Skip to Main content

7.94°^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

winnipeg-man-charged-after-alleged-online-threats-against-prime-minister-jewish-and-muslim-communities

CanadaMar 02, 2026

Winnipeg man charged after alleged online threats against prime minister, Jewish and Muslim communities

A Winnipeg man is facing criminal charges after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police say he allegedly posted online threats targeting Prime Minister Mark Carney and made hateful comments about Jewish and Muslim communities. According to the RCMP, a national security investigation began in January into a user account on the social media platform X. Police allege the account posted threats directed at Carney and content inciting hatred toward Jewish and Muslim communities. Mounties say a 55-year-old Winnipeg man was arrested last month and charged with three counts of uttering threats to cause deat

air-canada-suspends-israel-and-dubai-flights-until-march-22-amid-middle-east-conflict

CanadaMar 02, 2026

Air Canada suspends Israel and Dubai flights until March 22 amid Middle East conflict

Air Canada says it is suspending all flights to Israel and Dubai until March 22 because of ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In a passenger advisory, the airline said services are expected to resume March 23 if conditions permit. The suspension applies to flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai, according to the company’s statement. Air Canada said customers affected by the cancellations can change their bookings without additional charges. Travellers who choose to cancel their trip will receive a full refund, the airline said. The carrier also issued a flexibility policy for some Middle East route

alberta-earmarks-40m-to-upgrade-66-government-applications-after-rise-in-cyber-incidents

AlbertaMar 02, 2026

Alberta earmarks $40M to upgrade 66 government applications after rise in cyber incidents

Alberta’s government has set aside $40 million in its latest budget to update or patch 66 software applications following a significant increase in cybersecurity incidents last year. According to Alberta’s 2026–27 budget documents, the funding will support upgrades and security patches across government systems. The province did not specify which applications are being modernized, stating that releasing those details could create additional security risks. The budget documents indicate the government managed close to 3,000 cybersecurity incidents last year, a 35 per cent increase compare

cocaine-seizure-at-blue-water-bridge-totals-111-kilograms-two-men-charged

CanadaMar 02, 2026

Cocaine seizure at Blue Water Bridge totals 111 kilograms, two men charged

The Canada Border Services Agency says officers seized more than 111 kilograms of suspected cocaine at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry on Feb. 19. According to a CBSA news release, a commercial truck arriving from the United States was referred for secondary inspection. During examination of the trailer, border services officers located and seized 111.4 kilograms of suspected cocaine. CBSA said Sarkaren Vir Singh, 29, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and Chamkaur Singh, 25, of Belleville, Ontario, were arrested. The agency said both individuals and the seized drugs were transferred to the Royal

avalanche-in-kootenay-pass-kills-23-year-old-snowmobiler

Avalanche in Kootenay Pass kills 23-year-old snowmobiler

A 23-year-old man has died after an avalanche swept over two snowmobilers in British Columbia’s Kootenay Pass area on Saturday, according to police. Creston RCMP said officers were alerted through an SOS tracking device that someone was in distress in the backcountry. Shortly afterward, police were informed that an avalanche had occurred and that one of the buried riders was non-responsive after being dug out. Police said other snowmobilers in the area were able to rescue both individuals. The 23-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released. According to Aval

Related News

Air Canada suspends Israel and Dubai flights until March 22 amid Middle East conflict

Air Canada suspends Israel and Dubai flights until March 22 amid Middle East conflict

Air Canada says it is suspending all flights to Israel and Dubai until March 22 because of ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In a passenger advisory, the airline said services are expected to resume March 23 if conditions permit. The suspension applies to flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai, according to the company’s statement. Air Canada said customers affected by the cancellations can change their bookings without additional charges. Travellers who choose to cancel their trip will receive a full refund, the airline said. The carrier also issued a flexibility policy for some Middle East route

U.S., Israel launch strikes on Iran; Tehran rejects Trump negotiation claim

U.S., Israel launch strikes on Iran; Tehran rejects Trump negotiation claim

The United States and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes Sunday on multiple sites inside Iran, targeting what officials described as ballistic missile facilities and naval assets. The action follows reports circulating in regional media and online claiming the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As of publication, there has been no independent confirmation from Iranian state authorities regarding those claims. U.S. President Donald Trump said nine Iranian naval vessels were destroyed in the operation and claimed senior Iranian officials had expressed interest in nego

Hezbollah exchange fire after reported U.S.–Israel strike on Iran

Hezbollah exchange fire after reported U.S.–Israel strike on Iran

Heavy exchanges of fire were reported Monday between Hezbollah and Israel following what officials described as a joint U.S.–Israeli military strike on Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States would respond to the deaths of American troops and warned that any conflict involving Iran could last “several weeks.” It was not immediately clear how many U.S. personnel were killed or where the deaths occurred. U.S. officials had not publicly released further operational details at the time of publication. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its missile strikes tar

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital