Tuesday, 17 December 2019

Tuesday Morning Briefing: Boeing's 737 crisis deepens as production stops for first time in two decades

Top Stories

Boeing said on Monday it would suspend production of its best-selling 737 MAX jetliner in January, its biggest assembly-line halt in more than 20 years, as fallout from two fatal crashes of the now-grounded aircraft drags into 2020. Read our explainer on how the production freeze affects airlines across the globe

A proposal by China and Russia to ease U.N. sanctions on North Korea increases pressure on the United States and signals what is the likely end of unified efforts to persuade Pyongyang to give up its growing nuclear and missile arsenal. On Monday China and Russia proposed the United Nations Security Council lift a ban on North Korea exporting statues, seafood and textiles, and ease restrictions on infrastructure projects and North Koreans working overseas.

Congress would raise the U.S. tobacco purchasing age to 21 and permanently repeal several of the Affordable Care Act’s taxes under a massive government spending bill unveiled on Monday. Republican and Democratic lawmakers hope to pass the $1.4 trillion spending bill before current government funding runs out on Saturday, to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Democratic Representative Elissa Slotkin co-author of a column that helped launch the impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, ended months of uncertainty on Monday by telling voters at a noisy town hall meeting that she will vote for impeachment. The cheers - along with chants of “Impeach Slotkin, keep Trump!” - that greeted her decision underlined the wrenching partisan pressures that vulnerable Democrats in swing districts have faced.

World

A Pakistani court sentenced former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to death on charges of high treason and subverting the constitution. Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup and later ruled as president, is not in Pakistan and was not available for comment on the sentence, handed down by an anti-terrorism court hearing the case.

'Night of horrors' - Inside the Indian university stormed by police. As dusk fell on Sunday, police smashed their way into the main library of New Delhi’s Jamia Millia University, firing tear gas shells as scores of terrified students barricaded doors and hid inside bathrooms to protect themselves. More than 600 students sought shelter inside the building, after thousands gathered to protest a controversial new citizenship law that has sparked days of violent unrest.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will use the prospect of a Brexit cliff-edge at the end of 2020 to push for the European Union to give him a comprehensive free trade deal in less than 11 months. In his boldest move since winning a majority in Thursday’s election, Johnson will use his control of parliament to outlaw any extension of the Brexit transition period beyond 2020.

Backstory: On the beat at 38,000 feet - traveling with Pope Francis. To some, traveling with Pope Francis might seem like a heavenly assignment - until you mention the 3 a.m. wake-up calls and the 21-hour days. Reuters reporter Philip Pullella, who has made nearly 140 trips with three popes since 1982, explains what it's like on tour with the pontiff.

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Business

How rare earth shocks lifted an upstart Australian mining company

Sprawled across a spent volcano on the remote edge of the Great Victoria Desert in Western Australia, the Mount Weld mine seems a world away from the U.S.-China trade war. But the dispute has been a lucrative one for Lynas Corp, Mount Weld’s Australian owner.

7 min read

Goldman Sachs says it will support 'green' initiatives more forcefully

Goldman Sachs outlined plans on Monday to put money and advice toward projects that fight climate change or help financially disadvantaged people, with executives arguing it is not only the right thing to do but can generate income.

3 min read

Unilever shares slide after warning of sales miss

Unilever will miss its underlying sales target this year, the consumer goods giant warned, sending shares in the maker of Dove soap and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream into their steepest fall in six months. Developed economies have been a drag for Unilever for several quarters, where growing numbers of consumers are turning to fresher foods, niche brands or cutting back on spending.

2 min read

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