FirstUp: Nato summit in Netherlands, Jeff Bezos' wedding celebrations begin... Headlines today

It is set to be a busy Tuesday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, leaders of 32 Nato nations are set to meet for a summit in The Hague, Netherlands. Meanwhile, Germany’s cabinet is expected to pass the 2025 draft federal budget today.

The New York City Democratic mayoral primary elections will take place today. Business mogul Jeff Bezos’ wedding festivities will begin today in Venice, Italy.

Here is all that is likely to take place throughout the day.

Nato Leaders Summit 2025

The two-day Nato Leaders Summit 2025 will take place in The Hague, Netherlands, beginning today. This is the first time the Netherlands will host a Nato summit. The summit will bring together heads of state and government from the 32 Nato member countries, alongside leaders from partner nations and the European Union. Approximately 9,000 individuals are expected to attend, including foreign and defence ministers, delegates and international journalists.

Key topics on the agenda will centre on strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defence capabilities in an increasingly complex global security landscape. A primary focus will be on member states’ commitment to increasing defence spending, with discussions potentially revolving around a new target of five per cent of GDP for defence, encompassing both “hard military” spending and investments in defence-related infrastructure and cybersecurity. This comes amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and rising global tensions.

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Jeff Bezos wedding celebrations to begin

The wedding celebrations of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are set to begin today in Venice, Italy. According to reports, the festivities are likely expected to run till June 29. The opulent event is anticipated to be one of the most extravagant celebrity weddings of the year.

While the precise details of the ceremony remain under wraps, sources suggest the primary wedding ceremony may take place aboard Bezos’s enormous $500 million superyacht, Koru, which is expected to be anchored in the Venetian lagoon. Other grand venues across Venice, including historic palaces like Palazzo Pisani Moretta and Scuola Grande della Misericordia, are rumoured to host various receptions and celebrations.

However, the wedding plans have also faced criticism and protests from some Venice residents and activists . Groups like “No Space for Bezos” have voiced concerns about the disruption to the city, overtourism, and the perception of Venice becoming a playground for the ultra-wealthy.

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Germany budget presentation

Germany’s cabinet is anticipated to pass the 2025 draft federal budget, a crucial step in the country’s financial planning, today. Presented by German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, it is particularly significant as Germany has been operating under a provisional budget following the dissolution of the previous coalition government.

Key priorities include strengthening internal and external security, with Germany committed to meeting Nato’s two-percent defence spending target. The budget also emphasises tax relief for citizens and businesses, ambitious climate action and fostering economic growth among others.

A notable aspect of the upcoming budget is the proposed €500 billion special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality, designed to boost investments over the next 12 years without violating Germany’s constitutional debt brake.

New York City Democratic mayoral elections

The New York City Democratic mayoral primary is scheduled to take place today. This election is set to be a highly watched event, as the winner will likely become the city’s next mayor in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.

This year’s primary features a crowded field of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Notably, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who won the Democratic primary in the previous election, is not running in this primary. Among the prominent candidates in the Democratic primary are former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has consistently led in recent polls despite past controversies and State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani , a progressive who has gained considerable momentum and is seen as Cuomo’s strongest challenger. Other notable candidates include New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, City Comptroller Brad Lander and former Comptroller Scott Stringer.