By LORNE COOK, Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO defense ministers are set Thursday to approve purchasing targets for stocking up on weapons and military equipment to better defend Europe, the Arctic and the North Atlantic, as part of a U.S. push to ramp up security spending.

The “capability targets” lay out goals for each of the 32 nations to purchase priority equipment like air defense systems, long-range missiles, artillery, ammunition, drones and “strategic enablers” such as air-to-air refueling, heavy air transport and logistics. Each nation’s plan is classified, so details are scarce.

“Today we decide on the capability targets. From there, we will assess the gaps we have, not only to be able to defend ourselves today, but also three, five, seven years from now,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, speaks with Norway’s Defense Minister Tore Sandvik during a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

“All these investments have to be financed,” he told reporters before chairing the meeting at NATO’s Brussels headquarters. U.S. President Donald Trump and his NATO counterparts will meet on June 24-25 to agree to new defense investment goals.

Spurred on by their own security concerns, European allies and Canada have already been ramping up military spending, including arms and ammunition purchases, since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

At the same time, some allies balk at U.S. demands to invest 5% of their gross domestic product in defense — 3.5% on core military spending and 1.5% on the roads, bridges, airfields and sea ports needed to deploy armies more quickly — when they have already struggled to grow their budgets to 2% of GDP.

Still, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that many appear on track to agree.

“The commitment is there. 5% on defense spending,” he told reporters after stepping out of the meeting.

“When you consider the threats that we face, the urgency in the world, it’s critical. We don’t need more flags. We need more fighting formations. We don’t need more conferences. We need more capabilities. Hard power.”

The new targets are assigned by NATO based on a blueprint agreed upon in 2023 — the military organization’s biggest planning shakeup since the Cold War — to defend its territory from an attack by Russia or another major adversary.

Under those plans, NATO would aim to have up to 300,000 troops ready to move to its eastern flank within 30 days, although experts suggest the allies would struggle to muster those kinds of numbers.

The member countries are assigned roles in defending NATO territory across three major zones — the high north and Atlantic area, a zone north of the Alps, and another in southern Europe.

NATO planners believe that the targets must be met within 5-10 years, given the speed at which Russia is building its armed forces now, and which would accelerate were any peace agreement reached to end its war on Ukraine.

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Some fear Russia might be ready to strike at a NATO country even sooner, especially if Western sanctions are eased and Europe has not prepared. “Are we going to gather here again and say ‘okay, we failed a bit,’ and then maybe we start learning Russian?” Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson also warned that while Russia is bogged down in Ukraine right now, things could quickly change.

“We also know after an armistice or a peace agreement, of course, Russia is going to allocate more forces closer to our vicinity. Therefore, it’s extremely important that the alliance use these couple of years now when Russia is still limited by its force posture in and around Ukraine,” Jonson said.

If the targets are respected, the member countries will need to spend at least 3% of GDP on defense.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said his country calculates in the medium term that “we should spend 3.5% at least on defense, which in the Netherlands means an additional 16 to 19 billion euro ($18-22 billion) addition to our current budget.”

The Netherlands is likely to buy more tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and long-range missile systems, including U.S.-made Patriots that can target aircraft, cruise missiles and shorter-range ballistic missiles.

The past few weeks have been a flurry of gardening, time with friends and family, and cabin visits.

Between that, I managed to fit in a few trips to Eagan to run errands. Since I spend so much time in the second-ring suburb, I thought I’d try out a few new-to-me places, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Saffron Indian Grill & Bar

Fried momo at Saffron Indian Grill & Bar in Eagan. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

A few months ago, I noticed a sign for this restaurant just off Dodd Road, near the turn I take to go to Costco.

It registered as vaguely chain-like, though I vowed to check it out. Before I remembered to do so, a few readers contacted me to ask whether I had tried it, and that was my sign to get there.

It’s in a strip-mall-like configuration with a My Burger, a Caribou and a few other businesses, which might explain why my brain automatically thought it was a chain.

But the inside is cute and modern, with a full bar, cozy booths and spacious tables. There’s a patio, too, though it was cold and windy the day of our visit, so we chose to eat inside.

They have a fun cocktail menu, so even though it was a weeknight and I had an early morning ahead of me, I couldn’t resist a tamarind whiskey sour, which was a great choice. Tamarind is such a clever way to add depth and tang to a drink — but I’d never thought of pairing it with whiskey.

The menu here is huge and includes a lot of items I haven’t tried, so picking was difficult, but we landed on fried momos, tandoori chicken, a giant dosa with hot chutney and a paneer kathi roll in addition to some chicken tikka masala for my very hungry teenage son.

The momos were chewy-crisp with a lovely spiced chicken filling and a fresh tomato and cilantro sauce. They didn’t last long.

In what became a theme of this dinner out, I didn’t get a bit of the tikka masala before my son inhaled it, but I’m guessing it was delicious. I was lucky I got any of the tandoori chicken, because that was next on his list. The few bites I did get were juicy and flavorful — some of the best tandoor chicken I’ve tasted. My husband had never had a dosa, which is a crisp crepe, rolled into a giant cone and served with sambar, a lentil stew, and coconut chutney for dipping. He loved it, and I thought it was on par with dosa I’ve had elsewhere, though the savory, tropical coconut chutney might have given it an edge.

And the paneer wrap, featuring house-made cheese bathed in a tikka masala sauce, would make an excellent on-the-go lunch.

There are plenty of options here for vegetarians and gluten-free diners, and it’s spacious enough to accommodate a large group.

Not to mention, it’s on my way to Costco, so needless to say, I’ll be back. Frequently.

Saffron Indian Grill & Bar: 845 Vikings Parkway, #D, Eagan; 651-666-3642; saffronindiagrill.com

Southern Social

A barbecue platter at Southern Social in Eagan. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

This place, which is a little further south than I usually venture into Eagan, has been open for a few years in a former Green Mill.

