10 things you need to know today: May 14, 2012
Top Yahoo and JPMorgan executives resign, a plane crashes in Nepal, and more in our roundup of the stories that are making news and driving opinion
1. YAHOO CHIEF RESIGNS
Yahoo chief executive Scott Thompson stepped down Sunday in the wake of an embarrassing scandal over his falsely claiming on his résumé that he had received a degree in computer science. He had been on the job for just four months. Thompson and Yahoo conceded that the CEO had earned only an accounting degree, and that the error had been included in regulatory filings. Ross Levinsohn, Yahoo's global head of media, will act as an interim replacement. Before stepping down, Thompson reportedly told the Yahoo board that he had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which was said to have influenced him to resign. [New York Times]
………………………………………………………………………………
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. PLANE CRASH IN NEPAL KILLS 15
Fifteen people are dead and six seriously injured after a plane crashed in the Himalayan mountains Monday. The plane was attempting a landing at the Jomsom Airport in northern Nepal when it went down. A preliminary investigation suggests technical problems are to blame. [Associated Press]
………………………………………………………………………………
3. JPMORGAN CIO TO STEP DOWN
Ina Drew, JPMorgan Chase's chief investment officer, will reportedly resign following the financial giant's $2 billion trading loss. Drew is one of the top women on Wall Street, and one of the highest-paid officials at JPMorgan. Sources say at least two other execs will be held responsible for the trading loss, which CEO Jamie Dimon has called "a terrible, egregious mistake." [CBS/Associated Press]
………………………………………………………………………………
4. POLICE FIND 49 HEADLESS BODIES IN MEXICO
Officials in Mexico have found 49 mutilated bodies along a highway in northern Mexico, near the city of Monterrey. Their heads, legs, and hands had been cut off, making identifying the victims difficult. The Zetas drug cartel appears to be responsible. [New York Times]
………………………………………………………………………………
5. NEWSWEEK CALLS OBAMA "FIRST GAY" PRESIDENT
After the president announced his support of gay marriage last week, the latest Newsweek cover declares Obama "The First Gay President." The buzzy cover features an image of Obama wearing a rainbow-colored halo. [NewsCore]
………………………………………………………………………………
6. CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR PUSHES TAX HIKE
After announcing a larger-than-expected $16 billion budget shortfall over the weekend, California Gov. Jerry Brown will detail plans to close the budget deficit on Monday. A large part of his plan will include raising sales and income taxes, which voters will have to approve in November. [Associated Press]
………………………………………………………………………………
7. GREEK PRESIDENT CALLS FOR UNITY GOVERNMENT
Greek President Karolos Papoulias has called on party leaders to continue talks after they failed to form a coalition government over the weekend. Recent elections didn't produce an outright winner, as protests over austerity measures splintered the political landscape. Leftist party Syriza came in second in the elections and has refused to be part of a coalition, saying that the terms of an international bailout are not acceptable. [Independent]
………………………………………………………………………………
8. NETHERLANDS BANS WEED FOR TOURISTS
Authorities in southern cities in the Netherlands are beginning to enforce a new law that bans foreign tourists from the pot coffee shops that have long been part of the country's allure for certain travelers. The ban will go into effect across the country, including in Amsterdam, on Jan. 1. [Washington Post]
………………………………………………………………………………
9. FBI ON THE HUNT FOR MISSING AGENT
An FBI manhunt is under way for one of the agency's own. Stephen Ivens, a 35-year-old FBI agent from Burbank, Calif., has been missing since Thursday. Authorities says he is suicidal and may be carrying a handgun. Bloodhounds have tracked him to an area in the nearby Verdugo Mountains. [Los Angeles Times]
………………………………………………………………………………
10. DAVID SEDARIS COMES UNDER SCRUTINY
After a March episode of This American Life featuring monologist Mike Daisey was found to contain many fabrications in regard to Daisey's experience with the Chinese factory workers who assemble Apple products, NPR is now also thoroughly examining the body of work of one its regular contributors: David Sedaris. The acclaimed memoirist has been known to embellish and exaggerate real events for the sake of humor. [Washington Post]
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The key financial dates to prepare for in 2025
The Explainer Discover the main money milestones that may affect you in the new year
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Sudoku medium: December 19, 2024
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Codeword: December 19, 2024
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published