Top Story: The president of the giant carmaker Toyota apologized for the design and manufacturing errors that led to the global recall of more than 9 million cars. Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the Japanese company's founder, personally accepted responsibility in his first news conference since the recall and ensuing 20 percent drop in Toyota's stock. The antilock breaking mechanism on 2010 Priuses is flawed; Toyota has also issued statements on other models and years.
Yesterday, U.S. Transporation Secretary Roy LaHood shocked consumers in the United States and Japan when he said that the cars should not be driven until checked and updated by Toyota. Toyota owners worldwide are requested to bring in certain models for repairs.
To Watch: A U.S. Senator has placed a hold on all Obama administration nominees, which might force Democrats to vote for cloture on each candidate.
Asia
- An explosion in a Pakistani hospital where victims from an earlier attack were being treated killed at least five.
- India offered to resume talks with Pakistan.
- North Korea said it will release a U.S. missionary who had entered the country and been arrested.
- The Taliban said they would not negotiate with Western powers.
Americas
- Haiti's food distribution network is now fully operational.
- The U.S. unemployment rate fell slightly to 9.7 percent in January. It is forecast to rise.
- Haitian authorities charged members of an U.S. Baptist group with attempting to smuggle children out of the country.
Europe
- Russia pushed back on U.S. plans to place ballistic missiles in Romania.
- Ukraine's candidates for president upped campaigning before the Sunday run-off between Yulia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanokovych.
- Taiwan said it will purchase military helicopters from Europe, angering China.
- Unionists and separatists in Northern Ireland agreed on a power-sharing government, ending a months-long standoff.
Middle East
- A suicide bomber killed more than 20 in Baghdad, during a Shiite religious pilgrimage.
- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he did not have enough evidence to determine whether Palestine and Israel are complying with U.N. demands regarding examining the Gaza conflict.
Africa
- The Nigerian parliament seeks to amend a constitutional rule putting the vice president in power if the president has not been in office for three weeks.
- Speaking yesterday at the National Prayer Breakfast, U.S. President Barack Obama condemned Uganda's anti-gay laws.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images
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