BJP minister Nandita Garlosa joins Congress day before Assam nomination deadline; to contest from HalflongHaflong's sitting MLA Nandita Garlosa was denied a ticket by the BJP, which fielded Rupali Langthasa from the seat after dropping several sitting legislators. Updated on: Mar 23
People in Kashmir are showing solidarity with Iran. They are donating cars, jewelry, and even land. This response comes after calls for support from the Iranian Embassy. Donations are being made directly or exchanged for cash. This gesture highlights a strong humanitarian response from the region
Germany is continuing to struggle with a shortage of skilled workers, as elderly staff retire, and there are not enough young candidates to fill their roles. To try to alleviate the problem the country is increasingly turning to workers from India. For Handirk von Ungern-Sternberg
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.I tested the Infinix Note Edge 5G: Great display and battery, but performance left me wanting moreThe Infinix Note Edge 5G is trying to shake up the mid-range market with a slim design
Pep Guardiola's wild run and dance down Wembley's touchline demonstrated the hunger for success remains and his competitive fire still burns as fiercely as ever. It came after Nico O'Reilly's second header in four minutes effectively sealed Manchester City's 2-0 Carabao Cup final victory against
A viral thread describing chaotic behaviour by a section of Indian tourists at Brazil’s Iguaçu Falls has once again put the spotlight on a recurring—and uncomfortable—conversation: why do Indian travellers often get a bad reputation abroad? An Indian traveller by the name Gaurav Sabnis
Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy on Sunday announced her withdrawal from the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, citing concerns over her personal safety despite assurances from the organisers amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. The Candidates
Senior BJP leaders are actively addressing internal party disagreements following the announcement of candidates for the upcoming 2026 assembly elections. Efforts are underway to pacify disgruntled leaders and supporters. Discussions are happening with those denied tickets to ensure party unity
NATO-SUMMIT/RUTTE (NEWSMAKER, PIX, TV):NEWSMAKER-Rutte aims to steer NATO summit around Trump turbulence Rutte tries to avoid defence spending clash at summit Reputation as communicator, crisis manager, friendship builder Budget deal would be major victory for Rutte in first year
*
Rutte tries to avoid defence spending clash at summit
*
Reputation as communicator, crisis manager, friendship builder
*
Budget deal would be major victory for Rutte in first year
By Anthony Deutsch
THE HAGUE, - Dutch politician Mark Rutte, appointed to navigate NATO's tricky relationship with Donald Trump, looks set to nail his first summit as secretary general after securing a draft agreement on boosting European defense spending as the U.S. president wants.
Rutte has a name for negotiating political and financial minefields, and seemed unfazed last Friday when Spain at the last minute appeared to call into question its commitment to the spending goal of 5% of GDP that members are expected to accept in The Hague.
But even as tension over military budgets eased, new uncertainties arose as the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites loomed over Rutte's carefully stage-managed summit plans.
The 58-year-old is not only a tireless communicator and an analytical problem solver but also a prodigious builder of friendships, said Ron Fresen, who covered his record 13 years as Dutch prime minister for the public broadcaster NOS.
If the potentially awkward summit in Rutte's hometown of The Hague is a success, "it will largely be down to his political dexterity", said Fresen, author of the book "The Rutte Mystery".
Rutte announced his interest in the top NATO job in a local Den Haag FM radio interview with Fresen in 2023.
He later told me he had made a mistake and hadn't intended to announce his candidacy," Fresen said, "to which I replied: 'You don't make mistakes like that'.
RUTTE'S COALITION-BUILDING SKILLS BROUGHT TO NATO
Rutte's first months at NATO have mostly been spent dealing with Trump rather than external adversaries, to the frustration of some members, said Sten Rynning, director of the Danish Institute of Advanced Study and author of "NATO: From Cold War to Ukraine, A History of the World's Most Powerful Alliance".
The challenges have included Trump's threat to take Greenland from NATO ally Denmark, his suggestion that Canada become a U.S. state, his reduction in support for Ukraine and his scolding of its president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in the Oval Office.
Rutte has orchestrated the summit schedule to avoid further friction between Trump and European leaders over how to deal with Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine since 2022.
"Most, let's say all, allies - except the United States - see Russia as a real threat and the driver of NATO defence. But not Trump. He sees it as an opportunity, and that gap has grown tremendously wide," Rynning said.
Instead of dealing with Russia, China and Iran, he said the summit had been set up to be a success "in the sense that they can announce that the alliance is united, that it is in agreement on defence spending".
