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US Appoints New NATO Commander as Allies Boost Defence Spending Ahead of Summit
The United States has appointed Lieutenant General Alexus G. Grynkewich as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), a decision welcomed by NATO allies amid growing concerns over the alliance’s future posture toward Russia. The appointment comes just weeks before a pivotal NATO summit in The Hague and signals Washington’s continued military commitment to Europe.
Lt. Gen. Grynkewich, who will also serve as the top U.S. general in Europe, will succeed General Christopher G. Cavoli in the summer of 2025 following national confirmation procedures. NATO has traditionally looked to the United States to fill the SACEUR position, a practice dating back to 1951 when General Dwight D. Eisenhower held the inaugural role.
“There is a sense of relief across NATO,” a U.S.-based official told Euronews, noting that recent speculation over whether Washington might relinquish the leadership post had sparked unease. “This is a positive sign of American engagement and staffing.”
In parallel, NATO defence ministers have agreed to a sweeping set of new spending targets, committing member states to increase defence budgets to 5% of GDP. The updated strategy breaks down this figure into 3.5% for “core defence” needs—such as heavy weapons, tanks, and air defence systems—and 1.5% for related areas like cyber capabilities, surveillance, and infrastructure. The specifics of how these targets will be implemented are still under negotiation.
“These targets describe exactly what capabilities Allies need to invest in over the coming years,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He stressed the urgency of these measures, warning that without immediate action, NATO could face serious security risks in the near future.
“If we don’t act now, the next three years we are fine,” Rutte said. “But from three, four, or five years from now, we are really under threat.”
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Mathew Whitaker echoed the sentiment, urging allies to make “credible progress” on defence investment. “Our adversaries are not waiting for us to be ready,” he said, while also emphasizing the importance of Europe stepping up its support for Ukraine.
Despite the renewed show of unity, concerns remain over the direction of U.S. policy under President Trump, particularly regarding Ukraine. According to the same U.S. official, Trump may push to limit Ukraine’s presence at the upcoming NATO summit, citing its non-member status. “Trump just doesn’t care about Europe—it doesn’t help him politically,” the source added.
The Hague summit, scheduled for late June, is expected to solidify NATO’s new defence targets and address the alliance’s role in long-term support for Ukraine.
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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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