Skip to Main content

11.29°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 7, 2024 5:35 PM - The Associated Press

Sweden officially joins Nato, ending decades of neutrality

Share On

sweden-officially-joins-nato-ending-decades-of-neutrality

The ceremony was presided by Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson and secretary of state Antony Blinken, took place at the State Department.

Sweden on Thursday officially joined Nato, becoming the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance. This marks the end of decades of post-World War II neutrality for Sweden, as concerns about Russian aggression in Europe have grown following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The ceremony was presided by Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson and secretary of state Antony Blinken, took place at the State Department. Blinken described the occasion as a historic moment for Sweden, the alliance, and the transatlantic relationship. He emphasised that the Nato alliance is now stronger and larger than ever before.

Later in the day, Kristersson will visit the White House and attend US president Joe Biden's State of the Union address to Congress. The White House expressed that having Sweden as a Nato ally will enhance the safety of the United States and its allies.

In a statement, the White House highlighted the significance of Nato as the most powerful defensive alliance in history, crucial for the security of its citizens. Sweden and Finland, which joined Nato last year, abandoned their long-standing military neutrality as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Latest news

woman-dead-several-displaced-after-house-fire-in-mission

Woman dead, several displaced after house fire in Mission

A woman has died and several people have been forced from their home following a house fire on Shaw Street in Mission earlier this week. Emergency crews were called to the rural property around 1:45 a.m. on November 6 after a neighbour reported flames coming from the home. When firefighters and RCMP officers arrived, the building was already fully engulfed. Once the fire was brought under control, investigators confirmed that an adult woman had been found dead inside the residence. A man was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation but has since been released. No other serious injuries were repo

b-c-sees-slight-job-decline-in-october-amid-u-s-tariff-uncertainty-says-minister

B.C. sees slight job decline in October amid U.S. tariff uncertainty, says minister

British Columbia recorded a small drop in employment last month as global trade tensions and new U.S. tariffs added pressure to key sectors, according to the province’s jobs minister. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon said Friday that the October Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada shows a decline of about 2,900 jobs in B.C., largely due to losses in construction and forestry. He linked those decreases to “unjustified” tariffs imposed by the United States, which he said have hurt workers and businesses across the province. Despite the monthly dip, Kahlon noted that

22-men-charged-in-quebec-child-exploitation-investigation

CanadaNov 07, 2025

22 men charged in Quebec child exploitation investigation

Quebec provincial police say 22 men have been arrested following a provincewide investigation into online child sexual exploitation. The suspects, aged 18 to 70, were taken into custody after a series of coordinated raids carried out earlier this week. According to the Sûreté du Québec, 20 of the accused have already appeared in court on charges that include possession, distribution and access of child sexual abuse material. The investigation was conducted between November 3 and 7, with more than 150 officers participating in searches across multiple cities, including Montreal, Quebec City,

canada-to-host-g7-foreign-ministers-meeting-in-niagara-with-india-among-invited-participants

CanadaNov 07, 2025

Canada to host G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, with India among invited participants

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, has announced that foreign ministers from G7 member nations will gather in Niagara, Ontario, from November 11 to 12, 2025. The meeting will bring together representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Anand said Canada will also welcome ministers from several outreach countries, including Australia, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine, as part of efforts to strengthen global cooperation on shared priorities. India’s External Affairs

AlbertaNov 07, 2025

Bitumen spill suspected in North Saskatchewan River after tanker crash near Smoky Lake

Emergency crews are responding to an apparent bitumen spill into the North Saskatchewan River after a tanker truck lost control and slid off a snow-covered highway northeast of Edmonton. RCMP from the Smoky Lake detachment said the vehicle left Highway 831 and entered the river amid heavy snow and poor road conditions. The driver reportedly climbed onto the truck’s roof before being rescued by boat. An environmental response team has been deployed to contain and clean up the spill, while officials continue to assess whether bitumen entered the river system. RCMP confirmed the driver was not

Related News

Explosions at Jakarta school mosque injure dozens of students

Explosions at Jakarta school mosque injure dozens of students

Authorities in Indonesia are investigating a series of explosions that rocked a mosque at a state high school in northern Jakarta, injuring at least 55 people. Most of those hurt were students attending midday prayers when the blasts occurred Friday. Witnesses said two loud explosions were heard shortly after the sermon began at SMA 27, a public secondary school located within a navy compound in the Kelapa Gading area. Panic broke out as smoke filled the mosque, forcing students and staff to rush outside. Police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the cause of the inc

Nine killed after UPS cargo plane crashes and explodes at Louisville airport

Nine killed after UPS cargo plane crashes and explodes at Louisville airport

Emergency crews are combing through wreckage at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport after a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded during takeoff, killing at least nine people and leaving others unaccounted for. Authorities say the aircraft was bound for Honolulu when it caught fire shortly after lifting off the runway early Tuesday morning. Footage from witnesses showed flames erupting from the plane’s left wing and a thick trail of smoke moments before the aircraft plunged back to the ground, igniting a massive fireball. Part of a nearby building’s roof was torn apart by the

Zohraan Mamdani becomes New York City’s first Muslim mayor after defeating Andrew Cuomo

Zohraan Mamdani becomes New York City’s first Muslim mayor after defeating Andrew Cuomo

Democratic Party candidate Zohraan Mamdani has been elected as the new mayor of New York City, marking a historic moment as the first Muslim and Indian-origin person to lead the largest city in the United States. Mamdani, who previously served as a state assembly member, defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a closely watched mayoral race. Cuomo ran as an independent candidate after Mamdani replaced him on the Democratic ticket earlier this year. The campaign gained national attention after former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Cuomo, warning that Mamdani’s leadership would brin

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital