(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … China’s factory activity contracts for the first time in two years. As the world’s second-biggest economy continues to slow, how much of the U.S.-China trade war is dragging on growth? Bangladesh’s leader Sheikh Hasina wins a record fourth term in office following her success with the economy. But critics allege that her party is becoming increasingly authoritarian. And, the Zanzibar archipelago off the east coast of Africa is trying to clamp down on the lucrative illegal trade in spices. Today’s show is sponsored by Netsuite and Wasabi Technologies.

(U.S. Edition) The partial government shutdown has reached 10 days, with hundreds of thousands of government employees working without pay. The main sticking point behind the shutdown remains about funding for heightened security along the U.S. border with Mexico. We take a quick look at the markets, but also talk with Reva Goujon, VP of Global Analysis at Stratfor, about the forces that could affect the global economy in 2019. Then, we dive into the re-emergence of the independent bookstore. Today’s show is sponsored by Netsuite and Wasabi Technologies.

(Markets Edition) This Friday isn’t only the seventh day of the partial government shutdown, it’s also the last pay day for hundreds of thousands of federal workers on furlough. If the shutdown lingers, this might be the last paycheck they see for weeks. We also check in on the markets, which have been up-and-down during the holiday week. Then we head to Detroit, where electric scooters are becoming more and more of a presence in the Motor City, thanks to regulators giving scooter companies the green light. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Selligent and the and Alliance for Lifetime Income.

(U.S. Edition) While the ongoing government shutdown has multitudes of federal workers concerned about their next paycheck, some workers could get some relief in the new year. Twenty states and more than 20 cities across the country will be raising minimum wage in 2019. Also, members of Congress not only have the shutdown to contend with, but also hiring to fill holes in their staffs. The people they hire will be of particular interest to those keeping an eye on diversity on Capitol Hill. Then, we look at the end of the holiday season, where the final two months of the year are typically the busiest for retailers … but not as profitable as they might seem. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Selligent and the and Alliance for Lifetime Income. 

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Chinese technology giant Huawei is staying optimistic even as it faces bans in several Western countries over fears their equipment poses a national security risk. Voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of most mineral-rich countries on Earth, head to the polls this weekend. We head to the DRC’s capital of Kinshasa to explore president Joseph Kabila’s economic legacy. And illegal immigrants selling cheap goods have become a common sight on Spain’s beaches, as the country struggles to deal with the migrant crisis. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Selligent and the and Alliance for Lifetime Income. 

(Markets Edition) We start out with unpacking the down-and-up market activity this week, with U.S. markets opening down Thursday. This comes after a week of swings, where we witnessed the worst Christmas Eve since the recession, only for a 1,000-point Dow rebound on Wednesday. Economist Diane Swonk joined us to help sort out what this all means. Then, Amazon’s third annual Digital Day is approaching, where the company offers huge discounts on its content. It’s also a signal that the race to get people propriety content is in full swing. Also, we take a look at toy-lending libraries … remember those? They were common in bigger cities, then seemed to phase out. Now, they are making a comeback. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Selligent and Wasabi Technologies. 

(U.S. Edition) New data out of China on Thursday morning took note of an apparent lesser demand for Chinese goods from both consumers and foreign buyers. Chinese officials are also stating that face-to-face meetings with the U.S. regarding the ongoing trade dispute will be happening in January. We look at what the data means. We then check out the Ford F-150, the top selling vehicle in the U.S. that shows no signs of slowing down during the holidays. Finally, we look into the post-fire recovery in California, which is leading many people to examine the best way to rebuild … which includes considering fire-resistant materials and techniques. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Selligent and Wasabi Technologies. 

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … India has unveiled a new law aimed at protecting local retailers from e-commerce giants like Amazon and Walmart. The U.K.’s second-largest airport, London Gatwick, has been bought by a French infrastructure firm. And Japan’s birth rate falls to its lowest since records began over a century ago. We explore how robots are being used in Japan’s nursing homes to offset the labor shortage. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Selligent and Wasabi Technologies.