The parking lot was packed, so I was certain we’d have to wait for a table, but it turns out the inside is so spacious that I needn’t have worried. The decor is modern farmhouse chic, with lots of black and gray accents.

The menu here, as the name suggests, is mainly southern foods, with an emphasis on barbecue and fried chicken. There’s also an extensive cocktail menu, including punch bowls full of booze that you can either order to share or as a single drink. Given the size of the place, it would be fun to meet friends here and take down a punch bowl, perhaps on the cute patio. Since I was just out running errands, I skipped the drinks and went straight for the barbecue.

We ordered a platter — ribs, pulled pork and brisket — and a fried chicken breast, you know, for balance. The meats were all properly prepared, which is no small feat, and we enjoyed them. The platter, which is a pretty reasonable $39.95, comes with two sides and easily feeds two people.

Of the sides we tried, I can recommend the pimento mac and cheese, which is better than your average soggy midwestern version, the generous serving of house-made coleslaw and the smoky collards.

Again, as is the case with too many suburban haunts, the menu here is gigantic, so we’ll have to return to get a better sense of it, maybe with some friends to check out those drinks.

Southern Social: Three metro locations, including 1940 Rahncliff Court, Eagan; 651-478-7919; southernsocialmn.com

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Today is Thursday, June 5, the 156th day of 2025. There are 209 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On June 5, 1968, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was shot and mortally wounded after claiming victory in California’s Democratic presidential primary at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles; assassin Sirhan Bishara Sirhan was arrested at the scene.

Also on this date:

In 1794, Congress passed the Neutrality Act, which prohibited Americans from taking part in any military action against a country that was at peace with the United States.

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In 1950, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Henderson v. United States, struck down racially segregated railroad dining cars traveling across state lines.

In 1967, the Six-Day War began as Israel, anticipating a possible attack by its Arab neighbors, launched a series of airfield strikes that destroyed nearly the entire Egyptian air force.

In 1975, Egypt reopened the Suez Canal to international shipping, eight years after it was closed as a result of the 1967 Six-Day War with Israel.

In 1976, 11 people were killed when the Teton Dam in Idaho failed, releasing 80 billion gallons of water.

In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control reported that five men in Los Angeles had come down with a rare kind of pneumonia; they were the first recognized cases of what later became known as AIDS.

In 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City home. (Smart was found and rescued by police in a Salt Lake City suburb in March 2003.)

In 2004, Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, died in Los Angeles at age 93 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2016, Novak Djokovic became the first man in nearly a half-century to win four consecutive major championships, finally earning an elusive French Open title with a win over Andy Murray to complete a career Grand Slam.

Today’s Birthdays:

Broadcast journalist Bill Moyers is 91.
USA Track & Field Hall of Famer John Carlos is 80.
Musician-artist Laurie Anderson is 78.
Author Ken Follett is 76.
Finance author Suze Orman is 74.
Musician Kenny G is 69.
Actor-comedian Jeff Garlin is 63.
Author Rick Riordan is 61.
Actor Ron Livingston is 58.
Singer Brian McKnight is 56.
Actor Mark Wahlberg is 54.
Actor Liza Weil is 48.
Actor-comedian Nick Kroll is 47.
Rock musician Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) is 46.
Singer-actor Troye Sivan is 30.

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Twins’ rotation has been among the best in the majors this season, but it’s about to be tested in a major way.  Ace Pablo López was diagnosed with a Grade 2 teres major strain on Wednesday, an injury which will keep him out for two to three months and test the Twins’ starting pitching depth.

That means the Twins are going to need the young arms in their rotation to step up and on Wednesday, Zebby Matthews turned in another solid performance in the Twins’ 6-1 victory over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Matthews, who joined the rotation in place of Simeon Woods Richardson last month, threw five innings on Wednesday, giving up just one run on four hits.

Though he dealt with traffic all night he was able to work his way through it, limiting the struggling Athletics (23-40) in their hitter-friendly minor league ballpark in his fourth start at the major-league level this season.

“Definitely feeling better each start,” Matthews said. “Confidence is growing. Definitely want to keep that going. There’s still a lot of stuff to continue to work on. Each outing you kind of learn more about yourself.”

He pitched with a lead from the outset as Ryan Jeffers, the team’s designated hitter on Wednesday, homered off opener Justin Sterner in the first inning. The Twins (34-27) tacked on another two runs in the fifth inning on Harrison Bader’s sixth home run of the season, which extended their lead to 3-0 at the time.

After the A’s scored their one run off Matthews in the bottom of the fifth, the Twins added on late, putting three more runs on the board in the final two innings of the game.

“We did get some big moments and big swings. RJ and Bader get us going with some good swings, but we also had guys draw a walk. We had guys hit some balls pretty good,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “We’re doing it in different ways, but I’m really pleased with the types of at-bats we’ve had.”

And they did it without shortstop Carlos Correa who was scratched before the game with back tightness. Correa, who described slipping at the plate and his back compensating to stabilize him through the motion, is likely to get Thursday’s series finale off.

“It’s just discomfort in my middle back and I don’t want to make it worse where I miss months of the season (for) two games,” Correa said.

But even without Correa, the Twins had no problem taking care of the Athletics for the third straight night. The Twins have outscored the Athletics, who have now lost nine straight games and 20 of their past 21, 26-8 in the series.

The Athletics couldn’t do much against Matthews and did even less offensively off the Twins’ bullpen in the final four innings of Wednesday’s game. That group — Louie Varland, Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart and Jhoan Duran — recorded 10 of their 12 outs via strikeout to help the Twins secure the win.

“Each guy just simply did his job,” Baldelli said.

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