Your Evening Briefing
Your Evening Briefing
(Bloomberg) --
As President Donald Trump’s lawyers presented their case for his acquittal, events outside the Senate chamber seemed to drown them out. Trump has repeatedly said he didn’t seek a quid pro quo when he urged Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 campaign. But a bombshell dropped this weekend when it was reported that former National Security Adviser John Bolton said Trump did precisely that. Many administration insiders have testified that Trump held up almost $400 million in military aid as a would-be reward for Ukraine doing his bidding. The difference with Bolton is that there was no buffer: According to the New York Times, Trump disclosed the quid pro quo to him personally.
Here are today’s top stories
Republicans have been seeking to speed Trump’s acquittal, with some saying they would exonerate him no matter what. Key to the plan—despite coverup accusations by Democrats and polls showing most Americans want testimony—is a trial without witnesses. Now, calls for Bolton’s testimony have Trump’s Senate allies scrambling for a new strategy, including a threat to seek testimony from former Vice President Joe Biden, the target of Trump’s bid for Ukrainian interference.
The deferential nature of the Democratic primary campaign seems to be over. With Iowa just days away, the sniping has begun between the camps of Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Biden.
The State Department said citizens should reconsider travel to China in light of the the deadly coronavirus that’s killed at least 80. China deaths are rising along with the economic fallout. Here’s a map of where the deadly disease is spreading and what’s being done to slow it down.
Warren Buffett is one of the world’s richest fossil-fuel billionaires, near the top of the 10 largest fortunes with links to greenhouse gas emissions.
In a 5-4 ruling, the Republican-appointed majority of the U.S. Supreme Court said the Trump administration may enforce an immigrant wealth test while litigation challenging the restriction proceeds.
Last year was a great year for New York City renters struggling to make ends meet, but not so great for apartment building owners looking to sell.
What’s Joe Weisenthal thinking about? The Bloomberg news director is thinking about the financial implications of the coronavirus. Since Chinese authorities say the virus is not under control, the problem for markets is nobody has any idea how long this will last, how big it will get and how far it will spread.
What you’ll need to know tomorrow
- Bloomberg Opinion: Bolton’s revelation is the ultimate smoking gun.
- How did Kobe Bryant’s helicopter get into trouble?
- As South Florida warms, a cold-blooded invader is taking over.
- MacKenzie Bezos shrunk her stake in Amazon by $400 million.
- The Thai Baht has been brought back to Earth.
- The horse breeder, the novelist and the $60 million mine.
- NFL Twitter accounts got hacked as the Super Bowl approaches.
What you’ll want to read in Bloomberg Pursuits
There’s quite a story behind Washington’s latest swanky hotel. The Riggs National Bank was once the bank of presidents, a place where 20 commanders in chief stashed their cash. From those who find intrigue in local lore, you’ll hear it’s also built on the site where President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination was planned.
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