Week of December 26th, 2016

The lawsuit alleges the retailers are using the brand's name and logo without permission.

The panda patriarch is responsible for 25 percent of the world's captive pandas.

TV networks vie for your attention when the ball drops.

There could be some big changes coming in the New Year.

Marketplace host Lizzie O'Leary talks with Linette Lopez of Business Insider and John Carney of the Wall Street Journal for the Weekly Wrap.

Lizzie O’Leary is joined by Linette Lopez of Business Insider and John Carney of the Wall Street Journal for the weekly wrap. On this week’s agenda: A look back at the year in economics and predictions for 2017. We also talk to senior education correspondent Amy Scott for a look at the big education stories she’ll be watching in 2017. Finally: 2016 ends tomorrow, which means most of us will be watching the countdown on TV. Other broadcast networks are trying (and so far, failing) to dethrone ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”

To kick off 2017, Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams and Bloomberg’s Joe Wiesenthal explain what they’re long and short on for the upcoming year. Plus, we look back at some of our favorite Marketplace quizzes and re-visit our story on the student debt crisis.

When Steve Sasson worked at Eastman Kodak, he came up with the prototype for the digital camera. But the company wasn't interested.

Nineteen out of the 28 European Union nations use the currency.

Today is the last day to deposit 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

Spin Master troubleshoots the birds' failure to hatch.

Home developers are having a hard time keeping up with demand, stalling housing market growth in the area.

There are concerns about how he could influence NASA's climate change research.

Data analysis has become increasingly common in criminal cases. We’ll explore the intersection of tech and law enforcement, and also look at the Obama administration’s decision to issue sanctions against Russia for reportedly interfering with the presidential election. And to cap off the week, we’re playing Silicon Tally with Marketplace’s Marielle Segarra. 

The Obama administration has issued sanctions on Russia in response to allegations that the country hacked the U.S. and influenced the presidential election. How will the incoming Trump administration decide to deal with Russia? And in other Trump-related matters, a look at what his presidency means for U.S. strategy in space. 

And now, an ode to a product you’ve probably used even if you hadn’t heard of its inventor: the red Solo cup. The cup is a fixture at college parties, beer pong matches — pretty much anyplace with a keg. The cup’s inventor was Robert Leo Hulseman, and he died last week at age 84. […]

Its largest shareholder arranges a line of credit to keep the struggling chain going.

Works out for seasonal employees and companies

Even if Trump is.

Russian operatives will also be expelled from the U.S.

Donald Trump has made cutting the U.S. trade deficit one of the centerpieces of his trade agenda. But are trade deficits necessarily a bad thing for the economy? Also: The White House announced sanctions against Russia in retaliation for cyberattacks today. We spoke with Nick Wadhams, foreign policy reporter for Bloomberg, about the response.  Millions of refugees have left their home country for a better life in Germany. Marketplace Tech host Ben Johnson looks at how Berlin’s tech industry is helping to resettle refugees. 

Trump has already attacked the U.N. Do the two leaders agree on any issues?

Was he really the reason behind it?

Nine states haven’t complied with the Real ID Act of 2005.

The Agriculture Department proposal may not take effect.

With digital documents replacing paper, the office supply business is taking a hit.

Economic development in Africa is important to U.S. security, says one expert.

A potential settlement between Japanese airbag maker Takata and the Justice Department over faulty airbags; new potential standards on organic food production from the Obama administration; and the role of emerging markets in the global economy.

The internet service giant Alibaba is reportedly going to drop $7 billion on “content” over the next three years — what exactly is the company trying to create? Turns out it might just be funneling that money into “customer understanding.” And in the next three *days*, lots of people will be preparing for and ringing in the new year. A new device called Coravin wants to help you celebrate by removing wine from the bottle, without removing the cork. Finally: as part of our Codebreaker podcast, we’ll look at how refugees have been using technology to cross borders.

In New York City, masonry restorers are always in demand. The law requires regular inspections of large buildings, to stop stone and brick from coming loose and killing people.

So the Dow didn’t hit 20,000 today, but when it does, what’s the big deal? We often say the stock market isn’t the economy, but the Dow isn’t even the whole market. Also on today’s show: If you haven’t returned your Samsung Note 7, you should probably do that soon because several carriers plan on releasing an update to end all updates. Lastly: A look ahead at how Trump might approach job growth with unemployment already under five percent. 

The update to end all updates.

Midwestern farmers are spreading a tough weed by sowing ground-cover mixes contaminated with its seeds.

