Harry Constable obituary

My friend Harry Constable, who has died aged 94, rose to be a prominent figure in the international paper-making industry in the 1970s and 80s by pioneering new processes and modernising management practices.Among the technical innovations he guided through at the Chartham paper mill in Kent, where he became a senior manager, was the use of photo-base papers for extrusion coaters in tracing paper.From a managerial angle, he was one of the pioneers in the UK of the Total Quality Management system, which stipulates that every employee, regardless of level or role, should clearly understand a company’s purpose and actively participate in quality improvement efforts – an idea that chimed with his own inclusive philosophy.Harry was born in Bridgend in south Wales to Henry, a french polisher, and his wife, Jeanette (nee Murphy), who was in service before they married. After a move to England he went to Wycombe technical college in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and at 16, in 1947, he landed a job as a laboratory assistant at the local Glory paper mill

British retail sales jump as online jewellery firms offer surprise Christmas sparkle

UK retail sales were stronger than expected last month, as the nation’s shops received a surprise boost during the crucial Christmas trading period.Sales volumes across Great Britain rose by 0.4% in December, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), with internet sales doing particularly well, especially online jewellers.Economists had been expecting retail sales to fall by 0.1% compared with November, after a number of British stores reported lacklustre trading over Christmas

‘I’m picking winners’: UK business secretary takes activist approach to economic growth

The UK business secretary, Peter Kyle, has said he is “betting big” and “picking winners” as the government takes direct stakes in growing businesses to boost economic growth.Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he and the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, have been talking up Britain’s prospects, Kyle said ministers were taking an “activist” approach to industrial policy.The idea of “picking winners” is closely associated with the Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s attacks on Labour’s 1970s strategy and her argument that it should be the private sector that decides which companies thrive.Kyle was unabashed about invoking the phrase, arguing a muscular approach could accelerate economic growth. “I want to make sure that the benefits of growth are felt quicker than is currently the case

The Australian dollar is (oddly) rising – what does ‘sell America’ sentiment have to do with it?

When Donald Trump threatened tariffs on European allies during the Greenland dispute, the Australian dollar increased in value against its US counterpart.The movement was odd, given the Australian currency typically falls during periods of global unease.Once Trump withdrew his tariff threat after claiming a “framework” deal had been reached, the Australian dollar increased again.The short-lived geopolitical crisis showed that bad news (Trump threatening tariffs) was good news for the Australian dollar, and good news (Trump removing that threat) was also good news for the Australian dollar.It is a theme that has been happening since Trump’s inauguration

JP Morgan chief Jamie Dimon took home $43m pay last year

JPMorgan Chase’s chief executive, Jamie Dimon, took home a total pay package of $43m last year, it has been disclosed.Dimon’s total compensation rose 10% in 2025, according to a regulatory filing, cementing his status as one of the highest-paid bosses in corporate America.Hours after Donald Trump sued JP Morgan and Dimon for at least $5bn, accusing America’s largest bank of “debanking” him, it heaped praise on its veteran boss.Dimon’s vast compensation package for 2025 included a base salary of $1.5m and $41

‘We have to stand together’: Minnesota economic blackout organizers push to take demonstrations nationwide

One of the largest labor unions in the US is pushing to expand Friday’s economic blackout over the surge of federal immigration agents in Minnesota.Organizers are urging Minnesotans not to work, shop or go to school tomorrow, as part of demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the region, and the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good. They are now planning actions beyond the state, and nationwide.There are planned actions in cities across the US – from Orlando, Florida, Columbus, Ohio, and Phoenix, Arizona, to Seattle, Washington, Los Angeles, California, and New York City – in solidarity with the people of Minnesota.The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents nearly 2 million service and healthcare workers across the US, is leading calls for nationwide participation

World is entering time of ‘great power politics’, warns German chancellor

The German chancellor has warned that the rise of “great powers” is shaking the foundations of the old world order, unravelling it at “breathtaking pace”.Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Friedrich Merz said a time of “great power politics” had begun, citing Russia’s war with Ukraine, China’s move into the “ranks of the great powers” and the radical reshaping of US foreign and security policy under Donald Trump.“This new world of great powers is being built on power, on strength and when it comes to it, on force. It is not a cosy place,” Merz said, urging leaders at Davos not to accept this new reality and to “shape the future” instead.Merz’s speech chimed with the views of Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, who told the forum on Tuesday that a system of intensifying rivalry between great powers was rupturing the world order

