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US Defense Secretary Hegseth Praises Poland as ‘Model NATO Ally’ in Warsaw Visit
US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth has hailed Poland as a “model NATO ally” during his first official visit to Warsaw on Friday, where he met with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Strengthening US-Poland Defense Ties
Speaking after the high-level talks, Hegseth emphasized Poland’s strategic importance in NATO, calling it a “frontline state” and highlighting its commitment to defense spending.
“It’s quite intentional that our first European bilateral visit is right here in Poland,” Hegseth said. “We see Poland as the model ally on the continent, willing to invest not just in their defense but in our shared defense. Poland gets it—strong militaries deter war.”
Poland is currently the highest defense spender within NATO in relative terms, allocating 4.2% of its GDP to defense in 2024, with plans to increase that to 4.7% in the coming years.
Poland’s Defense Strategy and NATO Commitments
Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz reiterated Poland’s strong defense posture, aligning with former US President Donald Trump’s proposal for NATO members to increase military spending to 5% of GDP.
“We need a clear action plan,” Kosiniak-Kamysz stated. “A radical annual increase in defense spending to reach 5% of GDP must be the goal.”
However, he acknowledged that not all NATO members could meet this target immediately, particularly those currently spending around 2% of GDP. Poland’s defense spending has steadily increased over the past decade, rising from 1.88% of GDP in 2014 to 2.23% in 2023, and continues to grow in response to heightened security threats following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
US Military Presence in Poland
The United States and Poland share a close military alliance, with approximately 8,000 US troops currently stationed in the country. The presence of American forces in Poland has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly after a 2019 defense agreement signed by then-President Donald Trump and President Duda, which saw 1,000 additional US troops deployed on a rotational basis.
In 2023, the US established a permanent military base in Poland, further solidifying its role as a key NATO defense hub.
Future of US-Poland Defense Cooperation
As both nations navigate evolving security challenges, particularly regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, defense cooperation is expected to remain a top priority. Hegseth’s visit signals Washington’s continued commitment to Poland’s security, reinforcing its role as a critical NATO partner at a time of increasing geopolitical tensions.
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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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