7 h. ago ‘Another big success’: Nato leader flatters Trump before The Hague summit

Mark Rutte is keen to ensure US president’s support and secure agreement among members on defence spendingIn The Hague, the Nato summit waits for Donald Trump – and no one more so than the alliance’s secretary general, Mark Rutte. “You are flying into another big success,” Rutte wrote in a text on Tuesday, one of several released shortly afterwards by a hyperactive Trump as he travelled across the Atlantic in Air Force One.The sycophantic messages from the Dutchman had compared Nato’s plan to dramatically increase defence spending to the US bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend: “Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do.” Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Trump arrives in Europe for annual Nato summit after Rutte praises his ‘decisive action in Iran’ – live updates

US president arrives in Amsterdam, where he is expected to take victory lap over apparent conclusion of Israel-Iran conflictIt’s Richard Luscombe in the US taking over from my colleague Tom Ambrose, and I’ll be here to guide you through the day’s political developments.The conflict consuming Israel and Iran is dominating headlines, and you can follow happenings in our Middle East crisis liveblog here.Right now, the bill is held together with happy thoughts and spit. I think we’ll eventually pass something, I just can’t tell you when. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Trump heads to annual Nato summit after Rutte praises his ‘decisive action in Iran’ – live updates

Nato secretary general congratulated and thanked Trump for action in Iran, calling it ‘truly extraordinary’ and ‘something no one else dared to do’It’s Richard Luscombe in the US taking over from my colleague Tom Ambrose, and I’ll be here to guide you through the day’s political developments.The conflict consuming Israel and Iran is dominating headlines, and you can follow happenings in our Middle East crisis liveblog here.Right now, the bill is held together with happy thoughts and spit. I think we’ll eventually pass something, I just can’t tell you when. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Trump ‘flying into big success’ at Nato summit, claims Rutte who praises his ‘decisive action’ in Iran – Europe live

US president shares screenshot of congratulatory text message from Nato chief as he travels to summit in The HagueAnalysis: Summit set to be triumphant for Trump but deflating for UkraineWhittaker also says that he is expecting US president Donald Trump “might deliver some remarks” on his views on the summit, as he stresses that “we need to make sure that everyone’s investing in the common defence of the Alliance.”“I don’t want to sort of steal what he might say, nor do I claim to be able to read his mind and know what he’s going to say. But I think he has demonstrated through, again, decisive action leading to peace.”“And again, that’s good for Europe, because there’s been a lot of irregular flows of migrants through Europe, from the Middle East because of the instability. And so hopefully, with Syria now appearing to be stable, with Iran, maybe in check a little more than they had been, I think we could really see a generational moment here where the Middle East is more stable tha...

Politics

11 h. ago Nato chief Rutte praises Trump for making Europe ‘pay in a BIG way’

US president releases flattering message that also hails ‘truly extraordinary’ Iran strikes

Politics

12 h. ago Nato’s Mark Rutte praises Donald Trump for making Europe ‘pay in a BIG way’

US president releases flattering message from secretary-general that also hails ‘truly extraordinary’ Iran strikes

Politics

14 h. ago Unthinkable Russia should outproduce us, Nato’s Rutte says, as summit waits for arrival of Trump – Europe live

Nato secretary general urges alliance to push for military investment before arrival of US president this eveningAnalysis: Summit set to be triumphant for Trump but deflating for UkraineWhittaker also says that he is expecting US president Donald Trump “might deliver some remarks” on his views on the summit, as he stresses that “we need to make sure that everyone’s investing in the common defence of the Alliance.”“I don’t want to sort of steal what he might say, nor do I claim to be able to read his mind and know what he’s going to say. But I think he has demonstrated through, again, decisive action leading to peace.”“And again, that’s good for Europe, because there’s been a lot of irregular flows of migrants through Europe, from the Middle East because of the instability. And so hopefully, with Syria now appearing to be stable, with Iran, maybe in check a little more than they had been, I think we could really see a generational moment here where the Middle East is more stable than...

