(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Tencent — a huge Chinese tech firm that’s barely known globally — has jumped in value to over half a trillion dollars to become one of the biggest companies in the world. Afterwards, global food prices could start to rise in 2018 because of uncertainty over climate and trade deals, according to a report out today by Rabobank. Then, in a global first, a London company called Bio-Bean is using coffee-waste powered London buses.

(Markets Edition) On today’s show, we’ll take a peek at what leading indicators have to say about our economy. Turns out it’s looking much better because our major trading partners are on a roll. Afterwards, we’ll look at news that a former Obama official — Maria Contreras-Sweet — is making a $275 million bid for The Weinstein Co., with plans to reform it by installing a female-majority board. And finally, we’ll discuss what the GOP’s planned tax overhaul would mean for independent contractors. 

(U.S. Edition) In Germany, talks aimed at forming a ruling coalition fell apart last night. Chancellor Angela Merkel won the most votes in a general election in September, but not enough to rule outright. On today’s show, we’ll take a look at the current state of Germany’s economy and what political instability could mean for it. Afterwards, we’ll look at Toshiba’s financial woes: it faces $6 billion in liabilities because its U.S. subsidiary Westinghouse is in bankruptcy. Then, we’ll talk to Gillian Thomas, senior staff attorney with the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU, about what companies need to do to stop sexual harassment.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … German Chancellor Angela Merkel is back to square one after a potential partner walked out of negotiations to try and form a coalition government. We find out what the political uncertainty means for Europe’s largest economy.  Afterwards, the Japanese corporate giant Toshiba’s shares fell nearly 5 percent on news it’s trying to raise more than $5 billion through a massive new stock listing. Then, we hear how Cuba’s recent boom in tourism could be reversing as diplomatic relations with the United States become icy again. 

(Markets Edition) With Republicans racing to approve legislation that would overhaul America’s tax system, we’ll hear from Diane Swonk — CEO of DS Economics — about the math behind the plan. These tax cuts could end up adding to the deficit, which Swonk says will create “liabilities” for future generations. Afterwards, we’ll chat with Douglas Holtz-Eakin, a prominent economist and the policy director for John McCain when he ran for president in ’08, about why he thinks cutting the corporate tax rate could help increase wages. And finally, we’ll look at why more Americans are expected to travel this Thanksgiving than in previous years.

(U.S. Edition) The Republican tax overhaul — which calls for a reduced corporate tax rate of 20 percent — has now passed in the House. There’s been a lot of debate over how much this bill will help American taxpayers. One noted economist who argues that it won’t: Jeffrey Sachs, who joined our show today. Sachs, a Columbia University professor who helped engineer the Soviet Union’s transition to a market economy, said  “we’re talking about gifts to David and Charles Koch, to Sheldon Adelson, to Robert Mercer. This is not reform. This is a heist.” Afterwards, we’ll look at reports that President Trump may appoint Budget Director Mick Mulvaney as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What would this mean for the future of the agency?

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … The CEO and executives from Japan’s second-biggest car-maker Nissan plan to return part of their pay, following an investigation into a vehicle inspection scandal that led to the recall of 1.2 million cars. Afterwards: the credit ratings agency Moody’s has upgraded India for the first time in nearly 14 years, putting one of the world’s fastest growing economies on par with the Philippines and Italy.  Then we hear from the Indian city of Mumbai about the ongoing struggle for latrine provisions ahead of World Toilet Day this weekend.

(Markets Edition) Amid Walmart’s announcement that quarterly earnings exceeded expectations, we’ll take a look at how the retail giant has been trying to find that sweet spot between saving shoppers money and making enough money for itself. Afterwards, we’ll talk to the Washington Post’s Helaine Olen about what America’s proposed tax overhaul could mean for our personal finances. Then, we’ll focus on Zimbabwe to learn more about the house arrest of 93-year-old Robert Mugabe, the country’s president of 37 years.

(U.S. Edition) With the House GOP set to vote today on its plan for American taxes, we’ll chat with someone who’s been through a big tax overhaul before: Gene Steuerle, who heads the non-partisan Tax Policy Center. He joined us to talk about the basic principles most people can agree with when it comes to tax reform. Afterwards, we’ll talk to Marketplace regular Allan Sloan about how Congress’ tax plans might affect none other than President Donald Trump.