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Town‑Hall Tour Aims to Re‑anchor Democratic Trade Policy in the MidwestPublic Citizen organized a multi‑state tour of union halls in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Iowa, bringing together UAW leaders and Democratic representatives to discuss the impact of long‑standing trade agreements on local factories.Numbers That Reveal the Scale of the Manufacturing DeclineU.S. manufacturing employment peaked in 1979 at roughly 19.6 million jobs.Current manufacturing jobs stand at about 12.6 million, a loss of over 7 million positions.The Department of Labor attributes more than 950,000 job losses directly to NAFTA.At the International Motors plant in Springfield, Ohio, the workforce fell from over 5,000 in the 1990s to roughly 1,300 today.Why Offshoring Has Become a Political FlashpointWorkers such as Brenda Davis (retired Ford employee) and Morgan Hughes (current GM assembler) describe daily reminders of offshoring—foreign‑made vehicles parked at their facilities and dwindling production orders after tariff volatility. Representative Rashida Tlaib echoed their concerns, calling NAFTA‑style deals a “global race to the bottom” that widened income inequality.Implications for the 2026 Midterm ElectionsThe Midwest historically supplies about one‑third of U.S. manufacturing jobs and has been a decisive swing region in recent presidential cycles. Democrats risk losing these voters again unless they can convincingly propose policies that protect domestic production and address the “jobs‑gone‑away” narrative championed by former President Donald Trump.What the Next Steps Might Look Like for DemocratsAnalysts suggest three strategic moves: (1) push for stricter enforcement of existing trade rules and new safeguards against offshoring; (2) promote incentives for reshoring critical components, especially in the electric‑vehicle supply chain; and (3) partner with labor unions to craft legislation that secures job retraining and wage growth. Successful execution could reshape the party’s blue‑collar appeal ahead of the 2026 contests.

The LeadWhen Keir Starmer won a landslide Labour majority promising to pursue five governing "missions", the high-profile leftwing economist Mariana Mazzucato was credited as an inspiration. Two years on, her bracing new book helps shed light on why Labour in power has struggled to project the sense of direction that "mission-led government", as Mazzucato calls it, requires.A New Framework for Economic PolicySynthesising and extending her earlier work, here she proposes "a new economics of collective action around the common good". From this perspective, the economy is not a concatenation of rapacious independent forces, to be contained and offset by public policy, but a project – or rather a series of projects – with direction and purpose.The Five Principles of Common Good EconomicsThe "compass" in the title is really a set of five principles, all of which Mazzucato says such an economy should have: purpose and "directionality"; co-creation by citizens; collective learning; reward sharing; and accountability. Each of these principles is set out in detail. Co-creation implies grassroots participation in designing and redesigning government programmes, for example – because, "when people help define a problem and develop and implement solutions, they see them as theirs rather than something imposed on them".Reward Sharing and PredistributionReward sharing means ensuring the creators or rightful owners of economic value stand to benefit: from Indigenous people whose homes lie near raw material deposits, to social media users whose data fuels Big Tech's profits. That implies radical tax reform – including greater use of wealth taxes – and the robust use of conditions in public contracts, to make sure workers and taxpayers get their fair share: an approach she calls "predistribution".Critique of Labour's Economic ApproachAccording to Mazzucato's definition, Labour's attempt at mission-led government badly missed the mark. Its first and overriding goal – "kickstart economic growth" – cannot be a "mission" at all, because it lacks the necessary purpose. What, in other words, is that economic growth meant to be for? While her scope in this ambitious book is global, the analysis also dismantles Starmer's claim to be pursuing national "missions", by setting out just how radical – and radically different – that would look in practice.Practical Examples and Global Applications"The seeds of transformation are everywhere," she says, citing inspiring projects that range from delivering healthy and sustainable school meals in Sweden to the EU's mission to support cities to become climate-neutral, to the international Nagoya Protocol on sharing the benefits of genetic resources and traditional knowledge. Echoes of Mazzucato's mindset are detectable in some Labour policies – from using the threat of legislation to cajole pension funds to invest more in UK assets, to writing conditions on youth training into clean energy contracts.The Future of Economic DirectionEconomies work best, she believes, when they pursue grand collective goals – developing and distributing a vaccine for a pandemic; or confronting the climate emergency (or, though she doesn't lean on the example here, tooling up for a new and more frightening geopolitical era). We should ask, she says, "not which market failure do we want to be fixed, but what direction do we want the economy to sail in".

