Nato chief Rutte to meet Starmer, says ‘quantum leap' in UK defence spending needed
The secretary general of the military bloc is expected to say Nato must 'become a stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance'
©Press Association
Mark Rutte will say a 'quantum leap' in collective security is needed as the Nato chief meets British prime minister Keir Starmer amid calls for Britain to raise defence spending levels to 5pc of economic output.
The secretary general of the military bloc is expected to use a speech at London's Chatham House to say a '400pc increase in air and missile' capability is required just to maintain deterrence and defence.
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The Irish Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Just leave her in Gaza' Israeli hostage families slam Greta Thunberg over embarrassing ‘Freedom Flotilla' stunt
GRETA Thunberg's "Freedom Flotilla" ship stunt has been slammed by the tormented families of hostages. Anti-Israel campaigner Greta, 22, has been accused of supporting Hamas after attempting to breach the Gaza blockade. 11 Greta Thunberg pictured after the Israeli Defence Forces boarded the Madleen Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 11 Rita Lifshitz outside her father-in-law Oded's burnt-out home 11 The family of hostage Oded Lifshitz speaks to the crowd at a protest rally against the government Credit: Alamy 11 Greta pictured on a deportation flight from Israel Credit: Twitter/OSINTdefender Israeli naval forces seized the British flagged-yacht Madleen carrying the climate activist on Monday. Greta - who moaned she was "kidnapped" - has been blasted for her latest antic by the families of hostages who have lambasted her for wasting precious time. She has since been pictured on a deportation flight from Israel. One ex-government official rebuked what they branded an "insignificant episode which mostly manifested the stupidity of both sides". Rita Lifshitz, whose She told The Sun: "In Sweden they said it would have been better to let her into Gaza so she couldn't come back. "People don't believe in what she's doing and saying. "This will just show them more that they shouldn't believe what she is saying." Most read in The Sun Rita's father-in-law in captivity after being He and wife Yocheved were among 250 taken hostage when vile Hamas thugs tore across the border - killing at random and torching homes. Steve Brisley's sister Leanne 48, and his nieces Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, were among those Greta Thunberg's Gaza 'Freedom Flotilla' boarded & seized by Israeli forces The dad, from Bridgend, Wales, took aim at Greta's stunt for wasting time which could have been used to get the remaining hostages home. "This isn't about politics or publicity for me," he said. "It's about families torn apart and 55 "Their loved ones wait for their return - for an embrace or a burial. "Every moment wasted on anything else adds to the suffering on both sides." 11 Steve Brisley, whose sister and two nieces were killed on 7 October by Hamas Credit: AFP 11 Rita Lifshitz stands near her son, Daniel Lifshitz, as he delivers his grandfather's eulogy during the funeral for Oded Lifshitz Credit: Getty 11 Ruins of a kibbutz decimated by Hamas Credit: Katie Davis for The Sun 11 Greta Thunberg speaking at a press conference Credit: Getty Efrat Machikawa, whose elderly uncle Gadi Moses was trapped in Gaza for 15 months, resonated with Steve's call. She said: "The only comment I might have at the moment is to bring the focus on releasing all hostages and ending this terrible war, so we can all heal. "Every day passing is a day too late for all of us in the region." Israeli's furious government has vowed to make Greta and other activists detained Haunting clips shows innocents, including children, being slaughtered by Hamas savages during the attacks. The footage - titled "Bearing Witness" - was taken from the Hamas terrorists' bodycams as they Hamas unleashed carnage in the Middle East after massacring more than 1,200 and abducting 251 hostages on October 7, 2023. What happened on October 7? ON OCTOBER 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on Israel, marking one of the darkest days in the nation's history. Terrorists stormed across the border from Gaza, killing over 1,200 people — most of them civilians — and kidnapping 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly. The coordinated assault saw heavily armed fighters infiltrate Israeli towns, kibbutzim, and military bases, unleashing indiscriminate violence. Innocent families were slaughtered in their homes, and graphic footage of the atrocities spread across social media, leaving the world in shock. And as well as attacking people in their homes, they stormed the Nova music peace festival - killing at least 364 people there alone. The massacre triggered a swift and massive retaliatory response from Israel, escalating into a full-scale war. The attack not only reignited long-standing tensions in the region but also left deep scars on both sides of the conflict, setting the stage for the 