Stepfather of dead soldier says possibility that phones were hacked by News of the World is distressing, but not surprising Families of members of the armed forces killed in Afghanistan and Iraq have spoken out about the possibility they were targeted by Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator who worked for the News of the World. The revelation is likely to further shock the public, who have already reacted with horror to news that the paper intercepted voicemails left on a phone belonging to the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and targeted the phones of families of the victims of the 7/7 attacks. The allegations were “very distressing”, the stepfather of a British soldier who was killed in Iraq, told BBC Breakfast. Jim Gill, stepfather of Second Lieutenant Richard Shearer, of the 1st Battalion, Staffordshire Regiment, who was killed in Iraq in July 2005 by a roadside bomb, said his family had suspected their phone was being hacked but they had not yet been contacted by police. “It is very distressing. The terrible thing is that we’re not surprised by it,” he said. “It is distressing for all the people who have been hacked, especially the people who are going through grief. We thought the phones may be being listened to but we did not think it was the press.” MPH Solicitors, whose clients include Samantha Roberts, the widow of Sergeant Steven Roberts of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, said they had been contacted on Wednesday by a newspaper and told Roberts’s phone may have been hacked, along with a mobile belonging to her lawyer, Geraldine McCool. McCool said there was no evidence to show confidential information was obtained through hacking. “Whilst this developing story continues to shock and concern I confirm that I have never seen a news article that gave rise to concern that information had been obtained through illegal phone hacking,” she said. “I sincerely hope that any future revelations do not involve our clients and that full disclosure of the extent of this diabolical practice is now made.” Rose Gentle, whose son Fusilier Gordon Gentle was killed in Iraq in 2004, called for an inquiry to begin immediately and said the hacking of phones belonging to relatives of dead soldiers would be “pretty disgusting” if true. “It’s like a living nightmare, just waiting for a knock at the door again to be told some bad news,” she told Radio 4′s Today programme. She said she wanted the alleged perpetrators to be brought to justice. “The people responsible should be held up and stand up in court.” Ed Miliband, the leader of the opposition, said he was disgusted by allegations that the families of dead soldiers had been hacked. “If true, they represent a gross and shocking betrayal of our heroic service people and their loved ones,” he said. “It is grotesque beyond belief that these actions are alleged to have been committed on behalf of a news organisation committed to the military covenant. It reinforces the need for the police to do their work and for a public inquiry to be swiftly established so that justice can be done and the truth established.” The impact of the scandal has continued to hit Rupert Murdoch’s news empire. Shares in BSkyB fell by 2.5% when trading began in London on Thursday, dropping 21p to 806p, as pressure grew on the culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, to delay News Corporation’s takeover of the broadcaster. BSkyB shares had been changing hands for 850p on Monday, but have fallen steadily since the Guardian reported that Milly Dowler’s phone had been hacked by News of the World journalists. Before this week, BSkyB investors had hoped to force Murdoch to pay as much as £11 per share to gain control of the 61% of the company he does not already own. News Corporation’s own shares have also suffered, falling by 3.6% in New York on Wednesday. Divisions have emerged between David Cameron and Nick Clegg over the handling of the controversy. The prime minister and his deputy appeared to disagree over the level of inquiry that should be held into illegal phone hacking and wider questions about the future of media regulation. The prime minister bowed to pressure to hold at least one inquiry but is resisting calls from Clegg for a judge to take charge. The cabinet minister Chris Huhne insisted it was “absolutely crucial” that the inquiry into the relationship between police and the media was led by a judge. “I think the inquiries have got to be independent,” he told BBC Radio 4′s Today programme. “They have got to be able to access all the information and call witnesses and I think that inevitably means with the harder-edged bit – in other words, the relationship between the police and the media – it is going to have to be judge-led, because frankly the judge has got to be able to rely on evidence given under oath.” Asked whether Rebekah Brooks, News International’s chief executive, should resign, he said it was up to News International, but added: “Either