The Socceroos' World Cup Squad Revelation The Socceroos have named two uncapped attackers in their World Cup squad for this month’s World Cup, as coach Tony Popovic rolls the dice in a bid to find an attacking spark. New Faces in the Squad Winger Cristian Volpato, the former Italy youth international, has been rushed into the squad after the paperwork allowing his change of allegiance was only completed in the past week. Towering striker Tete Yengi has also won a place after a strong year with Japanese club Machida Zelvia. The Selection Process Coach Tony Popovic said selecting 26 players was not easy. “A range of factors has gone into selecting this final World Cup squad. Some difficult decisions had to be made – that’s the nature of major tournaments,” Popovic said. “But it’s also a credit to all the players involved over the past few weeks who worked extremely hard during an extended and challenging pre-camp. Players Who Missed Out Popovic had to cut four players from his training squad to meet the 26-player limit. The unfortunate four are goalkeeper Joe Gauci, defender Kye Rowles and forwards Brandon Borrello and Martin Boyle. Key Players in the Squad Selection in a second World Cup caps an unlikely comeback for Harry Souttar, who suffered an achilles injury in December 2024 and has only just returned to the field. The 27-year-old provides a physical presence in both goalboxes, highlighted by his improbable international goalscoring rate of better than one every four matches. A Young and Experienced Mix The group includes striker Mo Toure and forward Nestory Irankinda, defender Alessandro Circati and fullback Jordy Bos. All are 23 or under, and all have proven themselves effective already in some of Europe’s toughest leagues. Their presence is balanced by veterans Mathew Leckie and Maty Ryan, Jackson Irvine and Aziz Behich. Squad List Goalkeepers: Patrick Beach (Melbourne City), Paul Izzo (Randers), Mat Ryan (Levante) Defenders: Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Jordan Bos, (Feyenoord), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Milos Degenek (APOEL), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Kai Trewin (New York City) Midfielders: Cameron Devlin (Hearts), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli), Aiden O’Neill (New York City), Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney FC) Attackers: Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Awer Mabil (Castellon), Mohamed Touré (Norwich City), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory), Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo), Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia)

The Growing Need for Worker Representation in AI ImplementationWorkers urgently need more bargaining power over the way AI is adopted in the workplace to ensure the benefits are fairly shared, according to a TUC-backed report from a leading thinktank. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is calling for a package of measures to boost employees' influence at what it calls a "pivotal moment in the history of work".Survey Reveals Mixed Impacts of AI on WorkersThe IPPR report cites survey data showing that while 20% of workers say AI is making their working life better, 21% say it has made it worse – and 4% believe they have already lost a job because of the technology. The thinktank distinguishes between three potential impacts of the technology: augmentation, where it complements human labour; degradation, where it undermines the experience of work; and displacement, where it replaces workers altogether.Call for Statutory Consultation and Worker SupportThe report's recommendations include a statutory duty on employers to consult their workers over the adoption of AI and a "worker support levy," which could be funded by companies or workers themselves. The idea of this levy would be to create a portable "wallet" of benefits that workers could take with them from one job to another – such as union membership, insurance or training – with the broad aim of increasing their bargaining power.Historical Context for Technological TransitionsPaul Nowak, the general secretary of the TUC who has written a foreword to the report, emphasized that "great technological transitions only result in meaningful social progress when they are shaped actively and decisively." He drew parallels to the Industrial Revolution, which saw 50 years of wage stagnation while profits soared, suggesting that "it took the difficult birth of the labour movement to tip technological gains towards workers' interests and broader social wellbeing."Government Stance on AI AdoptionThe government has made clear it is enthusiastic about the adoption of AI in the UK, with Rachel Reeves highlighting it as one of three drivers of stronger economic growth. In her Mais lecture, the chancellor called AI "the defining technology of our era", saying she was determined to "maximise the value added … to the wider economy and the public sector through accelerated adoption."Future Outlook for Worker-AI RelationsAs Labour has already introduced a historic upgrade to workers' rights since coming to power in July 2024, the debate around AI's role in the workplace is likely to intensify. The IPPR's recommendations suggest a growing recognition that technological advancement must be balanced with worker protections and representation to ensure equitable outcomes in the rapidly evolving landscape of work.