Not much.

This year saw Brexit and the Italian referendum — both sea changes that will affect the economies of Europe

Hackers are finding new ways to profit.

Economic growth has been sluggish.

The box of baby items for expectant mothers is designed, in part, to push moms toward best practices.

The digital currency outperformed nearly every other investment asset.

Uber has moved its self-driving cars from California.

To commit insider trading, you have to be on the inside — or hack your way into it. The U.S. has charged three Chinese traders for reportedly doing the latter. We’ll look at the case, and also explore bitcoin’s happy year and talk about China’s financially not-so-happy one.     

Smart speakers are listening. The Information has a new story out about how police have issued a warrant for Amazon Echo data in a murder case. One of the article’s co-writers, Tom Dotan, joined us to talk about the data that Amazon collects and keeps on Echo users. We’ll also look at the use of technology at a refugee camp in Jordan and examine the effects of Brexit on London’s tech scene.

The industry is catering to a growing demographic of riders.

The gadget that saved a refugee in the middle of the Aegean Sea, how an agent uses technology to patrol the U.S. border with Mexico, and how a journalist in exile broadcasts the news with WhatsApp.

The late actress had an remarkable career beyond Star Wars

Christmas shopping is over but Christmas returns are just getting started. An estimated 10 percent of holiday presents will be returned. We look at the logistics of sending gifts back and how brick-and-mortar stores might profit. Also: The nation’s second-largest union, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) plans to cut its budget by 30 percent over the next year. Unions expect to defend workers’ rights effectively with less spending when it also believes those rights may be threatened by Republican control of the federal government. Finally: An ode to Carrie Fisher and the many jobs you might not know she had. 

The Service Employees International Union is bracing for big changes.

But retailers might actually want you to return gifts

Senators are asking for tax returns and financial disclosures.

In this special edition of Long and Short the guests

Settlers may benefit from cheaper home prices.

Is policing 'public? Is it private? Or is it some mix of the two?' study's author asks.

The Fire Department of New York City is in the midst of a gender diversity push.

The executive order could be short-lived.

The financial issues plaguing Italy’s Monte Dei Paschi, the world’s oldest surviving bank; a new rule requiring federal contractors to offer their employees paid sick leave; and the Fire Department of New York’s push for greater gender diversity.

The creators of the HBO show "Westworld" on artificial intelligence and how close we are to robots that feel.

Today is all about exploring technology that’s almost human. We’ll look at the effectiveness of using robot babies to deter teenage pregnancy, and chat with “Westworld’s” creators, Lisa Joy and Jonah Nolan, about artificial intelligence’s role in society and some of the show’s inspirations.

Mission-driven companies are some of the fastest-growing, and giant corporations like Unilever are getting in on the game.

We waste billions of dollars worth of food.

They have the ear of the president when it comes to economic policy, but what do they even do?

The World Bank has stressed the threat of drug-resistant infections.

Spotify launched an ad campaign titled "Thanks 2016, It's Been Weird."

Hops provide the bitter taste beer drinkers love, but who says how much these fragrant little flowers are worth?

As Trump continues his transition, we take a look at the role of the Council of Economic Advisers. They’re kind of like the president’s personal think tank. Also on today’s show: Why drug resistance to infections and diseases is becoming a global economic problem. And on a lighter note: Ever wonder how hops are priced? You asked, we answered for the latest installment of I’ve Always Wondered…

Fraudulent schemes include "wardrobing" and the return of shoplifted items.

But it's currently being investigated by the New York attorney general's office.

One French B&B offers meals that follow halal dietary laws and other amenities.

The prime minister will become the first Japanese leader to formally visit the site.

It can be more trouble than it's worth.

There's a construction boom in North Texas.

Seventy-five years after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Shinzo Abe will become the first Japanese leader to formally visit the site.  While the move is an important symbolic gesture, it also marks Abe’s effort to solidify Japan as an important trade partner with the U.S. We’ll also look at the building boom in North Texas, where students in one college’s construction management program are basically guaranteed a job after graduation. And finally: an analysis of how much fraudulent returns end up costing retailers. 

When it comes to using any high-tech gifts you received over the holidays, it’s not just about knowing how to use them, but the polite way to use them. All those new drones, wearables and devices related to virtual reality come with rules. We’ll find out how to make sure we’re good tech users and not irritating ones. And as the holidays end, we’ll explore how transportation might change in 2017 — autonomous cars and trucks are becoming increasingly common.