itsjohntime

Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010
TOP STORIES as of 0900 HKT -- 26 February, 2010

> U.S. CONSULATE 'ATTACKER' DIES IN STRIKE
A militant wanted in connection with an attack on a U.S.
consulate in Pakistan four years ago was killed in a missile
strike in the country's tribal region, a Pakistani intelligence
official said.

> AFGHAN FLAG RAISED OVER TALIBAN ENCLAVE
Authorities raise the Afghan flag over the battle-scarred
enclave of Marjah, a ceremony symbolizing the presence of
government forces in the Taliban stronghold.

> INJURIES, DROWNING KILLED WHALE TRAINER
A trainer dies after an incident involving a killer whale at
SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. Police say it was an accident, but
witnesses say the whale attacked.

> SUSPECTS FACE MORE CHARGES IN NY 'PLOT'
Two suspects in an alleged plot to detonate explosives in New
York's subway system face additional charges, federal
prosecutors said Thursday.

> AUSTRALIA WARNS ISRAEL OVER DUBAI KILLING
Australia warned Israel Thursday of a possible diplomatic rift
if Israel condoned the use of fraudulent Australian passports in
the killing of a Hamas leader.

> ACTOR'S BODY FOUND IN VANCOUVER PARK
Actor Andrew Koenig, missing since Feb. 14, was found dead in
Vancouver, British Colombia, Thursday, a source close to the
family said.

> VENEZUELA DISPUTES ABUSE REPORT
Venezuela's top human rights official on Thursday disputed
findings of a report issued by an Organization of American
States commission, and accused the panel of unfairly distorting
statistics to show a pattern of political repression and abuses
by the government.

BUSINESS
~~~~~~~~~~~
> RBS BOOST AS LOSSES FALL TO £3.6B
Royal Bank of Scotland on Thursday said its loan impairments
appeared to have peaked as it reported a smaller-than-expected
£3.6bn pro forma net loss for 2009

> TOYOTA CHIEF VOWS TO REGAIN TRUST
The president of Toyota said he takes full responsibility for
safety issues in the company's cars and vowed to regain the
trust of customers in his first interview after appearing on
Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Perhaps the highlight of the head of Toyota's trip to Washington
happened not on Capitol Hill, but when speaking before U.S.
Toyota dealers at the National Press Club after giving hours of
testimony before U.S. legislators.