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The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, has long been recognized as a critical oil chokepoint. However, its significance extends far beyond its role in the global energy market. Strategically located between Iran and Oman, the strait is a key passage for international trade, with a substantial portion of the world's oil exports passing through it. Any disruption in this waterway could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy. Beyond its economic importance, the Strait of Hormuz holds considerable geopolitical significance. The region has been a focal point for tensions between major powers, with Iran's presence and influence in the area contributing to the complex dynamics. The strait's importance is further underscored by its role in regional power struggles and its potential impact on global security. As such, the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical area of focus for international observers and policymakers.

The UK government has introduced new guidelines on screen time for children under five, developed by a panel led by the children's commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, and children's health expert Prof Russell Viner. Children under two years old should avoid screen time except for shared activities that encourage interaction, while children between two and five years old should limit screen time to no more than one hour a day. The guidance also advises against fast-paced, social-media style videos and AI tools, which may affect how young children learn to concentrate. Instead, it suggests 'safe screen swaps' such as replacing screens at mealtimes with background music, conversation, table games, or coloring. Parents are encouraged to prioritize activities that promote language, problem-solving skills, self-control, and social understanding, such as reading together, playing simple games, and back-and-forth conversations. The guidance acknowledges that some children with special educational needs or disabilities may need to use screens to help them communicate and participate in everyday activities. Experts warn that excessive screen time can harm children's development, with 90% of brain growth happening before the age of five. The advisory panel emphasizes the importance of parental example, as children's brains are like 'sponges' and will mimic their screen use habits. Examples of shared screen activities include video calls with relatives or looking at family photos together, which represent constructive joint screen use. The guidance also recommends avoiding screens for an hour before bedtime and reading stories together instead. By adopting these guidelines, parents can help promote healthy screen use habits and support their child's overall development.

England and Uruguay ended in a 1-1 draw during their friendly match at Wembley Stadium. James Trafford, the Manchester City goalkeeper, made a quiet debut but was beaten by Fede Valverde's equalizing penalty, earning a rating of 6.Tino Livramento was untroubled in defense, supporting the attack with energetic runs, though connections were lacking, also scoring 6. Harry Maguire had a solid return to the international scene with booming passes and a set-piece threat, rated 6.Fikayo Tomori was unruffled in his first England appearance since November 2023, despite a toothless Uruguay attack, earning 6. Djed Spence was fine defensively but struggled as a right footer at left-back, checking back frequently, rated 6.Jordan Henderson was occasionally bypassed in midfield and offered little on the ball before being substituted at half-time, scoring 5. James Garner had a decent debut, delivering dangerous corners, rated 6.Noni Madueke won some corners but often held onto the ball too long and went off injured, earning 6. Phil Foden failed to deliver as the No 10 and may worry about his World Cup place, rated 5.Marcus Rashford had an underwhelming night, mostly dribbling into dead ends, scoring 5. Dominic Solanke tested Fernando Muslera from long range and worked hard without looking likely to score, rated 6.The substitutes had varied impacts: Jarrod Bowen was quiet, Adam Wharton offered urgent passing and a crucial block, Cole Palmer had a lively cameo and delivered the corner for the goal, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed wide from a free-kick.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to resume, bringing with it a mix of lucrative opportunities and controversy. England's Jos Buttler is among those looking to make an impact, having struggled with form at the recent T20 World Cup. Buttler, who plays for Gujarat Titans, is England's most successful export to the IPL, with seven hundreds in 121 games for three different teams.Buttler's teammate Kevin Pietersen has shared his own experiences of playing in the IPL, revealing that the league saved his career by allowing him to build lasting relationships. Pietersen, who played 36 IPL matches, expressed his joy at the riches enjoyed by modern players, saying, "If you got paid $50m tomorrow to go and play cricket in Saudi Arabia, I'd be so happy for you."The IPL has also been marred by controversy, including political tensions between India and Pakistan. The tournament's impact extends beyond the field, with 12 England players set to participate. However, the event is also overshadowed by the tragic crowd crush at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last June, which resulted in 11 deaths.In related news, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has been sold for £1.33 billion to a consortium featuring private equity group Blackstone. The team will begin the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, with Buttler and his teammates aiming to make a strong impression.

The US stock market closed on Friday with a significant selloff, sending the Dow into correction territory and marking the fifth consecutive week of declines. The Dow fell 800 points, while the Nasdaq index dropped another 2% and the S&P; 500 closed 1.6% lower.Oil prices continued to rise, with Brent crude surging past $110 a barrel. Despite Donald Trump's announcement of extending a pause on Iranian energy strikes, markets remained on edge. Trump has suggested that oil prices and the stock market will stabilize once the conflict ends, but it's unclear if markets will believe him.Consumer sentiment in the US has also declined, with a 6% drop in March, according to a University of Michigan survey. This decline was observed across all age groups, political parties, and income levels. Inflation expectations rose from 3.4% to 3.8%, the largest one-month increase since last April.The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revised its global GDP growth projections downward, citing the Iran conflict as a significant source of uncertainty. The report warned of higher global inflation due to the spike in energy prices and noted that the Middle East conflict would disproportionately affect the UK's economy.