Davos: Trump launches his ‘board of peace’ as Kushner presents Gaza ‘master plan’ – as it happened

Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is now on stage, outlining plans for the redevelopment of Gaza.Kushner says the “master plan” will be conducted in phases, including a push on workforce housing, where he suggests could also be a lot of industry, 100% employment and opportunity for everyone.He’s now showing Davos a property development map of Gaza, and a computer-generated picture of ‘New Gaza’, with coastal tourism.Here’s the timeline as Kushner showed on screen to delegates.Time to wrap up…

UK government borrowing falls to £11.6bn in December

The UK government borrowed less than expected in December, official figures show, after record-breaking receipts, giving a boost to the chancellor.Public sector net borrowing – the difference between spending and income – was £11.6bn last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, compared with £18.7bn in the same month a year earlier.Economists polled by Reuters had expected borrowing to be £13bn in December

Ovo Energy fined £2.7m for failing to deliver government bill support on time

Ovo Energy will pay a penalty of over £2.7m after failing to pass on government support payments for winter energy bills to thousands of vulnerable customers during the energy cost crisis.The regulator found that Ovo, set up by Tory donor Stephen Fitzpatrick, was almost two years late in passing on the warm home discount (WHD) payments to almost 12,000 customers by the deadline on March 2024.The 19-month delay meant that some of the UK’s most vulnerable households were left without the financial support they were entitled to during the coldest winter months, at a time when the average energy bill was almost £2,000 a year.Those affected included over 7,700 customers who were on the priority services register, meaning they are classed as vulnerable energy consumers, of which 4,000 were medically vulnerable

K-pop supergroup BTS set to trigger US economic boom with tour: ‘Every stop is going to see a boost’

Move over, Taylor Swift. Her Eras tour was the highest grossing in history, sparking an estimated $5bn in direct consumer spending across the US. But now another musical phenomenon is preparing to sweep through North America – and economists expect it will generate tens of billions of dollars in economic activity along the way.K-pop sensation BTS will embark this year on their largest tour yet, spanning 34 regions across five continents, ending a hiatus due to mandatory military service that lasted almost four years.“The BTS tour will be the event of the year,” Timothy Calkins, a marketing professor at Northwestern University, said

B&M and The Works hit by tough Christmas trading

The discount retailer B&M cut its profit forecast, while the value books and crafts chain The Works reported a fall in sales, highlighting a difficult Christmas trading period for British stores.B&M’s UK sales fell by 0.6% on a like-for-like basis in its third quarter to 27 December, though it said sales improved in December after it reduced prices.The Works reported a 4.2% fall in sales over the Christmas quarter, after online sales slumped by half due to problems with a new delivery provider

Rum is booming but only Jamaican classics have the true funk

After Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica last October, rum lovers anxiously awaited news from the island’s six distilleries. Hampden Estate, in the parish of Trelawney to the north, was right in the hurricane’s path, and the furious winds deprived its historic buildings of their roofs and the palm trees of their fronds. Then came more alarming rumours: the dunder pits had overflowed.The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link

Rachel Roddy’s recipe for pasta e fagioli with coconut, spring onion, chilli and lemon | A kitchen in Rome

Throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, under the banner of story, art and folklore, the Roman publishing house Newton Compton published a series of 27 books about regional Italian cooking. Some, such as Jeanne Carola Francesconi’s epic 1965 La Cucina Napoletana, were reprints of established books, while others were specially commissioned for the series. There is considerable variation; some of the 20 regions occupy 650 densely filled pages, sometimes spread over two volumes, while other regions have 236 pages with larger fonts, with everything in between. All of which is great, although I can’t help feeling affectionate towards the regions with 14-point font.In the face of the vast variation of regional culinary habits, knowledge and rituals, I also feel affectionate towards the common traditions; those that are specific to a place, but at the same time that cross local and national borders, as well as for the stories of the ingredients

‘We want to make jacket potatoes sexy again!’: how the humble spud became a fast food sensation

