‘King of the North’: Who is Andy Burnham, a potential UK prime minister?
With Keir Starmer under fire, it is Manchester’s mayor who looks to be the key challenger.

With Keir Starmer under fire, it is Manchester’s mayor who looks to be the key challenger.




![NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has been friendly with US President Donald Trump [Efekan Akyuz/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-04-22T101235Z_3674467_RC28UKAKR8HR_RTRMADP_3_NATO-TURKEY-RUTTE-1777885664.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)




Several European leaders have called for a discussion on using the bloc’s mutual assistance clause amid US tensions.

Trump fury over Europeans’ refusal to join Iran war.

PM Sanchez responded to reports that the US may suspend Madrid from NATO over its opposition to the war on Iran.
Pentagon email obtained by Reuters reveals US anger at Spain and the UK as Iran war tensions persist.

Could the US withdraw from NATO?
The war in Iran has deepened a rift in the transatlantic alliance, raising questions about whether it can endure.
US president meets NATO chief, expresses disappointment over member states failing to back war on Iran.
The US president has lashed out at European partners for declining to contribute military forces to the war on Iran.

Global News Insight’s Alan Fisher explains what Trump’s latest criticism of US allies means.

Rubio tells AJE: no Iran nukes, reopen Hormuz; goals in weeks; indirect talks; slams Spain/NATO; no regime change aim.