16 months of devastation that followed. Some 56 hostages remain in Gaza - 20 of whom Greta's bid to get into the strip with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) came after a failed attempt in May, when another of its vessels was struck by two drones in international waters off Malta. Footage on Monday showed the Israeli Navy communicating with the Madleen over a loudspeaker, urging it to change course. Israeli forces boarded the ship and the foreign ministry later confirmed it was "safely making its way to the shores of Israel ". All passengers were safe, unharmed and handed sandwiches and water before the vessel docked at the southern Israeli port of Ashdod. The boat was carrying a "tiny amount of aid" on board - which will be sent to Gaza. Greta had earlier posted on social media with a Palestine flag and wearing a keffiyeh scarf while on the journey. Who is on board the "Freedom Flotilla"? Greta Thunberg - Swedish climate activist Rima Hassan – French-Palestinian MEP Yasemin Acar – German activist Thiago Avila – Brazilian activist Omar Faiad – French journalist Pascal Maurieras – French activist Yanis Mhamdi – French reporter Suayb Ordu – Turkish activist Sergio Toribio – Spanish activist Marco van Rennes – Dutch activist Reva Viard – French activist Liam Cunningham - Irish Game of Thrones actor Baptiste Andre - French Physician US President Donald Trump commented: "She's a strange person. "I think she needs to go to an anger management class." Travelling alongside her was Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament of Palestinian descent. She was barred from entering Israel due to her outspoken criticism of the country's Read more on the Irish Sun Organisers claimed pro-Palestinian FFC claimed the voyage was 'a non-violent, direct action to challenge Israel's illegal siege". Israel imposed a near-total blockade on Gaza in late 2023, following Hamas's horror massacre on southern Israel on October 7. 11 A photo posted on Telegram purportedly showing activists with their hands up on board the Madleen Credit: Freedom Flotilla Coalition 11 Greta Thunberg was part of the crew of the ship Madleen Credit: Getty 11 Greta Thunberg on board the "Freedom Flotilla" aid mission Credit: @chris_kebbon
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
We know Russia is plotting to invade Nato – Ukraine is just the beginning for Putin, says head of Germany's MI6
VLADIMIR Putin has his evil eyes set on invading Nato with his invasion of Ukraine only just the beginning, Germany's spy boss has warned. Bruno Kahl, head of Berlin's Federal Intelligence Service, says his team have intel that Russia is plotting to test the resolve of the alliance in the coming years. 7 Bruno Kahl, head of Berlin's Federal Intelligence Service, says his team have intel that Russia is plotting to test the resolve of the alliance Credit: Alamy 7 A Russian drone strike on Kyiv overnight left dozens of residential buildings crumbling Credit: AP 7 Ukraine is often left battling to survive Putin's continued drone attacks Credit: Getty 7 A similar concerning message was made by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday. He warned people in Britain 'better learn to speak Russian' if Sir Keir Starmer doesn't increase defence spending immediately. Rutte also said in a speech in London that Russia could be in a position to attack Nato by 2030. Europe is continuing to battle with Russia's increased aggression against Ukraine. read more in Ukraine war Many Nato nations have imposed sanctions on the Kremlin to try and draw them towards the negotiating table to help end the war. This pressure has been mainly applied by Starmer, France 's Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump. But Putin is yet to stop his nightly attacks. Russia Most read in The US Sun It is now believed that Vlad fires And Bruno Kahl fears this is only the start of Putin's sick plans to take over Europe. Satellite pics show Putin on the march as Russia masses troops 35 miles from Nato border with 2k soldiers & helicopters Kahl told Table Media this week: "We are quite certain, and we have intelligence showing it, that Ukraine is only a step on the journey westward. "That doesn't mean we expect tank armies to roll westwards but we see that Nato's collective defence promise is to be tested." Kahl believes twisted Russian officials want to see how the US would react to direct confrontations with fellow Nato members. These would all fall short of full military engagement but would give the Kremlin an insight into where Donald Trump stands. As part of the US's pact within Nato they have a mutual obligation alongside all other members to defend each other when under attack. This ruling comes under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Kahl says one way this could be done is through Putin's "little green men" being shipped off to Estonia. During Russia's barbaric 2014 annexation of Crimea they took control of dozens of buildings and offices through the use of soldiers in unmarked uniforms and civilian clothes. Moscow initially denied the men's identities which