Lloyds Share News (LLOY)

The president of Ukraine has accused pro-Russia rebels in the east of the country of shooting down a Malaysia Airlines jet with a ground-to-air missile, killing all 298 people on board as the airliner exploded and rained down in fiery pieces over a rural Ukrainian village. The huge loss of life threatens to have wide-ranging and unpredictable consequences, coming just after the US imposed further sanctions on Russia for continuing to provide weapons to the rebels. Defence and security experts said the Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile system, known to be in the hands of pro-Russia fighters in Ukraine, was most likely used. - The GuardianThe Boeing 777 downed in Ukraine with the loss of 295 passengers was flying just 1,000 feet above a "no-fly" zone covering the troubled region, The Independent has learned. Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was on a routine flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed, apparently after being hit by a missile. - The IndependentTime Warner has hoisted a "not for sale" sign over its business as it attempts to ward off 21st Century Fox and a host of other media companies stalking the entertainment group. [...] Speculation is mounting that other large media groups, such as Apple, Google or Amazon, could be readying themselves to enter the fray with an opportunistic bid for a group that is desired for the quality of its "pure-play entertainment content". - The TimesBritain's banks are braced for an inquiry into competition on the high street to be signalled on Friday when the competition watchdog reports on its latest views on the industry dominated by big four players. Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays and HSBC have an 80% share of the market for current accounts and small business banking, two areas that have been subjected to recent reviews by the competition authorities. - The GuardianIntensifying speculation about an interest rate rise means nine out of 10 investors now expect a hike from 0.5 per cent will happen within a year, a survey by Hargreaves Lansdown reveals. Just 65 per cent made the same forecast in April, showing a big jump in investors gearing up for the first change in interest rates since the aftermath of the financial crisis in March 2009. - The Daily MailNorth Sea firms are adopting a "wait-and-see" approach before making fresh investment decisions, according to a new survey which highlights a sharp fall in drilling activity. The research, released today by professional services giant Deloitte, points to a combination of factors for the drop in deals and drilling. - The ScotsmanBC