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The Drive to Get Young Neets into the Military Young people looking for employment should “really seriously take a look at the armed forces”, according to the veterans minister, Louise Sandher-Jones. With more than 1 million 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (Neets), everyone that age is aware of how bleak the job market is at present. But not all agree about whether the military is the answer. Personal Experience with the Military Alexandra Williams is from rural Lincolnshire and studied law at a university in Manchester. She went in with the intention of becoming a lawyer, but early on was led to believe that would be impossible. “One of my lecturers was like: you’ve got no contacts, you’re not going to get anywhere,” she says. Looking for opportunities, she joined the local University Officer Training Corps, an army reserve unit that exclusively recruits university students. Criticisms of the Military Recruitment Drive However, various peace organizations have expressed concern that the military is preying upon young people with fewer and fewer options available to them. Emma Sangster is a coordinator at Forces Watch, an organisation that campaigns against militarism in civil society. It is one of 13 peace groups that recently petitioned ministers to rule out conscription, a threat that for the first time in generations seems “very real”. The Data Behind the Recruitment Drive The Ministry of Defence pledged £70m to expand the Cadet Force by 30%; this February it announced it would place military personnel in jobcentres to recruit for the army, aiming for tens of thousands of new recruits. However, Jim Wyke from the Child Rights International Network said the idea that army recruitment – approximately 10,000 under-25s every year – could make a dent to youth Neet figures was “ludicrous”. The Impact on Youth Unemployment In fact, he says, in the under-18 category, recruitment to the army is a net generator of Neets, because the drop-out rate is so high – about 30% in 2022-23 – at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, where junior soldiers train, compared with 6-15% for under-18s in different types of civilian further education. The Future of Youth Employment Will O’Donnell, a final year SOAS student studying politics and international relations, agrees. In light of how “cooked” his generation is, with fewer than 10,000 graduate jobs available for close to a million university leavers, he says army recruitment “doesn’t plug the gap at all”. “Seeing our friends in the years above struggle in the job market, there is a real sense of doom and gloom about where our career prospects lie. This is a much bigger problem than simply telling people to join the military”.

The Lead: Escalating Violence Despite CeasefireIsrael has continued to carry out deadly strikes across Lebanon despite the announcement of a new US-brokered ceasefire agreement reached by Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington, DC. The violence has pushed the number of casualties higher, with Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reporting that at least 3,526 people have been killed and 10,733 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2.The Event Details: Diplomatic Efforts and RejectionsMeanwhile, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has dismissed the ceasefire as a 'farce', warning that northern Israel will remain a target as long as Israeli forces continue bombing Lebanon, raising more doubts about the prospects for a lasting truce.The Data Analysis: Rising Casualties and Regional ImpactLebanon casualties: At least 3,526 people killed and 10,733 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2Oman oil terminal: Suspended crude oil loading operations at Mina al-Fahal terminal after explosion near berthsThe Impact Analysis: Regional Instability and Power DynamicsIran adviser flags concerns over draft deal: Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said the draft memorandum of understanding being negotiated to end the war still contains 'ambiguities' that need to be clarified. Speaking to Iranian state television, Rezaei also accused US President Donald Trump of trying to pressure Tehran into accepting Washington's terms while keeping Iran's own conditions 'in a vague state'.Questions over US strategy: Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera's Kimberly Halkett said the White House is facing growing questions over why a negotiated agreement with Iran is still needed after President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed US military action had 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear programme. Halkett said critics are asking: 'If these military objectives have been achieved, then is there still a need for talks?' She added that 'with each passing week that this war drags on' and negotiations remaining stalled, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the administration to reconcile its claims of success with the continued push for diplomacy.Hezbollah rejects conditional ceasefire: Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejected the limited truce agreed to by Lebanese and Israeli representatives in the US, demanding a complete ceasefire and a full Israeli pullout from the country. Qassem also warned of more attacks on northern Israel, highlighting the difficulties in reaching a lasting peace. Both sides have blamed each other for breaking a previous ceasefire announced in April.Oman oil terminal disruption: Reuters reported that Oman has suspended crude oil loading operations at its key Mina al-Fahal terminal after an explosion near its single-buoy mooring (SBM) berths. Citing unnamed sources, the agency said the blast occurred between SBM 1 and SBM 2 and was allegedly caused