NATO summit in Turkey

Rutte: Not worried about the US splitting NATO

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was very pleased with the alliance's rearmament when he spoke at a press conference ahead of this week's summit in Ankara. The meeting will largely be about ensuring that member states have "clear and concrete plans" on how NATO's new five percent target will be reached, according to Rutte.

The Secretary-General said that the rearmament is "impressive" and emphasized that defense investments have increased by almost 20 percent compared to 2025.

- We will need more forces, more resources and a stronger defense industrial base.

He was asked several questions about the US's sharp statements and tough demands on Europe. When a reporter asked if Donald Trump was splitting the alliance, the NATO Secretary-General replied that all allies are on board.

- There are no clouds of worry there, no. 

Comedian arrested ahead of NATO summit – risks prison

Stand-up comedian Deniz Göktas, 32, has been arrested after taking on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a show published on YouTube, writes Bloomberg.

Göktas believes that the video, which has around 11 million views, is about satire. Now he risks prison for insulting the president and religion.

He is not alone, last month more than 200 people were reportedly detained in Ankara, writes The Guardian.

Over the weekend, at least two journalists were arrested by police, along with a dozen academics, lawyers and activists. It is said to be part of an “operation against banned left-wing groups”, according to Istanbul’s chief prosecutor, writes Bloomberg.

The president is said to have increased pressure on the opposition ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara this week, writes TT. Several journalists have been denied accreditation for the summit.