Putin Makes Rare Foreign Trip; Biden Running Because of Trump
Description
On today's podcast:
1) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the United Arab Emirates to start a rare foreign trip that will also include a visit to Saudi Arabia, with bolstering cooperation among strategic oil producers a top priority.
2) Israeli leaders rebuffed mounting pressure to halt the military campaign in the southern Gaza Strip, vowing to press on until Hamas is eradicated even as the death toll rose and the United Nations warned that civilians had no safe harbor amid the bombing.
3) President Joe Biden said he may have decided to serve just one term if Donald Trump were not seeking to return to the White House, arguing the former president poses a grave threat to American democracy.
Full transcript:
Good morning. I'm Nathan Hager and I'm Karen Moscow. Here are the stories we're following today. We begin with the latest on the war in the Middle East. Israeli leaders are vowing to continue their fight to eradicate Hamas despite criticism from international groups. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out after the un said there are no longer any safe places in Gaza. I say, to the women's rights organizations, to the human rights organizations, you've heard of the rape of Israeli women, horrible atrocities, sexual new relation. Where the hell are you? Prime Minister Natanyahu's troops are continuing to press into the southern Gaza city of han Yunis Well, Nathan. Back here. In the US, presidents of three prestigious universities, Harvard, MIT, and Penn were called to Capitol Hill to explain to lawmakers what they're doing about an outbreak of anti Semitism on their campuses. Bloomberg's Amy Morris has more from Washington. The university presidents told lawmakers they won't tolerate anti semitism on their campuses as they cope with protests over the Israel Humas war. During heated questioning, by New York Republican Elis Stephonic. Harvard University professor doctor Clauding Gay cited free expression and says the school consistently enforces its rules of conduct, even of views that are objectionable, offensive, hateful. It's when that speech crosses into conduct that violates our policies against bullying Haras. Does that speech not cost that barrier? Does that speech not call for the genocide of Jews and the elimination of Israel? We embrace a commitment to free expression. Alumni and donors, citing incidents of anti Semitism, psychologists just aren't doing enough to create a safe learning environment for Jewish students in Washington. Amy Morris, Bloomberg Radio, all right, Amy, thank you. In other news this morning, Vladimir Putin has arrived in the United Arab Emirates at the start of a trip that will also include a visit to Saudi Arabia. It is a rare overseas trip since the invasion of Ukraine. The Russian president is seeking to bolster partnerships with key oil producers. Bloomberg's Rosalind Mathieson says the visit reveals a lot about the way Putin sees his position. He's really not left Russia very much since he invaded Ukraine almost two years ago. He's been to China, he's been to some of the proof ree States, but he's not really ventured any further than that. So simply the fact that he now feels confident enough to travel to the UAE, to travel to Saudi Arabia, to meet with some very very high level officials in both countries shows perhaps a reflection of how he's feeling at the moment about his hold on power at home, about where he's born in Ukraine is at and really that he's not feeling isolated on the global stage. Bloomberg's Ros Matheson says Putin's previously limited trips mainly two close allies since he ordered troops into Ukraine. Well, let's turn to US politics now, Nathan And a revealing comment from President Biden. The president says he might have decided not to run for reelection if former President and Donald Trump were not in the race. At a fundraiser in Massachusetts, the President said, quote, we can't let him win for the sake of the country. He was asked about the comment afterward. I expect so, but look, it is running and I just have to rus not no, not now. The President's comments come as polls show many voters are concerned about his age and the prospects of a Biden Trump rematch. Well. Meanwhile, Karen, the President's re election campaign does expect to raise more than fifteen million dollars in events across the country over the next five days. Biden is back in Washington after those three fundraisers in Boston, there was one actually that included singer James Taylor. On Friday, the President plans to travel to Los Angeles for a fundraiser with film director Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner. Oh, we turned to the markets now, Nathan, as we await the crucial Friday jobs are pored. Another labor data point is reinforcing optimism of rate cuts, and we get the latest from Bloomberg's John Tucker and Karen. It's just what the Fed wants to see. The jolts or job opening survey pulling back in October to the lowest level since early twenty twenty one. It underscores the gradual cooling in the labor market that policymakers want. The labor market seems to be softening through slowing demand for new workers, rather than employers cutting jobs. A separate report shows easing inflation in the service sector. The ten year US yields that briefly top five percent in October broke below four point two percent. They're lower still this morning. It all feeds into the Goldilock scenario. Still some investors are warey. We're calling the story of Goldilocks had a few bears in it. Friday, we do get the monthly jobs report, and next week is the Fed meeting. John Tucker, Bloomberg Radio Now lots to come John, Thank you. Also today, the CEOs of some of the biggest banks on Wall Street are in Washington to testify before Congress. More on that from Bloomberg Financial correspondent Chanelli Bossik, JP Morgan CEO Jamie Diamond, and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon are among big bank CEOs set to face the Senate Banking Committee today in Washington. The committee, led by Senator Shared Brown, has held the hearing with the big banks every year since Brown became chairman in twenty twenty one, saying that he's there to protect the main street economy and the bankers will face questions on everything from mortgage rates to savings rates after the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates so dramatically. In Washington, d C. I'MTIONALI Bassic Bloomberg Radio Shanelle, thank you. What we heard from another bank executive ahead of those hearings. The Bank of America CEO Brian moynihan is talking about the economy. His firm still expects us off landing rather than a recession. The reality is going to be a slowdown, but we have it as being positive. The way customers are spending their money is leveled out. In other words, there's not this good service, this massive change. So some things are growing faster, but it's leveled out, meaning that all the categories are kind of grow on plus or minds the average. And so that's all good news that the economy's normal life. Bank of America CEO Brian moynihan made the comments yesterday at Goldman Sachs US Financial Services. Come friends, time now for a look at some of the other stories making news around the world. For that, we're joined by Bloomberg's Amy Morris. Samy. Good morning, Good morning, Karen, and we're learning that Russian President Vladimir Putin has just arrived in Abu Dhabi, a rare foreign trip to bolster oil cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Back here at home, House Speaker Mike Johnson says House Republicans have come to an inflection point in their impeachment inquiry of President Biden. Bloomberg's nanacylliance brings us an update. Speaker Johnson says the House has no choice but to take an official vote on an impeachment inquiry next week. The White House has refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the probe since no vote was taken, which is the usual course. They're refusing to turn over key witnesses to allow them to testify as they've been subpoena. They're refusing to turn over thousands of documents for the National Archives. The impeachment inquiries over President Biden's alleged involvement and his son Hunter's overseas business dealings. The investigation so far has produced no direct evidence. In the press has denied any wrongdoing. In Washington, Nancy lyons Bloomberg Radio Now Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says Yesterday's classified Senate hearing that was supposed to be about Ukraine was quote hijacked by Republicans trying to force a conversation about the US border. Schumer offered Republicans a chance to offer an amendment to the package, but that would require sixty votes to pass any amendment they want. If they can get sixty votes, they can solve the border problem. It's plain and simple. Senator Schumer has set up a procedural vote on a supplemental spending bill that does not include border provisions that'll be set for later today. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky canceled his address to the US Senate yesterday as those negotiations bogged down. Former President Donald Trump is reportedly likely to attend his New York civil fraud trial tomorrow. His attendance would come just days before he's expected to take the stand again next week. Trump is set to be the defense's las