State of the World from NPR - Looking Back: Uncovering the Secrets of an Irish Home for Unwed Mothers

As we look back at our international reporters' most memorable stories of the last year, we revisit a story about families from Ireland learning their full history. There, the Catholic Church once ran homes for unwed mothers. Until recently the church dominated life in Ireland and pregnancy outside marriage was considered shameful. Behind one of these homes a ghastly discovery has recently been made. It was a secret most people in the town knew about, but no one took any action until recently. And through reporting the story, our correspondent learned of a personal connection to this history.

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Audio Mises Wire - Kalshi Culture: How Gambling, Speculation, and Degeneracy Went Mainstream

As government continues to engage in reckless actions from inflation to starting wars, people develop shorter time horizons, creating social vacuums. Increased gambling and other irresponsible behaviors then fill the void.

Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/kalshi-culture-how-gambling-speculation-and-degeneracy-went-mainstream

Planet Money - Indicators of the Year, Past and Future

2025 is finally over. It was a wild year for the U.S. economy. Tariffs transformed global trading, consumer sentiment hit near-historic lows, and stocks hit dramatic new heights! So … which of these economic stories defined the year?


We will square off in a family feud to make our case, debate, and decide it. 


Also, as we enter 2026, we are watching the trends and planning out what next years stories are likely to be. So we’re picking  which indicators will become next years most telling. 


On today’s episode, our indicators of this past year AND our top indicator predictions for 2026.


Related episodes:


The Indicators of this year and next (2024)


This indicator hasn’t flashed this red since the dot-com bubble 


What would it mean to actually refund the tariffs?


What AI data centers are doing to your electric bill 


What indicators will 2025 bring? 

Pre-order the Planet Money book and get a free gift. / Subscribe to Planet Money+


Listen free: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.


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This episode of Planet Money was produced by James Sneed. The indicator episodes were produced by Angel Carreras, edited by Julia Ritchey, engineered by Robert Rodrigez and Kwesi Lee, and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Kate Concannon is the editor of the Indicator. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer. 


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WSJ What’s News - Stock Markets Close Out a Record-Setting Year

Edition for Dec. 31. We recap a banner year for global markets, propelled in large part by the AI boom. Plus, OpenAI rewards its employees more than any major tech startup has in history. And Journal bureau chiefs preview the global flashpoints likely to dominate 2026. Luke Vargas hosts.


Programming note: What’s News is off tomorrow and will publish one show on Friday.


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Global News Podcast - Queen: I was assaulted on train

Queen Camilla tells the BBC that as a teenager, she was the victim of an attempted indecent assault on a train journey. She says she fought off her attacker and felt furious about the experience for many years afterwards. The Queen has been a long-standing campaigner against sexual violence. Also: delivery workers go on strike in India; why it's been a bumper year for gold and silver; how to create a factory in space; the peril of the albatross in South Africa; and why American music fans can't get enough of Spanish-language tunes.

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

Marketplace All-in-One - Skyrocketing health insurance premiums for millions after today

Enhanced subsidies for health insurance policies on the Affordable Care Act exchanges are set to expire at the end of today. That means skyrocketing premiums for some Obamacare enrollees. Premiums are expected to more than double, according to the nonpartisan health research organization KFF, and some healthier people are expected to drop their insurance. Plus, 2025 was the year that generative AI exploded, divided, and created trust issues. We'll take a look back.

Newshour - EU objects to Gaza NGO ban

The EU says a new Israeli ban on nearly 40 aid groups working in Gaza and the West Bank would prevent lifesaving assistance from reaching Palestinians.

Also in the programme: How did thieves use a drill to steal €30m in a German bank heist? And the best moments from Newshour in 2025.

(Photo: MSF treat displaced Palestinians in Rafah. Credit: Haitham Imad/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Focus on Africa - What’s in store for Africa 2026 ?

As the year draws to a close, this episode looks ahead to some of the stories and events that could likely shape 2026. We ask which warning signs are already flashing, and what might still catch the world off guard. We also examine new research suggesting AI chatbots may carry built-in bias against Africa, raising fresh questions about technology, power and representation.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga Producers: Bella Twine, Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Terry Chege Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla