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Ahead of G20: US Warns South Africa Not to Issue Statement at Summit (Bloomberg)
The US formally warned South Africa against pushing for a joint statement at this weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg that the Trump administration is boycotting, according to a document seen by Bloomberg.
In the diplomatic communication delivered on Nov. 15, the US said it would neither participate in preparatory talks before the summit, nor the gathering of world leaders this weekend. It will block any outcome framed as a consensus G-20 position because South Africa’s priorities “run counter to US policy views,” according to a copy of the document.
Despite the US opposition, South Africa is pressing ahead with efforts to obtain a joint statement at the summit that ends on Sunday.
Amid the growing tensions between Pretoria and Washington, the Trump administration has slapped 30% tariffs on South African exports — the highest on the continent — souring relations between the two countries further.
Tomorrow in the Oval Office: Trump to Host NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani at White House Friday (Bloomberg)
Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani are set to meet at the White House on Friday, the president said in a social media post.
The meeting marks the first time the two leaders — and political polar opposites — will come together to discuss how they can work with each other since the election earlier this month.
Survey: Nearly Half of Americans Worry They Can't Afford Health Care (Axios)
Almost half of US adults are worried they won't be able to afford needed health care in the coming year, according to a West Health-Gallup survey
— the highest level recorded since the organizations began tracking the measure in 2021. Only about half of US adults (51%) believe basic health care is affordable and accessible — a 10- percentage-point drop since 2022.
It's The Economy: Democrats See Electoral Success in Linking Costs With Corruption (Washington Post)
While the most pressing issue on the minds of almost all voters is cost, there is a straightforward way to tie cost concerns to another top issue: corruption.
One group in particular, Defend the Vote, a progressive PAC focused on protecting voting access, is urging Democrats to run on both issues, calling it the "Cost of Corruption." Backed by research and polling, their briefing urges candidates to argue that corruption in Washington, particularly within the Trump administration, has diverted the president’s focus from prices.
Kyiv Latest: Top US Army Officials Head to Ukraine as Trump Pushes Peace (Bloomberg)
A delegation of top US military officials arrived in Ukraine for talks on ways to ramp up pressure against Russia, as President Donald Trump’s team looks to renew its faltering push for a peace deal to end the war. The delegation, led by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, will discuss ways to force Russia to end the fighting.
EU Airspace Watch: Germany Empowers Military to Shoot Down Drones in Emergencies (Bloomberg)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s cabinet approved legislation that enables the Bundeswehr armed forces to shoot down unidentified drones suspected of spying on military bases, industrial facilities and other critical infrastructure.
Regulation Reset: EU Proposes Streamlined Digital Rules to Boost Competitiveness (Bloomberg)
Escalation: Trump Said to Authorize C.I.A. Plans for Covert Action in Venezuela (New York Times)
With the largest US aircraft carrier now positioned in the Caribbean, President Trump has approved additional measures to pressure Venezuela and prepare for the possibility of a broader military campaign. Trump has signed off on C.I.A. plans for covert measures inside Venezuela, operations that could be meant to prepare a battlefield for further action.
Data in the Dark: BLS Cancels October Jobs Report, Couldn’t Collect Some Data (Bloomberg)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics won’t publish an October employment report, and instead will incorporate those payrolls figures into the November report set to be published after the Federal Reserve’s final meeting of the year.
The BLS couldn’t collect October household data, which informs key statistics like the unemployment rate, due to the record-long government shutdown. The agency said the figures couldn’t be gathered retroactively. Those statistics won’t be published as a result.
The November employment report will be published on Dec. 16, more than a week later than originally scheduled.
Following the announcement, investors saw lower odds that policymakers will cut interest rates in December, as the delay in official data is likely to keep them divided over the path ahead.
Health Alert: Texas Measles Strain Continues to Spread Through the US, CDC Officials Say (New York Times)
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Book Recs from Biz Leaders: 82 Must-Reads Shaping 2025 on Leadership, AI, and the Future of Work (Bloomberg Pursuits)
Bloomberg Pursuits' annual survey of chief executives, entrepreneurs, politicians, philanthropists, and other newsmakers highlights nonfiction writing about managing colleagues and the onslaught of artificial intelligence, history books on the kings of England and the CIA, and a range of more personal works of fiction.
Three books — 1929 by CNBC host Andrew Ross Sorkin, Abundance by journalists Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, and The 5 Types of Wealth, by venture capitalist Sahil Bloom — gained multiple nods for tapping into 2025’s particular anxieties around the economy, society, success, and happiness.
Explore the full list
here.
The
World in Focus: National Geographic Presents the 2025 Pictures of the Year from Across the Globe (National Geographic)
The Reviews are In! Tom Hanks, Kelli O’Hara Shine at The Shed (The Shed)
This World of Tomorrow features Tom Hanks and Kelli O’Hara in the story of a disenchanted scientist from the future. When Bert embarks on a time-traveling quest, he returns—again, and again, and again—to one special day at the 1939 New York World’s Fair in Queens. In a world where most are rushing toward the future, This World of Tomorrow reminds us not to waste a single minute.
The New York Times says: “Tom Hanks and James Glossman aim to entertain while underlining some fundamental American values and the importance of building a better future. Aided by Kenny Leon’s smooth direction, they succeed at that."
And NY Stage Review says: “Hanks's charisma, playfulness and humor shine brightly over the material. And O’Hara is even better, delivering a luminous performance."
Four more weeks only! Performances through December 21. Get tickets here.
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