Biden Pardons Son Hunter, France 'Won't Be Blackmailed' & Europe's Sick Day Problem

Your morning briefing, the business news you need in just 15 minutes. On today's podcast: (1) President Joe Biden has signed a sweeping pardon for his son Hunter Biden, reversing his previous stance that he would not use his executive powers to aid his son. (2) In an exclusive Bloomberg interview, France's Finance Minister Antoine Armand refuses to accept Marine Le Pen's demands for budget changes, saying the government won't be blackmailed. (3) Ireland is likely to return a coalition government of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, bucking the international trend of ousting incumbent parties. (4) Rebels in Syria opposed to President Bashar al-Assad captured Aleppo and are headed towards Hama, with Damascus in their sights. (5) Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, known for his cost-cutting drive, stepped down from the automaker following a dispute with the board over how to arrest weakening sales and a stock slump. (6) Workers across Europe are taking more sick days, and economic costs are mounting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.