Rutte is close to Zelenskiy and has unreservedly supported Ukraine. But he is walking a tightrope when it comes to NATO's role. Zelenskiy was not invited to the main event, avoiding a possible run-in with Trump, but only to a pre-summit dinner.
Yet disagreement over Russia, set aside for now, could ultimately become Rutte's greatest challenge, Rynning added.
For Rutte "this is not the time to cause it to fragment the alliance", he said, but in the long term "it is going to be his leadership challenge".
RIDING BICYCLE TO WORK AS PRIME MINISTER
For now, Rutte has merely sought to reassure Trump that Europe is ready to take on more responsibility for its own defence.
"This summit is about the Euro-Atlantic area, making sure that we can defend ourselves against the Russians the really fast-reconstituting Russians," he told reporters on Monday.
That we are able to defend ourselves against China, which is also rapidly building up its capabilities, including 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030. So we really need to spend more, produce more, keep Ukraine strong.
During four terms as prime minister, Rutte steered the Netherlands through the pandemic, forged coalition governments that bridged differences over asylum policy, mediated during the European debt crisis and took a tough stance against Putin after Russian-backed separatists killed nearly 200 Dutch nationals by shooting down an airliner over eastern Ukraine.
The former Unilever manager often arrived at government offices by bike, with an apple in hand, or in his unwashed Saab, living in a modest apartment in The Hague where he kept up weekly high school teaching while heading the cabinet.
Unmarried and with no children, he keeps both his private life and his emotions out of the media spotlight.
Generally well-humoured, he did once lose his cool with Fresen, who had sent a camera crew to cover a possible news event that turned out to be Rutte having a drink with friends.
"He called me in a rage and told me that if the footage was aired, he'd never talk to me again," Fresen said. But a few minutes later, Rutte called back to apologise.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: Hague NATO summit aims to focus on Trump's spending goal but Iran looms large 10 mind-bending visual novels that let you steer the story Maybe someone better if I can't steer the ship - McCullum World leaders mocked Trump at NATO summit Harry says sacrifices by Nato troops in Afghanistan deserve OpenAI looking at contract with NATO Trump calls Saudi Arabia major non-NATO ally in boost to Mohammed bin Salman Trump Urges NATO To Impose Tariffs On China To Help End Russia-Ukraine War Trump says he believes Ukraine can win back territory lost to Russia with NATO's help RAF jets join Nato air defence mission over Poland
The Election Commission will deploy approximately 200,000 cameras for 100% webcasting of voting in West Bengal, with sensitive booths receiving three cameras. New initiatives like a control command center and a dedicated complaint cell aim for a violence-free and fair election. These measures
1 days ago
Amid growing war with Iran, US treasury secretary says Trump is ‘defanging Iranian regime’Scott Bessent said that Trump is using ‘the only language the Iranians understand” by threatening to destroy its power plants over Hormuz stalemate. Published on: Mar 23
1 days ago
Janhvi Kapoor’s recent move from Karan Johar-led Dharma Cornerstone Artist Agency (DCAA) to Collective Artist Network has once again highlighted a growing trend in the film industry—actors frequently switching talent management teams. With names like Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra also
1 days ago
Weekly Love Horoscope for March 23-29, 2026: Set clear goals to eliminate confusionWeekly Love Horoscope for March 23-29, 2026: This week, Mars provides all of the energy you need to take your current romantic connection to the next level. Published on: Mar 23
1 days ago
The first episode of Saturday Night Live UK has hit our screens - 50 years after the US original - and largely got a warm welcome from critics, but it failed to raise a smile with some. When it was announced, there was wariness about how the comedy sketch show would translate for a British audience
1 days ago
Craving cake but avoiding consuming egg this Navratri? You can make individual size chocolate cake portions in the air fryer. By swaping the all-purpose flour (aka maida), for wheat flour, this can also make for a healthier dessert. For many people in India who do not have an oven
1 days ago
For years, one of India’s oldest English newspapers, The Statesman, was in financial distress. Its revenues were dwindling, and it had struggled to settle dues with lenders like the State Bank of India. Yet, in June 2025, the newspaper pulled off a corporate miracle
1 days ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting to review the West Asia conflict's impact on India. The committee assessed critical needs like food, energy, and fuel security, directing a dedicated group to manage the effects. Measures for short, medium
1 days ago
On Wednesday, the war in West Asia shifted significant gears when Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field. In retaliation on early Thursday, Iran attacked Qatar’s Ras Laffan plant – the world’s largest liquified natural gas plant from where one-fifth of the global natural gas is exported
1 days ago