by a drone attack.Trump says US does not need a deal to access Iran's uranium: The US president said Washington could access Iran's enriched uranium without reaching an agreement with Tehran, arguing the material is effectively 'entombed'. Trump also said he does not plan to meet Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, but he suggested a meeting could be possible if a deal is eventually reached, adding that 'if it happened ... I'd be respectful'.Ultra-Orthodox protest blocks major highway: Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Israelis blocked Highway 1 in protest against the government's enforcement of military conscription for religious students, according to Israel's Channel 10. The demonstrations began after police stopped two ultra-Orthodox students and transferred one to military authorities. Large numbers of police and border guards were deployed to clear the highway and disperse protesters.Hezbollah rejection raises fears of escalation: Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera's Ali Hashem said Hezbollah remains the key actor on the Lebanese side when it comes to decisions about fighting and any potential halt to hostilities with Israel, 'regardless of what the Lebanese government says'. Given Hezbollah's rejection of the US-brokered ceasefire, Hashem warned that further escalation is likely from both Hezbollah and Israel. He noted that southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa Valley experienced significant Israeli air and ground attacks on Thursday, adding that Hezbollah's position suggests 'it is going to be a very difficult situation' in the days ahead.The Prediction: Escalation Likely Amidst Diplomatic StalemateWith Hezbollah rejecting the ceasefire conditions and continuing attacks, and Israel maintaining its military operations, the region appears headed toward further escalation. The diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict with Iran remain stalled, with both sides expressing distrust and setting conditions that may be difficult to reconcile. The oil disruption in Oman also adds another layer of economic complexity to the already volatile situation.

Burnham's Vision for Social Care Andy Burnham has signalled he would begin transforming England's broken social care system this year if he became prime minister, accusing Westminster of 'flinching away' from tackling difficult policy problems. Plans for Social Care Reform The Greater Manchester mayor said politicians must be willing to take on 'the weight of the system' that stood in the way of radical change, as he began to set out his prospectus for government if he won the Makerfield byelection. Burnham first tried to change the social care system when he was Labour's health secretary in 2009, planning a levy on estates to pay for universal social care. He has talked about replacing inheritance tax with a progressive 'care levy' to fund a national care service. Leadership Ambitions and Labour Party Dynamics Burnham confirmed for the first time that he intends to run in a Labour leadership contest, suggesting there would be no snap election if he replaced Keir Starmer. He defended himself from criticism over a shadow leadership campaign. He argued Labour should be a broad church with more government ministers from the left of the party, but Jeremy Corbyn should not be allowed back in. Economic and Fiscal Policies Burnham denied he had left himself little room for manoeuvre by saying he would stick to the fiscal rules, arguing they had freed up significant resource for public investment. He suggested replacing 'iniquitous' council tax with a land value tax. He proposed reallocating £39bn earmarked for social and affordable housing solely to social homes. Brexit, Immigration, and Future Outlook Burnham argued it would be a mistake to rerun the Brexit referendum but that he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU in his lifetime. He praised Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, for 'facing up' to the big issues on immigration. He suggested bringing forward the Casey review, tasked with drawing up proposals on funding, to 2026.

The Climate Policy Reversal in Blue States Democratic-led states are eroding their climate policies, as red states are scaling up their clean energy deployment. California on Friday scaled back its cap-and-invest program, offering more than $3bn in free pollution allowances to polluting companies. Earlier the same week, New York weakened its groundbreaking climate law, delaying a plan to regulate carbon from 2024 until 2028 and reducing emissions-slashing targets. Rhode Island's governor, meanwhile, is attempting to roll back aggressive clean-energy programs. The Economic Justification vs. Climate Imperative The moves come as Donald Trump's administration withdraws clean energy incentives and energy savings programs, and as energy prices spike across the country amid trade disruptions stemming from the US-Israeli war on Iran. Proponents have said the changes are necessary to suppress electricity costs, but climate advocates say that view is short-sighted and misguided. "Using affordability as a cudgel to weaken climate policy is a major error that will not solve either crisis, ultimately amplifying both," said Johanna Bozuwa, executive director of the Climate and Community Institute, a left-leaning thinktank. "Extreme weather and fossil-fuel dependency directly inflate costs – for food, energy, transportation, housing, and health – across the economy for working people." American Public Opinion on Climate Change Polls show most Americans are concerned about the climate crisis. An annual poll from Gallup, published in April, shows that 44% of American adults say they worry "a great deal" about global warming – one of the highest levels of concern since 1989, when the poll was first conducted, behind only 2020 and 2017. About 65% of registered voters in the US also think global heating is driving up the cost of living, according to a report published in December by Yale University and George Mason University. Red States Lead Clean Energy Buildout In contrast to many Democratic-led jurisdictions, red states have tended to dominate renewable energy deployment in recent years. In terms of growth of utility-scale renewables, states that voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election made up eight of the top 10 in the year to March, according to Energy Information Administration data. Indiana tops the list of states with the most clean energy capacity growth in that timeframe, followed by Kentucky and Utah. More broadly, though, it is Texas that has emerged as the country's leading clean energy superpower, despite its strong ties to the oil and gas industry and unsuccessful attempts within the Republican-led legislature to curb the growth of wind and solar. Texas leads the country in wind energy production, followed by fellow red states Iowa, Oklahoma and Kansas, and in March overtook California in utility-scale solar, too. The Paradox of Climate Leadership Meanwhile, the states scaling back their emissions-cutting policies have long called themselves climate leaders. When Governor Gavin Newsom of California extended his state's cap-and-invest program last year, he said: "We're doubling down on our best tool to combat Trump's assaults on clean air … by making polluters pay for projects that support our most impacted communities." The changes could end up giving more money to the fossil fuel producers and distributors who have been increasing consumers' energy prices amid the Iran war, said Bahram Fazeli, Policy Director with Communities for a Better Environment, a grassroots organization in California. "There's no reason to think that giving them more free allowances will actually help motivate them to lower gas prices more," he said. Long-Term Economic Implications New York advocates are also skeptical about whether the weakening of the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act – which the state touted as among the strongest climate laws the country – will deliver long-term benefits. The state legislature last week reached a deal with Governor Kathy Hochul to remove a 2030 mandate to cut planet-warming pollution by 40% from 1990 levels, instead including language to aim for a 60% by 2040 if it is "feasible and cost effective" to do so. "Even though you might see bill savings initially, that's going to come at the cost of locked-in, higher energy costs in the future, as the grid has to procure more energy that would otherwise have been saved," Anna Johnson, a senior policy manager State at American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, told Baltimore's NPR affiliate WYPR; she estimates that the moves could ultimately increase households' electricity costs by $592m. The True Cost of Inaction The climate crisis itself also costs for working people, said Mar Zepeda Salazar, legislative director of the national environmental justice coalition Climate Justice Alliance. "You can lower costs on paper by weakening protections, but the bill still comes due," she said. "It just shows up in emergency rooms, insurance premiums, utility bills, lost wages, and disaster recovery – that families pay, not industry."

The Lead Microsoft has announced new measures to tighten human rights controls when working with national security agencies after an inquiry into the Israeli military's use of its cloud technology for mass surveillance of Palestinians. Microsoft's Inquiry and New Measures The inquiry was launched last year in response to a Guardian investigation with Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call, revealing how the Israeli military used Microsoft's cloud to store a vast trove of intercepted Palestinian phone calls. Microsoft terminated the Israeli military's access to cloud and AI services used to support the surveillance project after initial findings showed its spy agency, Unit 8200, had violated the company's terms of service. The Data Analysis Microsoft's inquiry found that Unit 8200 had used Microsoft's Azure cloud platform to operate an indiscriminate system that allowed its intelligence officers to collect, play back and analyse the content of millions of Palestinian cellular phone calls every day. The company has previously said senior executives such as its chief executive, Satya Nadella, were unaware Unit 8200 was using Azure to store intercepted Palestinian communications. The Impact Analysis The revelations prompted concerns at a senior level within Microsoft that some employees at its Israeli subsidiary had not been fully transparent with headquarters about their knowledge of how Unit 8200 used the company's technology. Sources familiar with the inquiry said it had examined how some of Microsoft's Tel Aviv-based employees had felt conflicting loyalties between their obligations to the company and their support for the Israeli military after the Hamas-led 7 October attacks on southern Israel. The Prediction Microsoft has said it will adopt a series of recommendations intended to improve the "effectiveness of our human-rights governance". The company will examine how it manages security clearances "in certain countries" and "make changes to ensure that our employees understand how to navigate security clearance requirements as part of their work for Microsoft". The new measures include periodic reviews to check whether Microsoft's acceptable use policies are being followed by customers when there are "new political circumstances or changes to sensitive projects", as well as steps to strengthen human-rights due-diligence processes in "conflict-affected and high-risk areas".

The LeadTelevision viewers are in for a diverse lineup tonight, with Emilia Clarke taking center stage in a cold war spy drama, culinary competition reaching its finale, and international football action. The evening offers something for every taste, from reality dating shows to historical documentaries and supernatural westerns.Emilia Clarke's Cold War Spy Drama9pm, Sky AtlanticEmilia Clarke learned Russian for this exciting cold war comedy drama and continues to flex her impressive skills as US spy Bea. She prepares to go on a date with a KGB agent to strengthen her cover, and gets some tips from Twila. Meanwhile, Twila is also taking secret calls to investigate a number of sex worker murders.Culinary Competition at Its Peak8pm, BBC OneAfter an intense Chef's Table stage at Opheem in Birmingham, where the finalists prepared sand carrot in eight different ways for Michelin-starred chefs, the remaining trio now face their toughest challenge. They must create their best three-course menus in just three hours for the judges.Garden Inspiration for Viewers8pm, BBC TwoThe roses are peaking at Longmeadow, giving Monty Don the chance to celebrate England's favourite flower in all its various guises. There are tips for viewers whose blooms aren't quite in bloom, while Brighton's city garden shows what can be achieved in cramped urban spaces, and a Bedfordshire plot full of succulents demonstrates tropical gardening possibilities.Summer Travel Concerns8pm, Channel 4With headlines suggesting that the Iran war is sending jet fuel prices soaring and causing flight cancellations, Kate Quilton investigates whether there's more chance of getting stuck abroad this summer or if airlines might actually start offering super bargains to compete.National Trust's Hidden Treasures9pm, BBC TwoAnother trip behind the velvet ropes to witness the restoration efforts of National Trust staff. At Snowshill Manor in the Cotswolds, a child's suit of lacquered samurai armour requires some serious TLC, while at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire a variety of historic stuffed birds need their feathers unruffled.Love Stories Across Generations10pm, Channel 4Love can strike at any age, as this week's visit to Cupid's restaurant proves. On one table, 62-year-old hairdresser Liz has a promising night with builder Paul. Over on another table, 19-year-olds Rue and Kaitlyn are only just dipping their toes into the world of dating.Film Highlights for TonightDead Man's Wire (Gus Van Sant, 2025), 8am, 8pm, Sky Cinema PremiereThe spirit of the Al Pacino classic Dog Day Afternoon is alive and well in Gus Van Sant's drama. Bill Skarsgård is all gangly, edgy energy as Tony Kiritsis, a low-level Indianapolis land developer who takes ML Hall's son hostage using a contraption connected to a shotgun.Devil in the Dust (Ned Crowley, 2025), Paramount+This western is knocked off-kilter almost immediately when a cute little blond girl kills a horse by touching it. The supernatural frisson never really goes away as we follow Guy Pearce's grizzled, ether-addicted doctor Bender on a quest to a preacher who can supposedly take out the devil in the girl.Live Sports ActionWomen's World Cup Football, Spain v England, 7.30pm, ITV1A qualifier in Palma, Mallorca brings together these two footballing nations in an important match that could impact their standings in the tournament.

France's World Cup Preparation Takes Unexpected TurnFrance brushed aside concerns after suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat by Ivory Coast in a World Cup warm-up match, insisting the setback would serve as a useful reminder rather than a cause for alarm ahead of the tournament. Didier Deschamps' side led through a superb first-half goal from Rayan Cherki on Thursday, but were overrun after the break as Guela Doue and Amad Diallo turned the game around for the Elephants in Nantes.Key Moments in Nantes FriendlyThe match showcased contrasting halves of football for France. The defending champions dominated the opening 45 minutes, taking the lead through Cherki's clinical finish. However, after halftime, France made numerous substitutions and lost control of the contest as Ivory Coast's pace and intensity overwhelmed them. The Elephants' equalizer and subsequent winner demonstrated their potential to challenge established nations in international competitions.France's Experimental ApproachWith France opening their World Cup campaign against Senegal in New York on June 16, several key players were rested after last weekend's Champions League final triumph. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni emphasized that the result should be viewed in the context of preparations rather than as a warning sign."It's a pity to lose but we're in a preparation phase, we stay confident," Tchouameni said. "There is no conclusion to draw from this game, even if we had won it. We will be ready."Defender Lucas Hernandez also played down the significance of the defeat, noting the numerous substitutions made during the match."We always want to win but we're in a phase of preparation and there were a lot of substitutions," Hernandez said. "We're in good spirits."Tournament Implications and LessonsDeschamps admitted his side had lost control of the contest after an encouraging opening 45 minutes and warned that France would face opponents with similar qualities in the United States."A defeat is never pleasant, even if we did some good things in the first half," Deschamps said. "In the second half we made a lot of changes but that's no excuse. We were not as good after the break and they brought a lot of pace. We will face the same type of team on June 16."The France coach suggested the result could prove useful if it prevented his players from becoming complacent before the tournament."It's a reminder, if we needed one, not to think we're better than we are," he said, with Cherki adding: "It's a little warning, and I can tell you we're not going to the World Cup thinking we're favourites but we're going to crush everyone."Outlook for France's World Cup CampaignDespite the unexpected defeat, France appears focused on their upcoming challenge against Senegal. The match against Ivory Coast, while resulting in a loss, may provide valuable lessons for a team that has been among the favorites in recent international tournaments. The experimental nature of the squad and the opportunity to test different combinations against a competitive African side could prove beneficial as the tournament progresses.

