Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday called on European countries to take more responsibility for their security after US President Donald Trump's decision to halt military aid to Ukraine.
In a speech to the UN General Assembly, Mr Duda said Europe's security had been predicated on a system that made war seem improbable and counterproductive for any potential aggressor, and he criticised this mindset for blinding many leaders to the threats posed by Russia.
“I hope that the process of awakening from the geopolitical slumber, painful as it may be, will be swift and that Europe will take greater responsibility for its security in co-operation with proven allies,” he said. “After all, there is no choice. Citizens understand this. Now it is time for the state leaders to follow suit.”
Washington announced the halt on aid to Ukraine on Monday, days after a disastrous White House meeting between Mr Trump and Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which the US leader berated his guest for not being “serious” about peace. Mr Trump had presented Kyiv with a deal that would relinquish billions of dollars in rare-earth minerals to the US in return for military aid.
In a series of meetings with EU leaders in London on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron urged nations to significantly increase their spending to enhance defence co-operation.
“We should have woken up earlier,” Mr Macron said. “I’ve been saying for years that we need a more sovereign, more united, more independent Europe.”
Last week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2027, marking the most significant rise since the Cold War era.
Despite calls for more independence, Europe still relies heavily on the US for defence support. Since the Second World War, the US has been central to European security, helping to establish Nato and sending troops to counter Soviet influence.
As of July last year, about 65,000 US soldiers have been permanently stationed across Europe, according to the US Defence Manpower Data Centre.
Also on Tuesday, Matt Whitaker, who has been nominated to be the next US ambassador to Nato, said he was confident allies would pay more.
Mr Whitaker told senators a big part of his job would be ensuring each Nato ally reaches Mr Trump’s call to invest the equivalent of at least 5 per cent of its gross domestic product in their militaries.
“I have no concern that our European allies and Canada can do more and want to do more,” Mr Whitaker said. “I fully expect they will do what’s necessary to continue to make Nato the strongest alliance ever in the history of the planet.”
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
ICC T20 Team of 2021
Jos Buttler, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi, Josh Hazlewood, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mustafizur Rahman, Shaheen Afridi
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
