Looking back on world events in 2025 — and ahead at 2026

WBUR | By Here & Now Newsroom

Published December 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM EST

President Donald Trump dominated the news in 2025 and is expected to do the same next year.

Here & Now‘s Scott Tong speaks with Tom Standage, deputy editor of The Economist and editor of its annual The World Ahead issue, about some world events from 2025 and where things are heading in 2026.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

More from WGCU

Arts & Culture

Florida Studio Theatre announces the 2026 Stage III Series lineup

Tom Hall

Florida Studio Theatre’s Stage III Series' 2026 lineup features a play that focuses on the leadership and legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower, another about Emma Grandma Gatewood, the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail alone, and a music-filled production that showcases wild child Janis Joplin and the icons who inspired her, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Etta James.
'Fiddler on the Roof' headlines the 10 shows onstage the week of Dec. 29 at area theaters

Tom Hall

This week, three shows open, two close, four continue their runs and one has a limited engagement at Southwest Florida equity and community theaters.
Arts & Culture

Christmas week's shows at SWFL theaters include options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Tom Hall

Two theaters have shows on Christmas Eve and two others welcome audiences on Christmas Day among the 11 shows onstage at SWFL theaters Christmas week.

Arts & Culture

The WGCU art fair and festival calendar

Tom Hall

Between New Year’s weekend and April’s end, Southwest Florida is the scene of more than 40 outdoor art fairs and festivals. Some are boutique shows that feature just a few dozen artists. Others boast more than 200 exhibitors, with ArtFest Fort Myers attracting an estimated 90,000 visitors and the Cape Coral Art Festival topping out at 140,000 attendees. Here you'll find the names, dates and organizers of each of these outdoor art shows.
Environment

Eagle injured in Cape Coral being treated and recovering at CROW

Michael Braun
Human Interest

U.S. Coast Guard suspends Gulf search for Spivey, nephew; FBI investigating the disappearance

WGCU Staff

Looking back on world events in 2025 — and ahead at 2026

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning