News in brief
- The Bank of England voted to hold interest rates at 3.75 per cent, due to concern over the ongoing war in the Middle East.
- Gas prices jumped 25 per cent after Iran struck the world’s largest liquefied natural gas plant in Qatar, in retaliation for an Israeli attack on an Iranian gas field. Donald Trump threatened massive retribution if Qatar was attacked again.
- Police are investigating whether an email to Jeffrey Epstein, in which Lord Mandelson appeared to provide advance notice of the 2010 bailout of the euro, constitutes a criminal offence.
- Better maternity care at Oxford University Hospitals Trust might have saved the lives of 58 babies, a BBC investigation has found.
- Domestic abusers are to be surveilled in real time, with electronic tags that alert police when they approach their victims. The government has said that from September, almost all those leaving prison will be tagged.
- Kevin Spacey has agreed an out-of-court settlement with three men who had sued him for sexual assault, thereby avoiding a trial at the High Court later this year. The actor denies all wrongdoing.
- Six more meningitis cases have been confirmed in Kent, bringing the total to 15, with a further 12 cases suspected.
- The King Charles III England Coast Path, stretching 2,700 miles along the entire coast, is officially opened today.
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On Coffee House today…
Michael Simmons says Britain may have finally turned a corner on jobs, Matthew Bowles imparts the French lesson that could save Britain’s economy, and Jonathan Sacerdoti describes how the Iran conflict is morphing into an energy war. Roger Alton declares Arsenal’s Max Dowman to be the future of English football and Angus Colwell offers a beginner’s guide to the perils of London. You can catch up on all of our latest issue – featuring Tim Shipman and James Heale, Douglas Murray, and Rod Liddle – here.
‘Don’t talk to me about the price of oil.’
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In pictures
Qamishli, northeastern Syria: Kurds carrying flames to celebrate the holiday of Nowruz, marking the beginning of spring and the new year.
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Most read on The Spectator
‘We’ll wake up on 8 May and realise that the Conservative party’s gone’: Inside Reform’s plan to devour the Tories – Tim Shipman and James Heale
Feeling uncomfortable about Muslim prayer in Trafalgar Square isn’t racist – Jonathan Sacerdoti
The latest Guardian attack on Nigel Farage is desperate stuff – Douglas Murray
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In words
‘NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field.’
– Donald Trump denies advance knowledge of an Israeli strike on a key Iranian gas field, and discourages his ally from doing it again.
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