This week's Short Wave news roundup

NPR | By Nathan Rott,

Emily Kwong, Ailsa Chang

Published March 19, 2026 at 4:03 PM EDT

NPR's Short Wave team talks about a wildflower's ability to adapt to climate change, the grooming habits of birds, and the social lives of sharks.

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Wartime compounds the challenges of reporting on the people of Iran

Mary Louise Kelly, Arezou Rezvani

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to Reporter and Senior Editor Arezou Rezvani about the impact the war is having on Iranians and people in the surrounding area.
What levers can the U.S. pull to control gas prices?

Camila Domonoske

The global oil trade is remarkably flexible. But key solutions that should be able to address the current oil crisis – like reserves, alternate routes, and boosts in production — are constrained.
As the Iran war continues, what are the potential off-ramps for Trump?

Ailsa Chang, Connor Donevan, Tinbete Ermyas

The Trump administration says the Iran war will end when the president decides. Thomas Wright of the Brookings Institution argues that's easier said than done.
FDA backs off stricter tanning bed rules with RFK Jr.'s support

Will Stone

Health officials with the Trump administration have backed away from an effort to more heavily regulate indoor tanning — despite protests from medical groups that warn of the dangers of skin cancer.
Researchers find evidence of ancient democracies from the Americas to Europe and Asia

Ailsa Chang, Mia Venkat, Tinbete Ermyas

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with archaeologist Gary Feinman about new findings that show democracy existed throughout the ancient world and was not exclusive to Mediterranean Europe.