HEADLINES IN BRIEF: MORE BANKING SHAME, WARNING OF 4.5 MILLION JOB LOSSES, CBI ATTACKS GOVERNMENT, THE PRICE OF FLOODS, OLYMPICS STAFF FIASCO, VICTORY FOR PENSIONERS AND THE VISIT FROM ALIENS
….MORE BANKING SHAME….
GUARDIAN
BARCLAYS CHIEF BOB DIAMOND COULD BE BROUGHT BEFORE CONGRESS, SOURCES SAY
By Dominic Rushe in New York and Jill Treanor
US politicians are considering summoning Barclays' former boss Bob Diamond to Washington to answer questions about the Libor-fixing scandal, in a sign that the controversy is becoming an ever hotter issue in the US. Two high powered committees, the Senate banking committee and the House financial services committee, are both believed to be considering calling Diamond to testify.
DAILY MAIL
HSBC JOINS HALL OF SHAME AFTER REVEALING TO BE FINED $1BN FOR MONEY LAUNDERING OFFENCES
By Ben Griffiths
Britain’s biggest and most profitable bank last night joined the hall of shame when it was revealed it is to be fined $1bn (£600m) for money laundering offences. The disclosure comes hard on the heels of the Libor-fixing scandal which has claimed the scalp of Barclays boss Bob Diamond. The HSBC offences related to transactions that took place between 2004 and 2010.
…..OTHER NEWS…..
WWW.BBC.CO.UK
ILO WARNS EUROZONE RISKS LOSING 4.5 MILLION MORE JOBS
The eurozone could lose 4.5 million more jobs in the next four years unless the region shifts away from austerity, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned.That rise would take unemployment in the 17-nation bloc to 22 million. The ILO said a concerted policy shift away from austerity towards job creation was needed. "It's not only the eurozone that's in trouble, the entire global economy is at risk of contagion," it said.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
EVERY HOME TO PAY PRICE OF FLOODS
By Tim Ross and Robert Winnett
All homeowners will be forced to pay more for their house insurance to repair flood damage to properties in high-risk areas under government plans. Under government plans, a levy of around 10 per cent will be added to home insurance premiums to cover flood damage. The Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, has disclosed she is in talks with the insurance industry about a scheme which could add 10 per cent to an average family’s bill.
FINANCIAL TIMES
CBI CHIEF ATTACKS LACK OF GROWTH
By George Parker and Brian Groom
The head of Britain’s biggest employers’ group has strongly criticised the government for the “really disappointing” implementation of its growth plan, asking: “Where are the diggers on the ground?” John Cridland, director-general of the CBI, said members of the government appeared to be “dazzled in the headlights”, resulting in a lack of progress on its growth plan seven months after George Osborne set out his plan to stimulate Britain’s sluggish economy.
CITY AM
G4S ROCKED BY OLYMPICS STAFF FIASCO
By Katie Hope
With just over two weeks until the official Olympic opening ceremony, security firm G4S was last night forced to admit it may not be able to supply the 10,000 staff it has been contracted to deliver for the Games. In a highly embarrassing admission for the firm, which is expected to be charged a penalty fare per venue per day if it fails to meet agreed staffing levels, it said it had encountered “some issues in relation to workforce supply.”
THE SUN
GROUNDED
By Steve Hawkes, Business Editor
Ministers were slammed for sending Britain’s economy “backwards” last night after critical airport expansion plans were delayed. Transport secretary Justine Greening is set to wait until the autumn to kick off consultation on the need for new capacity in the South East. She had been expected to announce the review this week.
DAILY EXPRESS
VICTORY: WE SAVE BENEFITS FOR MILLIONS OF BRITISH PENSIONERS
By Macer Hall
THE Daily Express scored a spectacular victory yesterday when David Cameron vowed to protect free bus passes and other benefits for all Britain’s older citizens. The Prime Minister dismissed calls from Lib Dems and some Tories for means testing to block welfare claims from better-off pensioners.
....AND FINALLY....
DAILY TELEGRAPH
THE UFO FILES: ALIENS 'MIGHT COME HERE FOR HOLIDAYS'
By Hannah Furness
Government officials believe aliens may visit Earth and suggest harnessing UFO technology for UK defences, files say. Documents from the Ministry of Defence classified archives show staff believed aliens could visit for “military reconnaissance”, “scientific” research or “tourism”. In a 1995 briefing now published by the National Archives, a desk officer said the purpose of reported alien craft sightings “needs to be established as a matter of priority”, adding there did not appear to be “hostile intent”.
