New research from the University of Washington found businesses owned by women and people of color are charged higher rates for loans, costing about $8 billion a year more in interest payments than their white counterparts. Also in this episode, some energy sector updates: Growing global coal demand is powered by data centers and industrialization, and a new Gulf Coast hydrogen hub aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the region’s oil refineries.

New research shows that not only are back-to-the-office mandates unpopular with employees, they lead to more turnover and chase away the employees with the most skills. We’ll delve into the findings. Plus: when a job is quite literally a balancing act. As part of our ongoing “What’s That Like?” series exploring odd jobs, we hear from a Cirque du Soleil high wire performer.

Here in the United States, a partial government shutdown looms after the House of Representatives voted down a Trump-backed temporary spending package. We’ll parse some of the practical implications. Then, we’ll hear about some of the economic headwinds Germany is facing after Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a vote of confidence and the German government collapsed. Also on the show: A strike at a number of Amazon locations is entering day two.

From the BBC World Service: An investigation has exposed how Vietnamese migrants in the United Kingdom are working illegally in nail bars to avoid detection. The U.K. government says it’s ramped up raids since July, with fines for employers reaching $75,000 for repeat offenses. But that’s not stopping everyone. Plus, nearly 80 million Christmas trees are sold each year in Europe. We’ll take a look at what goes in to growing them all.

The House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence released a lengthy report this week that doesn’t recommend any specific policies or bills. We’ll also look ahead at what the new year could bring the robotaxi business. But first, the TikTok ban is heading to the Supreme Court. A federal appeals court last week upheld the law that would ban the short-form video app if its Chinese owners don’t sell it by Jan. 19. TikTok asked the court to weigh in, and this week SCOTUS agreed. Lily Jamali, tech correspondent at the BBC, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino to discuss the news.

Amazon is reportedly postponing a return to in-person work for a portion of its staff due to insufficient office space. It’s not alone. For the first time since the pandemic began, office real estate may be heating up. Also in this episode: Exports, particularly in the electronics sector, drive GDP growth, Chinese importers of U.S. goods prep for retaliatory tariffs and insurers push back against “nuclear” verdicts in personal injury cases.

Stock and bond markets took unnerving tumbles yesterday when the Federal Reserve Chair suggested there won’t be as many interest rate cuts next year. The S&P fell 3% and the Dow fell more than 1,100 points. We could also get a partial federal government shutdown by the end of the week. We’ll discuss the latest economic headlines. Plus, some Amazon workers go on strike today, and we’ll hear more about the merch economy.

From the BBC World Service: A new report from the European Central Bank and the European Union’s insurance regulator calls for a big shake-up in Europe’s climate insurance system. It’s planning for a new EU-wide insurance plan that would help protect businesses and homeowners from extreme weather and uses reinsurance, which pools risks, to make sure people are actually covered. Also: Concert merch, once a reliable profit source for performers, is becoming squeezed.

A deal to keep the government funded through the holidays and into the new administration has run into opposition. President-elect Donald Trump and advisor Elon Musk are urging Republicans in Congress to vote down a government funding extension. We’ll hear more. Plus, stock futures are pointing to a small rebound after stock prices dropped sharply on warnings that higher interest rates could linger. And later: What’s it like to work at the circus?

Voice cloning is becoming easier, faster and more convincing. Artificial Intelligence makes it possible to change the age of an actor’s voice, translate words into any language, and replace a voice lost through illness. But it’s also increasingly being used by criminals to impersonate a loved one, extort money or compromise bank accounts. It’s changing how we communicate with each other and how we trust each other. And experts say we’re already at the point where AI voice cloning can be used for real time conversations. So how are the U.S., the U.K. and Europe handling regulation of this rapidly-evolving new technology?