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The UK steel industry is facing a significant threat to its survival due to a 'back door' loophole in new trade rules, which could result in job cuts and factory closures. The loophole allows pre-made steel parts, such as bridge sections, columns, and door frames, to enter the UK tax-free, undermining the government's efforts to protect British manufacturers.Earlier in March, the UK government announced plans to double tariffs on imported steel and cut the amount that can be bought from abroad in an attempt to protect Britain's struggling steelmakers. However, industry bosses argue that the measures do not go far enough, as they only target imports of raw steel and leave pre-made steel products untouched.The loophole has been criticized by industry leaders, including Simon Boyd, managing director of Reidsteel, who stated that it would 'undo what the government's trying to do to protect steelmaking' and 'kill the downstream customers of steelmakers in the UK off'. The UK steel industry employs around 10,000 people and has suffered decades of job losses.The wider network of downstream manufacturers that turn steel into finished products is estimated to support 300,000 jobs. However, the industry is under significant pressure from rising energy costs and the threat of cheap imports. The government's new rules are expected to incentivize buyers to follow suit, as they will push up the price of UK-produced steel.A government spokesperson said that their steel strategy is protecting UK producers, with robust new measures applying to all steel products that can be made in the UK. However, industry leaders argue that more needs to be done to prevent job losses and factory closures.

The UK's position in quantum computing has been hailed as a success story of long-term investment in fundamental science. However, the current approach to science funding, particularly by UK Research and Innovation, has raised concerns among experts. The abrupt discontinuation of the Quantum Technologies for Fundamental Physics initiative has resulted in the loss of dozens of early-career researchers trained in a strategically important area. Moreover, there has been no clear vision for what replaces it, nor any meaningful consultation on how such crucial cross-disciplinary programmes should be organised. A similar disconnect is emerging in artificial intelligence, where many techniques driving impact were developed and deployed in fundamental research communities, such as particle physics. Undermining this base risks cutting off the pipeline of ideas and skills that the wider economy depends on. Experts stress that if the UK is serious about long-term leadership, prioritisation must be done with care, transparency, and a credible plan for sustaining the full ecosystem, from fundamental science through to application. Prof Ruben Saakyan, chair of the STFC particle physics advisory panel, emphasises the need for a well-thought-out strategy. Dr Simon Williams also highlights the importance of sustained investment in people and fundamental science, stating that ambition in quantum computing cannot succeed without it. Prof Sheila Rowan, director of the Institute for Gravitational Research, points out that the PPAN area is a training ground for expertise in various engineering and technical skills, which are in short supply and crucial for driving a bright future in quantum computing and quantum technology.

Harrogate Town's hopes of retaining their Football League status are dwindling as they struggle to find form in League Two. The team, managed by Simon Weaver, has had a dismal season so far, scoring just 29 goals in 40 games and conceding the most shots in the league. Despite a recent upturn in results, including an unbeaten five-game spell in February that yielded nine points, Harrogate still find themselves in 23rd place, only a point from a safe position. The team's home form has been particularly poor, with only three home victories all season. The club's struggles are compounded by the fact that they have not changed their manager this season, with Weaver being the longest-serving manager in the current EFL clubs, having been in the job since 2009. Weaver's father, Irving, is the club's chairman, which has led to a unique family dynamic in the club's decision-making process. Weaver has had to navigate a difficult season, with 19 new signings arriving since the end of last season and 36 players being used across the league campaign. The team has also suffered an injury crisis, with 12 senior players out for the long term at one point. Despite these challenges, Weaver remains optimistic about the team's chances of staying up, citing the 32% increase in home support over the past three years and the club's recent application for planning permission for a new training ground. However, with tough fixtures ahead, including matches against Bristol Rovers and Colchester, Harrogate will need to win their next few games to keep their pride intact and stay in the league.