A shock government‑backed report this week warned of the danger of a “lost generation” of young people in Britain, as the number of 16‑ to 24‑year‑olds not in education, employment or training (NEETs) rose to more than 1 million, roughly 13.5% of the cohort.Rising NEET Numbers Spark Alarm in the UKOfficial UK statistics show that 13.5% of young people are not in work or college, climbing to 15.8% among 18‑ to 24‑year‑olds – nearly one in six. The report, authored by former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn, warns that without decisive action the country could see a sustained “lost generation”.Comparative NEET Rates: UK vs NetherlandsUK NEET rate (16‑24): 13.5% overall, 15.8% for 18‑24 year olds.Netherlands NEET rate (15‑29, adjusted): 5.3% last year, consistently below 5% for over a decade.Potential impact: Matching the Dutch rate could move 600,000 more 18‑ to 24‑year‑olds into learning or earning.Why Dutch Vocational Pathways Keep Youth EngagedThe Dutch system centres on three pillars: strong vocational secondary education (MBO), a welfare safety net that prioritises engagement and rehabilitation, and financial incentives for employers. Around 70% of Dutch 16‑ to 19‑year‑olds in upper secondary education attend an MBO school, and 35% of under‑25s later study at technical or professional universities. By contrast, only 22% of UK 18‑ to 21‑year‑olds were on vocational courses in 2024.Technical education is treated as “the foundation of the economy”, with work‑based learning embedded in curricula – many students combine four days of school with one day of on‑the‑job training.Policy Levers Behind the Dutch Low NEET RateThe 2004 Work and Social Assistance Act devolved welfare programmes to municipalities, creating personalised, localised support that addresses mental health and long‑term illness. Local councils provide tailored engagement programmes, subsidised employment, and specialised training, preventing young people on incapacity benefits from falling through the cracks.Employers receive fiscal incentives, such as payroll‑tax cuts and direct subsidies that cover up to 70% of wages for chronically unemployed youth, as highlighted by the Youth Futures Foundation. Rotterdam’s city council, led by Tim Versnel, funds up to 70% of wages for young chronically unemployed people and offers holistic support covering mental resilience, substance‑use treatment, and financial literacy.What the UK Could Adopt to Reverse the TrendTo emulate the Dutch success, the UK might consider:Expanding vocational pathways and integrating work‑based learning into secondary education.Devolving youth‑welfare services to local authorities for more personalised support.Introducing targeted fiscal incentives for businesses hiring young workers, including wage subsidies and tax relief.Adopting a whole‑of‑life approach that combines education, mental‑health services, and financial literacy for chronically unemployed youth.While cultural and structural differences mean a direct copy is impossible, the Dutch experience offers a roadmap for reducing Britain’s NEET rate and revitalising its youth labour market.

The Lead007 First Light successfully revitalizes the James Bond video game franchise after years of absence, offering fans an immersive experience that captures both the action and sophistication of the iconic spy. Developer IO Interactive demonstrates their passion for the Bond universe through meticulous attention to detail and creative gameplay mechanics that honor the franchise's legacy.Gameplay Mechanics and DesignGiven how open-ended Hitman is, it's surprising how well IO has taken to linear storytelling. There are still moments of the "social stealth" that defines the studio's other games, but it's been repurposed for cinematic forward thrust, and blended together with plenty of action. It seems lazy to pigeonhole First Light as Hitman meets Uncharted, but when you see Bond leap on to a cliff edge and scurry along rocky handholds, your mind can't help but go there.You are often playing through moments that would be cutscenes in another game. Sometimes that's as simple as a dramatic approach to a level; driving round a bend to reveal a sprawling Slovakian castle, say. More ambitiously, one whole chapter is given over to a glorified training montage that whips you back and forth between getaway driving, stealth and gunplay, all while charting thawing relations between our fledgling 00 candidates. This is on-rails storytelling done right.Character Development and StorytellingWe join young Bond in his pre-00 days, as a petulant, belligerent rule-breaking trainee. Actor Patrick Gibson begins as a cookie-cutter insubordinate, but warms to the role once he's bouncing off M (herself a green leader looking to make her mark), and an enjoyably urbane Q who drops the frustrated quartermaster routine and introduces Bond to the wonders of vinyl. A scene where he teaches our agent to tie a bow tie is a perfect bit of prequelcraft: arriving at an iconic look through a lovely character touch.In contrast to previous Bond games, First Light understands that action is only a part of the Bond fantasy. He's as much schmoozer as bruiser, and there's plenty of the former here, with socialising setpieces at a chess tournament or swanky product launch. The staging and atmosphere of these rooms is exemplary, but the work mostly boils down to eavesdropping on guests to discover a keycard's location, before shooting its keeper with a toxic dart.Technical Execution and VisualsAs Bond himself is learning the ropes, it sometimes feels as if the developers are feeling their way towards something. Guns are enjoyably punchy, but scripted fights always emphasise explosive theatrics over strategy. Gas tanks erupt, walkways tumble, cranes collapse: you enter fights looking for the red barrel that will trigger a chain of collateral damage. Fail to quell numbers this way and you're quickly overwhelmed.Fist fights are more enjoyable – not because they are any more sophisticated, but because of the commitment of their virtual