Toyota Recalls Blamed on Fast Growth
(BBC)
The president of the international car manufacturer Toyota plans to make a statement to the US Congress today about the recent recalls of millions of his company’s vehicles.
Toyota president Akio Toyoda said the firm’s growth may have been “too quick” and that their “priorities became confused” as the company grew. Major problems in Toyota’s line of vehicles have recently damaged the Japanese company’s reputation; the main issues have been faulty accelerator pedals that get stuck in floor mats and problems with the braking systems on hybrid models.
Toyoda, the grandson of the company’s founder, says that he takes personal responsibility for improving the quality of future Toyota cars.
“All the Toyota vehicles bear my name…I, more than anyone, wish for…our customers to feel safe when they use our vehicles.”
3.8 million vehicles were recalled in the US alone last October, and combined with worldwide statistics from the following months, the total number of Toyota vehicles recalled worldwide reached 8.5 million this month.
Sudan to Sign Ceasefire Deal with Darfur Rebel Group
(BBC)
Omar al-Bashir, President of Sudan, will sign a framework ceasefire agreement with Darfur rebel group the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).The deal includes an outline on power sharing at all levels, and is being seen as an important step for peace even though the other main group in the Darfur conflict has refused to enter talks.
One of the agreement clauses is that a ceasefire be reached by mid-March, before the national elections in April, but representatives of the group say that this is unlikely. Even after an agreement is signed it is likely that the rest of the process will occur through negotiations.
Two years ago, the Darfur rebel group attacked the county’s parliamentary seat, causing the deaths of more than 200 people. Even though the seven-year war between the rebels and the government in Darfur has lost intensity in recent years, the UN estimates that 300 thousand died during the worst years of the conflict, and 2.5 million are still displaced.
Government members and UN officials continue to urge both sides to redouble their efforts for peace so that the violence does not continue.
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