'Trump extends Hormuz deadline' and 'One hour of screen a day'

19 hours ago

The papers continue their focus on the Iran war and its economic fallout. The Guardian leads with an update on Donald Trump's deadline extension to re-open the Strait of Hormuz from five to 10 days as he claims Iran talks are "going very well". The paper reports that Trump's "threat" to attack a power plant in Iran is being pushed back to 6 April, after oil prices rose because of Tehran's blockade of the vital waterway.

"Trump extends Hormuz deadline, claiming Iran talks 'going very well'," reads the headline on the front page of the Guardian. — The papers continue their focus on the Iran war and its economic fallout. The Guardian leads with an update on Donald Trump's deadline extension to re-open the Strait of Hormuz from five to 10 days as he claims Iran talks are "going very well". The paper reports that Trump's "threat" to attack a power plant in Iran is being pushed back to 6 April, after oil prices rose because of Tehran's blockade of the vital waterway.

The Times adds that Donald Trump said the extension was "requested by Iran", which he earlier thanked for allowing "10 Pakistani-flagged oil tankers to leave the Persian Gulf unharmed".

"Trump gives Iranians ten more days to open Strait," reads the headline on the front page of the Times. — The Times adds that Donald Trump said the extension was "requested by Iran", which he earlier thanked for allowing "10 Pakistani-flagged oil tankers to leave the Persian Gulf unharmed".

"Donald Trump has insulted the UK's aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, saying they are 'toys' compared to US ships," Metro reports in its top story. The US president also "lashed out at Nato for doing what he called 'absolutely nothing' to assist in the Middle East conflict".

"Trump throws our 'toys' out of pram," reads the headline on the front page of the Metro. — "Donald Trump has insulted the UK's aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, saying they are 'toys' compared to US ships," Metro reports in its top story. The US president also "lashed out at Nato for doing what he called 'absolutely nothing' to assist in the Middle East conflict".

The Financial Times leads with a warning from the OECD that the UK faces the "biggest hit to growth" from the Middle East war of all G20 economies. The paper says that the global economic alliance downgraded its 2026 UK growth forecast to 0.7%, from 1.2%.

"Energy shock to hurt UK growth most among G20 economies, OECD warns," reads the headline on the front page of the Financial Times. — The Financial Times leads with a warning from the OECD that the UK faces the "biggest hit to growth" from the Middle East war of all G20 economies. The paper says that the global economic alliance downgraded its 2026 UK growth forecast to 0.7%, from 1.2%.

The i writes that "UK faces triple shock of inflation, weak growth and energy crunch" as a result of the war in the Middle East. The inflation forecast rises to 4%, which it says is double the Bank of England's target.

"UK faces triple shock of inflation, weak growth and energy crunch" reads the headline on the front page of the i Paper. — The i writes that "UK faces triple shock of inflation, weak growth and energy crunch" as a result of the war in the Middle East. The inflation forecast rises to 4%, which it says is double the Bank of England's target.

Continuing with the latest OECD outlook, "Britain's economy is the worst hit by Trump's Iran war" is the Independent's takeaway.

"Britain's economy is the worst hit by Trump's Iran war," reads the headline on the front page of the Independent. — Continuing with the latest OECD outlook, "Britain's economy is the worst hit by Trump's Iran war" is the Independent's takeaway.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail leads with accusations Chancellor Rachel Reeves is "profiteering from rising fuel prices", citing the Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and "Britain's top business chiefs" who say she is "raking in soaring tax receipts".

"Reeves is the real petrol profiteer," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mail. — Meanwhile, the Daily Mail leads with accusations Chancellor Rachel Reeves is "profiteering from rising fuel prices", citing the Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and "Britain's top business chiefs" who say she is "raking in soaring tax receipts".

The Daily Mirror leads on new official guidance recommending one hour of screen a day for under-fives. "Parents of under-5s told to cut back on TV & tech to aid development" is the way its headline sums up the story.

"New official guidance: One hour of screen a day", reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mirror. — The Daily Mirror leads on new official guidance recommending one hour of screen a day for under-fives. "Parents of under-5s told to cut back on TV & tech to aid development" is the way its headline sums up the story.