Politics

14 h. ago Israel killed at least 14 scientists in an unprecedented attack on Iran's nuclear know

Israel’s tally of war damage it has wrought on Iran includes the targeted killings of at least 14 nuclear scientists and experts

Events

16 h. ago ‘US is here to stay’, says Trump’s Nato representative, at ‘most consequential moment in alliance’s history’ – Europe live

US permanent representative to Nato says country ‘not going anywhere’ before Donald Trump visit to summitAnalysis: Summit set to be triumphant for Trump but deflating for UkraineWhittaker also says that he is expecting US president Donald Trump “might deliver some remarks” on his views on the summit, as he stresses that “we need to make sure that everyone’s investing in the common defence of the Alliance.”“I don’t want to sort of steal what he might say, nor do I claim to be able to read his mind and know what he’s going to say. But I think he has demonstrated through, again, decisive action leading to peace.”“And again, that’s good for Europe, because there’s been a lot of irregular flows of migrants through Europe, from the Middle East because of the instability. And so hopefully, with Syria now appearing to be stable, with Iran, maybe in check a little more than they had been, I think we could really see a generational moment here where the Middle East is more stable than it has ...

Politics

25 h. ago All flights suspended and cancelled listed as airlines axe routes despite Trump's 'ceasefire'

For the latest updates on the planes that have been cancelled, diverted, or suspended, read our round-up on all the planned flights that have been affected by the conflict.

Politics

34 h. ago Pentagon insiders set up decoy flights amid fears Trump's Truth Social posts could reveal Iran strike plans

While U.S. military planners were hard at work preparing strikes on Iran, they also worried that President Donald Trump was giving away their top-secret operation online.

Politics

41 h. ago As it attacks Iran's nuclear program, Israel maintains ambiguity about its own

Israel says it is determined to destroy Iran’s nuclear program because its archenemy's furtive efforts to build an atomic weapon are a threat to its existence

Events

42 h. ago EU foreign ministers meet to discuss Ukraine, Russia and worsening crisis in Middle East – Europe live

Foreign affairs council discusses Ukraine after another night of heavy Russian attacks as Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits UKGerman foreign minister Johann Wadephul said today’s meeting was kicking off “a crucial week for security in Europe and the world,” with talks to be continued at the Nato and the EU summits later this week.He says European negotiators told Iran last Friday in Geneva that “a real prerequisite for resolving the conflict is that Iran is willing to negotiate directly with the US.” Continue reading...

Politics

55 h. ago Flights axed from UK to hotspots including Dubai after Donald Trump bombs Iran

Some travellers faced huge disruptions after all scheduled flights from a major airport to holiday spots Dubai and Doha were cancelled.

Politics

58 h. ago Warning to Brits as flights AXED to hotspots including Dubai after Donald Trump bombs Iran

Brits flying to Doha and Dubai from a major London Airport have been hit with major travel disruptions as British Airways has cancelled flights to the region amid Trump's strikes on Iran

Events

59 h. ago British Airways flight from UK to Dubai diverts after Trump bombs Iran’s nuclear sites

A British Airways flight from UK to Dubai was forced to divert after Donald Trump launched a US attack on Iran.

Events

60 h. ago Hundreds protest in The Hague against NATO, days before the Dutch city hosts alliance summit

Hundreds of people are protesting against NATO and military spending and against a possible conflict with Iran, two days before a summit of the alliance in The Hague that is seeking to increase allies’ defense budgets

Politics

61 h. ago US strikes on Iran an ‘extraordinarily dangerous escalation’ – Irish minister

A ‘very small’ number of Irish citizens, many dual nationals, are seeking an evacuation, Simon Harris said.

Politics

63 h. ago British Airways Gulf flights cancelled and diverted after Trump strikes Iran and tension mounts

Exclusive: BA Heathrow-Dubai flight flew 5,000 miles and ended up just 500 miles from its starting point

Events

2 d. ago The Latest: US joins Israeli air campaign and strikes 3 nuclear sites in Iran

President Donald Trump says the U.S. military struck three sites in Iran, inserting itself into Israel’s effort to decapitate the country’s nuclear program in a risky gambit to weaken a longtime foe amid Tehran’s threat of reprisals that could spark a wider regional conflict

Events