Romania’s president launches bid for NATO top job against Mark Rutte – POLITICO

Romania’s president launches bid for NATO top job against Mark Rutte – POLITICO

“Russia will remain the most significant and direct threat to the Alliance for the foreseeable future,” he wrote. Iohannis would be the first NATO chief from a country that was once in the Soviet bloc, but he faces an uphill struggle to edge out Rutte. The U.S., Britain, France and Germany — the four biggest … Read more

Moscow Vows Response to Sweden’s NATO Accession

Moscow Vows Response to Sweden’s NATO Accession

Russia will take measures against Sweden following its accession to NATO, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. Sweden on Monday cleared the final hurdle to become the 32nd member of the U.S.-led military alliance after Hungary, the last holdout in accession talks, ratified the Nordic country’s membership. Stockholm dropped years of military non-alignment when it applied for … Read more

Hungary to Allow Sweden Into NATO Following Jet Fighter Deal

Hungary to Allow Sweden Into NATO Following Jet Fighter Deal

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed that his country will remove the last obstacle to Sweden’s NATO accession after the Nordic country agreed to sell Gripen jet fighters to Budapest. The Hungarian parliament will take the “necessary decisions” to ratify the Nordic country’s NATO accession early next week, Orban said at a press conference with … Read more

Germany urges Orbán to ratify Sweden’s NATO bid as ‘a matter of loyalty’ – POLITICO

Germany urges Orbán to ratify Sweden’s NATO bid as ‘a matter of loyalty’ – POLITICO

After months of delay, Orbán officially backed Sweden’s candidacy in January, but it still needs to be validated by the Hungarian parliament. The parliamentary vote should be a formality, as Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party holds a comfortable majority. But Fidesz leaders on Monday demanded that Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson first visit Budapest before the … Read more

‘Whatever America decides,’ Europe must back Ukraine – POLITICO

‘Whatever America decides,’ Europe must back Ukraine – POLITICO

Macron’s comments come as European nations grapple with the looming consequences of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House, with the NATO-skeptic ex-president on track to win the Republican nomination. In the U.S., further military aid for Ukraine is also stalled in Congress, with Republican lawmakers reluctant to continue funding Kyiv. Ukraine has been … Read more

Turkish Parliament Votes to Ratify Sweden’s Entry Into NATO

Turkish Parliament Votes to Ratify Sweden’s Entry Into NATO

Turkey’s parliament approved Sweden’s accession to NATO after months of deliberations, leaving Hungary as the lone holdout to the defense alliance’s northern enlargement. The parliament plenary in Ankara voted 287 to 55 to accept Sweden’s application on Tuesday, sending the document back to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a final sign off before it can … Read more

Red Sea Shipping Chaos: Tesla (TSLA), Tesco, Others Warn of Impact

Red Sea Shipping Chaos: Tesla (TSLA), Tesco, Others Warn of Impact

With the Red Sea crisis roiling shipments of everything from cars to energy, it’s a matter of time before soaring costs and supply-chain strains show up in companies’ earnings reports. Several firms are already warning of the impact. Electric-vehicle maker Tesla Inc. plans a two-week production halt at a German plant due shipment delays, while … Read more

Turkey Parliament Set to Vote on Sweden’s NATO Bid This Week

Turkey Parliament Set to Vote on Sweden’s NATO Bid This Week

Turkish parliament is set to vote on Sweden’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization later this week, a senior government official told Bloomberg on Monday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party, which commands a majority in the parliament together with its nationalist ally, will seek parliament’s approval to ratify Sweden’s long-awaited NATO membership, … Read more

Snus and Tobacco Alternatives May Be Why Sweden Has Almost Quit Smoking

Snus and Tobacco Alternatives May Be Why Sweden Has Almost Quit Smoking

On an autumn afternoon in Stockholm’s trendy Södermalm neighborhood, the terraces are brimming with locals sipping coffee, wine and beer. But instead of ashtrays or lighters, tables are scattered with small round plastic containers bearing brand names such as General, Velo, Zyn, Göteborgs Rapé and Ettan. They contain snus, nicotine-filled pouches resembling tiny teabags that … Read more

Why is Turkey finally getting behind Sweden’s bid to join NATO?

Why is Turkey finally getting behind Sweden’s bid to join NATO?

The last Nordic country to join the alliance is still waiting for Turkey and Hungary to clear its path. ADVERTISEMENT Sweden edged closer toward joining NATO on Tuesday after the Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee greenlit a protocol for the Nordic country’s accession to the military alliance. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dropped his objection … Read more