Marketplace All-in-One

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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 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. Listen, decode, and decide: Can technology crossing borders save us?

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 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.

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.

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...

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. 

This week, Marketplace's Sabri Ben-Achour and Raghu Manavalan go long and short on trade and millennials. Los Angeles based chefs Steve Samson and Ray Garcia talk about their favorite holiday foods. The BBC's Nicola Stanbridge reports on the temporary closure of Big Ben, a London landmark and Marketplace Tech host Ben Johnson brings us a few stories from the latest Codebreaker episode all about encryption.