‘Wednesday’s Emma Myers & Brady Noon Join McG-Directed Body-Swap Comedy ‘Family Leave’ For Netflix

AFP
UK appoints Labour veteran Peter Mandelson as envoy to US
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday confirmed the appointment of veteran Labour politician Peter Mandelson, a former minister and EU trade commissioner, as the next ambassador to the United States.Mandelson, an EU trade commissioner from 2004 to 2008 who also co-founded the international public policy advisory firm Global Counsel, called his appointment "a great honour".
Associated Press
Trump adds Europe to the list of US trade partners he's threatening with tariffs
President-elect Donald Trump on Friday added the 27 countries that make up the European Union to the list of trade partners he's threatening with tariffs — unless the group takes steps to import more U.S. goods. “I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas,” Trump posted shortly after 1 a.m. on social media.
Reuters
Brazil's Congress passes fiscal package, government plays down changes to the measures
Brazil's Congress approved a government-proposed fiscal package on Friday that includes measures to contain spending aimed at putting the country's finances on a more sustainable path. The Senate passed the final of three bills contained in the package, capping minimum wage increases and tightening eligibility criteria for social benefits for the elderly and disabled, in a 42-31 vote. Lawmakers in the lower house of Congress had already voted in favor of the bills.
USA TODAY
Iowa police debunk false claim about children discovered in Coca-Cola truck | Fact check
Davenport police said the claim is false. The image shows an annual toy drive hosted by the police association for children and families in need.
AFP
EU, Swiss hail 'historic' new deal resetting relations
The European Union and Switzerland announced Friday a new set of agreements aimed at recalibrating relations between the two neighbours after years of often arduous negotiations.Negotiations began in 2014 but relations chilled when Switzerland suddenly slammed the door on the talks in 2021.
Associated Press
For some FSA dollars, it's use it or lose it at year's end
Millions of people use flexible spending accounts to help pay for health care, and some may lose money left in those accounts if they don’t spend it by year’s end. There are many ways to spend that use-it-or-use it balance __ think raiding the local drugstore __ but it’s important to understand FSA rules before going on a shopping spree. Here are some things to consider. What are flexible spending accounts?
Associated Press
US civil rights probe faults Philadelphia school district over handling of antisemitism reports
The Philadelphia school district failed to show it protected Jewish students from harassment despite “repeated, extensive notice” that students, teachers and administrators were engaging in antisemitic behavior, the U.S. Department of Education has concluded after a federal civil rights investigation. Philadelphia school administrators did not adequately address allegations that students were performing Nazi salutes, drawing swastikas on school property and uttering slurs and threats against Jewish students — in some cases neglecting to even document the incidents, the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights found.
Associated Press
Volkswagen, employee representatives reach wage deal after tough negotiations
Volkswagen's employee representatives said Friday they have reached a wage deal that wards off management proposals for plant closings in Germany and bars involuntary layoffs through 2030. Union and employee representatives were slated to hold simultaneous news conferences Friday to spell out details of the agreement reached after almost 60 hours of negotiations this week as the two sides pressed to reach a deal before the Christmas holidays. A union statement said that the loss of bonus payments and other compensation were part of the deal but that monthly wage levels would not be touched.
Reuters
Hardline Republicans reject Trump's debt ceiling demand, focused on deficit worry
Republican hardliners who normally are ardent supporters of President-elect Donald Trump are resisting his push to raise the U.S. debt ceiling, sticking to their belief that government spending needs to be pruned and defying his warnings of revenge. Some 38 House of Representatives Republicans voted against a debt ceiling bill Trump demanded, showing the limits of his grip on the party, a month before he takes office on Jan. 20. It was the first time that Congress had been asked to vote on a Trump priority since his election.
NBC News
There are 'clear signs' of ethnic cleansing by Israel in Gaza, Doctors Without Borders says
There are “clear signs of ethnic cleansing” by Israel as it wages war in Gaza, according to a new report from Doctors Without Borders, which became the second group in a week to condemn the country's conduct in the besieged enclave.
Associated Press
Florida agriculture hit with $190M losses from Hurricane Milton
Florida agriculture suffered more than $190 million in losses from Hurricane Milton, making it the costliest for farmers and ranchers of three cyclones that pummeled the state in 2024, according to University of Florida researchers. When all the data is in, the university's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) estimates the losses from Milton could reach over $642 million.
AFP
US confirms billions in chips funds to Samsung, Texas Instruments
President Joe Biden's administration said Friday that it has cemented deals for billions in funding to South Korean semiconductor giant Samsung Electronics and Texas Instruments to boost their chipmaking facilities in the United States.In a separate notice, the Commerce Department said it also had finalized an award of up to $1.6 billion for Texas Instruments, supporting its efforts to build new facilities.
Politico
Even if Congress is a grinch, flights won’t be grounded — yet
Air traffic controllers and baggage screeners would work through a shutdown without pay. But it might not be fun for travelers if it drags out.
Associated Press
EPA head Regan, who championed environmental justice, to leave office Dec. 31
Michael Regan, who has led the Environmental Protection Agency throughout President Joe Biden's four-year term, said Friday he will leave the agency Dec. 31, about three weeks before Biden' leaves office. In a letter to agency employees, Regan said he was proud of the EPA's work to confront climate change, restrict air and water pollution and spend tens of billions of dollars under the administration's landmark climate law to spur clean energy development.
NBC News
Tesla recalls nearly 700,000 vehicles over tire pressure light issue
Tesla has issued a recall for nearly 700,000 vehicles due to a tire pressure light issue.
NBC News
Texas new mom deported for missed immigration hearing after C-section, family says
Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it was following the orders of an immigration judge and the parents decided for the infants to go to Mexico with her.
CBS News
Here's what to know about Medicare's new $2,000 prescription drug cap
Millions of Medicare enrollees are likely to see relief in 2025 when a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug-spending goes into effect.
Associated Press
California regulators vote to delay closure of gas storage facility, site of worst US methane leak
California regulators have approved a controversial proposal to delay the closure of the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Facility, the site of the nation’s largest known methane leak, which forced thousands of families from their Los Angeles homes in 2015. The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday voted 4-0, with one commissioner recused, to approve a judge’s proposed decision that Aliso Canyon should remain open for the time being, the Southern California News Group reported. “This decision puts forward a path to the closure of Aliso Canyon that is achievable, realistic, and protective of families and businesses who are struggling to pay energy bills,” CPUC President Alice Reynolds said in a statement.
Time
What to Know About Walking Pneumonia
Cases are rising, and experts explain why.
NBC News
How a government shutdown would (and wouldn't) affect consumers days before Christmas
If the government shuts down days before Christmas, holiday travel could see disruptions but holiday shipping would be spared.

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