Boeing Puts 737 Max Production on Hold

The jets have been grounded for nine months following two deadly crashes, but Boeing had been hoping to have its 737 Max planes back in the sky by the end of the year. Instead, production will cease at its Washington state plant next month — though the company maintains the 12,000 jobs there are safe and the move is only temporary. Still, the $5.6 billion Boeing earmarked to compensate airlines may not be enough.

Will the 737 Max take flight again? No restart date has been announced, but company officials hope to get Federal Aviation Administration clearance for 700 existing jets by mid-February.

OZY investigates Boeing’s future.

Pakistan Sentences Ex-Military Dictator to Death

Former President Pervez Musharraf has been in self-imposed exile in Dubai since 2016 and refused to appear in the legal proceedings against him. They culminated today in a death sentence for high treason over Musharraf’s decision to impose a state of emergency and suspend the Constitution in 2007. He resigned a year later, and earlier this month called the charges against him “baseless.”

What’s the significance? The military has ruled Pakistan for roughly half of its 72-year history, meaning the judgment against Musharraf could set an important precedent — both for future leaders and the courts that might try them.

House Democrats Prepare for Impeachment Vote

A historic vote to formally impeach President Donald Trump will likely take place in the House tomorrow. If it passes as expected, the next step is a Senate trial — and Republicans are hoping for a swift one with no witnesses called. While Democrats were criticized for rushing the impeachment inquiry, GOP senators are now under fire for partisanship, with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell openly saying he’s coordinating with the White House.

Do the Democrats have a strategy? While Trump’s not expected to be removed from office, since that would require 20 Senate Republicans to flout the party line, Dems hope public opinion of the trial could help topple GOP rivals in close races.

Don’t miss OZY’s coverage of the impeachment charge that matters.

Deadly Storms Batter Deep South of US

As suspected tornadoes ripped through the region, at least three people have been killed, including a couple in Alabama and another person in Louisiana. Authorities across the Deep South are working to clear debris, fallen trees and power lines as they assess the extent of the damage. Meanwhile, school has been cancelled across three states and shelters have been set up. In central Louisiana, one twister traveled nearly 65 miles, touching down at least twice, while Mississippi reported dozens of smaller tornadoes Monday.

When will calm return? The National Weather Service expects severe thunderstorms, high winds and potential tornadoes to last through Tuesday.

Also Important...

New clashes have erupted in India over a controversial citizenship law. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to push to make it illegal to extend the Brexit transition period past December 2020. And Australia is predicted to see its hottest day ever recorded during a heat wave this week.

#OZYFact: Roughly 1 in 10 college and university students experienced homelessness in the past twelve months. Read more on OZY.

The PDB is changing! In a few days, you’ll see improvements in your daily news briefing from OZY. The same great summary of headlines from around the globe is getting a sleeker design. Let us know what you think at any time by replying to your email.

Zimbabwe VP's Wife Charged With Trying to Kill Him

Gen. Constantino Chiwenga is considered one of the key figures in the overthrow of authoritarian President Robert Mugabe. But police say his estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa, tried to kill him over the summer by preventing him from reaching a hospital for urgent treatment and then removing an IV from his arm after he was admitted. Mubaiwa is also accused of fraud and money laundering.

What does the evidence indicate? Little has been provided, but critics note that charges of corruption and attempted murder are often used to sideline political opponents in Zimbabwe.

OZY’s Special Briefing has the scoop on Mugabe.

The Dark Side of Japan's Changing Work Culture

Traditionally, Japanese workers have enjoyed strong job security but a punishing, all-consuming work culture. Today a younger generation is increasingly attracted to freelance jobs, OZY reports, hoping for a better work-life balance and more flexibility. But freelance workers in Japan report vastly higher rates of “power harassment” from their employers — abuse that can include sexual harassment, intimidation and defamation — and nearly half say they’re scared to report it.

Is freelance the future? Freelancers account for 17 percent of the labor force in Japan, up 5 percentage points in just a year, while 11 percent of workers there hold at least two jobs.

Roman Shipwreck Could Illuminate Trade History

Archaeologists surveying the sea floor with sonar have discovered one of the largest Roman shipwrecks ever found. About 2,000 years old, the 110-foot wreck was initially discovered in 2013, but researchers have only just unveiled it. The vessel contains some 6,000 terra cotta pots, unusually well preserved, which academics from Greece’s University of Patras hope will offer a wealth of information about classical shipping routes and trade.

But is it safe down there? The shipwreck lies in the eastern Mediterranean, an area that’s seen increased tourism, prompting concerns that rubberneckers or scavengers could damage or contaminate the site.

Mariah Carey Finally Gets Her Christmas Wish

The legendary singer broke multiple records Monday when her Christmas classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” rocketed to the top ofBillboard’s Hot 100, 25 years after its release. It’s now Carey’s 19th single to reach No. 1 — a record for a solo artist — and makes her the most successful female producer in chart history. The milestone also pushes her past Elvis Presley to claim the record for longest cumulative time occupying the top spot: 80 weeks.

What took it so long? The 1994 song wasn’t initially eligible for chart ranking since it was never released as a single, but Billboard finally relaxed those rules in 2012.

Is This Soccer League's Anti-Racism Campaign Racist?

Italy’s Lega Serie A launched a campaign to fight racism yesterday, including commissioning three paintings for its headquarters. Now those paintings — depicting “a Western monkey, an Asian monkey and a Black monkey,” according to artist Simone Fugazzotto — are themselves being denounced as racist. Italian soccer is notorious for racism: Black players are routinely subjected to offensive taunts from fans, and last month the president of Brescia made a racist remark about one of his own players.

Will the paintings come down? Despite the outrage, chief executive Luigi de Siervo says the work reflects the league’s values and won’t be going anywhere.