he two most senior figures in the Church of England have condemned the behaviour of City traders, and questioned their value to society. Writing in the Spectator, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams criticises those who buy and sell debt solely for their own profit. It follows a speech to bankers by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. In it, he called share traders who cashed in on falling prices "bank robbers and asset strippers". He urges that "short-selling" and some other financial practices be banned and wrote: "It is no use pretending that the financial world can maintain indefinitely the degree of exemption from scrutiny and regulation that it has got used to." He accepts the need and desire for entrepreneurship but claims it is not the only way to create wealth. He denounces the notion that it is as a type of "fundamentalism". The Financial Services Authority has temporarily banned the practice, known as short selling. Dr Sentamu noted the contrast between the bailouts to banks and the lack of funding for efforts to eradicate poverty. The US Treasury has proposed a fund worth up to $700bn (£382bn) to buy back much of the bad debt held by banks and other financial institutions. On Thursday, world leaders will meet in the US to mark progress in the Millennium Development Goals, a set of targets to reduce global poverty and improve living standards by 2015. The goals range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education.

Police who have charged two youths in connection with a "happy slapping" assault have appealed for help to identify the victim. The attack is thought to have happened on playing fields behind the Alexander Suite on St Mary's Road in Swanley, Kent between February and April 2007. The attack was recorded on a mobile phone, but Kent Police said they wanted to speak to the victim. Two 16-year-old boys, who have not been named, have been charged with assault. A Kent Police spokesperson said: "Because the victim is not known, police do not know the extent of the injuries he suffered and they would like to speak to him." The force has appealed for anyone who can identify the victim of the assault, or remembers seeing the attack, to contact them.

Kelvin Clyde Bennett, 45, from Dart Street, Bordesley in Birmingham was found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court today (Wednesday 6 August) of three counts of rape and one count of kidnap. He will be sentenced on 3 September 2008. The offences occurred in Folkestone in December 2000. The presiding judge complimented the investigation team and the members of the public who came forward to assist with the investigation and subsequent trial. At about 3am on Saturday 9 December 2000 a 21 year old woman was walking home from a night out in Folkestone when Bennett grabbed her from behind, dragged her along the road and forced her into his car. He then drove the woman to several secluded locations, raped her three times and threatened to kill her, before dumping her in a country lane. Detective Chief Inspector David Withers from Kent Police's Major Crime Department said:'This is a particularly satisfying result because the offender had eluded justice for a long time. 'But the law eventually caught up with him and his victim has the satisfaction of knowing that he's about to serve his sentence behind bars. 'Today's unanimous verdict reflects the severity of Mr Bennett's actions and I'm pleased that Kent Police's Major Crime Department has once again removed a serious offender from the community.'

A woman who was made a Freeman of the City of London last year has exercised her right to drive sheep across London Bridge to highlight two causes. Amanda Cottrell, from Challock in Kent, was promoting attempts to raise £50m to restore Canterbury Cathedral and a scheme backing local food production. Mrs Cottrell was joined by TV historian Dr David Starkey and family members including grandson Jack Regan, four. The right of Freemen to drive sheep on the bridge dates from the 11th Century. Mrs Cottrell, 67, a former High Sheriff of Kent, drove six New Romney rams from the City side to the south side of the river on Sunday morning.

Police divers have recovered a body from a Kent river in the search for a teenage boy. The body was pulled from the River Medway in Tonbridge on Sunday afternoon. Divers had been searching throughout Sunday for the boy, who went missing near Tonbridge Castle on Saturday night, said Kent Police. A spokesperson for the force said they were not in a position to confirm the identity of the body.

An energy company has been granted an extended injunction to keep environmental campaigners away from a power station during a planned protest. E.On UK, the owners of the Kingsnorth station in Kent, made the request at the High Court to restrict the Climate Camp's planned direct action in August. The injunction was extended to the jetty where coal is delivered to prevent rafts accessing the site. Organisers said it would not stop them protesting about plans for a new plant. E.On UK has said it will demolish the existing power station and replace it with a coal-fired unit that is 20% cleaner.

man who attacked a police officer with a samurai sword has been given an indeterminate jail sentence, to protect the public. Richard Skeates was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court for wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. The 45-year-old, of St Hilda's Way, Gravesend, was found guilty after video footage of the aftermath taken on a helmet camera was shown to a jury. Pc John Clarke was slashed across his forehead by Skeates on 20 October 2007. Skeates was told he would serve at least five and a half years before he could be considered for parole. Kent Police said it was the first time video filmed from their officers' head or body cameras at the scene had been used as evidence in court. The video was filmed by another officer as Pc Clarke, 27, was treated by paramedics. The officers had gone to Skeates' home to arrest him for breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASsbo) served on 24 May 2007 banning him from being violent or abusive, or possessing weapons in a public place. Pc Clark was attacked when they forced entry into the house following about 30 minutes of attempted negotiation. Several martial arts weapons were also found in Skates' home.

Thousands of people are expected to attend this year's Kent County Show which is taking place over the next three days. Organisers want to focus attention on local farming and produce and have created an interactive area that shows people how food gets to their plates. Pursuits such as fly-fishing, ferret racing and working with dogs will be on display in the show's countryside area. The roads surrounding the showground are expected to be very congested. The Highways Agency has urged road users to plan their journeys and said road signs have been put up to alert drivers. Visitors to the show will also see the latest machinery, displays of growing crops, and cookery and baking demonstrations. They will also be treated to the Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers who will perform in the main arena over the three days and the Dancing Diggers JCB display.