they know what’s going on, in which case the editor of the News of the World was complicit in some criminal activity, or they were extremely incompetent.” The government faced calls from across the Commons as well as from City shareholders to delay its final decision on the proposed takeover of BSkyB by News Corporation, parent company of the News of the World. Hunt gave the provisional go-ahead for the deal last Friday, subject to a final seven-day consultation over plans to hive off Sky News as a separately listed company to allay plurality fears. He is due to consider thousands of pages of documents submitted during the consultation. He will then make a decision, which could be delayed into the summer recess, after consultations with Ofcom and the OFT. The Labour leader took the momentous step of turning against Rupert Murdoch’s empire, calling for the resignation of Brooks and demanding the BSkyB decision be referred to the Competition Commission. “The public will react with disbelief if next week the decision is taken to go ahead with this deal at a time when News International is subject to a major criminal investigation and we do not yet know who charges will be laid against,” he said. Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader, said he would ask Ofcom to exercise its right to assess whether the directors of News Corp were “fit and proper” to take full control of BSkyB. “Ofcom … has a statutory obligation to consider at any time who is appropriate to hold a broadcasting licence,” he said. “The message from this house must be that we want it actively to consider that obligation. “If it comes to the view that the future owners of BSkyB are inappropriate, it should rule accordingly, which would mean that the BSkyB merger could not go ahead.” Tom Watson, a former Labour minister, said in the Commons debate that James Murdoch, the tycoon’s son, had “personally, without board approval, authorised money to be paid by his company to silence people who had been hacked and to cover up criminal behaviour within his organisation”. Procter & Gamble, Britain’s biggest advertiser, plus O2, Vauxhall, Butlins and Virgin Holidays, joined Ford in pulling advertisements from this weekend’s News of the World. P&G spent almost £1.5m in the News of the World in the last year. Phone hacking News of the World Military Newspapers & magazines Glenn Mulcaire National newspapers BSkyB Newspapers James Robinson Nicholas Watt Dan Sabbagh Graeme Wearden guardian.co.uk
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Man mauled to death after he and his wife apparently surprise female bear and its cubs A grizzly bear has killed a man who was hiking with his wife in Yellowstone national park after the couple apparently surprised the female bear and its cubs. It was the park’s first fatal grizzly mauling since 1986, but the third in the Yellowstone region in just over a year. The attack happened on Wednesday morning, two days after a peak weekend for tourism in the park, on a trail close to Canyon Village near the middle of Yellowstone. Park officials said the bear attacked to defend against a perceived threat. The wife of the 57-year-old victim called for help on her cell phone and other hikers in the area responded. A Yellowstone spokesman, Al Nash, said the couple saw the bear twice on their hike. The second time, the grizzly ran at them and the man told his wife to run. The woman told park officials she didn’t see the bear attack her husband. When it went for her she dropped to the ground, Nash said. The grizzly lifted her off the ground by the day pack she was wearing, then dropped her. The woman did not seek medical attention, Nash said. Authorities would not identify the couple until the man’s family could be notified. Park officials cleared the area of people after the attack. All trails and backcountry campsites in the area were closed and a warning sign was posted on the trailhead. “It is in the backcountry of the park, and we have access challenges and limited communication,” Nash said. Grizzlies in the Yellowstone region have caused growing problems as the number of tourists grows in an area of geysers and sweeping mountain vistas. A grizzly, which had just been released after being trapped and tranquillised for a study, killed an Illinois man hiking outside Yellowstone’s east gate in June 2010. Last July, a grizzly killed a Michigan man and injured two others in a camp ground near Cooke City, north-east of the park. Yellowstone and nearby surrounding areas are home at least 600 grizzlies. Once rarely seen, grizzlies have become an almost routine cause of curious tourists lining up at Yellowstone’s roadsides in the summer season. Tourists have been visiting Yellowstone in record numbers: 3.6 million came last year, up 10% from the record set in 2009. A spokesman for the Wyoming Travel and Tourism state agency doubted the attack would deter people from visiting Yellowstone. “What has happened here hasn’t happened for a quarter century,” Chuck