Disagreeing to agree: With little progress in contract negotiations between Boeing and its engineers and technical workers union, federal mediators are scheduled to sit in on the talks today in Seattle. But the mediators will be there only as observers.

A spokesman for the federal mediation service did not indicate whether it would intervene if talks reach the “he’s crossing his eyes at me” and “but he’s poking me” stage.

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Cliff diving: Offers and counteroffers that seek to avoid automatic and drastic tax increases and budget cuts, dubbed the “fiscal cliff,” have been exchanged, but neither the White House nor Republicans in Congress seem to have moved far from their opening stance. Notably, House Speaker John Boehner criticized President Barack Obama for his “la-la land offer.”

Prior to that Obama threatened to hold Boehner down and dribble a string of drool above him after Boehner had called the president a “doo-doo head.”

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Royal pain: The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William’s wife, Kate, reportedly is experiencing severe morning sickness because she is expecting the royal couple’s first child.

The child, male or female, would be third in line for the throne, but could move up a spot once Kate is over her morning sickness.

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