Bob Diamond waits for photographs after being named as Barclays’ next chief executive. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters What does Barclays mean by that? Only that Bob Diamond is the best person for the job, says the bank. Chairman Marcus Agius was at pains to argue that Diamond represents continuity and that the group’s strategy won’t change [...]

Electricity pylon and street light at Norden, Greater Manchester. Photograph: Christopher Thomond Yes No

The EU’s finance ministers met in Brussels earlier today. Photograph: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images Britain today flatly ruled out taking part in a planned new European scheme for bailing out distressed financial institutions by using the proceeds from a levy on banks. As EU finance ministers at a meeting in Brussels agreed a new European system [...]

Bus travel in London in 1962, when the capital was hard hit by a tube strike captured by Pathé newsreel. Photograph: Hulton Archive Amid the din of social network chatter about today’s strike on the London underground, one could be forgiven for thinking this is the first time the capital’s subterranean transport network has been [...]

The home affairs select committee chair Keith Vaz has announced a new inquiry into phone hacking. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/Guardian The chair of the home affairs select committee today launched a new inquiry into the use of unauthorised phone hacking. Keith Vaz announced the move soon after hearing evidence from John Yates, the senior police officer [...]