meant they became known as "little green men". What is Nato? THE North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is a political and military alliance of countries from North America and Europe. It was founded in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union with Cold War tensions rising. Among articles in its found treaty is the principle of collective defence - the idea that an attack on one member is considered an attack on all of them. Nato takes decisions by consensus but the political and military strength of the United States means that it is by far the most powerful country in the alliance. Its nuclear arsenal is seen as the ultimate security guarantee. Nato has 31 members - most of them European nations, plus the United States and Canada. The newest member is Finland, which joined last April in reaction to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Sweden applied to join along with Finland but is waiting for Hungary to ratify its application as the final major step before membership. Kahl's beliefs have been echoed by the International Institute for Strategic Studies who say Putin may This could see Putin commit to an attack on Nato states in the Baltics. Poland and the neighbouring states have already been rumoured to be And Photos show increased military activity at four locations inside Russia - Kamenka, Petrozavodsk, Severomorsk-2 and Olenya. Any attack could take place within two years of a ceasefire, IISS warns. Many of these fears stem from if the US and President Trump decide to withdraw support from Nato - leaving Europe to defend itself. 7 Vladimir Putin has his evil eyes set on invading Nato with his invasion of Ukraine only just the beginning, Germany's spy boss has warned Credit: EPA 7 Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned Russia may attack again by 2030 Credit: Reuters 7
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Greta Thunberg deported from Israel after Gaza-bound aid ship seized
Human rights activist Greta Thunberghas been deported from Israel after being detained by Israeli forces alongside other activists aboard an aid ship bound for Gaza. Thunberg, 22, and other activists who were aboard the British-flagged ship, called the Madleen, which was intercepted by Israeli naval forces were taken to a Tel Aviv airport for deportation, Israel said on Tuesday. "Greta Thunberg just departed Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France)," Israel's foreign ministry wrote in a post on X alongside two photos of the young activist aboard a plane. The Madleen is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which aims to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advocate for Palestinian sovereignty. Thunberg along with 11 other activists - including German, Dutch, Brazilian, Turkish and Spanish citizens - had set out to protest against Israel's ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, both of which have put the territory of some two million Palestinians at risk of famine. The Madleen departed Italy on June 1 carrying a symbolic amount of food and supplies for Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the boat in international waters on Monday morning and towed it to the port of Ashdod. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the activists were "kidnapped by Israeli forces" while trying to deliver desperately needed aid to the territory. It said the ship was seized in international waters some 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Gaza. On arrival to Ashdod, the activists were taken to a room to be shown a screening of the "horror film documenting the October 7 massacre" carried out by Hamas, according to Israeli defence minister Israel Katz. On Tuesday, Israel said the passengers had arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to return to their home countries. "The passengers of the 'Selfie Yacht' arrived at Ben Gurion airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries," the Israeli foreign ministry said in a statement posted on X. "Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority." Israel and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's Palestinian population. Israel sealed Gaza off from all aid in the early days of the war ignited by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, but later relented under US pressure. In early March, shortly before Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, the country again blocked all imports, including food, fuel and medicine. Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack and abducted 251 hostages, more than half of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas is still holding 55 hostages, more than half of them believed to be dead. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which has said women and children make up most of the dead. It does not say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90 per cent of the territory's population, leaving people there almost completely dependent on international aid. Efforts to broker another truce have been deadlocked for months.
