Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto (L) US President Donald Trump (C) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, sign a new free trade agreement in Buenos Aires, on November 30, 2018, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit. - The revamped accord, called the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), looks a lot like the one it replaces. But enough has been tweaked for Trump to declare victory on behalf of the US workers he claims were cheated by NAFTA. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)        (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
Trump explains new North American trade deal
02:26 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

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    1. Police reform

    President Trump has been threatening to pull out of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and it looks like he may be close to pulling the trigger. Before last week’s G20 Summit in Argentina, Trump and his Canadian and Mexican counterparts signed a replacement NAFTA deal called, appropriately, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). When he left the G20, Trump basically gave Congress an ultimatum: Choose between USMCA or nothing. This is important because pulling out of NAFTA without a successor in place would invite Mexico and Canada – both leading importers of US goods – to put tariffs on items coming from the United States. With stocks flagging and investor fears mounting, that could set off a pretty severe economic shock. 

    QUEBEC CITY, QC - JUNE 08:  Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau (R) speaks with U.S. President Donald Trump during the G7 official welcome at Le Manoir Richelieu on day one of the G7 meeting on June 8, 2018 in Quebec City, Canada. Canada will host the leaders of the UK, Italy, the US, France, Germany and Japan for the two day summit, in the town of La Malbaie.  (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
    US and Canada reach deal on NAFTA
    01:58 - Source: CNN

    MONDAY

    Denmark has a new plan for dealing with what it calls “unwanted” immigrants: Move them to a remote island that was once used for studying sick animals. No, really. The island in question is Lindholm Island, two miles out to sea. If it sounds extreme, it’s supposed to be. Rising far-right and anti-immigration sentiments that have swept Europe have now reached the highest levels of government in Denmark. Some of the country’s legislators have made it clear they have no qualms about testing the boundaries of human rights conventions to preserve what they call the Danish way of life. The controversial deal still must be passed by the parliament.

    denmark island for refugees

    3. Election 2020

    Some states are still feeling the aftershock of last month’s midterm elections. In Wisconsin, state Democrats are considering legal action after the GOP-held legislature approved a series of measures that would restrict the power of incoming Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General-elect Josh Kaul. During a “lame duck” session, Republicans voted to reduce the number of early voting days, require legislative backing for certain decisions traditionally made by the governor and attorney general, and change the way the legislature could represent itself in court (a move that weakens the role of attorney general). State Democrats say the moves don’t just undermine the incoming leaders, they undermine the entire electoral process.

    WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21:  Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker speaks during a working lunch with U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. governors at the White House June 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke primarily about economic issues during the meeting.  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
    State GOP seek to strip power from incoming Dems
    02:49 - Source: CNN

    THURSDAY

    The killing of an American tourist in Costa Rica is threatening the verdant Central American country’s reputation as a safe travel destination. The body of 36-year-old Carla Stefaniak was found this week. She went missing late last month after dropping off her travel companion at the airport. Her body has been found, her family confirmed, and a suspect is in custody. Costa Rica is typically seen as a very safe place for travelers, but the country has seen a jump in homicides in recent years. According to one survey of official data, the country broke its record for reported homicides in 2017, with 603 reported killings.

    Carla Stefaniak
    Missing US woman's body found in Costa Rica
    00:42 - Source: HLN

    5. Nigeria

    A study on the ecological impact of microplastics had stomach-churning results. Literally. Researchers examined more than 100 sea turtles of all seven species across the globe. Every … single … one … of them had microplastics in their gut. The findings bolster an already strong global call to reduce the usage of microplastics, which can easily get washed into waterways. Microplastics, in case you’re not sure, are exactly what they sound like – teeny tiny particles of plastic. Some glitters are microplastics, as are those synthetic scrubbing beads in some face and body products. Countries and states around the world have taken steps to ban some of these harmful substances

    gbs saving sea turtles pkg_00015021.jpg
    Fighting to save Zanzibar's sea turtles
    05:06 - Source: Great Big Story

    HAPPENING LATER

    A final day of mourning

    A funeral service is set for 11 a.m. ET in Houston, where the late former President George H.W. Bush is lying in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Bush’s grandson, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, and his close friend, former Secretary of State James Baker, will deliver eulogies. Burial is set for 5:15 p.m. at the the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas. 

    Former US president George H. W. Bush introduces his son US President George W. Bush (not pictured) during the dedication ceremony of the new US embassy on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. US President George W. Bush on August 8 made a new plea for freedom of expression in China as he prepared to attend the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games later in the day.   AFP PHOTO / Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
    Laughter, tears at Bush's funeral
    02:09 - Source: CNN

    THIS JUST IN …

    RIP, Roy

    Good, we need some more brightness in our lives.

    Pantone color of year 01

    The Illinois State Capitol building will house a Satanic statue as part of its holiday decorations

    I mean, it IS just one unfortunate typo away from Santa. That’s festive, right?

    satanic statue

    New York City is dedicated to building more statues of historic women

    Because the country wasn’t just built by stately old white guys on mildly irritated horses.

    9,000 counterfeit Nikes have been seized by US Customs and Border Protection

    And they all look like DAD SHOES. Is this what the kids are into these days?

    counterfeit nikes seized in new york

    Jessica Simpson was irked by Natalie Portman’s comment about her

    What year is it?! 2002?

    TODAY’S QUOTE

    “When collective hate organizes and gets industrialized, then genocide follows. We have to take it more seriously today than I think we have had to take it in a generation.”

    Director Steven Spielberg, speaking about the spread of hate while reflecting on the 25th anniversary of “Schindler’s List”

    Steven Spielberg - Creators
    How Steven Spielberg stays inspired
    03:40 - Source: CNN

    TODAY’S NUMBER

    33,000

    That’s how much “Secret Santas” across the country have paid off in Walmart layaway bills so far this year. The practice of anonymously paying off other peoples’ holiday layaway bills has been going strong for a few years now, and it looks like some generous folks are feeling the holiday spirit.

    AND FINALLY …

    You’re my human now

    You know, this cold weather would be a LOT easier to take if it came with adorable, friendly penguins. (Click to view.)