stuntmen. Bond is a barroom brawler, barging bodies into clattering bookshelves and battering enemies with mugs and keyboards lying around. In the same way that waist-high cover always alerts you to an incoming fight in Gears of War, you learn to eye crockery or wine bottles with suspicion here. If it's not stuck down, you'll be smashing it into a mercenary's face within the next two minutes.Fists and guns are what happen when sneaking goes wrong. On this front, IO finds a punchy take on its classic lurking. A hacking watch introduces some Home Alone hijinks as you lure guards towards misbehaving photocopiers, before electrocuting the device with a laser beam. Gadgets let you run circles around enemies – though you have to accept some silliness as you refuel those toys with batteries stolen from TV remotes, or globs of hand sanitiser. It's hard to picture Daniel Craig scavenging for Carex.Legacy and Future of Bond GamesOn a visit to a Mauritanian market and a luxury hotel getaway, however, there is space to roam, and you're reminded how few developers can tap into that aspirational tourist fantasy. Plenty of games have let us be a gun-toting version of Bond, but this is the first opportunity we've had to be a Bond relaxing beside a glittering infinity pool in Vietnam, or a Bond trying to get one over on a shell game hustler. Games are now much more capable of taking us to specific places than they were in the time of GoldenEye on the N64.It's that full Bond immersion that 007 First Light will ultimately be remembered for, more so than the odd wonky setpiece scene. I have no doubt that this was made by excitable Bond geeks throwing "what if" moments at a whiteboard. What if you got to explore Q Lab watching underlings test malfunctioning prototypes? What if you were tied to a torturer's table and had to talk your way out? What if you found yourself at 15,000ft with no parachute? And what if you had access to John Barry's classic scores and could deploy a staggering needle drop out of nowhere?Very few fans get to play in the sandbox of their obsession like IO has here. As far as Bond video games go, nobody has done it better.

The Mythical Champions of European FootballParis Saint-Germain has been re-enthroned as Champions League winners, with French newspaper L'Équipe declaring them "mythical" and "storied." The victory over Arsenal in Budapest showcased a team that has evolved from a celebrity machine into a sensationally good, beautifully watchable unit under Luis Enrique. While the celebration of Parisian exceptionalism might seem overstated, the team's performance and retention of Europe's premier trophy deserves recognition.A New Kind of Champion QualityUnlike their record 5-0 win over Inter in Munich the previous year, this Champions League victory demonstrated a different kind of champion quality. The team showed resilience and tactical intelligence, finding ways to win even when playing below their best. This victory came against a well-organized Arsenal side that had clearly prepared specifically to counter PSG's strengths.The Financial and Structural AdvantagePSG's success must be viewed in the context of their unique setup. The team has essentially created a spring mini-season, focusing their resources on nine key games from February to May over the past two years. This approach, backed by Qatari investment through Nasser al-Khelaifi's leadership, allows for specialized preparation that traditional clubs cannot match. Players like Nuno Mendes and Marquinhos have played significantly more Champions League minutes than domestic league matches, while Ousmane Dembélé has essentially become a midweek specialist.Subverting Traditional Football PathwaysPSG represents a fundamental challenge to the traditional European football model. Instead of emerging from a domestic league's crucible as its strongest representative, PSG bypasses Ligue 1 almost entirely to focus solely on Champions League success. This has transformed the team into a luxury good, comparable to products found behind velvet ropes in elite private airport suites. The article questions whether this model truly deserves the same recognition as teams that balance multiple competitions throughout a demanding season.The Luis Enrique RevolutionDespite the financial advantages, credit must be given to Luis Enrique for transforming PSG into a team of tactical coherence and focus. The current PSG bears little resemblance to the previous incarnation characterized by Neymar's extravagant lifestyle. Instead, Enrique has implemented a fusion of Pep-style possession football with the direct attacking energy of peak Klopp's Liverpool. The team's training methods have been innovative, utilizing immersive video simulators, individual USB stick tactical notes, and even training-ground speakers pumping out stadium noise for psychological preparation.The Soft-Power ParadoxPSG presents a fascinating paradox: they are simultaneously seen as European football's "good guys"—purists who play beautiful, aesthetically pleasing football—while representing a carbon dictatorship's soft-power project. This contradiction highlights the performative nature of sport, where beauty and success often override questions about the source of funding. The team's cultural initiatives, including the "Ici c'est Paris la maison" events in LA and New York that combine sport with music, fashion, art, and gastronomy, further enhance their brand appeal.The Future of European Football's ElitePSG's model appears sustainable and potentially replicable, though few clubs can match their financial backing. The team's success with young talent—six academy players made professional debuts this season, and the average starting XI age is 24—suggests they've found a balance between financial power and genuine sporting development. As European football continues to evolve, PSG's approach may represent the future of elite competition: a fusion of exceptional talent, tactical innovation, and sophisticated branding that creates a global brand rather than just a football club.

