NATO scrambles warplanes as Putin's forces launch heaviest strikes in months
NATO has scrambled warplanes in what's been described an act of self defence amid Vladimir Putin's heaviest strikes on Ukraine in months.
These deadly Russian strikes killed at least eight innocent civilians, including three children, early on Sunday morning. Dozens were wounded in the crushing overnight strikes, in the clearest proof yet that appears to show Putin has no interest in Donald Trump's peace moves.
Russia was also hit hard by Ukrainian strikes, forcing the Kremlin to launch it's own air defence systems to shoot at, and miss, an Airbus A320-251N packed with its own tourists from Turkish resort Bodrum, according to reports.
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Sky News
18 minutes ago
- Sky News
NATO chief's speech was meant as a call to arms, but it was also a shameful admission for the alliance
For all the stark warnings and ominous predictions made by the head of NATO today, one key fact remained unmentioned. The West is still funding the Russian war effort to the tune of billions by buying oil and gas, funnelling vast amounts into an economy that is now fully militarised. Russian gas exports to Europe went up by 20% last year and its LNG exports to the EU are now at record levels. Vladimir Putin's Russia is now making more money from selling fossil fuels than Ukraine receives from allies. NATO's secretary general Mark Rutte did not mention any of that. But he did spell out what Russia is doing with all that hydrocarbon revenue. It is using it to put its economy onto a war footing that is now pumping out munitions at a rate that puts the West to shame, to the extent Russia could have the capability to take on NATO in three to five years, according to Mr Rutte. The secretary general meant his speech in London as a warning and call to arms. But it was also a shameful admission for the Western alliance he heads. More than three years into this war, Russia is outstripping the entire Western bloc by four to one in terms of munitions production. 5:09 Russia's economy is 1/25th that of NATO's combined economic might and crippled by sanctions and yet every three months pumps out more shells than the entire NATO bloc manages in a year. And while Europe carries on funding Russia's war effort by buying its oil and gas, none of that is going to change. We are now in the insane and obscene situation where European taxpayers will have to fork out more, a lot more, to counteract the threat of a militarised Russia, whose resurgence is being subsidised by Western countries buying its fossil fuels.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Bus driver who killed girl, 9, after smashing into her while high on drugs is jailed as father pays touching tribute
He mounted the opposite pavement as Ada was riding her bike with her family BUS TRAGEDY Bus driver who killed girl, 9, after smashing into her while high on drugs is jailed as father pays touching tribute Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BUS driver who knocked down and killed a nine-year-old girl when he fell asleep after taking drugs has been jailed for four years. Martin Asolo-Agogua, 23, had been up all night at a social event when he struck Ada Bicakci with the double decker in Bexleyheath, South East London. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Nine-year-old Ada Bicakci died on August 5 last year Credit: Metropolitan Police 3 The youngster was hit by a double decker bus in Bexleyheath, South East London Credit: Metropolitan Police 3 Martin Asolo-Agogua, 23, has been jailed for four years Credit: PA Emergency services arrived at the scene on Watling Street at 9.03am on August 3 last year. Despite their best efforts, the youngster tragically couldn't be saved and died two days later. Ada, a Turkish and British national, was a 'keen' gymnast and swimmer, according to tributes. Her five-year-old brother was also taken to hospital following the crash. Officers drug-tested Asolo-Ogugua at the scene, which he failed. The Met Police arrested him on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving and drug-driving. Asolo-Ogugua was today sentenced at Woolwith Crown Court for causing the nine-year-old's death. The court heard he fell asleep at the wheel, after having taken cannabis the night before. He mounted the opposite pavement as Ada was riding her bike with her family. Detectives from the Met's Roads and Transport team later trawled through CCTV evidence that revealed Asolo-Oguguathe first drove the bus out of the depot at around 8.45am. They were able to capture the exact moment he fell asleep, and saw the bus swerve cross the carriageway. Asolo-Oguguathe was charged in February earlier this year with causing death by dangerous driving while under influence of drugs as well as driving while over the drug limit. He admitted both offences at Woolwich Crown Court in April. Asolo-Ogugua, of Banfield Road, Southwark, was today jailed for four years. The 23-year-old has also been disqualified from driving for seven years. 'PILLARS OF STRENGTH' Detective Sergeant Sam Miles, who led the investigation, said: 'Asolo-Ogugua will have to spend the rest of his life regretting the night he chose to stay awake before getting behind the wheel of a bus with cannabis in his system. 'It's a night that has cost him his freedom and snatched away the life of an innocent little girl. 'Ada had her whole life ahead of her. 'She lived in the area and attended a local primary school where she was a popular and happy pupil. 'In a remarkable show of courage and humility, Ada's family chose to take her life forward to help others by donating her organs. 