Asda's executive chair, Allan Leighton, has urged the UK government to take immediate action to support farmers and ease fuel costs, as the conflict in the Middle East threatens to drive up food prices. Leighton warned that food prices would inevitably rise as a result of the conflict, citing pressure on farmers from higher fertiliser, energy, and fuel costs.While Asda has so far received only a trickle of requests for cost price increases from suppliers, Leighton expects the pace of cost increases to be volatile and vary across different commodities. He also warned of temporary shortages at petrol stations as supplies are squeezed by the conflict, with the average price of unleaded petrol in the UK rising to 150p a litre.Leighton accused the government of benefiting from £3bn of income from fuel duties as prices rise and called on them to ease these duties or support farmers on energy or other costs. He suggested that tax from fuel duty should be redistributed to support farmers in some form.The Asda boss's comments come after Simon Wolfson, CEO of Next, suggested that clothing prices could rise by 4-10% if the conflict in the Middle East extends into the autumn and factories are hit by higher fuel and fabric costs. Daniel Ervér, CEO of H&M;, also warned that a prolonged conflict could have a significant impact on consumer spending and cause inflation.Asda's underlying profits dropped by a third to £764m last year, with non-fuel sales sliding 3.3% to £21bn. However, the company reported its first month of underlying sales growth in stores in almost two years in March, after resolving IT problems linked to a switch away from services provided by its former owner Walmart.

The Reykjavik Open, a prestigious nine-round chess tournament commencing at the Harpa Conference Centre, carries significant historical weight as it takes place near the site of the legendary 1972 Bobby Fischer versus Boris Spassky match. First established in 1964 with Mikhail Tal as the inaugural winner, this year's event has attracted a substantial field of 422 players.The top seed is Iran's Amin Tabatabaei, the sole 2700-rated competitor in the tournament, followed by Romania's Bogdan-Daniel Deac (2655) and veteran Ukrainian Vasyl Ivanchuk (2654) as the fourth seed. England has dispatched a contingent of over 20 players, though most are amateur competitors. Grandmaster Matthew Wadsworth (2522) is seeded 21st, while Grandmaster Simon Williams (2443) holds the 39th position. Notably, 11-year-old Women's International Master Bodhana Sivanandan is pursuing her second Women's Grandmaster norm.In the opening rounds, the English trio secured victories, including Williams' impressive 20-move triumph. Sivanandan drew against a 2484-rated Chinese International Master in the second round.For the author, any chess event in Reykjavik evokes memories of 1973, when Fischer was anticipated to return to competitive play following his victory over Spassky. The author recounts an ambitious plan to organize a match involving Fischer, which included a two-game match against British champion William Hartston and an eight-board simultaneous exhibition against England's junior players. Despite personal connections to Fischer—including participation in a BBC-recorded consultation game in 1960—the proposed event never materialized after a negative response from Fischer's representatives.The author speculates that had the match occurred, it would have significantly advanced English chess, with Fischer likely prevailing 6-2 to 7-1 against the promising English juniors who would later achieve grandmaster status.The article concludes with a chess puzzle solution for position 4017, demonstrating the tactical complexity that characterizes high-level chess competition.

Prem Rugby is set to introduce a significant change to its financial structure by implementing a minimum salary floor of £5.4m for each club next season. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance competitiveness within the league. The decision was made by the Rugby Football Union Council last month, which also included the decision to ringfence the existing 10-team Prem until the 2029-30 season.The introduction of the salary floor is a key component of Prem Rugby's growth plan, which includes expansion windows every four years. This means that up to two new clubs could join the league, provided they meet the required minimum financial and sporting standards. The first tender process for new clubs is slated for 2027, with potential new members possibly joining Champ Rugby the following season and moving up to Prem Rugby in 2028-29 if they reach the playoffs.Prem Rugby's chief executive, Simon Massie-Taylor, emphasized that the league's vision is to become the best league in the world. However, this does not mean exceeding the financial capabilities of other leagues and creating wage inflation. The new salary floor is £1m lower than the current cap, which will remain unchanged for next season. Massie-Taylor highlighted that any future increases to the salary cap will be based on a formula as part of financial control measures.As part of its growth strategy, Prem Rugby also aims to host several 'Big Games' to appeal to a wider fanbase. The ambition is to have 10 Big Games by 2030, including the final and potential neutral playoffs. One example of this initiative is England's game against Fiji at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool this summer, which could set a precedent for future events.

