Category: International

By the midpoint of 2025, the U.S. was on track to set a new yearly record in the number of reported data breaches.

That’s according to data compiled by the Identity Theft Resource Center.

One reason is the proliferation of artificial intelligence, which has made the work of criminal hackers easier, cheaper and scalable.

What does that mean for the rest of us?

Cooper Katz McKim dove deep into the world of AI-supercharged crime for NPR’s daily economics podcast The Indicator, and introduces us to what he’s found.

Listen to the Indicator’s Vice Week

Fighting AI with AI

What’s supercharging data breaches? 

When cartels start to diversify

How AI might mess with financial markets

Scam compounds, sewing patterns and stolen dimes

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This episode was produced by Connor Donevan. It was edited by Kate Concannon and Patrick Jarenwattananon. It features additional reporting by Darien Woods. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Facing the threat of a potential military court martial and possible questions from the FBI, Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona spoke to NPR’s Scott Detrow. This comes after Kelly, a Navy veteran and former astronaut, appeared with five other Democratic lawmakers in a video letting active duty troops know they do not have to follow illegal orders.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Jeffrey Pierre, Ava Berger, Lauren Hodges and Karen Zamora. It was edited by John Ketchum, Justine Kenin and Adam Raney. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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The CDC recently rewrote its vaccine guidance to suggest shots might cause autism, renewing false claims about vaccines and causing anxiety among parents. Physicians often deal with misinformation, but the difference is that it’s now coming from the federal government. How do families know what guidance to trust?

NPR’s Scott Detrow speaks with Dr. James Campbell, a practicing pediatrician and professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, on how families should navigate the changing guidance.

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This episode was produced by Vincent Acovino and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Simon Laslo-Janssen and Tiffany Vera Castro. It was edited by Adam Raney. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani built a coalition of voters who were engaged by his charisma and his campaign’s focus on key issues such as affordable transportation, housing and childcare. Mamdani has pointed to Boston mayor Michelle Wu, who was just re-elected in a landslide herself, as inspiration and for being “the most effective Democrat in America.” What can be learned from how progressive mayors like Wu and Mamdani are energizing voters?

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Jordan-Marie Smith and Henry Larson. It was edited by Sarah Robbins. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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When President Trump nominated Linda McMahon as education secretary, he told her to put herself out of a job. She moved one step closer to that this week when the Trump administration shifted the responsibility of several departments to other federal agencies.

NPR’s Juana Summers speaks with former Obama education secretary John King about what this could mean for public education in America and some of the most vulnerable students.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Lauren Hodges, with audio engineering by Simon Laslo-Janssen and Tiffany Vera Castro.

It was edited by Courtney Dorning.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Caregiving services for seniors can easily cost more each year than what the average American makes. And health insurers, both government and private, may not provide the coverage people need. 

That leads many people to step in and do the work for free. But caregivers need to take care of themselves, too. 
That’s something Dawnita Brown knows all too well, as a caregiver to both her parents, and founder of The Binti Circle. It’s a group she founded for Black daughters like her who are doing caregiving work.
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Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse, with audio engineering by David Greenburg and Valentina Rodriguez Sanchez. It was edited by Sarah Handel. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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President Trump is deepening the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia, despite the government coming under fire for human right abuses, despite the concerns the prince himself ordered the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 

Why is Saudi Arabia such an important ally for the United States? 

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Gabriel Sanchez and Karen Zamora.

It was edited by Jeanette Woods, Dana Farrington and Courtney Dorning.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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Maine Family Planning clinics treat STDs, bronchitis and tick bites. Because they also provide abortions, they’ve been hit by a new federal law that cuts them out of Medicaid. Now, they’re cutting back on services to try to survive.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Connor Donevan and Ava Berger, with audio engineering by Jimmy Keeley. It was edited by Diane Webber and Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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It’s been six months since a tornado hit St. Louis and damaged more than five thousand buildings and homes. 

Residents and local officials say the Trump administration’s new policy on federal disaster assistance has meant they have been left to do the work traditionally done by FEMA.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Avery Keatley, in collaboration with Hiba Ahmad and Jason Rosenbaum from St. Louis Public Radio. It was edited by Sarah Robbins. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun. 

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