The Lead Public-sector pension schemes in the UK have been a topic of discussion lately, particularly regarding their funding. A recent letter from Prof Stephen Caddick highlighted the £1tn in liabilities for public defined-benefit (DB) pension schemes, sparking debate about the fairness and affordability of these schemes. The Event Details There are five large 'unfunded' public-sector pension schemes in the UK: NHS, teachers, civil servants, police, and army. Employers, and ultimately taxpayers, contribute a significant amount to these schemes. However, without a decent pension scheme, these sectors would likely require higher levels of pay to recruit and retain staff, which would also fall on taxpayers. The Data Analysis The £1tn liability figure mentioned is misleading, as it estimates the money the government would have to pay out to cover pensions if there were no income coming from workers and employers. This figure is likely to be around £1.3tn. In contrast, other DB schemes, both public and private, are 'funded' through investment in the stock market. The Impact Analysis Public-sector workers choose their jobs based on the total package offered, including a good pension and strong benefits. These benefits allow the state to attract people who could earn considerably more in the private sector. The current system effectively defers the welfare bill, as generous public-sector pensions are a way of deferring costs to future administrations. The Prediction It would be more honest to raise pay so that staff could fund pensions and benefits themselves. However, no government is likely to do this, as it would create a problem today in exchange for solving one that lands on a future administration.

The Premiership Women's Rugby Expansion Plans Several clubs, including Bath, have registered their interest in joining England's Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR). The expansion of the top flight has no concrete timeline, but the possibility of the league growing has thrown up different discussion points. How will non-professional players deal with travel if a club from another home nation is introduced? Will the expansion aid international competition? And how do players feel about it? The Expression of Interest Phase The expression of interest phase was just an 'exploratory' process and not a formal application to join the league. The move is part of the PWR's 10-year plan to grow a sustainable and competitive league. The top flight is widely renowned as the best women's club rugby competition in the world with international talent such as Ireland's Aoife Wafer, New Zealand's Alana Borland and Canada's Sophie de Goede involved. However, the league has just nine teams after Worcester Warriors' demise in 2023. The Financial and Logistical Requirements In order to raise their hand and show interest, sides had to meet certain criteria. The list included £1.2m of annual rugby programme investment, facilities that meet PWR competition, broadcast and training standards and being able to field a squad of 45 to 55 players. Welsh, Scottish and Irish unions are interested and English clubs have also said they are. The men's Prem champions, Bath, have gone on the record to confirm their interest, outlining that they would need investment in the player pool and a robust business plan in order to progress sustainably. The Impact on Non-Professional Players Clubs had a deadline of 30 April to notify the PWR of their interest with the next steps of expansion uncertain. What we do know is that the league has ruled out the possibility of expansion for the 2026-27 season but are open to making the league bigger in future. This initial step has caused a debate in women's rugby circles. One of the main issues is potential travel implications for those who are not professional players. A large majority of PWR players have jobs outside rugby, which would mean they could not frequently take off a Friday or Monday as travel days for their league commitments. The Future of Women's Rugby The possibility of having a Welsh team in the PWR is something the country's players would embrace, according to the Wales scrum-half Keira Bevan. 'All of us want to come and play in Wales,' she said. 'I am with Bristol at the minute and I have another year with them and then after that I don't really know what my rugby career will look like. If that was an option I think a lot of the girls would definitely look into it.' The International Implications Increased competition on an international stage is an element of a potential expansion that excites the Exeter Chiefs head coach, Steve Salvin. He said: 'If there is an opportunity to make the league stronger, why not? We are in a position where England are far and away the strongest team in world rugby and that is credit to them, they have put the work in to get themselves into that position. But people get addicted to sport through jeopardy and whenever England are winning games by 50, 60 points, we are not going to get that jeopardy.'