Honda’s executive vice president resigned on Monday over “an allegation of inappropriate conduct”, the Japanese automaker said.The incident occurred “during a social gathering outside of work hours”, Honda said in a statement without specifying what accusations were made against Shinji Aoyama, who is also the company’s director.”It is deeply regrettable that an individual positioned as a leader in the management of the company, and who is expected to set an example for the respect of human rights… has become the subject of an allegation of conduct contrary to these principles,” the company statement said.Honda declined to reveal details of Aoyama’s conduct, citing privacy concerns for the victim, Kyodo news agency reported.The firm’s audit committee had investigated the incident and presented a disciplinary action plan to the board of directors, who were “scheduled to make a decision”.However, Aoyama submitted his resignation letter before the board had made any move, the statement said.”The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that it is appropriate for Mr. Aoyama to resign from his position,” it said.Honda President Toshihiro Mibe will voluntarily return 20 percent of his monthly compensation for two months due to “the seriousness of this matter”, the company said.”The company sincerely apologises for any discomfort caused by such conduct, and for the significant disturbance and concern it has caused to all stakeholders.”

India’s Adani Group said on Monday it had opened an $800 million container terminal in Sri Lanka, right next to a similar facility operated by a Chinese company.The Adani development at Sri Lanka’s main seaport in Colombo is widely seen as a counter to the rival Chinese terminal and as a means for India to secure a foothold at the strategic facility.The launch of the Adani-operated facility came a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a state visit to Sri Lanka during which he secured defence and energy deals with Colombo.”The commencement of operations at CWIT (Colombo West International Terminal) marks a momentous milestone in regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka,” billionaire chairman Gautam Adani, a key ally of Modi, said in a statement.Sri Lanka lies at a key halfway point along the main east–west international maritime route and Colombo is a major transhipment hub for South Asia.The company said it had completed 600 metres (660 yards) out of a final 1,400-metre long berth with a depth of 20 metres that is able to handle the largest container ships.- ‘Global maritime map’ -“Not only does this terminal represent the future of trade in the Indian Ocean, but its opening is also a proud moment for Sri Lanka, placing it firmly on the global maritime map,” Adani said.The joint venture went ahead despite the Indian conglomerate withdrawing in December a request for a US government-backed $533 million loan for the construction.The move followed an indictment in New York in November 2024, which accused the Adani Group of deliberately misleading international investors as part of a bribery scheme. Adani has denied any wrongdoing.The other partners in the Adani port venture are Sri Lanka’s publicly listed John Keells Holdings and the state-owned Sri Lanka Ports Authority.Construction began in early 2022, with the first phase featuring eight automated ship-to-shore cranes and 18 gantry cranes.There were no public statements from either side during Modi’s visit about Adani’s withdrawal from another venture, a $442 million wind power project in the north of Sri Lanka.That withdrawal followed a decision by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration to revoke a power purchase agreement with the Adani Group in order to negotiate lower energy prices.Dissanayake’s party had strongly criticised the deal as “corrupt” and called for it to be renegotiated.