Coon said. “It is very sad, though, and I’m very sorry to hear of it.” Caleb Platt, a service station manager at Canyon Village, said he had had a handful of encounters with grizzlies while hiking in the park and tourists should be vigilant. “When it’s close and you realise it does see you, it gets the heart racing,” he said. Park officials have warned park visitors to stay on designated trails, hike in groups of three or more, keep alert for bears and make a noise in places where a grizzly could be lurking out of sight. Wyoming Animals United States guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Man mauled to death after he and his wife apparently surprise female bear and its cubs A grizzly bear has killed a man who was hiking with his wife in Yellowstone national park after the couple apparently surprised the female bear and its cubs. It was the park’s first fatal grizzly mauling since 1986, but the third in the Yellowstone region in just over a year. The attack happened on Wednesday morning, two days after a peak weekend for tourism in the park, on a trail close to Canyon Village near the middle of Yellowstone. Park officials said the bear attacked to defend against a perceived threat. The wife of the 57-year-old victim called for help on her cell phone and other hikers in the area responded. A Yellowstone spokesman, Al Nash, said the couple saw the bear twice on their hike. The second time, the grizzly ran at them and the man told his wife to run. The woman told park officials she didn’t see the bear attack her husband. When it went for her she dropped to the ground, Nash said. The grizzly lifted her off the ground by the day pack she was wearing, then dropped her. The woman did not seek medical attention, Nash said. Authorities would not identify the couple until the man’s family could be notified. Park officials cleared the area of people after the attack. All trails and backcountry campsites in the area were closed and a warning sign was posted on the trailhead. “It is in the backcountry of the park, and we have access challenges and limited communication,” Nash said. Grizzlies in the Yellowstone region have caused growing problems as the number of tourists grows in an area of geysers and sweeping mountain vistas. A grizzly, which had just been released after being trapped and tranquillised for a study, killed an Illinois man hiking outside Yellowstone’s east gate in June 2010. Last July, a grizzly killed a Michigan man and injured two others in a camp ground near Cooke City, north-east of the park. Yellowstone and nearby surrounding areas are home at least 600 grizzlies. Once rarely seen, grizzlies have become an almost routine cause of curious tourists lining up at Yellowstone’s roadsides in the summer season. Tourists have been visiting Yellowstone in record numbers: 3.6 million came last year, up 10% from the record set in 2009. A spokesman for the Wyoming Travel and Tourism state agency doubted the attack would deter people from visiting Yellowstone. “What has happened here hasn’t happened for a quarter century,” Chuck Coon said. “It is very sad, though, and I’m very sorry to hear of it.” Caleb Platt, a service station manager at Canyon Village, said he had had a handful of encounters with grizzlies while hiking in the park and tourists should be vigilant. “When it’s close and you realise it does see you, it gets the heart racing,” he said. Park officials have warned park visitors to stay on designated trails, hike in groups of three or more, keep alert for bears and make a noise in places where a grizzly could be lurking out of sight. Wyoming Animals United States guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Man mauled to death after he and his wife apparently surprise female bear and its cubs A grizzly bear has killed a man who was hiking with his wife in Yellowstone national park after the couple apparently surprised the female bear and its cubs. It was the park’s first fatal grizzly mauling since 1986, but the third in the Yellowstone region in just over a year. The attack happened on Wednesday morning, two days after a peak weekend for tourism in the park, on a trail close to Canyon Village near the middle of Yellowstone. Park officials said the bear attacked to defend against a perceived threat. The wife of the 57-year-old victim called for help on her cell phone and other hikers in the area responded. A Yellowstone spokesman, Al Nash, said the couple saw the bear twice on their hike. The second time, the grizzly ran at them and the man told his wife to run. The woman told park officials she didn’t see the bear attack her husband. When it went for her she dropped to the ground, Nash said. The grizzly lifted her off the ground by the day pack she was wearing, then dropped her. The woman did not seek medical attention, Nash said. Authorities would not identify the couple until the man’s family could be notified. Park officials cleared the area of people after the attack. All trails and backcountry campsites