Marketplace Morning Report

(U.S. Edition) The National Labor Relations Board has overturned a joint-employment standard that was set back in 2015 under Obama. We'll look at how this decision will make it harder for contractors and workers at franchise businesses to form unions. Afterwards, we'll discuss the rising number of people who are defaulting on their student loans, and then talk with BBC reporter Karishma Vaswani about the issue of sexual harassment in workplaces around the world.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service…the U.S. Federal Reserve voted to raise interest rates on Wednesday, but two more important central bank decisions are happening Thursday. We’ll explain why inflation is top of mind for two key European banks. Then, before net neutrality became a divisive issue in America, it was the subject of much debate in India. We’ll explore why the nation’s regulator favored equal treatment of Internet users. Afterwards, the “Me, too” movement shined a glaring spotlight on sexual abuse —now a new campaign in the U.K. hopes to change the law on one form of abuse still in the shadows.

(Markets Edition) Disney has confirmed it's buying most of 21st Century Fox, which will give the media conglomerate a major advantage when it comes to sports and streaming. We'll discuss whether this acquisition could give it what it needs to take on the likes of Netflix. Afterwards, we'll look at what Fed Chair Janet Yellen had to say about the GOP's tax overhaul and its potential effects on the economy. Plus: How some companies are canceling holiday parties amid the news of sexual harassment scandals.

(U.S. Edition) With Disney set to purchase 21st Century Fox assets for more than $50 billion, we'll look at the company's rationale for the deal and the antitrust problems that this merger could pose. Afterwards, we'll discuss what the GOP's tax overhaul — which Republicans in both the House and Senate have forged a deal on — could mean for taxpayers. Finally, we'll chat with Marketplace's Molly Wood about what the FCC's roll back of net neutrality could mean in the long-term.

(Markets Edition) The president of the National Federation of Independent Business says small businesses are feeling very optimistic right now, in large part because of the GOP's planned tax overhaul. However, John Arensmeyer — CEO of the Small Business Majority — stopped by to explain why not all of them are happy. Afterwards, we'll chat with Susan Schmidt, senior portfolio manager at Westwood Holdings Group, about what the forecast for interest rate hikes looks like. Then to cap off today's show, we'll talk about some of the concerns that have been raised over the GOP tax overhaul's quick race to the finish line. While the last big tax plan in 1986 took two years, the current overhaul has taken about two months.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … A major deal is underway in the media industry with 21st Century Fox in talks to sell its entertainment assets to Disney. We explain what that means for customers worldwide. And a more than three-decade ban on commercial cinemas is coming to an end in Saudi Arabia. We chat with a filmmaker in the region who says the move will create a Saudi film industry that could change the entire culture there.

(U.S. Edition) The House and Senate are trying to bolt their tax plans together amid pressure from the White House to get this done before Christmas. We'll take a look at where both chambers stand after negotiations last night. Afterwards, we'll talk to Marketplace producer Caitlin Esch about the opioid crisis as part of our "Uncertain Hour" podcast. Between 1995 and 2015 alone, 300,000 people died from overdoses involving OxyContin and other opioids. Esch explains how one sentence helped set the crisis off.

(U.S. Edition) Not many people are on board with the GOP's plan to overhaul the tax system. Less than a third of Americans like it, according to several polls —  including one from Reuters. But there is one group that's excited about it: small businesses. Juanita Duggan, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business, explains why. Afterwards, we'll look at how countries outside of the U.S. are reacting to the plan. Germany, the U.K., France, Spain and Italy say parts of the emerging tax plan could violate World Trade Organization rules. Then we'll move to the higher education system, where we'll explore how the tax bill could impact students.

(Global Edition) From BBC World Service … Two years after the Paris climate accord was signed, how much progress has been made? French President Emmanuel Macron thinks President Trump will bring the U.S. back into the deal. Influential think-thank The Rand Corporation is predicting any break with the European Union will hurt the British economy. But they say there is one outlying scenario which could bring benefits to the U.K., EU and the U.S. Plus: Would you like to receive $665 per month for doing absolutely nothing? We hear from Finland, where Universal Basic Income is being trialled.

(Markets Edition) Lawmakers are meeting tomorrow in the hopes of reconciling the House and Senate versions of the tax bill. We'll recap some of their key differences, which include controversy over state and local tax deductions. Afterwards, we'll discuss why stores still see a need for glossy catalogs, and then look at where both Amazon and Walmart stand in the retail war.