After Spudulike closed in 2024, the reign of the jacket potato seemed over in the UK. But now the favourite is back, piled with new toppings, sold by new companies and promoted all over social media by potato influencersThey were once a lunch option that inspired little excitement – but the jacket potato’s time has finally come. After decades in epicurean exile, the humble spud has made a roaring comeback in the UK and piqued the interest of foodies across the world. A-listers, tourists and trend-hopping teenagers are queueing for hours to get their hands on them. For Jacob Nelson, who sells loaded spuds that have gone super-viral on social media, this was all part of the plan

How to turn a cauliflower into ‘risotto’ – recipe | Waste not

I’m fasting for three days a week for the whole of this month. It’s not for everyone, I know, and it’s important to talk to your doctor first, but the benefits are well researched and include improved digestion and immune function, and lowered blood pressure. When we fast, the body goes into ketosis, which breaks down fat for energy, and to stay in ketosis afterwards it helps to reduce carbs and increase protein, which is where today’s low-carb, zero-waste recipe comes in.The humble cauliflower has had a rebrand over the past decade, as chefs and home cooks get more inventive with our seasonal produce. The leaves are incredibly nutritious and one of my favourite ingredients, not least because I always try to include a leafy green in our main meals for the health benefits

Homemade Bounty bars, savoury granola and flapjacks: Melissa Hemsley’s recipes for healthy sweet treats

I love a Bounty, although I call them paradise bars. I also love matcha (and not only for its health-supporting benefits). Though my partner doesn’t enjoy drinking matcha tea, when I mix it into the sweetness of the coconut filling, even he’s on board. Then, a very munchable and grabbable savoury granola, and flapjacks that you can throw together in minutes for a week’s worth of on-the-go snacks.If I’m in a rush and don’t want to be individually dipping 24 chocolate bars, sometimes I put the coconut matcha mix in a large, wide tin to set, then simply drizzle the melted chocolate layer on top and chill

He never warms the jars, so why doesn’t my son’s marmalade go mouldy?

When my son makes marmalade, he never warms the jars or uses circles of baking paper and cellophane – he just puts the lids on. It never goes mouldy, so am I wasting my time doing it the “proper” way?Dagna, Berkhamsted, HertsYou can’t get much sweeter than marmalade, and this is most likely the reason for both Dagna and her son’s success, despite their differing strategies. “The chance of mould developing is low because there’s so much sugar to balance the bitterness of the orange peel,” says Camilla Wynne, preserver and author of All That Crumbs Allow. “Mould needs water to do its thing, and sugar binds to water.” She recalls a former student who, like Dagna’s son, simply ladled her marmalade into jars and closed the lids

Kenji Morimoto’s recipe for miso leek custard tart with fennel slaw

This savoury custard tart celebrates some of my favourite flavours (and dishes): jammy miso leeks, savoury-sweet chawanmushi (a Japanese steamed custard flavoured with dashi) and toasty sesame seeds, all enveloped in flaky pastry. It feels decadent, so it’s best served with a simple fennel salad, zingy with apple cider vinegar and mustard. It’s excellent eaten while still warm from the oven (be patient!), but even better as leftovers, because I have a soft spot for cold eggy tarts.Shop-bought pastry can, of course, be used, but making it from scratch is what makes this dish that much more special.Prep 30 min Chill 1 hr 15 min+Cook 45 min Serves 6-8For the pastry185g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tsp salt 100g cold unsalted butter, cubedFor the leeks2 tbsp vegetable oil 350g leeks, trimmed, halved lengthways and cut into 3cm segments Salt 2 tbsp red miso 2 tbsp honeyFor the egg mixture 5 eggs 150ml whole milk 1 tbsp dashi granules 1 tbsp sesame seeds Chives, thinly sliced, to garnishChilli oil, for servingFor the slaw300g fennel, trimmed and thinly sliced or cut using a mandoline 2 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley, tender stems and leaves chopped 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp dijon mustardFirst make the pastry: in a food processor, blitz the flour, salt and butter into a breadcrumb-like consistency

Nine easy swaps to reduce ultra-processed foods in your diet: it’s not an ‘all-or-nothing approach’

Modern western diets are full of ultra-processed foods, but experts say we need to reduce our intake. Here they offer achievable alternativesMy week avoiding ultra-processed foodsGet our weekend culture and lifestyle email“It’s not poor willpower,” says Mark Lawrence. The ecological nutrition professor from Deakin University is a global expert in ultra-processed foods, a beacon of knowledge in the proliferation of UPFs. “It’s really difficult to avoid them.”Australia, alongside the US and UK, has one of the world’s highest consumption rates of ultra-processed foods which have been linked to “multiple diet-related chronic diseases”, according to a global report of which Lawrence was a co-author

Rukmini Iyer’s quick and easy recipe for harissa-spiked orzo with chickpeas and pine nuts | Quick and easy

This is my favourite store-cupboard dinner when faced with the pre-shop complaints that “there’s nothing in the fridge”. The cherry tomatoes provide a welcome fresh note, but otherwise it’s a happy cupboard raid. An old Nigel Slater recipe first put me on to the idea of using yoghurt to finish a pasta dish, and it works brilliantly here to balance the harissa. Excellent for a work-from-home lunch, too.Prep 10 min Cook 15 min Serves 230g pine nutsFlaky sea salt 200g orzo 1 tbsp olive oil 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely grated200g cherry tomatoes, halved400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed (see my review for the best brands)2 heaped tbsp jarred rose harissa paste (I like Belazu)Juice of ½ lemon2 heaped tbsp Greek yoghurt, to serveFresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped to finish (optional)Put a large frying pan on a medium heat, then add the pine nuts, turn down the heat and toast, stirring and watching constantly, for three to four minutes, until evenly golden brown all over – do not leave the pan unattended, because they will burn

My week avoiding ultra-processed foods: ‘Why is it this hard?’

I’ve been eating ultra-processed foods (UPFs) all my life. Breakfast as a child was often Coco Pops, Rice Bubbles or white toast slathered in spreadable butter. Dinners usually involved processed sauces, such as Chicken Tonight or Dolmio, and my lunchboxes always contained flavoured chippies or plasticky cheese.I don’t blame my parents for this. Now I’m a parent too, I have cartons of juice and flavoured yoghurt as part of my parenting arsenal

How to make mapo tofu – recipe | Felicity Cloake's Masterclass

Mapo tofu is a Chengdu favourite typical of the “spicy generosity” of Sichuan food, Fuchsia Dunlop explains, though it’s perhaps better not translated as “pock-marked old woman’s tofu”. It may even convert you to the joys of tofu itself, should you still be on the fence about the stuff, because its creamy softness is the perfect foil for the intensely savoury, tingly seasoning involved here. It’s also ready in mere minutes.Prep 10 min Cook 7 min Serves 22 garlic cloves 1 small knob fresh root ginger 4 spring onions Salt 250g plain tofu (I like a soft one, but see step 3)2 tsp cornflour, or potato or tapioca starch 1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns 2 tbsp neutral oil 40g pork mince, or beef mince, or a plant-based alternative1 heaped tbsp Sichuan chilli bean paste (also called spicy doubanjiang or toban djan, see step 8)½ tbsp fermented black beans, drained1 tsp chilli flakes, drained if in oil (drizzle this on top, if you prefer)85ml waterIf serving this with rice, which is how it’s generally eaten (though you could have it with noodles instead), put that on to cook. It’s also nice with some steamed green vegetables or a cucumber salad on the side

Corenucopia by Clare Smyth, London SW1: ‘Posh, calories-be-damned cooking and a dad rock soundtrack’ – restaurant review

A Michelin-adjacent bistro with white tablecloths, red-trousered guests and a chunky wine listIn a room packed with fancy types just off Sloane Square in London, I am eating a £52 plate of dover sole and chips while Status Quo’s Rockin’ All Over the World blasts cheerfully through the room. The chips are very nice, all crunchingly crisp and yieldingly fluffy in all the right places. All 12 of them were perfect, in fact, stood aloft in their silver serving vessel. “A-giddy-up and giddy-up and get awaaaay,” sings Francis Rossi as I perch on a velvet, pale mustard banquette that’s clearly so very expensive that I shudder every time my greasy paws so much as skim close to touching it.Clare Smyth, of three Michelin-starred Core fame, is letting her hair down with this new project, Corenucopia, where she’s cooking a less pricey, more comfort food-focused menu