The Rest of the Story, 2025

What It Covers

Planet Money checks back on previous stories from 2025, including updates on subscription service regulations, lab-grown diamond prices, conditions in Gaza post-ceasefire, and the fate of mandatory table saw safety technology under new federal leadership.

Key Questions Answered

• •Subscription Cancellation Economics: Federal click-to-cancel rule requiring easy unsubscription was struck down by appeals court for procedural errors. Rocket Money processed over 10 million cancellations in 2025 as users continue adding three new subscriptions yearly, demonstrating ongoing market need despite regulatory setback.
• •Lab-Grown Diamond Pricing: Retail prices for one-carat lab-grown diamonds dropped from $1,000 to $800 in 2025, though still far above $137 wholesale cost from Chinese manufacturers. Price compression continues as production costs fall, but retail markups remain significant despite manufacturing economics.
• •Gaza Economic Conditions: Post-ceasefire prices in Gaza decreased substantially with tomatoes dropping from $32 to $3 per kilo and diapers from $75 to $9. Israel continues blocking cash shekel entry, forcing residents to rely on deteriorating paper currency and digital transfers through informal networks.
• •Product Safety Regulation: Consumer Product Safety Commission leadership changes halted mandatory finger-detection technology for table saws after two decades of advocacy. Manufacturer pivots to market-based safety approach with new band saw product, acknowledging regulatory path blocked under current administration priorities.