Humiliated

German chancellor warns the US risks becoming bogged down in another quagmire similar to Iraq and Afghanistan.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says the United States is being “humiliated” in its war with Iran, warning that Washington lacks a clear path out of the conflict as Tehran gains the upper hand.

Speaking to students in the German town of Marsberg on Monday, Merz said the situation has exposed a deeper strategic problem for the US as he drew comparisons with past military debacles.

“The problem with conflicts like this is always you don’t just have to get in – you have to get out again. We saw that very painfully in Afghanistan for 20 years. We saw it in Iraq,” he said.

Merz said Iranian officials were “obviously negotiating very skilfully” and appeared “clearly stronger than one thought”, adding that “an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership”, particularly by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Merz urged a rapid end to the war, warning that the fallout was already hitting Germany’s economy.

“It is, at the moment, a pretty tangled situation,” he said. “And it is costing us a great deal of money. This conflict, this war against Iran, has a direct impact on our economic output.”

The German leader said Berlin remains ready to deploy minesweepers to help secure shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global petroleum supplies, but stressed that such steps depend on a cessation of hostilities.

Merz made the comments as concerns are growing across Europe over the wider impact of the conflict, including energy disruptions and economic instability.

Earlier, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that nuclear threats continue to shape the security environment, even as Berlin reaffirmed its commitment to nonproliferation.

“As long as nuclear threats against us and our partners continue, we will need a credible deterrent,” he said before meetings at the United Nations on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

France and Germany have recently moved to deepen cooperation on nuclear deterrence, reflecting mounting anxiety in Europe over both the Iran war and broader regional instability.

A mum described the moment she was charged £55 for her daughter’s suitcase as ’embarrassing and humiliating’ after Ryanair staff claimed it was too big for the hand luggage sizer

A mum who was forced to pay £55 for her daughter’s suitcase on a Ryanair flight says she was caught out by the airline’s “petty” wording.

Luana Botas was travelling home from a six-day trip to visit family on April 3 when she was stopped at Budapest Airport over her daughter’s case.

The 43-year-old was told to put her seven-year-old’s hardshell case into the hand luggage sizer. She was then ordered to pay £55 when it was too large.

Project manager Luana however pointed out that the airline’s website says Trunki or “Trunki-style” cases can exceed the restrictions and still be accepted on board. A Trunki is a ride-on style suitcase aimed at toddlers.

The Ryanair website states children aged between two and 11 are allowed one Trunki case that can exceed the dimension limits of a small bag – 40 x 30 x 20cm. It says this extends to other brands with “similar dimensions” as well as Trunki cases.

The mum-of-one accepts that her daughter Maia Robinson was carrying a case that was 48 x 26 x 33cm, but believes it fits the description. Ryanair, however, says this exceeds the dimensions of a Trunki suitcase (46 x 20 x 31 cm).

Luana says she was fine travelling through Birmingham Airport, describing the moment as “embarrassing and humiliating”. She said: “I went through Birmingham Airport and no one bat an eyelid, it was absolutely fine.

“We had two backpacks and they were pretty much the same size. On Ryanair’s website, there’s a section that says kid’s luggage, like Trunki and other similar brands, are exempt from the strict limit.

“We were going through the boarding procedure at Budapest when a staff member signalled for me to put my daughter’s luggage in the sizer. My bag was fine, even though it was the same size.

“[My daughter’s case] only went halfway and because it’s a hard shell, it didn’t go all the way down. She asked me to pay the surcharge.

“I tried to explain to her that I had no issues going from Birmingham to Budapest and that a Trunki is allowed. I couldn’t get through to her in any way and boarding was almost complete.

“I said ‘even though I’m trying to explain to you that this is your own policy, you’re still going to charge me? And she said ‘yes I need a passport please’.”

Luana, from Birmingham, continued: “We went through the very embarrassing and humiliating procedure of me paying for a service that was exempt.

“I was genuinely in such shock. This was just a little pull-along for my daughter to enjoy.

“The policy on Ryanair’s website says similar brands are exempt. This was [bought online] and [the website] said it was under-seat cabin approved.

“It’s wrong to have a policy that you make an exemption for and then still charge me.”

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “This passenger’s bag exceeded the permitted dimensions, and they were correctly required to pay a standard gate baggage fee (£55) by the gate agent at Budapest Airport.”

A HUMILIATED Brooklyn Beckham “was accidentally called David TWICE” during his wedding ceremony to Nicola Peltz.

Brooklyn, 27, and Nicola, 31, married in 2022 in a lavish star-studded ceremony which took place at her parents’ luxury mansion and involved both of their families.

However, since last May they have been at war with his famous family after they skipped David’s 50th birthday in May.

Brooklyn confirmed he had severed all ties in January in an explosive six-page statement.

In the nuclear Instagram post, he made a number of wild accusations about his parents which included accusing his mum of hijacking his first wedding dance with Nicola.

It was also previously revealed there was a fall out over Victoria, 51, not designing the bride’s dress.

read more brooklyn beckham

BECKFLIX

Brooklyn Beckham in talks for tell-all TV show to rival his parents’ Netflix deal

GOLDENBAWLS

Romeo Beckham in tears as brother Cruz sings emotional track about Brooklyn

Now, further claims of why Brooklyn‘s wedding was the catalyst for the Beckham family feud have been alleged.

According to The Cut, the groom suffered humiliation when he was called by his father’s name a number of times on his big day.

The outlet alleges that it happened during Brooklyn and Nicola’s vows.

A guest claimed that the rabbi conducting the ceremony called Brooklyn “David” during this poignant moment.

The insider claimed that the rabbi “stuttered and asked for forgiveness”, and claimed that he “was a soccer fan”.

However, it’s alleged that he made the mistake a second time.

Brooklyn’s rep has been contacted by The Sun for a comment.

This latest chapter in the Beckham family feud drama comes after it was reported that Brooklyn and Nicola have been approached by an US streamer for a tell-all series to rival his estranged parents’ Netflix deal.

His American management teams are said to be in early talks with production heads at Hulu.

An insider said: “Brooklyn is keen. Alongside documenting his culinary business venture, Hulu bosses will hope he will open up about the bombshell rift with his parents.

“This isn’t just any platform. Hulu which is owned by Disney is home to global smash hits like The Kardashians.

“They’d be instantly propelled firmly into the big leagues and in direct competition with Netflix, which, of course, has its own Beckham ties having run authored documentaries by both of his parents.

“Brooklyn and Nicola have been offered big money interviews before but turned them all down.

“When they do decide to speak, it will be on their own terms.

“They also want to make it clear they are not being controlled by the Peltz family and that they make their own decisions.”

Actress Nicola has appeared in several Hulu productions including The Beauty and When The Streetlights Go On.

Her billionaire dad, Nelson, once controlled a huge stake in Disney.