Retailer Next has reported a £1.16bn pre-tax profit for the full year, with the Middle East conflict expected to add only £15m to fuel and air freight costs. This amount, which assumes a three-month disruption, is considered minimal and can be offset by savings elsewhere.Chief Executive Simon Wolfson added £8m to this year's profit forecast as a mechanical read-through from last year's outcome, indicating that trading had been “encouraging” in the UK and “strong” overseas until late February.The main concern for Next is the potential long-term impact of the conflict on supply chain resilience, freight rates, factory gate prices, and consumer demand. Wolfson emphasized that the company has no insight into the duration and implications of the conflict, stating, “As yet, we have no feel for the medium-term effects”.If higher costs persist, Next may put up prices, but this remains “a contingency, not a plan”. The company will provide a clearer view in its first-quarter update in May.Wolfson also offered nuanced insights, suggesting that consumer confidence may not have collapsed as much as some, like the British Retail Consortium, have claimed. He noted that UK consumers tend to react to actual higher prices, not the threat of them.Additionally, Next's spring-summer ranges are already in stores, online, and warehouses, minimizing the immediate need for adjustments. Any increases in fabric costs or production disruptions in Asian factories would mostly affect autumn-winter ranges.The stock market responded positively, with Next's shares rising 5% to £125.40. This resilience could indicate potential for a profit upgrade in May if the £15m in extra costs turns out to be the worst of it.However, no retailer will be immune if the energy price shock persists and the OECD's prediction of UK economic growth of just 0.7% this year materializes.

The traditional cold war diplomacy of brinkmanship, characterized by carefully balanced standoffs and rules-based international order, has given way to a world in freefall. This shift is exemplified by the ever-widening conflict in the Gulf where strategic objectives remain as unclear as the potential endpoint of hostilities.Approaching a month since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, the stated objectives of removing the country's nuclear threat and destroying its ballistic missile capability appear increasingly disconnected from the disproportionate impact on civilians and neighboring Gulf nations. Despite these consequences, the Iranian regime's willingness to escalate the conflict shows no signs of diminishing.The Guardian Weekly's coverage examines this critical juncture through multiple perspectives. Patrick Wintour recounts the pivotal week when global tensions reached a tipping point, while Richard Partington analyzes the long-term economic implications of a prolonged conflict, from oil price fluctuations to inflationary pressures and economic growth impacts. From South Lebanon, William Christou reports on healthcare professionals caught in the crossfire of Israeli airstrikes, highlighting the human cost of the escalating violence.Emma Graham-Harrison provides insight from Jerusalem, examining Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy of attempting to rehabilitate his image through what he frames as destruction of an 'axis of evil.' Meanwhile, Simon Tisdall poses a critical question: when US President Donald Trump eventually seeks to halt the conflict, will any parties be willing to heed his calls for de-escalation?Beyond the primary geopolitical focus, this week's Guardian Weekly edition explores several significant developments across different sectors. The UK political landscape features an examination of the upcoming local elections, where voter sentiment appears increasingly focused on rejecting established parties rather than actively supporting alternatives. The scientific section explores innovative approaches to addressing snoring disorders through CPAP machines, while the culture section features an in-depth interview with Dave Grohl discussing Foo Fighters, personal challenges, and grief following the loss of bandmate Taylor Hawkins.In sports, the publication celebrates the remarkable achievement of British athletes Keely Hodgkinson, Georgia Hunter Bell, and Molly Caudery, who each secured gold medals at the world indoor athletics championships in Poland, showcasing British excellence in track and field events.

The Magic Faraway Tree, a film adapted by Simon Farnaby from Enid Blyton's late 1930s and 40s books, is a thoroughly likable and sweet-natured family fantasy film perfect for the Easter holidays. The movie distills the spirit of adventure and outdoorsy fun from the original stories and transfers it to a new world where all generations are longing to escape electronic devices and AI.The film features a talented cast, including Claire Foy as Polly, a brilliant electronics engineer, and Andrew Garfield as Tim, her househusband. The story follows their family as they move to the countryside and discover a magical tree that leads to a world of wonder and enchantment. The cast delivers black-belt character turns and grade-A gags, making the film a delightful treat for audiences of all ages.The film's eccentric quirkiness and innocent jollity are reminiscent of classic tales like Narnia and the Shire. With its love of sweets and silly contraptions, the movie also pays homage to Ian Fleming's Caractacus Pott in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and BBC TV's The Goodies and the Beanstalk. Overall, The Magic Faraway Tree is a charming and adventurous tale that is sure to delight families and fans of fantasy films alike.