Genetically engineered babies are banned in the U.S. But that isn’t stopping Silicon Valley tech titans from trying to make one. In this final installment from The Journal’s investigation into the fringes of the fertility industry, WSJ’s Emily Glazer reports on the controversial new companies pushing the boundaries of reproductive genetics. Ryan Knutson hosts.
Genetically engineered babies are banned in the U.S. But that isn’t stopping Silicon Valley tech titans from trying to make one. In this final installment from The Journal’s investigation into the fringes of the fertility industry, WSJ’s Emily Glazer reports on the controversial new companies pushing the boundaries of reproductive genetics. Ryan Knutson hosts.
Tayari Jones’s new novel, “Kin,” follows two orphaned girls, Annie and Niecy, who grow up together in Louisiana in the 1950s. Annie was abandoned as a baby when her mother ran away to Memphis, while Niecy was orphaned when her father murdered her mother. The girls grow up under the shadow of loss, but at the very least they have each other, two “cradle friends” so close they’re practically sisters.
After high school, though, they take different paths: Niecy sets out for Spelman College to try to make a name for herself, while Annie flees to Memphis to seek the mother she never knew. Along the way, each must confront major questions about love and family, including what sacrifices are acceptable to achieve them.
On this week’s episode, host MJ Franklin talks about “Kin” with his colleagues Lauren Christensen and Elisabeth Egan.
Other books mentioned in this episode:
“An American Marriage,” “The Untelling” and “Silver Sparrow,” by Tayari Jones
“Clutch,” by Emily Nemens
“This Is Not About Us,” by Allegra Goodman
“Lonely Crowds,” by Stephanie Wambugu
“The Vanishing Half,” by Brit Bennett
“The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois,” by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
“Sula,” by Toni Morrison
“Beaches,” by Iris R. Dart
“Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?,” by Lorrie Moore
The Pentagon is planning on putting boots back on the ground in the Middle East. Some 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division have received orders to deploy to the region despite President Donald Trump signaling last week that he was interested in ending his war in Iran via diplomatic means.
Tech giants Meta and YouTube were found negligent in a landmark case concerning the companies’ creation of addictive online platforms that harm users’ mental health and wellbeing.
And, in global news, Iranian officials confirmed this week they received a 15-point plan from the U.S. to end the war that’s killed thousands of Iranians and several American service members. Tehran, however, is signaling its found the demands contained within “extremely maximalist and unreasonable.”
And the world’s attention swinging to Iran seems to have emboldened Russia, as Vladimir Putin’s forces gear up for a spring offensive in their campaign against Ukraine.
We cover the most important stories from around the globe on the News Roundup. Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ atplus.npr.org/the1a.
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In addition to the global energy shock brought on by Trump's war, mortgage rates are surging, and labor costs and prices are rising. And Republicans don't seem to have a plan except to spend more, blame trans kids, and feed Trump's megalomania by allowing him to put his ugly signature on our currency. Plus, JD thinks Americans are stupid, the gap between Bibi's and Trump's objectives vis-à-visIran continues to widen, and where is Marco Rubio?
Michael Steele joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.
It was a busy week in Chicago and the country: ICE agents head to O’Hare as TSA workers near their sixth week without pay. Political arguments continue to swirl after the shooting death of an 18-year-old Loyola student. Plus, a new baseball season brings hope to fans, but Chicago’s teams fall flat on their opening day.
We cover those stories and more with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp, Block Club reporter Mack Liederman and Heather Cherone, WTTW senior politics reporter.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
In this special episode of Up First, we're sharing the premiere of NPR's newest podcast, Newsmakers, featuring Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
Moore has turned aside speculation that he might seek the presidency in 2028. He is seeking re-election to his current job in 2026.
But in this interview with Steve Inskeep, Moore says he's put a lot of thought into the challenge that President Trump’s successor would face upon taking office on January 20, 2029.
At 47, Moore is regarded among Democrats as a rising star. The governor and First Lady Dawn Moore have drawn comparisons to the Obamas. He’s a decorated combat veteran, anti-poverty fighter and charismatic public speaker who was elected governor in 2022 in his first ever campaign.
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts or subscribe and watch on NPR’s YouTube channel.
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See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
Data examined by the BBC shows the devastating impact of the attacks on Iran's capital, Tehran, since the start of the US-Israel war. According to the findings, Israel has dropped 3,600 munitions on the city in the last four weeks. Almost 40 police stations and bases for the paramilitary Basij force have been hit, many in residential areas. BBC Eye has gathered eyewitness testimony, filmed the aftermath of strikes and analysed footage from social media and satellite imagery. In other news, scientists have managed to film a group of sperm whales supporting a female from their pod giving birth. A former rapper is sworn in as the prime minister of Nepal. And a mother tells us of her struggle to limit the screen time of her young son.
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
Where do you get your financial advice from? A report says Gen Z are nearly five times more likely to turn to social media than people in their 40s. On TikTok, the hashtag FinTok has over four billion views, with trends like girl math, loud budgeting and cash stuffing going viral. But are 'finfluencers' empowering the youth or exposing them to financial harm?
We hear from 23-year-old Achiever Omoobajesu and 24-year-old Gbeminiyi Shopeju about Gen Z's approach to investing and why social media has become to go-to place for financial advice.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo
Technical Producer: David Nzau
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla
