Rishi Sunak’s national service pledge is ‘bonkers’, says ex-military chief (www.theguardian.com)
Criticism of proposed scheme comes as another blow to the party’s struggling election campaign
Rishi Sunak’s snap election decision is likely motivated by damage control (www.theguardian.com)
PM’s only hope seemed to hinge on more time, but a summer poll could ramp up scrutiny of Labour and its policies
Donald Trump removes video on Truth Social with ‘unified reich’ reference (www.theguardian.com)
Trump campaign said video using Nazi-era language was posted by staffer who didn’t see wording, yet it stayed up for 15 hours
Janet Yellen urges EU to raise tariffs on Chinese solar panels and wind turbines (www.theguardian.com)
Complains about overproduction of green technology, because it’s important we don’t have too much green technology…
Iran's president, foreign minister and others found dead at helicopter crash site (apnews.com)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and several other officials were found dead on Monday, hours after their helicopter crashed, state media reported.
Whether Robert Fico survives and resumes office or not, Slovakia stands on the brink (www.theguardian.com)
The shock of an assassination attempt could heal deep divisions Fico exploited, but the omens are not promising, says author and broadcaster John Kampfner
jan, German 
Unser "sozialdemokratischer" Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz stellt sich öffentlich hinter die ideologischen Sparmaßnahmen und Kürzungen, die Christian Lindner für den neuen Haushalt durchdrücken möchte.
Mit diesen Sozialdemokraten brauchst du keine Neoliberalen mehr (gilt spätestens seit Schröder).
Biden hikes tariffs on Chinese EVs, solar cells, steel, aluminum (apnews.com)
Climate change and inflation are both important, so we’re going to make it as expensive as possible to switch away from fossil fuels.
‘Total outrage’: White House condemns Israeli settlers’ attack on Gaza aid trucks (www.theguardian.com)
Protesters block convoy, throw food into road and set fire to vehicles at Tarqumiya checkpoint near Hebron
Maria Caulfield faces calls to refer herself to ethics adviser over false ‘15-minute city’ claims (www.theguardian.com)
UK health minister ‘spreading baseless claims’ by saying local council planned to restrict freedom to drive, say Lib Dems
Trading democracy for prosperity is a false choice for Indians (www.ft.com)
Modi’s government is popular despite the lived economic experience of people, not because of it
German court upholds AfD 'suspected' extremist status (www.dw.com)
The designation could allow Germany's intelligence agency to surveil and investigate members of the far-right party. The AfD says it plans to appeal the ruling.
How “judge-mandering” is eroding trust in America’s judiciary (www.economist.com)
The assignment of judges to cases should be random, not political
The world’s rules-based order is cracking (www.economist.com)
Human-rights lawyers are trying to save laws meant to tame violent rulers
Centrist Tories urge Andy Street to stand for parliament – and maybe one day for leader (www.theguardian.com)
One Nation moderates call on defeated West Midlands mayor to take ‘brand Andy’ to Westminster
Discussion thread - May 2024
The discussion thread is for casual and off-topic conversation that doesn't merit its own submission.
House blocks Greene’s resolution to oust Johnson (thehill.com)
The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to protect Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from a conservative coup, torpedoing an effort by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to oust the GOP leader from the top job.
Trump classified documents trial in Florida postponed indefinitely (www.cnbc.com)
The trial on charges that Donald Trump willfully retained classified national security records after leaving the White House was scheduled to start May 20.
How Michelin stars explain the world (www.ft.com)
The west’s relative loss of power is reflected in fine dining
Tories must face hard truths: Reform-lite wreckers like Braverman are why the public just don’t like us (www.theguardian.com)
The PM has danced to their tune and the dreadful election results were the inevitable outcome. The solution can’t be more of the same, says the former Conservative MP Justine Greening
Global trade growth set to more than double this year (www.ft.com)
OECD, IMF and WTO forecast sharp rebound in global flow of products this year after 2023 slump
The movement of capital globally is in decline (www.economist.com)
Geopolitics is altering its trajectory
Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting to bring photo ID (www.theguardian.com)
Former PM made the requirement to bring photo ID a stipulation of the Elections Act in 2022
Conservatives condemn Kristi Noem for ‘twisted’ admission of killing dog (www.theguardian.com)
Revelation in new book that possible Trump running mate killed ‘untrainable’ hunting dog prompts widespread revulsion
FTC Ban on Noncompetes Is a Victory for the US Economy (www.bloomberg.com)
By giving workers more bargaining power, the new rule will make businesses more competitive.
