European shares reverse gains as trade war fears escalate – as it happened

Donald Trump’s tariffs have roiled global markets in the last couple of weeks, and the downward momentum continued on Thursday after the US president woke up angry about EU retaliation.The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones industrial average indices were down by 0.4% in early trading, while the tech-focused Nasdaq was down by 0.8%. Shares in the UK, France, Germany and Italy were also down

‘It’s a massive frustration’: UK steelmakers squeezed by Trump tariff turbulence

Sailors crossing the Atlantic in March are used to dealing with rough seas. But when two shipments of steel from Marcegaglia Stainless Sheffield were slowed up in crossing the ocean by storms this week it meant more than a few days’ extra journey: the metal was caught up in the global trade war started by the US president, Donald Trump, as well.“Obviously, it’s a massive frustration,” says Liam Bates, the president of long products at the Italian steelmaker’s northern England operation. The company had hoped to rush through two weekly shipments in order to avoid the Wednesday deadline for Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium. Instead, it will have to bear the costs – or hope for grace from the US government

Young people: what rules around smartphone use should be put in place for children?

We would like to hear from people aged 18-24 about their childhood experiences with smartphones and social media, positive or negative.What approach would you take with your own children, as a result of lessons learned from your experience? Would you let them have access to a smartphone or social media, and how often? What rules would you put in place?You can tell us about your childhood experiences with smartphones using this form.Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5

AI should replace some work of civil servants, Starmer to announce

AI should replace the work of government officials where it can be done to the same standard, under new rules that have prompted unions to warn Keir Starmer to stop blaming problems on civil servants.As part of his plans for reshaping the state, the prime minister will on Thursday outline how a digital revolution will bring billions of pounds in savings to the government.Officials will be told to abide by a mantra that says: “No person’s substantive time should be spent on a task where digital or AI can do it better, quicker and to the same high quality and standard.”In his speech, Starmer will claim that more than £45bn can be saved by greater use of digital methods in Whitehall, even before AI is deployed, with 2,000 new tech apprentices to be recruited to the civil service.However, with bruising cuts on the way at this spring’s spending review, Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA union for senior civil servants, said: “Mantras that look like they’ve been written by ChatGPT are fine for setting out a mission, but spending rounds are about reality

Cheltenham festival day three: Fact To File wins Ryanair Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and more – live

Ken Pitterson, ITV paddock expert, calls out for Lucky Place as looking the best in his coat. Teahupoo goes off 7/4 fav. Gemma Collins was just on ITV, a real tour de force it was, too.JP McManus spoke to the BBC about Fact To File: “I’m delighted with him. I had a lot of faith in him

Frankie Dettori reveals he is filing for bankruptcy in shock statement

Frankie Dettori, one of the most successful and popular racing figures of recent decades, said in a statement on Thursday that he is “saddened and embarrassed” at being forced to file for bankruptcy having failed to resolve a dispute over unpaid tax with HMRC.Dettori was revealed to be in dispute with HMRC over a scheme to reduce his income tax payments in December 2024, when an injunction to prevent him being named was lifted following an application by HMRC and media organisations.At the time, Dettori said that he had been working with tax officials to “unravel the mess” around his financial affairs, which he said had been caused by former advisors. In his statement on Thursday, however, he conceded that it had not been possible to work out a solution.“For the last six months, my advisors have been working with HMRC in an attempt to find a solution to my financial situation,” Dettori said in a statement