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Steve Caplin laments the end of Wilko's while marvelling at a toilet-cleaning robot for offices, a tech toilet brush, a sophisticated cocktail maker, braille-coded Lego bricks, vegan spare ribs with edible bones, a snorkel with 10 mins of air, an intelligent cat flap that will stop moggies bringing in unwanted "presents", a humanoid pilot that can do everything a real pilot can do and an ePaper 25-inch poster.

With Nadine Dorries still an MP two months after saying she was quitting, political commentator Mike Indian discusses the difficulties of removing inadequate politicians, pointing out the serious democratic deficiency. As Labour waters down its pledges on workers' rights, he laments the party's cautiousness and asks where is the distinctive offering. He looks at The first Republican Party presidential debate, worrying that it shows that politics is becoming even dirtier and uglier. And with Rishi Sunak tacitly admitting he won't meet his small boats pledge, Mike argues for a fundamental reform of our migration system.

Last week we heard of sixty migrants dying in an attempt to reach Cape Verde across the Atlantic Ocean: young people risking all for a better life. But, as we wrote on 15th May, it's the underlying challenges, including conflict and poverty, that must be addressed. Global problems like these require global solutions: we suggest a combination of inter-generational rebalancing funding a programme of incentivised learning for young people across Africa, providing them with the resources and life skills to start achieving their potential. Background music: 'Six by Eight' by Jimmy Fontanez_Media Right Productions. 15th May Commentary link: https://www.shareradio.co.uk/thinkingaloud/newsletters/comment-wc-2023-05-15/

Inflation falling, wages rising, mortgage rates fall back a bit and fixed savings rates seem to be peaking at 6% - all without a recession (yet)! Is the oasis in sight, or is this a mirage? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Helen Crane review the prospects looking forward. Also, Rishi Sunak vows to keep the 'triple lock' on pensions, but can we afford it?

A real estate bankruptcy shakes confidence in China and consumers across the globe focus on lower-priced items. Ron Gross and Emily Flippen discuss why the consumer focus on groceries and lower cost items are helping Walmart and hurting Target, the story behind Adyen’s 40% post-earnings drop, and the latest results from JD.com and Tencent, and how to look at some of the scary headlines coming out of China. 19 minutes in, VICI CEO Ed Pitoniak speaks with Motley Fool Money’s Deidre Woollard to talk about what to expect next on the Las Vegas strip, why wellness is an increasingly interesting category for experience spending, and what good real estate deals look like in this environment. Then, 33 minutes in, Ron and Emily break down two stocks on their radar: Astec and NICE. Stocks discussed: WMT, TGT, ADYEY, JD, TCEHY, ASTE, NICE. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Emily Flippen, Ron Gross, Deidre Woollard, Ed Pitoniak

Michael Burry, the investor featured in “The Big Short,” made a major bet against market indexes. Are investors due for a sequel of the Great Financial Crisis? Ricky Mulvey and Asit Sharma discuss a sales slowdown The Home Depot, why the home retailer has “an incredibly high” return on invested capital, credit downgrades for regional banks, and Michael Burry’s bearish option bet against the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, worth $1.6 billion in notional value. Companies discussed: HD, MTB Host - Ricky Mulvey; Guest - Asit Sharma

Tests of all kinds can raise your anxiety level; you may know all the answers and responses, but nervous pressure can stand in the way of a good result. This episode is based on someone approaching a driving test and who needs to feel relaxed, calm and confident — Adam Cox helps find a way through.

Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the resurgence of Ireland's economy, driven by tax cuts rather than tax rises. He discusses the documentary Ex Nihilo: The Truth About Money (https://tinyurl.com/2sntvvxd), explaining how many of the West's problems are due to excess money, interest rates and debt and the resulting distortions and bubbles. Too much in the film, he says, isn't understood properly by politicians or even many economists. And he concludes by looking at some of the sinister overtones behind the campaign against cash.

James Cameron-Wilson reports on a UK box office still boosted by Barbie & Oppenheimer at #1 & #2, the former now the 11th most successful film here ever with £78.2m. True(ish) story Gran Turismo, partly based on a computer game, enters at #4. Directed by Neill Blomkamp, James found it hugely entertaining escapism with great race sequences. Disney's reboot of Haunted Mansion, the second based on its theme park ride, he found one of the worst films of the year. On Netflix, however, he found Tom Harper's Heart of Stone an implausible but enjoyable thriller.

Steve Caplin takes Simon Rose on a voyage through the latest tech. There's a hoist to lift your eBike onto your car roof, a cargo eBike and an eBike caravan. Smart glasses make a return as a fitness and navigation aid, there's a mouse that clips to your fingers, scientists have come up with 3D printed vegan seafood, China is limiting smartphone use for under-18s and you can buy an electric wheelbarrow wheel and a chair to cool you down. In New Zealand, a meal-bot has's been coming up with some hair-raising recipes, thanks to mischievous users.