The Lead Declan Rice has promised that Arsenal “are coming back for more” next season after putting aside their disappointment at losing on penalties in the Champions League final by parading the Premier League trophy in north London. Arsenal's Champions League Final Disappointment Paris Saint-Germain retained their European crown after a nail-biting shootout in Budapest, which ended with Gabriel Magalhães missing the decisive spot kick. Arsenal – who have played more games in the competition without winning it than any other club – reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2006 having made steady progress under Mikel Arteta in recent seasons. The Data Analysis Rice scored in the shootout and chanted “Set-piece FC” on a microphone as Arsenal showed off the Premier League trophy they won for the first time since 2004. Rice is set to miss England’s first warm-up game for the World Cup against New Zealand on Saturday as he has a few days off before linking up with Tuchel’s training squad in Miami. The Impact Analysis Rice believes the best is still to come from a squad that includes the exciting 16-year-old Max Dowman. “Speaking to the players, obviously the manager, there is no reason why we are stopping here,” he said. “Next season we are going to go even stronger and we are going to be ready again so it is exciting times for this club.” The Prediction “To see the joy we can give people is crazy. Next year, we’re coming back for more.” Arteta briefly addressed the crowd before four open-top buses also carrying the women’s team – who paraded the Fifa Champions Cup they won in February – started the five-mile loop around the streets of north London, with hundreds of thousands of supporters estimated to have turned out.

Match Overview: Socceroos Lose 1-0 to Mexico in Final Warm‑upAustralia may have dropped their World Cup warm‑up to Mexico 1‑0, but the performance at the Rose Bowl in California revealed a team that is building confidence just two weeks before their opening group match against Turkey.Tactical Shifts and Key Player DecisionsPopovic stuck with a conservative 3‑5‑2, giving full‑back duties to Harry Souttar and Jacob Irvine while introducing 18‑year‑old Lucas Herrington on the left side of the back three. Veteran forwards Connor Metcalfe and Mathew Leckie were deployed as attacking midfielders, leaving Nestory Irankunda on the bench. The line‑up excluded recent switch‑er Cristian Volpato, as well as Brandon Borrello, Tete Yengi and goalkeeper Joe Gauci, intensifying the final squad cuts.Statistical Snapshot: Possession, Shots and PassesShots: Australia 11, Mexico 3Passes: Australia 396, Mexico 132Possession: Mexico held roughly 60% in the first halfGoal: Johan Vásquez header from a corner, 1‑0Implications for World Cup Squad and Group D OutlookThe narrow defeat underscores the fine margins Australia will face in North America. Popovic now faces pressure to finalise a squad that balances defensive solidity with the need for a sharper attacking edge. The strong second‑half showing, driven by Mohamed Touré and Harry Souttar, suggests the team can adapt quickly, a vital trait for Group D, which also features Turkey and Switzerland.Looking Ahead: Turkey Opener and Final FriendlyAfter a training camp in Oakland, the Socceroos will play a final pre‑tournament friendly against Switzerland in San Diego. Popovic’s focus remains on polishing set‑piece routines and boosting belief, as Harry Souttar put it: “A disappointing result tonight, but so many positives to take moving forward.” The confidence gained in California could be the catalyst Australia needs to start the World Cup on the right foot.