US stock markets rally as White House says there is ‘great optimism’ in the economy – as it happened

After a tumultuous week, US stock markets just closed for the week on a high note. The Dow went up 600 points today, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were up 1.8% and 2%, respectively.Over this week, all three indexes rose substantially, largely after Donald Trump paused many of his tariffs. This week:The Dow went up 6%, or over 2,300 points

Starmer steps in to seize control of British Steel with nationalisation likely

Keir Starmer is stepping in to seize control of British Steel to stop its Chinese owner shutting the Scunthorpe plant in an unprecedented move that paves the way for likely nationalisation.The prime minister was granted a recall of parliament on Saturday, with MPs set to debate emergency laws that will give the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, the power to direct the company.When the legislation is passed, Reynolds will be able to order the company to buy the raw materials to keep two blast furnaces going at the plant and the taxpayer will take on the costs of the purchases. The company’s owner, Jingye, has said it is losing about £700,000 a day.The issue of nationalisation will be dealt with separately and is not certain to happen, but senior sources said it was the likely outcome and the government would look at potential private sector partners for a transfer of ownership and co-investment

Legal Defense Fund exits Meta civil rights advisory group over DEI changes

On Friday, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) announced its decision to exit Meta’s external civil rights advisory group due to its concerns over Meta’s content moderation and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) policy changes.In January, Meta made a series of sweeping changes, including ending its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, getting rid of its factcheckers and changing its content moderation policies. These changes, which some saw as aligning Meta with the then incoming Trump administration, informed the LDF’s decision to leave the civil rights advisory group.That month, following Meta’s decision to its changes, the LDF joined a coalition of other civil rights organisations that were part of Meta’s external civil rights advisory group to express discontent with the company’s decision.“These changes are devastating for free expression because they will subject members of protected groups to more attacks, harassment, and harm, driving them off Meta’s services, impoverishing conversations, eliminating points of view, and silencing dissenting and oft-censored voices,” the companies wrote in a 14 January letter to Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg

‘Amazon slayer’: the Dublin minnow taking on the giants in drone deliveries

One drone lifts up into the sky at a shopping centre on the outskirts of Dublin, then another. They rise to 70ft (21 metres), tilt forward and zip away in different directions, each carrying a paper bag.On a sleepy morning in the Irish capital the takeoffs build to a steady one every few minutes, with barely anyone glancing at the constant stream of aircraft buzzing back and forth.“No one’s looking up – no one ever looks up,” says the man responsible, Bobby Healy, the founder of the Dublin startup Manna Aero.People probably should take notice, because the drones are part of an effort to realise an ambition shared by Amazon, the Google sister company Wing and the Californian startup Zipline: instant, autonomous home delivery

The Masters 2025: Rose just in front after day two – as it happened

Thanks for reading and please join Scott for the weekend rounds. You’ll be in safe hands and it promises to be a cracker.And this leaderboard could provide all the drama we’re demanding. The veteran wiles of Justin Rose, the razzamatazz of Bryson DeChambeau, the career Grand Slam-chasing Rory McIlroy, the shrewd major performer Shane Lowry, the World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell ‘Tantrum’ Hatton

Rory McIlroy’s electric finish ignites Masters bid as Justin Rose leads pack

Rory’s revenge. Rory McIlroy had opted to keep his thoughts to himself after the wounding end to his first round at the 89th Masters. An inspired follow up by the Northern Irishman made it easy to assume he had taken things personally. Did you think the two double bogeys in four closing holes ended his latest attempt at claiming the career grand slam? Think again. Courtesy of spellbinding, stunning golf, McIlroy blasted his way through the Georgia pines and back into contention