News Headlines - 09 September 2019
▽Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa resigns - CNN
Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa has resigned, dealing a new blow to the Japanese carmaker as it struggles to recover from the ousting of Carlos Ghosn last November.
The company's board of directors announced Saikawa's departure, which is effective September 16, after a meeting on Monday. It named Chief Operating Officer Yasuhiro Yamauchi as acting CEO while Nissan searches for a successor.
Saikawa's resignation came just days after he admitted to reporters in Japan that he and other top Nissan executives were overpaid as part of a stock-related payment plan. He denied any wrongdoing, and said he would return excess funds.
The Secretary of Commerce threatened to fire top employees at the federal scientific agency responsible for weather forecasts last Friday after the agency’s Birmingham office contradicted President Trump’s claim that Hurricane Dorian might hit Alabama, according to three people familiar with the discussion.
That threat led to an unusual, unsigned statement later that Friday by the agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, disavowing the National Weather Service’s position that Alabama was not at risk. The reversal caused widespread anger within the agency and drew accusations from the scientific community that the National Weather Service, which is part of NOAA, had been bent to political purposes.
▽Afghan peace deal: Taliban says US has most to lose from cancelled talks - BBC News
The Taliban says Americans have the most to lose from cancelling peace negotiations that sought to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan.
In a statement, the group claimed all was going well until the last moment.
US President Donald Trump fired off a series of tweets on Saturday night, calling off the secret meeting at his Camp David retreat the following day.
He said his decision came after the Taliban admitted to being behind a recent attack that killed a US soldier.
▽Anti-NHK party head admits to interrogation for alleged intimidation - The Mainichi
The head of a minor opposition party, whose primary goal is to "crush" Japan's public broadcaster NHK, said Monday he was questioned by police for alleged intimidation.
Takashi Tachibana of the NHK Kara Kokumin Wo Mamoru To (the party to protect the people from NHK) said he will "not resign immediately" but suggested he would do so if found guilty... The alleged victim, who won as a party member in April's local election, was expelled in June after a financial problem with the party emerged, according to a source familiar with the party.
▽Moon appoints Cho Kuk as new justice minister despite scandals
President Moon Jae-in appointed Cho Kuk as justice minister Monday in spite of ferocious public criticism of Cho and his family over alleged ethical lapses and illegalities.
Moon has approved the nomination of Cho, a law professor and former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson, Ko Min-jung... The appointment came amid a widening probe by state prosecutors into allegations that Cho and his wife forged documents and used personal connections to help their daughter get admissions at prestigious schools. Also at issue is their suspicious investment in a private equity fund.