in the area were closed and a warning sign was posted on the trailhead. “It is in the backcountry of the park, and we have access challenges and limited communication,” Nash said. Grizzlies in the Yellowstone region have caused growing problems as the number of tourists grows in an area of geysers and sweeping mountain vistas. A grizzly, which had just been released after being trapped and tranquillised for a study, killed an Illinois man hiking outside Yellowstone’s east gate in June 2010. Last July, a grizzly killed a Michigan man and injured two others in a camp ground near Cooke City, north-east of the park. Yellowstone and nearby surrounding areas are home at least 600 grizzlies. Once rarely seen, grizzlies have become an almost routine cause of curious tourists lining up at Yellowstone’s roadsides in the summer season. Tourists have been visiting Yellowstone in record numbers: 3.6 million came last year, up 10% from the record set in 2009. A spokesman for the Wyoming Travel and Tourism state agency doubted the attack would deter people from visiting Yellowstone. “What has happened here hasn’t happened for a quarter century,” Chuck Coon said. “It is very sad, though, and I’m very sorry to hear of it.” Caleb Platt, a service station manager at Canyon Village, said he had had a handful of encounters with grizzlies while hiking in the park and tourists should be vigilant. “When it’s close and you realise it does see you, it gets the heart racing,” he said. Park officials have warned park visitors to stay on designated trails, hike in groups of three or more, keep alert for bears and make a noise in places where a grizzly could be lurking out of sight. Wyoming Animals United States guardian.co.uk
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New figures show that 15,667 patients waited more than six weeks in May, compared with 3,378 in May last year Patients’ health and treatment could suffer because NHS waiting-times for x-rays, cardiology tests and ultrasound scans are increasing sharply, doctors are warning. Longer waits to access diagnostic tests could cause anxiety for patients and mean that identification of serious illnesses such as cancer is delayed, they say. Their warning comes as new NHS figures show that 15,667 patients waited more than six weeks to undergo a diagnostic procedure in May alone – a more than fourfold increase on the same month in 2010, when 3,378 did so. The figures again call into question David Cameron’s promise to ensure that waiting times do not rise, despite the growing demand for healthcare and tough financial climate in the NHS. He made that one of his “five personal pledges” to voters on the NHS last month. The flagship 18-week target for patients to be treated after first consulting a GP is also under pressure. Quarterly data in that area, due next week, is expected to show another fall. Performance on other waiting-time markers is also slipping, such as the four-hour wait to be seen in A&E. The latest statistics covering access to diagnostic procedures, covering May 2011, showed that 2.7% of patients were left waiting for six weeks or longer for diagnosis results. A further 1,800 patients waited more than three months – an almost tenfold increase on last year’s figure of 217. Average waiting times also increased year-on-year, but to a lesser degree. The typical wait for diagnosis increased to 1.9 weeks in May 2011 versus 1.8 weeks a year before. “It is worrying that patients are having to wait longer for tests, as this could delay diagnosis and have a detrimental effect on patient care,” said a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Physicians, which represents hospital doctors. “We must not return to the days when it took three months to get an MRI or ultrasound scan done, but that is a risk,” said Dr Clare Gerada, chairman of the Royal College of GPs. “Delays in access to diagnostics can cause anxiety and uncertainty and can, in the worst case, result in failure to diagnose serious pathology early enough, such as cancer.” The British Medical Association warned that longer diagnostic waits could adversely affect treatment. “Longer waits for tests has a knock-on effect on the time taken to diagnose and treat patients,” said a spokesman. “Delivering a more efficient NHS should not come at the cost of poorer frontline patient care.” The NHS monthly diagnostic figures exclude emergency tests on hospital inpatients, and also do not cover routine screening procedures (such as smear tests), or routine check-up and follow-up scans. “These figures show that long waiting times for tests are up more than fourfold since David Cameron became prime minister,” said John Healey, Labour’s shadow health secretary. “It is clear that the government’s reckless reorganisation is beginning to impact on patient care, and that we are starting to see the NHS go backwards under the Tories.” The Department of Health acknowledged that six-week waits had increased, but stressed these represented a minority of cases. “This increase needs to be seen in context. Of the patients waiting at the end of May 2011, 97.3% had been waiting under six weeks, and the average waiting time was just 1.9 weeks,” said a spokeswoman. “Pressures on the NHS are rising all the time. Diagnostic activity in the three months to May 2011 was 3% higher than in the three months to May 2010. This increase in activity is contributing to improving quality of care but is adding to pressures. This shows why we need to modernise the NHS to protect it for future generations.” NHS Health David Cameron James Ball Denis Campbell guardian.co.uk