On Friday, MCX gold April futures added 0.23 per cent while MCX silver May futures declined 1.72 per cent. Currently gold futures stand at Rs 1,44,825, while silver futures at Rs 2,27,470 per kg. Also Read :City gas firms advised to prioritise PNG connections for commercial entitiesOn Friday
1 days ago
GATE 2026 Mechanical Engineering Safe Score: As per the Official schedule released, IIT Guwahati will release the GATE 2026 result on March 19, 2026. Candidates who appeared for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering on Feb 7, 8, 14, and 15 can check their qualifying status on the given GATE
1 days ago
The Kerala Congress has much to chew on, and the “food for thought" has been served by former dentist and national spokesperson, Dr Shama Mohamed. After being denied a ticket for the Kannur assembly seat, Shama took to social media site X to declare herself “denied but not defeated". However
1 days ago
IIT graduate quits high-paying job in US, sells house to travel the world with family: 'I traded 4 BHK for entire world'The man described how he spent years in a well-paying job in the US but felt unfulfilled despite professional achievements. Updated on: Mar 22
1 days ago
New ATM rules are set to become effective from April 01, marking as an attempt to standardize the process of withdrawing cash from the machines. Several banks have announced major changes in the process that will direct impact customers. Some of the big changes are reducing the limit of withdrawal
1 days ago
Light rain likely in Gurugram as temperatures set to rise this weekIMD forecasts partly cloudy weather, isolated showers Monday. Temperatures set to rise 4–7°C; gusty winds up to 41 kmph recorded. Updated on: Mar 23, 2026 7:55 AM IST By Abhishek Bhatia Share via Copy link Gurugram recorded clear
1 days ago
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on world leaders to join the Israel-US war on Iran. “I’m happy to say that I can see some of them beginning to move in that direction, but more is needed,” Netanyahu added, without naming any country
1 days ago
As the days stretch longer and the heat begins to settle in, the way we unwind naturally shifts – lighter meals, slower evenings, and drinks that feel as refreshing as the season itself. Summer, after all, is less about indulgence and more about ease
1 days ago
Stock Market Tomorrow: The Indian equities market is expected to remain volatile tomorrow, Monday, March 23 amid a cluster of factors, including the ongoing Middle East crisis, the rising crude oil prices, the strengthening US dollar and weakening rupee and weaker investing sentiment
1 days ago
Pisces Horoscope Today for March 23, 2026: Avoid making promises you cannot keepPisces Horoscope Today: A calm conversation with a colleague clears confusion and shows your teamwork. Published on: Mar 23, 2026 5:49 AM IST By Dr J.N Pandey Share via Copy link Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) Daily Horoscope
1 days ago
The Biju Janata Dal on Saturday suspended six MLAs for cross-voting in favour of a Bharatiya Janata Party-backed Independent candidate in the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha. The suspended MLAs are Chakramani Kanhar (Baliguda), Naba Kishor Mallick (Jayadev)
1 days ago
Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles targeting the US-UK military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean on Saturday, in what appears to be a sharp escalation of the already volatile situation in West Asia. While neither missile struck the target — one malfunctioned mid-flight
1 days ago
Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka is set to join Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming Indian Premier League. He will replace the injured Sam Curran. Shanaka was previously with Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League. This move follows Blessing Muzarabani's switch from PSL to IPL
1 days ago
Piyush Goyal to finalise seat-sharing for Tamil Nadu elections today: BJPThe announcement comes amid intensifying verbal volleys between the BJP and the ruling DMK. Updated on: Mar 23, 2026 7:54 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Union minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to arrive in Chennai on Monday
1 days ago
Neymar 'practically out' of Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad: Report Updated on: Mar 23, 2026 7:24 AM IST Edited by Aratrick Mondal Share via Copy link Neymar's World Cup hopes over? (AFP) Key Takeaways Summary is AI-generated The development comes just days after Neymar was left out of the squad
1 days ago
Hair loss is no longer a concern reserved for men in their 30s or 40s. Increasingly, it is showing up much earlier, sometimes even before the age of 25. And while genetics has long been seen as the primary cause, experts say the real driver today is far more immediate: lifestyle
1 days ago
An eerie response by Anthropic’s Claude artificial intelligence has triggered a debate on social media. According to a screenshot being widely circulated, a user asked Claude about its “darkest secret" and it responded with an unexpected answer. In a seemingly poetic way
1 days ago
Under the policy, a BMI between 18 and 24.9 is classified as the “normal” and preferred range. A BMI below 18 is considered underweight, though it may still be permitted if the crew member passes a medical evaluation and functional fitness assessment.Under the policy, a BMI between 18 and 24
1 days ago
