The dollar continues to push higher in European morning trade
The greenback is posting fresh highs across multiple currency pairs as we see cable now take aim towards 1.3200 upon a break of the 1.3300 level earlier in the session.

DIW expects the German economy to shrink by 1% in Q4 this year
The research institute says that the second hard lockdown in Germany will hit economic output rather harshly during the winter and only if the virus situation stabilises, will the economy return to the recovery path in February.

More from the Wall Street Journal reporting on apparent progress on the COVID-19 stimulus package in Congress.
This from earlier for background:
Senate Minority Leader Schumer told media he thought both houses of Congress, the House and Senate, would be able to vote on the relief bill on Sunday.

Wall Street Journal report on apparent breaking of the impasse on Fed powers.
The Fed dispute was if you need background.
referenced here
The Journal says that thus a vote on the stimulus package is expected on Sunday.

The latest is a dispute between Republicans and Democrats over 
emergency Federal Reserve powers.
Republicans support a plan to limit emergency Federal Reserve powers, Democrats are adamantly against it.

Unnamed sources reported on trade-deal talk (lack of) progress from the UK and EU via the BBC.
BBC citing a UK government source
And adds:
BBC link here
Also, the (may be gated)  has a piece they’ve popped up over the weekend, referring to  comments made last week:

The difference between Pro and beginner traders
When you start trading from a retail perspective it is a bit like entering a profession as an amateur. So, for example, imagine starting life out as a practising lawyer, Or how about starting as doctor, l. Now, if you follow that analogy, starting trading without any advance

Greg posted the news on Friday US time of the Federal Reserve giving the green light (waving the white flag?) for US banks to begin buying back stock again.
Greg’s post here:

Forex news for North American trading on December 18, 2020
The day (and week for that matter) started with hopes for deals.  One was for a Brexit deal out of the EU/UK. The second was a deal out of US lawmakers for a Covid stimulus deal.   Both did not happen with negotiations continuing into the weekend. 

Stress test results announced by the Fed
.
Stress test from the Federal Reserve