Your Weekend Reading: Boeing Sends In the Clowns

(Bloomberg) --

Boeing’s troubles show no sign of ending (except for its now-wealthy ex-CEO). Another batch of emails about the flawed 737 Max were released. Key passage from Boeing employees: The commercial airliner was “designed by clowns.” It also killed 346 people in two catastrophes. Iran meanwhile admitted it accidentally shot down a Boeing 737, a Ukrainian airliner, killing all 176 aboard. 

What you’ll want to read this weekend

The number of women working brightened an otherwise mediocre U.S. jobs report. The American economy has gone back to creating mainly service jobs, Justin Fox explains for Bloomberg Opinion.

Carlos Ghosn, on the run after his daring escape from Japan, took his case public. The ex-Nissan chief said he was exposing “a system of justice that violates the most basic principles of humanity.” Nissan beware.

Index funds have been very good for investors, but at what cost? BlackRock’s Paris offices were stormed amid a broader debate about low-cost investing versus people power. 

It’s a royal spinoff that could work. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, announcing they will step back from U.K. royal duties, have potentially strong earning power. He could command as much $100,000 a speech. (Which isn’t too bad for a year at Taco Bell).

Psychedelic mushrooms are being fast-tracked by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a possible treatment for clinical depression.

What you’ll need to know next week

• Taiwan’s elections Saturday will reflect U.S.-China tensions.
• China and the U.S. are set to sign the first phase of their trade deal.
• The record run of big banks’ earnings is probably over.
• The U.K.’s House of Lords is expected to pass the Brexit deal.
• Democrats hold their seventh debate just three weeks.

What you’ll want to see in Bloomberg Graphics

Where Australia’s devastating fires are burning. Last year was both the hottest ever in Australia and its driest. No wonder more than 15 million acres are on fire, much of which cannot be extinguished. Two dozen are dead, and half a billion animals may have perished in one state alone. 

To contact the editor responsible for this story: David Rovella at drovella@bloomberg.net

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.