The interest rate is raised in the UK / International organ trade

Bank of England in London. Kin Cheung / AP  

 

Economy  

The interest rate is raised in the UK - highest since the financial crisis 

 

The central bank in Great Britain, the Bank of England, raises the key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.25 percent. It is the 11th consecutive increase and the highest level since November 2008, according to The Times.  

 

Seven out of nine members wanted to go ahead with the increase, but two said no. The duo argued that the interest rate increases that have already been made have not yet had time to hit the economy, writes ITV.  

 

The unexpectedly high inflation in February has caused it for the Bank of England. Just like many other central banks, it faces a tough balancing act – to fight inflation without plunging the country into a recession. 

 

Ike Ekweremadu and wife Beatrice. Ike Ekweremadu/Facebook.  

International organ trade 

Nigerian senator sentenced for organ theft in London  

 

The Nigerian senator and lawyer Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice and a doctor have been convicted of organ trafficking in Great Britain, international media reports.  

 

The politician allegedly arranged a trip for a 21-year-old street vendor from Lagos to the UK. There, his kidney was to be given to 25-year-old daughter Sonia, who suffered from kidney disease and was forced to leave her film studies at Newcastle University.  

 

It is the first time that someone has been convicted of organ theft under the Modern Slavery Act. The daughter was also charged but acquitted, writes Sky News.  

 

According to the court, the victim did not understand what was about to happen until the first meeting at London's Royal Free Hospital. He was deemed not suitable for donation, and is said to have been greatly relieved.