People walking through a busy market filled with vibrant displays of fruits and vegetables, including bananas, oranges, and green onions, under colorful awnings.

Iranians grapple with a weakening currency

Full Episode
50:08

People shop in the old main bazaar of the northern city of Rasht, Iran, Dec. 26, 2025.

Vahid Salemi/AP

Fueled by a cost-of-living crisis and a weakening currency, Iranians are taking to the streets. While the government says it’s offering dialogue, the demonstrations follow a year of growing challenges for the regime and everyday people in the country. Also, a look back at a year of global protests, driven largely by Gen Z, over economic uncertainty. And, air pollution in Germany’s once-industrial Ruhr River Valley has decreased significantly, but there’s still a long way to go. Plus, a look at New Year’s Eve traditions around the globe.

In This Episode

Protests in Iran grow as currency weakens
9:30
New Year’s Eve rituals around the world
3:32
A person in historical clothing stands in front of a group of people gathered outside two stone buildings on a snowy day.
How Haitian ordnance wound up in the Adirondack Mountains
Special Coverage
7:52
A look back at the Gen Z protests that swept the world in 2025
5:58
Germany’s long-time coal region has cleaner air — but still not clean enough
6:35
A partially demolished house with warning signs in English and another language indicating "Danger: Unstable Building, No Access."
Serbia tries to access its lithium reserves amid local opposition
Special Coverage
5:32
SFTS: Hitchhiking adventure in Canada
7:17