Hello, I am Neil Nunes with the BBC news.
Senior directors of the German carmaker Volkswagen are meeting today to discuss what actions to take after the company was scolded manipulating its diesel car emissions tests. The board will also decide whether the company's chief Martin Winterkorn should be replaced. Reports in Germany suggest Mr. Winterkorn has lost the support of key investors following the mass installation of a device to circumvent emission test requirements for diesel cars in the United States. Theo Leggett reports.
“Volkswagon has admitted that 11 million cars worldwide use the same engine management software as those which were able to circumvent emissions testing systems in the United States. The company has already set aside 6.5 billion Euros to cover the cost of recalls in efforts to repair its battered reputation. However, it is also facing criminal investigations in the US, and the possibility of very heavy civil fines as well.”
A US pharmaceutical company, that sparked a global backlash when it increased the price of a medication used by AIDS patients by more than 5000%, says the price will be lowered to insure it remains affordable. Turing Pharmaceuticals increased the price from 13.5 dollars to 750 dollars per dose. Ben Bland has more.
“For AIDS patients in the US, the cost of the drug Daraprim was to go up from 13.5 dollars to 750 dollars per dose. Martin Shkreli, head of Turing Pharmaceuticals, said it would help fund future drug research. But after severe criticism on Twitter and from Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton, he has now backed down. He has not said what the new price will be.”
Pope Francis has been greeted by President Obama at the start of his first ever visit to the Unites States. He flew into Andrew’s air force base from Cuba, and will spend time in Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia during his six-day visit. The pontiff is expected to draw massive crowds in all three cities.
The British chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is visiting China's restive western province of Xinjiang. It is the most controversial part of his five-day trip to China. Amnesty International has called Mr. Osborne to press the Chinese to stop, what it calls, the widespread discrimination against the Muslim Uygur population. Mr. Osborne wants the UK to win building contracts in the capital Urumqi. From there, here is John Sudworth.
“The troubled western region beset with serious human rights concerns presents the Chinese authorities with one of their biggest security challenges. Amnesty International says Mr. Osborne's trade mission here risks handing the communist government a propaganda victory. But on the visit to an industrial park in the city of Urumqi, Mr. Osborne told the BBC that he has raised the human rights issues with government officials alongside the wider economic discussion.”
World news from the BBC.
The Chinese president Xi Jinping has insisted that foreign companies are welcomed in his country as China continues to open up its economy. Mr. Xi was speaking to business leaders in Seattle at the beginning of his first state visit to the United States. He said the communist party's economic reforms were enabling the Chinese people to lead better lives.
Leaders of last week's coup in Burkina Faso are expected to hand back power today to the civilian government they ousted. The French news agency says the presidential guards behind the coup have signed an agreement allowing a power transfer. Six West African leaders are due to arrive in the capital after a summit on Tuesday. The UN envoy in the West Africa Eden Jabra said they decided to deploy military and human rights observers. “We hope that these important measures that have been taken will create a conducive environment now for Burkinabes themselves to move ahead for the full restoration of the transitional government. And also to address some of the problems that probably triggered this crisis.”
The president of the Congo Republic Denis Sassou Nguesso has said there will be a referendum on constitutional changes to enable him to stand for a third term. Mr. Sassou Nguesso has lead Congo for more than 30 years, but he is banned by the constitution from standing again.
A new report suggests more than 700,000 women and girls are imprisoned worldwide. Researchers from the University of London compiled data from 219 countries, and say the number has increased by 50% since 2000 outplacing the rise in male prisoners.
A judge in the US has ruled that the lyrics to the most recognized song in the English Language Happy Birthday to You are no longer protected by copyright. Warner/Chappell Music said it acquired the right in 1998, but documentary maker argued the company only had the rights to a specific piano arrangement.