From regional pride to green transition, Britain’s steel story demands strategy, not just nostalgia – and destination that is fair for all

In 1976, night-shift steelworkers at Templeborough – then the world’s largest electric arc plant – broke a production record. A letter from Prime Minister Jim Callaghan awaited them, hailing the shift a triumph for the state-owned plant and for Britain. It might be back to the future after Sir Keir Starmer greeted Scunthorpe workers this weekend, to mark his government taking control of British Steel from its Chinese owners.

The UK has stumbled – or rather been dragged – back into industrial policy. After decades of laissez‑faire hand-wringing, the looming closure of Britain’s last blast furnaces forced the business secretary’s hand. Nationalisation , a word redolent of postwar statecraft, is back on the table. And rightly so.

The deal signed last week between the centre-right CDU and centre-left SPD paves the way for vital investment in Europe’s biggest economy

Some years ago, hundreds of German finance ministry staff dressed in black and formed a giant zero to salute their boss, Wolfgang Schäuble, as he left office. It was a tribute to Mr Schäuble’s extreme fiscal conservatism, which had delivered Germany’s first balanced budget in the postwar period. Amid resurgent prosperity in the Angela Merkel years, the so-called black zero – symbolising a constitutional prohibition on public debt – had gradually acquired cult status.

As a new administration prepares to take power in Berlin, it seems unlikely that human euro signs will welcome the latest politician to take on Mr Schäuble’s former role. But in dramatic fashion, the spending taps are set to be turned on. Via a swiftly staged March vote in the outgoing Bundestag, “ debt brake ” dogma was consigned to history by the chancellor‑elect, Friedrich Merz. The way was thus paved for groundbreaking expenditure on defence, and the overhaul of an economy being left behind in a changed, suddenly menacing world.

Alerts rang out as residents felt large earthquake in areas around San Diego, with epicenter in rural enclave of Julian

Southern Californians were rattled on Monday morning when a strong earthquake shook the areas around San Diego.

Initial measurements from the United States Geological Survey rated the temblor as a magnitude 5.2 , with an epicenter in Julian, a mountain town in San Diego county known for it’s apple pie, roughly 35 miles north-east of San Diego and 120 miles south of Los Angeles. Alerts rang out on phones across the region warning people to drop, cover and hold.

Pope Francis recognises the ‘heroic virtues’ of the creator of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família basilica in first step of process

He’s long been nicknamed “God’s architect” by those who point to his piety and the religious imagery woven through his soaring spires, colourful ceramics and undulating lines.

Now it seems the Vatican may be ready to make it official. It said on Monday that Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect behind Barcelona’s Sagrada Família basilica, had been put on the path to sainthood.

• Dane has been in charge of women’s side since 2022
• Sørensen is second-longest-serving WSL manager

Everton are in advanced talks over a new, extended contract with their women’s team head coach, Brian Sørensen. The 44-year-old, whose contract is due to run out in June 2026, has been in charge since 2022 and oversaw sixth and eighth-place finishes in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Women’s Super League.

His team sit eighth, three points behind fifth-placed Brighton and 10 points clear of the relegation zone, after three wins in their past six games. Everton had been bottom of the WSL in mid-November after struggling with injuries early in the campaign but they have enjoyed a resurgence since beating Liverpool at Goodison Park and were buoyed up by the completion of The Friedkin Group’s takeover of the club in December.

• Welshman stars in World Championship qualifying win
• In line for £147,000 bonus and edges closer to Crucible

Jackson Page has received a £147,000 bonus after becoming the first snooker player to compile two 147 breaks in the same match in Sheffield on Monday. The 23-year-old from Ebbw Vale achieved the unique feat in the eighth and 12th frames of his 10-2 win over Allan Taylor in the third round of world championship qualifying.

The prize fund was available for any player who made two 147 breaks across the three “triple crown” events and the Saudi Arabian Masters this season – and will rise further if he holds on to the tournament’s £15,000 high break prize.

As the US president hangs a fist-pumping portrait of himself in the White House and seeks to purge museums of ‘improper ideology’, our writer finds chilling parallels at a new show about the Nazis ridiculing of modern art

Donald Trump has unveiled a new portrait of himself and it’s the most autocratic yet. A painted version of his fist-pumping stance after being shot in July 2024 now greets visitors in the entrance hall of the White House. This “Fight, fight, fight!” canvas is true strongman art.

It is just the latest in a series of artistic moves by Trump that look disturbingly tyrannical. When he complained that a portrait of himself in the Colorado State Capitol building was “purposefully distorted” it was taken down as quickly as if the US were Stalin’s Soviet Union. And he has ordered JD Vance to purge the Smithsonian museums of “ improper ideology ”. But how seriously should any of this be taken? Is it an urgent threat to democracy and culture or mere muscle-flexing?

David Solomon warns that escalating trade war poses ‘material risks’ for US and global growth

The chief executive of Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, has warned that the chances of a US recession have “increased” in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs and that an escalating trade war posed “material risks” for US and global growth.

The Wall Street boss said the growing uncertainty over the fallout of US tariffs could spell trouble for companies and consumers and wreak havoc on the economy.

• Manager pays tribute to NHS for ‘specialist care’
• Howe watched win over Manchester United from hospital

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe will miss the club’s next two games after being diagnosed with pneumonia.

Howe watched Newcastle’s 4-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday from his hospital bed, having been admitted on Friday evening after feeling unwell for several days.