News Headlines - 08 October 2019

▽Brexit: Deal essentially impossible, No 10 source says after PM-Merkel call - BBC News

A No 10 source has said a Brexit deal is "essentially impossible" after a call between the PM and Angela Merkel.
Boris Johnson and the German chancellor spoke earlier about the proposals he had put forward to the EU - but the source said she made clear a deal based on them was "overwhelmingly unlikely"... But the BBC's Adam Fleming said there was "scepticism" within the EU that Mrs Merkel would have used such language.

▽Trump wishes Abe 'a very happy birthday' - on day of Putin's birth | The Japan Times

U.S. President Donald Trump wished Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, his golf buddy and close ally, a “very happy birthday” on Monday, at the start of a formal signing ceremony for his country’s recently reached trade deal with Japan.
But there was just one problem - Abe’s birthday is on Sept. 21.
Rather, Monday was the birthday of another leader often associated with Trump: Russian President Vladimir Putin.

▽Nissan Names a C.E.O., Makoto Uchida, to Lead Post-Ghosn Era - The New York Times

In a surprise announcement, Nissan said Tuesday that it had selected a new chief executive to lead the embattled Japanese automaker as it tries to recover from deteriorating profits and crumbling leadership.
The new chief, Makoto Uchida, has worked at the company since 2003 and was named to lead its China operations last year. China is considered a key market for Nissan.

▽Controversial Japan art exhibit reopens with tighter controls - The Mainichi

The exhibition titled "After 'Freedom of Expression?'" will be open for seven days through next Monday, the last day of the Aichi Triennale 2019 art festival in which it is included.
It showcases 23 works including the statue symbolizing women, many of them Korean, who were recruited to work in Japan's wartime military brothels against their will, as well as a piece on the Japanese imperial system.
The tighter security measures include baggage inspections with metal detectors. The exhibit had been canceled three days after the Aug. 1 opening, with organizers citing security reasons after receiving numerous complaints and threats.

▽Extremely large typhoon draws bead on Japan, could hit main islands this weekend | The Japan Times

The extremely large Typhoon Hagibis is gaining force over the Pacific south of Japan and is forecast to approach the main islands of Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu during the upcoming three-day weekend, the Meteorological Agency said.
On Tuesday, the agency urged caution and called for early preparations in anticipation of the season’s 19th typhoon hitting the country’s main islands.