Probably a good time to read this:

It really is one of the finest passes of the season.

Having ruled it out in January, Tories now announce plan for “mandatory national service” for 18 yr olds. Choice: “a full-time placement over 12 months in the armed forces or one weekend per month for a year volunteering in their community.” Cost put at £2.5bn/yr by 2029-30.

My Charlemagne this week is on veggie-burgers and 'oatgurt'.

Meat-free 'meat' - whether made of vegetables or grown in a lab - divides North vs South Europe.

The beef may be fake, but the arguments from some politicians opposing it are real bullshit.
economist.com/europe/2024/05…

Hamas wanted to carry out an attack on the Israeli embassy in Berlin and a US military base, according to a German report. br.de/nachrichten/de…

OK

Tweet of the day

Lies, damn lies and statistics. Who had the most successful 2023-24 season. Equal first place Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool. No Arsenal or Villa based on cups won. That of course is a gross distortion. But In today’s world, no one seems to care about that. #postfactworld

The real dilemma. Are we better? ‘More from Erik ten Hag about…his future: 'I don’t know. The only thing I’m doing is preparing my team, developing my team. This is a project for me. When I came in I can say it was a mess. Now we are better. We are not where we want to be.”’

UNITED HAVE DONE IT!!! 🏆

#MUFC || #FACupFinal

I’d be interested to see the points average for Manchester United this season when Martinez has played vs when he hasn’t.

Russia hit the Epicenter shopping mall in Kharkiv as it was packed with customers. Authorities say at least 11 people are dead. Reminder: the White House prohibits Ukraine from using American weapons to target Russian bases, launchers and planes that pummel Kharkiv daily from

Lovely finish. But the pass to Mainoo was sublime.

When we go two up, I really start to worry. Manchester United Manchester City.

“Hungary is also one of the largest contributors to NATO’s KFOR peace keeping mission in Kosovo and in Afghanistan, Hungarian forces have also served as part of NATO’s Resolute Support Mission.” nato.int/cps/en/natohq/…

#Russia foreign minister had a phone call with #Iran ’s acting foreign minister.

“Ukraine’s legitimate elected president”. A warning, I’d suggest, to those getting excited by the latest ceasefire “offer.” Putin has not given up on capitulation, destruction of Ukraine’s military and body politic.

Germany has delivered another IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine, which arrived today.

Modern air defense systems are crucial in saving the lives of Ukrainian people from russian terror. 

We express our deep gratitude to our German partners for their unwavering support!