CFPB to Review Anti-Discrimination Policies and Fair Lending Rules Amid Policy Shift 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Cuba Quietly Signals Openness to Post-Maduro Venezuela as U.S. Pressure Intensifies 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Supreme Court to Review Legality of Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Restrictions 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Putin and U.S. Envoy Witkoff Hold “Truly Friendly” Talks as Ukraine Peace Efforts Intensify 
Escalating Conflict in Eastern Congo Despite U.S.-Brokered Peace Efforts 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Australia Imposes Sanctions on Taliban Officials Over Human Rights Abuses 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Trump Backs Review of U.S. Childhood Vaccine Schedule After Hepatitis B Policy Change 
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington is looking forward to Sweden becoming a member of the NATO alliance by the summit in July. Austin added that the US would further encourage Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden’s membership.
During a visit to Sweden on Wednesday, Austin said the United States is looking forward to Sweden becoming a NATO country by the time the alliance meets for its annual summit in July. Austin added that Washington will also encourage Ankara and Budapest to ratify Sweden’s membership, as both countries have yet to do so, expressing grievances toward Stockholm.
Sweden and Finland jointly applied for NATO membership last year as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, both countries ran into objections from Turkey, which has accused Sweden of harboring members of what it calls terrorist groups. Finland’s application was ratified first, becoming the 31st member of the alliance.
“We look forward to soon welcoming Turkey as the 32nd. To be clear, we look forward to that to happen before the summit in July,” said Austin in a news conference. “We encourage our allies, Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden’s accession as soon as possible.”
Austin visited Sweden to meet with his counterpart Pal Jonson about the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as Sweden’s NATO application. Austin’s visit also included a tour of Sweden’s underground base in Musko. Jonson said Austin’s visit was a sign of Washington’s commitment to Sweden’s security on a “bilateral basis” and was an opportunity for Sweden to show its military capabilities.
Finland became the alliance’s 31st member earlier this month, marking a shift in its long-running stance of neutrality despite threats from Russia. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Helsinki’s accession during the week was “historic” while expressing hope that Sweden could be a member as soon as possible.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, and defense minister Antti Kaikkonen were in attendance as Finland’s flag was raised alongside all the alliance’s member countries.
“It is a historic moment for us,” said Haavisto in a statement. “For Finland, the most important objective at the meeting will be to emphasize NATO’s support to Ukraine as Russia continues its illegal aggression. We seek to promote stability and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic region.”
