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Majority of Europeans Support Increased Defence Spending, but Doubt Autonomy from U.S., Survey Finds
A majority of Europeans support boosting national defence budgets, but remain sceptical about achieving independence from the United States on security matters within the next five years, according to a new survey released ahead of a key NATO summit.
The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) surveyed more than 16,000 people across 12 European countries, finding broad support for increased defence spending amid escalating global tensions and concerns about waning U.S. commitment to European security.
Clear majorities in countries such as Poland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Estonia, and Portugal backed raising defence budgets. In several others — including France, Germany, Spain, and Romania — pluralities also favoured increased military spending. Italy was the only country where a majority (57%) opposed such increases.
However, when it comes to reducing reliance on U.S. military support, Europeans are far more cautious. Only in Denmark and Portugal did a majority of respondents express confidence that the EU could achieve strategic autonomy before the end of the decade. Most respondents in Poland, Estonia, and Spain believed that such independence would be either “very difficult” or “practically impossible” to achieve. Italian and Hungarian respondents were particularly doubtful, with over half in each country expressing strong scepticism.
Despite uncertainty over European self-reliance, the survey revealed a strong consensus on continued support for Ukraine. Majorities or pluralities in 11 out of the 12 countries surveyed rejected the idea of withdrawing military support, lifting sanctions against Russia, or pressuring Ukraine to surrender occupied territory — even if the U.S. shifts its stance.
The results come at a politically sensitive moment, as NATO leaders prepare to meet in The Hague this week. A major point of discussion will be a proposal to increase the alliance’s defence spending target. While former U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for a dramatic rise to 5% of GDP, NATO members are currently considering a more modest increase to 3.5%, with an additional 1.5% dedicated to defence-related infrastructure, cybersecurity, and broader security initiatives.
Not all NATO members are aligned. Spain, in particular, has expressed reservations, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warning that a 5% spending target would be “unreasonable” and “counterproductive,” potentially diverting resources from broader EU defence integration efforts.
Meanwhile, the EU is advancing its own plans to strengthen defence capabilities. A new initiative aims to mobilise €800 billion in defence investments over four years, partly by easing fiscal rules for member states and offering low-interest loans through a scheme known as SAFE.
Defence and strategic autonomy are also expected to feature prominently at the upcoming EU leaders’ summit in Brussels on Thursday.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
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