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New figures show that 15,667 patients waited more than six weeks in May, compared with 3,378 in May last year Patients’ health and treatment could suffer because NHS waiting-times for x-rays, cardiology tests and ultrasound scans are increasing sharply, doctors are warning. Longer waits to access diagnostic tests could cause anxiety for patients and mean that identification of serious illnesses such as cancer is delayed, they say. Their warning comes as new NHS figures show that 15,667 patients waited more than six weeks to undergo a diagnostic procedure in May alone – a more than fourfold increase on the same month in 2010, when 3,378 did so. The figures again call into question David Cameron’s promise to ensure that waiting times do not rise, despite the growing demand for healthcare and tough financial climate in the NHS. He made that one of his “five personal pledges” to voters on the NHS last month. The flagship 18-week target for patients to be treated after first consulting a GP is also under pressure. Quarterly data in that area, due next week, is expected to show another fall. Performance on other waiting-time markers is also slipping, such as the four-hour wait to be seen in A&E. The latest statistics covering access to diagnostic procedures, covering May 2011, showed that 2.7% of patients were left waiting for six weeks or longer for diagnosis results. A further 1,800 patients waited more than three months – an almost tenfold increase on last year’s figure of 217. Average waiting times also increased year-on-year, but to a lesser degree. The typical wait for diagnosis increased to 1.9 weeks in May 2011 versus 1.8 weeks a year before. “It is worrying that patients are having to wait longer for tests, as this could delay diagnosis and have a detrimental effect on patient care,” said a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Physicians, which represents hospital doctors. “We must not return to the days when it took three months to get an MRI or ultrasound scan done, but that is a risk,” said Dr Clare Gerada, chairman of the Royal College of GPs. “Delays in access to diagnostics can cause anxiety and uncertainty and can, in the worst case, result in failure to diagnose serious pathology early enough, such as cancer.” The British Medical Association warned that longer diagnostic waits could adversely affect treatment. “Longer waits for tests has a knock-on effect on the time taken to diagnose and treat patients,” said a spokesman. “Delivering a more efficient NHS should not come at the cost of poorer frontline patient care.” The NHS monthly diagnostic figures exclude emergency tests on hospital inpatients, and also do not cover routine screening procedures (such as smear tests), or routine check-up and follow-up scans. “These figures show that long waiting times for tests are up more than fourfold since David Cameron became prime minister,” said John Healey, Labour’s shadow health secretary. “It is clear that the government’s reckless reorganisation is beginning to impact on patient care, and that we are starting to see the NHS go backwards under the Tories.” The Department of Health acknowledged that six-week waits had increased, but stressed these represented a minority of cases. “This increase needs to be seen in context. Of the patients waiting at the end of May 2011, 97.3% had been waiting under six weeks, and the average waiting time was just 1.9 weeks,” said a spokeswoman. “Pressures on the NHS are rising all the time. Diagnostic activity in the three months to May 2011 was 3% higher than in the three months to May 2010. This increase in activity is contributing to improving quality of care but is adding to pressures. This shows why we need to modernise the NHS to protect it for future generations.” NHS Health David Cameron James Ball Denis Campbell guardian.co.uk
