News Headlines - 24 February 2012

▽U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Japan Organized Crime Group - Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203918304577241844134189560.html
The U.S. government entered the battle against Japanese organized crime, announcing a freeze on American-owned assets controlled by the largest yakuza syndicate, Yamaguchi-gumi, and the group's top two leaders.

▽Japan watchdog halts fund on fears over lost assets - BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17150887
Japan's financial watchdog has told an investment firm to halt its operations on suspicion that it has lost most of the $2.3bn (£1.5bn) funds it manages.

▽Lloyds plunges to £3.5bn loss for 2011 - The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/feb/24/lloyds-plunges-loss-2011-shares?newsfeed=true
Lloyds Banking Group has painted a subdued outlook for the UK economy as the bailed-out bank revealed it had plunged to a £3.5bn loss in 2011 and would pay out £375m in bonuses.

▽Economy contracts by 0.2% - The Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/economy-contracts-by-02-7440259.html
The UK's economy contracted 0.2% in the final quarter of 2011, revised figures confirmed today, while growth for the year as a whole was lower than previously thought.

▽Photo of Whitney Houston lying dead in coffin published on magazine cover - Metro
http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/891143-photo-of-whitney-houston-lying-dead-in-coffin-published-on-magazine-cover
A shocking photograph of Whitney Houston in an open coffin has been printed on the cover of US gossip magazine the National Enquirer, enraging her fans all over the world.