'I can only hope today's sentence brings some closure for Ada's family who have remained a pillar of strength throughout these proceedings.' FAMILY HEARTBREAK Ada's organs were donated and she went on to help six other people following her tragic death, her family said. They also previously shared two pictures of their daughter, including one that shows her having had her hair cut for donation. The nine-year-old was a Turkish-British national that lived in Bexleyheath with her family and attended a local primary school. In a heartwrenching statement shared by the Met Police, Ada's father, Bora, said: "The images of that horrific moment remain seared into my mind. That scene replays endlessly, a constant reminder of the day my world fractured beyond repair. "This tragedy happened on my watch, a father's ultimate failure. My world has been turned upside down, and with it, the foundations of my family have crumbled. "My darling Ada. Our thanks are not enough to show our gratitude for you. We will honour your name with acts of magnitude. You will never be forgotten. "We will make this story one of love and thanks that we owe everybody. Your presence, and passing, will leave a mark in this country and we will fight to make drug driving a part of its history." 'RECKLESS AND UTTERLY SELFISH' Senior Crown Prosecutor, Miranda Jollie, of the Crown Prosecution Service, added: 'Asolo-Ogugua was reckless and utterly selfish to get behind the wheel of a bus after consuming drugs and put many lives at risk that day. 'His actions have robbed a young girl of her entire life. Our thoughts remain with Ada's family and friends as they try to come to terms with their unimaginable loss "I hope his sentence today can help to bring some closure for Ada's family and highlight the devastating consequences of drug driving.'
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Canada pledges to meet Nato's 2% defence spending target next year
Canada will significantly boost its defence spending to hit a Nato target of 2% of GDP years earlier than planned, Prime Minister Mark Carney has a speech at the University of Toronto on Monday, Carney said the action was required to ward off the "multiplying" threats from hostile governments, terrorist entities and cyber criminals. He also conceded his country was "too reliant" on the United States for defence, adding that Washington was "reducing its relative contribution to our collective security". Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte is pushing for members to agree to a new spending target of 3.5% of GDP at a summit later this month. In his address, Mark Carney said the world was at a "hinge moment" similar to the end of the Second World War. He said his country must act in the face of an aggressive Russia and China, and threats to Arctic also accused Washington of looking to "monetise its hegemony" by making access to its market more spent 1.4% of its GDP on defence in 2024. GDP stands for gross domestic product, and is a measure of all the economic activity of companies, governments, and people in a the election campaign earlier this year, Carney had pledged to hit the 2% spending target by 2030, while the previous government under Justin Trudeau had promised to meet it by 2032. However on Monday, Carney said the spending goal would be hit by March next prime minister said Canada's equipment had aged, "hindering our military preparedness".Only one of four submarines were seaworthy and less than half the maritime fleet and land vehicles were in good working order, he said. Carney said the new strategy would have four pillars - investing more in soldiers and equipment, expanding the military's capability, strengthening the domestic defence industry, and diversifying Canada's defence partnerships. This is an age where "middle powers" must act to defend themselves knowing "if they're not at the table, they're on the menu", Carney said. Carney's announcement comes just a week before Canada hosts the G7 Summit from 15 to 17 June. Speaking to reporters later, Carney said the government's new plan includes a cash increase of C$9.3bn ($6.5bn, £4.8bn) for this fiscal year, which he said will bring Canada's defence spending to the Nato threshold. Some of it would be immediately "spendable" on personnel and would include investing in new submarines, aircraft, ships, armoured vehicles and artillery, as well as new drones and sensors to monitor activity in the Arctic and seafloor approaches to the country, he said. Carney said the government would also create a new defence procurement agency, following criticisms of the current process as slow and unwieldly. The agency would "move more quickly in making procurement decisions" and would focus on building domestic capacity.A report by a parliamentary committee in June 2024 highlighted that delays, cost overruns, bureaucratic hurdles, a shortage of personnel and the politicisation of the defence procurement process raised concerns about the government's ability to provide the armed forces with the equipment it needed "in a timely and cost-effective manner". Nato members have for years pledged to meet the 2% target - now seen as the bare minimum - but Canada has long lagged behind its allies. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived in London on Monday where he said the military alliance needed a "400% increase in air and missile defence" to maintain a credible defence deterrence. Last week, Rutte proposed that Nato members spend 5% of their GDP on defence - something US President Donald Trump has called for in the past.