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New figures show that 15,667 patients waited more than six weeks in May, compared with 3,378 in May last year Patients’ health and treatment could suffer because NHS waiting-times for x-rays, cardiology tests and ultrasound scans are increasing sharply, doctors are warning. Longer waits to access diagnostic tests could cause anxiety for patients and mean that identification of serious illnesses such as cancer is delayed, they say. Their warning comes as new NHS figures show that 15,667 patients waited more than six weeks to undergo a diagnostic procedure in May alone – a more than fourfold increase on the same month in 2010, when 3,378 did so. The figures again call into question David Cameron’s promise to ensure that waiting times do not rise, despite the growing demand for healthcare and tough financial climate in the NHS. He made that one of his “five personal pledges” to voters on the NHS last month. The flagship 18-week target for patients to be treated after first consulting a GP is also under pressure. Quarterly data in that area, due next week, is expected to show another fall. Performance on other waiting-time markers is also slipping, such as the four-hour wait to be seen in A&E. The latest statistics covering access to diagnostic procedures, covering May 2011, showed that 2.7% of patients were left waiting for six weeks or longer for diagnosis results. A further 1,800 patients waited more than three months – an almost tenfold increase on last year’s figure of 217. Average waiting times also increased year-on-year, but to a lesser degree. The typical wait for diagnosis increased to 1.9 weeks in May 2011 versus 1.8 weeks a year before. “It is worrying that patients are having to wait longer for tests, as this could delay diagnosis and have a detrimental effect on patient care,” said a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Physicians, which represents hospital doctors. “We must not return to the days when it took three months to get an MRI or ultrasound scan done, but that is a risk,” said Dr Clare Gerada, chairman of the Royal College of GPs. “Delays in access to diagnostics can cause anxiety and uncertainty and can, in the worst case, result in failure to diagnose serious pathology early enough, such as cancer.” The British Medical Association warned that longer diagnostic waits could adversely affect treatment. “Longer waits for tests has a knock-on effect on the time taken to diagnose and treat patients,” said a spokesman. “Delivering a more efficient NHS should not come at the cost of poorer frontline patient care.” The NHS monthly diagnostic figures exclude emergency tests on hospital inpatients, and also do not cover routine screening procedures (such as smear tests), or routine check-up and follow-up scans. “These figures show that long waiting times for tests are up more than fourfold since David Cameron became prime minister,” said John Healey, Labour’s shadow health secretary. “It is clear that the government’s reckless reorganisation is beginning to impact on patient care, and that we are starting to see the NHS go backwards under the Tories.” The Department of Health acknowledged that six-week waits had increased, but stressed these represented a minority of cases. “This increase needs to be seen in context. Of the patients waiting at the end of May 2011, 97.3% had been waiting under six weeks, and the average waiting time was just 1.9 weeks,” said a spokeswoman. “Pressures on the NHS are rising all the time. Diagnostic activity in the three months to May 2011 was 3% higher than in the three months to May 2010. This increase in activity is contributing to improving quality of care but is adding to pressures. This shows why we need to modernise the NHS to protect it for future generations.” NHS Health David Cameron James Ball Denis Campbell guardian.co.uk
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Train hits bus returning from wedding party at railway crossing in Uttar Pradesh, killing at least 35 and injuring dozens A train hit a bus at a railway crossing in northern India, killing at least 35 people returning from a wedding party, an official said. At least 39 others were injured early on Thursday when the train dragged the mangled bus more than 1,600 feet (500m) before coming to a halt, according to local administrator Selva Kumar. The bus, which was packed with about 80 people, had stopped at the unmanned crossing after its axle broke and was then hit by the speeding train, she said. The bride and the groom were travelling in a separate vehicle and were not among the victims, Kumar said. No passengers on the train were hurt. Two men sitting on top of the bus escaped when they jumped off seconds before the train crashed into the bus, said Shobharan Singh, a government official at the site. The accident happened near Kanshiramnagar, a village 220 miles (350km) south-west of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state. Local villagers and passengers from the train rushed to the bus to pull out the injured, who were taken to a nearby hospital, Singh said. “It appears the conductor was driving the bus, as his body has been found in the driver’s seat,” Singh said. Train accidents are a common occurrence in India. The country’s railroad network is one of the world’s largest and carries more than 14 million passengers each day. Most accidents are blamed on poor maintenance and human error. India guardian.co.uk
