State of the World from NPR - What is it like to return to Gaza?

According to the 20-point peace plan for Gaza brokered by President Trump, “No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return.” But while a border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has technically reopened, few people have been allowed to use it so far. We go to Gaza to meet some of the few people who have been able to return and they report a harrowing and uncertain ordeal.

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CrowdScience - Why don’t more animals have opposable thumbs?

On a recent kayaking trip, CrowdScience listener Lanier sliced through his right thumb, putting it out of action for a while. This made life difficult, as he couldn’t button his shirt, tie his shoelaces or type efficiently on his smartphone. Missing the use of his thumb made him wonder: since opposable thumbs are so advantageous to those of us who have them, why didn’t they evolve in more species?

Host Marnie Chesterton unpicks the evolution of our own unique thumbs with the help of paleoanthropologist Tracy Kivell, learning how our grip compares to that of other animals. We discover why mammals like horses and dogs have no use for thumbs, and why we humans don’t have opposable big toes.

Meanwhile, at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, senior keepers Tarryn Williams Clow and Bec Russell-Cook introduce us to two different marsupials. Humphrey the koala has not one but two thumbs on each hand. Why did koalas develop this anatomical quirk when their closest living relative, the wombat, has spade-like digits? Dr Mark Eldridge from the Australian Museum shares his hypothesis.

And what if we, too, had another thumb? Marnie tries on a robotic Third Thumb, built by designer Dani Clode. Dani has collaborated with neuroscientists from the Plasticity Lab at the University of Cambridge. She tells us what the Third Thumb has revealed about the human brain and how we control our digits.

Presented by Marnie Chesterton

Produced by Cathy Edwards and Margaret Sessa Hawkins for the BBC World Service

(Photo: Kung-Fu Koala - stock photo Credit: Alex BOISSY / Getty Images)

1A - The News Roundup For February 20, 2026

The Department of Homeland Security issued a memo this week advising federal agents they should detain refugees and migrants who have not yet obtained a green card for an indefinite period of time for rescreening. This puts many people admitted to the U.S. during the Biden administration at risk.


Across the U.S., the mayors of major cities like Chicago and Los Angeles are taking steps to limit ICE’s ability to operate within their limits, vowing to prosecute agents who violate local laws.

And representatives for Meta and Google, including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, went to court this week over social media addiction.

And, in global news, the Board of Peace met for the first time this week in Washington, with big pledges, but not a lot of details.

President Donald Trump says the world will find out “over the next, probably, 10 days” whether the US will reach a deal with Iran or take military action. In recent days, the U.S. has surged military forces to the region while progress was reported at talks between American and Iranian negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland.

Also this week, England’s former prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection to his time spent with Jeffrey Epstein.

We cover the most important stories from around the world in the News Roundup.

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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In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Feb. 20, 2026

The Chicago City Council fails to override the mayor’s veto of an ordinance banning intoxicating hemp products, Gov. JB Pritzker blasts President Trump in his State of the State address and Illinois reports its first measles case of 2026. In the Loop goes behind the headlines in the Weekly News Recap. Today’s panel: Christian Farr with NBC-5 Chicago, Simone Alicea with City Cast Chicago, and Alden Loury of WBEZ. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Getting Hammered® - #Todayin1776: Poor Landon Carter’s Mom Embarrasses Him in Front of George Washingon

I chuckled at this, from planter and pamphleteer Landon Carter's diary and letters, which describe his very critical thoughts on "Common Sense" and his relief that Gen. Lee had not written it. He also recounts trying to get his grandson a slot in the army and how that ends embarrassingly for him and the grandson thanks to the young man's mother's breakdown.

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Philosophers In Space - Q and A 42

Ugh, this was such a fun one, we've missed these Q and A's bad! Thanks again folks for all your support, hope y'all enjoy the A's as much as we did the Q's!

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Content Preview: Listener Q and A 42!

WSJ What’s News - What’s News in Earnings: Homebuilders Offer Clues on the U.S. Housing Market

Bonus Episode for Feb. 20. Financial results from homebuilders PulteGroup, D.R. Horton and Toll Brothers give investors a peek at the forces shaping housing markets across the country ahead of the all-important spring selling season. Wall Street Journal national housing reporter Nicole Friedman discusses insights into affordability and regional differences. Veronica Dagher hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings, where we dig into companies’ earnings reports and analyst calls to find out what’s going on under the hood of the American economy. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.

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