The Sun also leads with the new screen time recommendation, quoting Sir Keir Starmer on the front page who says he hopes the expert advice "would help parents in the 'battle' over the use of devices". The prime minister "is still deciding on a total social media ban for under-16s", it adds.

"1 hour is your lot, tots," reads the headline on the front page of the Sun. — The Sun also leads with the new screen time recommendation, quoting Sir Keir Starmer on the front page who says he hopes the expert advice "would help parents in the 'battle' over the use of devices". The prime minister "is still deciding on a total social media ban for under-16s", it adds.

The boss of National Savings and Investments has been forced out of his job "amid growing fears of a cover-up," the Daily Telegraph says in its headline story. According to the paper's investigation, it found approximately £476m belonging to 37,500 dead savers had been withheld from their families. The BBC understand that NS&I's focus is likely to be on reuniting bereaved families with money it holds.

"NS&I boss fired amid cover-up claims," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. — The boss of National Savings and Investments has been forced out of his job "amid growing fears of a cover-up," the Daily Telegraph says in its headline story. According to the paper's investigation, it found approximately £476m belonging to 37,500 dead savers had been withheld from their families. The BBC understand that NS&I's focus is likely to be on reuniting bereaved families with money it holds.

The headline in the Daily Express is "Labour's 'bad choices' causing lost jobs". The paper reports an assessment that official figures show 33,005 hospitality businesses have closed since Rachel Reeves's "tax-raising budget". In response, the paper quotes the chancellor who says: "The decisions we have taken have put us in a better position to protect the country's finances and family finances from global instability."

"Labour's 'bad choices' causing lost jobs," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Express. — The headline in the Daily Express is "Labour's 'bad choices' causing lost jobs". The paper reports an assessment that official figures show 33,005 hospitality businesses have closed since Rachel Reeves's "tax-raising budget". In response, the paper quotes the chancellor who says: "The decisions we have taken have put us in a better position to protect the country's finances and family finances from global instability."

Finally, the Daily Star says "fake World Cup kits could make you ill". The caution from experts "comes amid fears fans will turn to replicas with dangerous chemicals over pricey official strips".

"Torn off a strip," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Star. — Finally, the Daily Star says "fake World Cup kits could make you ill". The caution from experts "comes amid fears fans will turn to replicas with dangerous chemicals over pricey official strips".

The Times says Donald Trump has paused airstrikes on Iran's energy infrastructure - because Tehran asked "very nicely" for more time. The Guardian quotes the US president as saying that despite erroneous statements to the contrary, talks with the Islamic Republic are "going very well." The Sun is among the papers to point out that Mr Trump mocked the UK's aircraft carriers as "toys", adding he didn't need them. The Metro says President Trump has thrown our "toys" out of the pram.

According to the Daily Mail, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is raking in soaring tax receipts from higher prices at the pumps. It says she is displaying "typical sanctimony" by accusing fuel giants of cashing in, while saying she is the "real petrol profiteer". The Daily Express describes Reeves as an "agent of destruction," saying her tax raids and "growth-killing policies" are pushing the UK to the bottom rungs of the G7 growth table. The i paper says the government has reacted to the worsening forecast by arguing its decisions have put the UK in "a better position to protect family finances from global instability".

For a third day, the Daily Telegraph leads with the failings at the NS&I bank. It says the Treasury knew about the savings scandal last year which has seen people facing delays accessing cash - and had already cut the bonus of the bank's boss Dax Harkins, who has now been fired. It says critics have demanded answers over the time taken to tackle the problems. The paper's cartoonist, Matt, illustrates the story with one man telling another in the pub, "If I won a million pounds from Premium Bonds, it wouldn't change me. Probably because I'd never find out."

The Times says nearly 500 staff at doctors union the British Medical Association are going on strike over two days, in protest at a below-inflation pay offer of 2.75%. The paper notes that this comes at a time when the BMA is demanding a 26% rise for its own members. The GMB union, which represents BMA staff, is quoted as saying the strikes have laid bare the union's "ongoing hypocrisy".

The Sun and the Daily Mirror both lead with new guidance for parents that children under five should have just one hour of screen time a day. The Sun notes that the advice extends to warning parents to watch their own phone use, because children could "copy" their habits. The Mirror agrees that "talking, playing and simply being present still matter far more than any app or video".