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Two teenage boys to appear in court on Friday accused of killing 16-year-old in south London Two boys have been charged with the murder of a teenager on a busy high street. Yemurai Kanyangarara, 16, was stabbed in the neck seconds after getting off a bus in Welling, south-east London last Friday. The youths, aged 15 and 14, will appear at Camberwell youth court on Thursday. Police were called at 5pm on Friday after reports of a boy stabbed outside a Superdrug store in Upper Wickham Lane. One witness said he watched the boy’s life “slip away” as he lay on the pavement. Yemurai, who came from nearby Belvedere, was taken by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth hospital in Plumstead, where he died at 6.10pm. His father Kelton left a message on his Facebook page that read: “My boy is gone it is so painful – my heart is bleeding. RIP my boy I will always love you.” The victim, who came to Britain from Zimbabwe when he was a toddler, stepped off a No 96 bus with a friend and was attacked, probably within a matter of seconds, during the Friday rush hour. The victim was a pupil at St Columba’s Catholic boys’ school in Bexleyheath and had recently finished his GCSEs. Kanyangarara’s headmaster described him as “polite”, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Dunne said. He added: “If you asked him to do something, he would do it with a smile on his face.” Police arrested the 15-year-old boy, from Peckham, and the 14-year-old, from Camberwell, on Tuesday. • Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information was asked to call the incident room at Lewisham police station on 020 8721 4906, or, if wishing to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 Knife crime Crime London guardian.co.uk
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European Central Bank expected to focus on ‘day job’ of fighting inflation at its monthly meeting in Frankfurt – while the Bank of England’s MPC is set to leave rates on hold The eurozone debt crisis will not stop the European Central Bank raising interest rates for a second time this year on Thursday as it focuses on the “day job” of fighting inflation, economists predicted. The central bank that sets monetary policy for the 17-country eurozone is universally expected to lift its benchmark rate by a quarter point to 1.5% at its meeting in Frankfurt, led by president Jean-Claude Trichet. City analysts reckon this could be followed by another rate rise towards the end of the year. The ECB’s willingness to battle inflation is in stark contrast to the stance adopted by his counterparts in London. The majority on the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee, led by governor Sir Mervyn King, have chosen to ignore high inflation and argued for some time that interest rates need to stay at a record low of 0.5% to support the faltering economy. The Bank will announce its decision at noon while the ECB’s decision is due 45 minutes later, followed by a press conference hosted by Trichet. After supporting banks with unlimited cash through the crisis, the ECB has moved to normalise European money markets. Trichet’s patience with European leaders is starting to run thin as he urges them to reduce their budget deficits. “Trichet has drawn a line in the sand on Greece and he’s now focusing on the day job,” Jacques Cailloux, chief European economist at Royal Bank of Scotland in London told Bloomberg News. “The ECB has done more than governments have to prop up the euro area and it really is losing patience with political leaders. It’s up to them to fix the problem.” Rattled The debt crisis entered a new stage this week when markets were rattled by ratings agency Moody’s downgrade of Portugal’s debt to junk status. The decision, which came on Tuesday as European leaders try to hammer out the details of a new bailout for Greece, was sharply criticised by European officials. Stock markets rose ahead of the rate decisions, with the FTSE 100 index in London up 11 points at 6014.02. Germany’s Dax climbed more than 30 points to 7461.85 while France’s CAC added 18.5 points to 3879.84. The euro lost ground, though, after Moody’s cut its rating on the government-backed debt issued by Portugal’s banks. Trichet met Greece’s finance minister Evangelos Venizelos in Frankfurt on Thursday to discuss the country’s privatisation programme and the banking system. Ken Wattret at BNP Paribas in London said: “Recent references to ‘strong vigilance’ [on inflation] have reinforced expectations of another ECB rate hike today and shifted attention to the signals about how policy will evolve thereafter. Risks to price stability should remain ‘on the upside’, implying a bias to tighten … We expect the ECB to press on with rate hikes beyond July, assuming that the problems in Greece do not turn ‘systemic’.” European Central Bank Europe European debt crisis Interest rates Economics Bank of England Julia Kollewe guardian.co.uk
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