The FCC is proposing a fine of more than $300 million against an international operation that has made billions of robocalls. The FCC is saying that laws were broken. Diane Swonk of KPMG  offers up market analysis amid news of revised economic growth. Also, holiday ads have gotten emotional in the face of inflation.

The former executives are Caroline Ellison, who headed Alameda Research, and Gary Wang, an FTX co-founder. Also, as part of our Econ Extra Credit series on “It’s a Wonderful Life,” we discuss community-centered banking.

From the BBC World Service: When the U.K. left the European Union, it stepped away from a free trade area. Negotiations for the new relationship were long and complex, concluding just before Christmas two years ago. Now, more than half of U.K. businesses who trade with Europe say they’ve faced problems with those new arrangements. We hear from some of them. Plus, one of the biggest manufacturers of electric trucks in the world says adoption of the new technology is being held back by the energy crisis. And, what are the latest trends in the global toy market?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau settled with the bank, which will pay billions in fines and damages. We get into the details. Elsewhere, a report examines the struggles of tribes and federal relief funding.

First, Twitter boss Elon Musk said he’ll abide by the results of a poll that showed a majority of users wanting him to step down. We check in on the Colorado River. Also, nostalgia among adults is boosting the toy industry.

From the BBC World Service: European car manufacturers are asking President Biden to make sure subsidies for U.S. made electric vehicles don’t end up harming their sales. UK ambulance workers go on strike over pay, with people being warned their emergency calls may not be answered. Plus the Australian foreign minister, Penny Wong, is in China for talks after several years of diplomatic tension.

Epic Games will be paying more than $500 million to settle claims from the Federal Trade Commission that say the company violated the privacy protections of kids and fooled players into making in-game purchases. Michael Schumacher of Wells Fargo Securities talks rising interest rates and the bank of Japan. Also, female truckers have a bone to pick with Facebook.

First, a $1.7 trillion spending bill could help avoid a partial government shutdown. The movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” carries a little of bit of economic history, which we dive into.

From the BBC World Service: Russia has described the European Union’s cap on the price of gas as “an unacceptable market attack”. The limit was agreed in response to soaring energy bills caused by Russia’s war on Ukraine. Plus North Korea has criticized Japan’s decision to double its defense spending. And European traders at the Christmas markets in northern England tell us about how they’re coping with the challenges of soaring inflation and Brexit regulations.