Skip to Main content

5.5°^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

akali-dal-mla-ganieve-kaur-majithia-demands-apology-from-punjab-cm-over-alleged-remarks-about-women

IndiaMar 11, 2026

Akali Dal MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia demands apology from Punjab CM over alleged remarks about women

Ganieve Kaur Majithia, a legislator from the Shiromani Akali Dal, has demanded an immediate apology from Bhagwant Mann over what she described as derogatory remarks about women in Punjab. According to Majithia, the comments were made by the chief minister during a speech in Ludhiana. She said the remarks were insulting to women and called on Mann to publicly apologize. Majithia said that if the chief minister does not issue an apology, she will raise the matter with the National Commission for Women. She argued that elected officials must maintain respectful language when speaking about women.

nunavut-mp-lori-idlout-leaves-ndp-to-join-liberals-moving-carney-government-closer-to-majority

CanadaMar 11, 2026

Nunavut MP Lori Idlout leaves NDP to join Liberals, moving Carney government closer to majority

Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has left the New Democratic Party caucus to join the governing Liberals, a move that brings Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority government closer to a majority in the House of Commons. In an early-morning statement issued jointly with the Liberal Party of Canada, Idlout said she decided to join the government caucus after what she described as “much personal reflection” and encouragement from her community and family. She cited Arctic sovereignty, the rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples, and climate change as key reasons for the decision. “That is why

langley-rcmp-investigate-robbery-during-facebook-marketplace-meeting

Langley RCMP investigate robbery during Facebook Marketplace meeting

Police in Langley say they are investigating a robbery that occurred during a meeting arranged through an online marketplace. According to a news release from the Langley RCMP, officers received a report at about 6:28 p.m. on March 9 from a woman who said she was robbed while attempting to sell a designer handbag she had listed on Facebook Marketplace. Police say the victim arranged to meet a prospective buyer at a residential building in the 20000 block of 85 Avenue at about 6:20 p.m. The suspect initially viewed the handbag inside the building, then asked the victim to bring it outside so he

Fire displaces about 100 residents from Mission retirement home

About 100 residents of a Mission retirement residence were displaced after a large fire broke out at the building Monday evening, according to the City of Mission. Emergency crews from the Mission Fire and Rescue Service, Mission RCMP and BC Emergency Health Services responded to Chartwell Carrington House shortly before 6 p.m. on March 9 after a fire started inside the retirement residence on 7th Avenue. First responders entered the building and helped elderly residents evacuate as flames spread. Residents were initially brought outside to the street, with some temporarily sheltered at a near

abbotsford-police-searching-for-suspects-after-woman-reports-sexual-assault

Abbotsford police searching for suspects after woman reports sexual assault

Police in Abbotsford say they are investigating after a woman reported she was taken to a rural area against her will and sexually assaulted by four men earlier this month. According to a release from the Abbotsford Police Department, the woman told investigators she was picked up by four men on Feb. 10 near the intersection of Cannon Avenue and Bevan Avenue in Abbotsford. Police say the woman reported that the men then drove her to the Sumas Mountain area and refused to let her leave the vehicle. Investigators say she was sexually assaulted at that location. The suspects are described as Sout

Related News

Bahrain says it intercepted 105 missiles, 176 drones amid rising Middle East tensions

Bahrain says it intercepted 105 missiles, 176 drones amid rising Middle East tensions

Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate following reported military actions involving the United States and Israel targeting Iran. Bahrain’s armed forces say the country’s air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed 105 missiles and 176 drones since Iran began what officials described as retaliatory attacks. According to a statement from Bahrain’s military, defence systems have been responding continuously to incoming aerial threats. Authorities said the interceptions took place as regional forces remain on heightened alert amid fears of a wider escalation across the Gulf

U.S. grants India 30-day waiver to purchase Russian oil amid Iran conflict

U.S. grants India 30-day waiver to purchase Russian oil amid Iran conflict

The United States says it will allow India to continue purchasing Russian oil for 30 days as global energy markets face pressure during the ongoing conflict involving Iran. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the temporary waiver is intended to help maintain stability in global oil supply while shipments already in transit are completed. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday the decision was made to prevent disruptions in the international oil market. Bessent said the measure applies only to oil cargoes that are already moving through maritime routes and would other

Sri Lanka recovers 87 bodies after U.S. submarine sinks Iranian warship in Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka recovers 87 bodies after U.S. submarine sinks Iranian warship in Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka’s navy says it has recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 people after a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean off the island nation’s southern coast. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament that authorities received information the vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, was in distress with about 180 people on board. He said Sri Lanka dispatched naval ships and air force aircraft to carry out a search-and-rescue operation. According to Sri Lanka Navy spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath, there was no sign of the ship when rescue teams arrived.

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital