Keir Starmer says the UK will raise defence spending by £15bn over four years, funded by cuts to other government investment budgets. The plan would lift annual defence spending to nearly £80bn by 2029, though critics say it falls short of what the armed forces need.
Posts tagged as “Mark Rutte”
Donald Trump described Andy Burnham as “extremely liberal” and suggested he would resist new North Sea drilling if he becomes prime minister. Burnham, the new MP for Makerfield, is the only declared candidate to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of American forces in Europe and warned NATO allies that U.S. dues could fall if they miss defense spending targets. NATO says European members are already increasing spending and replacing some U.S. capabilities.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe and pushed NATO allies to take primary responsibility for defending the continent. He also criticized some allies over access to bases for Iran-related operations and called for a “NATO 3.0.”
President Donald Trump postponed his ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, citing ongoing "good and productive" negotiations amid escalating regional tensions and threats of military strikes. Iran denied direct talks with the U.S., accusing Washington of initiating the conflict and dismissing claims of missile attacks, while international markets reacted positively to the delay with rising stock futures and falling oil prices. The conflict has caused significant casualties in Iran, prompted internal crackdowns, and led to cautious diplomatic responses, with U.S. officials defending their hardline stance as necessary to de-escalate the situation.
The United States and Israel have escalated military strikes against Iran, with the U.S. conducting over 7,000 attacks on Iranian military and industrial sites as part of Operation Epic Fury, while Israel targeted key Iranian officials and energy infrastructure. These actions have heightened tensions and disrupted global energy markets, prompting President Trump to warn Israel against further attacks on shared resources unless provoked by Iran, and calls for international efforts to reopen the closed Strait of Hormuz. Despite significant damage to Iran’s capabilities, intelligence reports indicate the regime remains intact, amid ongoing investigations into leaks related to the conflict and revelations of covert coordination between the U.S. and Israel.
Four U.S. Army soldiers were reported missing and later confirmed dead during a joint training exercise with Lithuanian forces near Pabradė, close to the Belarus border. The U.S. embassy in Vilnius and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged the incident, highlighting the collaborative nature of the training aimed at enhancing military readiness among NATO allies. The Pentagon described the event as a training accident, and efforts to recover the soldiers, who were part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, are ongoing, with gratitude expressed for the support from Lithuanian military and police.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander Apologizes for Country’s Role in Slave Trade, Receives Cheers from Crowd
Dutch King Willem-Alexander Apologizes for Country’s Role in Slave Trade, Receives Cheers from Crowd
On Saturday, Dutch King Willem-Alexander made a historic apology for his country's role in the slave trade and asked for forgiveness. This follows Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's apology late last year. The speech was met with cheers and whoops from the crowd, and is seen as a step forward in recognizing the wrongs of the past and taking responsibility for them. The Black Lives Matter movement has raised awareness of the long-term effects of slavery and colonialism, and this apology is hoped to lead to more meaningful conversations about the legacy of slavery and colonialism.