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.

Patrick Gale's 18th novel, 'Love Lane', is a captivating tale of family secrets, love, and acceptance. The story follows elderly protagonist Harry Cane as he reflects on his life, including his clandestine relationship with his brother-in-law Paul Slaymaker in Canada.The narrative jumps between different perspectives, including Harry's daughter Betty, her husband Terry, and their daughter Pip. Through these characters, Gale explores themes of love, family, and identity, drawing significantly from his own family history and letters.Gale's writing is marked by its lightness and brilliance in describing everyday life. His characters are vividly realized, and their stories are engaging and often humorous. The novel also tackles darker themes, such as the criminalization of queerness and the harsh realities of prison life.While the novel's center sometimes feels unclear due to the numerous subplots and characters, Gale's warmth and gentleness shine through, making for a companionable read. The title 'Love Lane' alludes to the street where Pip and her husband Mike live, but its significance extends beyond that, symbolizing the love and acceptance that permeates the novel.Overall, 'Love Lane' is a heartwarming and engaging novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and the power of love and acceptance.

Gianna, a 23-year-old Camden-based artist, has released her debut EP 'Behind the Wings', which blends polished boho-pop with elements of trip-hop and Balkan folk. Her music is reminiscent of early 2000s Nelly Furtado and All Saints. Gianna's songs are bright and effervescent, making a strong case for the revival of coffee-shop pop.Other notable new tracks include:Nia Archives – Danger: A UK junglist's return with a catchy playground chant acronym and swerving beats.deBasement – Aftermarket Bass (ft Nikki Nair): Fuzzed-out dancefloor bass and commanding icy vocals.Downtown Boys – No Me Jodas: Rhode Island punks return with an expanded sound, blending spit-and-sawdust squall with doom.Brennan Wedl and Waxahatchee – Six O’Clock News: A beautiful essay on outlaw love, combining Lucinda Williams and Sheryl Crow styles.Empress Of – Dream House: Sweet, shuffling R&B; offering to her family, whose home burned down in the Altadena fires.Lee “Scratch” Perry and Mouse on Mars – Rockcurry: Lee “Scratch” Perry's final sessions with a German electronic duo, producing synth-winking music.Khun Narin Electric Phin Band – Poet Wong Pt 1 (เปิดวง ตอน 1): Serene, intricate, psychedelic, and pulverising music from a marching band in northern Thailand.Subscribe to the Guardian's rolling Add to Playlist selections on Spotify or transfer it to Apple, Tidal, or other services.

Ali Ahmed experienced goose bumps watching Canada walk out at the last World Cup, a surreal moment for the winger who had never witnessed his nation compete on football's biggest stage. This time around, he'll not only be at home but at the heart of the action in two cities that hold special significance for him.Jesse Marsch's Canadian side faces Qatar and Switzerland in Vancouver after an opener against a potential European playoff winner in Toronto. An encounter with Italy in Ahmed's hometown would carry particular weight, given the city's substantial Italian population and his parents' Ethiopian heritage with their love for Italian football. Football has been ingrained in his family since childhood, a passion that has guided his remarkable journey.On the outskirts of Toronto, a teenage Ahmed used to sneak onto Toronto FC's training pitches before dawn for kickabouts with friends. His persistence and determination eventually led him to professional football, though not through the conventional path. At 17, he turned down a Toronto FC academy spot to pursue opportunities in Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands, facing numerous challenges along the way.Now at Norwich City since January, the 25-year-old has established himself as a key player on the left wing, contributing significantly to the team's improved form in the Championship. Ahmed started all seven Norwich matches during Ramadan, waking before 4am for Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal. His experience fasting during a crucial period of the English season has been a learning curve, though he's noted the exceptional support he's received in England.Ahmed candidly discusses his upbringing in Toronto's Lawrence Heights neighborhood, an area experiencing significant gun violence. Despite the challenges, he describes a close-knit community where people supported each other. Football provided an escape route, leading him to opportunities he never anticipated.His career has seen remarkable highs, including playing against Lionel Messi's Argentina at the Copa América and scoring in the MLS Cup final defeat to Inter Miami. After being knocked unconscious during a Canadian Championship match in 2023, Ahmed's determination only grew.As Canada prepares to host the World Cup, Ahmed sets ambitious goals: "I want to win our group. And then from there, into the knockout rounds. It's important to have that belief that we can play with anybody. Why not?" With home advantage in two cities that mean the world to him, Ahmed sees the perfect setup for both himself and the Canadian team.