the U.S. further down the road toward crony capitalism?
Related episodes:
China’s trade war perspective
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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NPR's Book of the Day - ‘F*** Approval, You Don’t Need It!’ makes the case against ‘people pleasers’
In her new book, F*** Approval, You Don’t Need It!, therapist Lizzie Moult says people who seek the approval of others are doing a great disservice to themselves — and others too. In a conversation with Here & Now host Peter O’Dowd, Moult explains why being a “people pleaser” can be counterproductive.
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
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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
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