President Biden orders U.S. airstrike targeting Iran-backed militia, GOP mayors embrace pandemic relief plan, and complaints against airlines and travel agencies hit record high.
Audio
Science Podcast: Radar Satellites Measuring The Earth, Random Numbers
First up, science journalist Julia Rosen talks with host Sarah Crespi about a growing fleet of radar satellites that will soon be able to detect minute rises and drops of Earth’s surface—from a gently deflating volcano to a water-swollen field—on a daily basis.
Sarah also talks with Hui Cao, a professor of applied physics at Yale University, about a new way to generate enormous streams of random numbers faster than ever before, using a tiny laser that can fit on a computer chip.
Morning News Podcast: Covid Vaccine Locations, Saudi Arabia, Postal Delay
The Centers for Disease Control has launched a website to help Americans find locations of COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to increase the pace of vaccinations.
Also, the Biden administration is set to release a U.S. intelligence assessment on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives. And, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy faced heavy criticism in a House committee hearing about ongoing mail delays at the U.S. Postal Service.
Covid-19: Walgreens To Offer At-Home Saliva Tests
Clinical Reference Laboratory CEO Bob Thompson talks about Walgreens offering a Covid-19 at-home saliva test.
Bloomberg News Equity Markets Reporter Esha Dey discusses Tesla falling below its S&P 500 entry level and wiping out 2021 gains. Bloomberg Businessweek Editor Joel Weber and Bloomberg News Chief Energy Correspondent Javier Blas walk through the story “Pennsylvania Teachers’ Pensions Helped Fund War Over Oil in Iraq.” Dartmouth Professor of Economics Danny Blanchflower provides a recap of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s semi-annual monetary policy report to the Senate Banking Committee. And we Drive to the Close with Ryan Detrick, Senior Market Strategist at LPL Financial. Hosts: Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. Producer: Doni Holloway.
Science Podcast: Inside A Proton, Cold Genes & Growing Small Intestines
The surprising structure of protons, and a method for growing small intestines for transplantation.
In this episode:
00:45 Probing the proton’s interior
Although studied for decades, the internal structure of the proton is still throwing up surprises for physicists. This week, a team of researchers report an unexpected imbalance in the antimatter particles that make up the proton.
Research Article: Dove et al.
News and Views: Antimatter in the proton is more down than up
07:08 Research Highlights
How an inactive gene may help keep off the chill, and Cuba’s isolation may have prevented invasive species taking root on the island.
Research Highlight: Impervious to cold? A gene helps people to ward off the chills
Research Highlight: Marauding plants steer clear of a communist-ruled island
09:48 A new way to grow a small intestine
Short Bowel Syndrome is an often fatal condition that results from the removal of the small intestine. Treatment options are limited to transplantation, but donor intestines are hard to come by and can be rejected by the body. Now researchers may have developed a method to grow a replacement small intestine using stem cells and a small section of colon.
Research Article: Sugimoto et al.
15:50 Briefing Chat
We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, the landing of Perseverance on Mars, and the researchers speaking with lucid dreamers.
Nature News: Mars video reveals Perseverance rover’s daring touchdown
Nature News: Touch down! NASA’s Mars landing sparks new era of exploration
Morning News Podcast: Minimum Wage Debate, Capitol Riot & Home Depot
We’re in the longest period of time since the minimum wage has been created that it hasn’t been adjusted. You’ve probably heard the progressive and Congressional Democrats argument for a $15 an hour federal minimum wage.
Now, some Republicans are responding with a proposal to raise it to $10 an hour by 2025. Plus, what we’re just learning about security around the Jan. 6 insurrection. And, how Home Depot is a proxy for the housing markets.
Morning News Podcast: Covid Vaccine Priorities, Capitol Riot Hearings
The Biden administration has prioritized vaccinating the country quickly and equitably. But making sure vaccines reach communities of color has been a challenge.
Also, the Senate holds the first hearing into the Capitol riot on January 6. And, we go to the recovery efforts in Houston, Texas in the wake of the disastrous winter storm and power outages that struck the state last week.
Buildings: The ‘Ironclads’ Of Reykjavik, Iceland
What form do the buildings in the world’s northernmost capital take? And what is behind their distinctive look?
Morning News Podcast: U.S. Covid Deaths At 500K, Biden Cabinet Nominees
The U.S. is nearing 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, almost a year since the country’s first death from the disease.
Also, Judge Merrick Garland finally gets a confirmation hearing, but this time it is to take the role of President Biden’s attorney general. And, Texans who were fortunate enough to have power last week during a devastating winter storm are now facing massive electricity bills. Why?
Sunday Morning Podcast: Latest News From Zurich And London (Feb 21)
A special edition of Monocle On Sunday to mark Monocle’s 14th anniversary. Editorial director Tyler Brûlé and editor in chief Andrew Tuck are joined by guests to take a trip down memory lane – and have a few laughs too.
