Ukraine, Europe Launch Freyja Missile Shield to Strengthen Air Defense Against Russia 
Ann Widdecombe Murder: Police Arrest Second Suspect, Rule Out Terrorism Motive 
Israel Sets October 27 Election as Netanyahu Faces Tough Political Test 
Russia Launches Missile and Drone Attacks on Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv 
Trump Tells Congress Iran Hostilities Restarted, Citing New 60-Day War Powers Window 
Minnesota Wildfires Spread as Governor Tim Walz Deploys National Guard 
DOJ Subpoenas New York Times Journalists Over Air Force One Leak Report 
Trump Recommends Darline Graham for Interim South Carolina Senate Seat 
Iran Says It Closes Strait of Hormuz After Warning Shot at Vessel 
Israeli Strikes Kill Six in Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Continue in Cairo 
Trump to Deliver National Address on Declassified 2020 Election Intelligence 
EU to Propose New Rules Limiting Children's Access to Social Media 
EU Weighs New Trade Restrictions on Israeli West Bank Settlements 
EU Ministers Split as Support Grows for Ban on Trade With Israeli West Bank Settlements 
Trump Administration Hands Over Key Evidence in Minnesota Immigration Shooting Investigations 
Trump, Canada Reach Gordie Howe Bridge Deal Ahead of July 27 Opening 
Venezuela Appoints Felix Plasencia to Lead Foreign Relations and Trade 
The West continues to provide more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine as it resists Russia’s aggression since the invasion in February. Sweden’s finance and defense ministers said this week that the country would continue to provide Ukraine with economic and military assistance.
Reuters reports Sweden’s defense minister Peter Hultqvist and finance minister Mikael Damberg said Thursday that the country would be providing additional economic aid and military equipment. The equipment will include anti-ship missiles, anti-tank weapons, and rifles.
“The proposals that are submitted (to parliament) mean that allocated funds for the central government will increase by SEK 1.0 billion ($102 million) in 2022,” the Swedish finance ministry said in a statement. “In solidarity with Ukraine, and as part of the international response to Russia’s actions, the government sees a continuing need to support Ukraine.”
Back in February, Sweden announced that it would be delivering military materials, including 5,000 anti-tank weapons, helmets, and body armor, to Ukraine. In March, Sweden said it would send an additional 5,000 anti-tank weapons.
Many countries have joined in imposing sanctions on Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which continues to this day. According to Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck Thursday, the country must work harder to lessen its energy dependence on Russia. However, Habeck noted that the West’s sanctions on Russia are already taking their toll on Moscow’s war machine.
“The Russian economy is collapsing,” Habeck told lawmakers, citing Germany’s part in reducing exports to Russia in March by 60 percent, and a sharper fall was expected in April.
Habeck also cited that exports to Russia dropped to 53 percent in the previous months among the allied nations joining the sanctions. Exports among countries that are neutral or are pro-Russia have dropped to 45 percent.
“Putin is still getting money but…time is not working for Russia, it is working against Russia,” said Habeck, who added that Moscow has now lost access to important parts that would help it fight the war. Habeck cited “the security updates for airplanes, with the result that the planes will soon be grounded” as one of the parts.
