One U.S. crew member rescued after Iran downs warplane, search continues for second
One crew member from a U.S. warplane shot down over Iran has been rescued, U.S. officials said, as a search continues for a second crew member....
Sweden's Defence Minister said on Thursday the Nordic country had agreed to donate its biggest aid package to Ukraine so far, worth 13.5 billion Swedish crowns, approximately $1.2 billion.
The aid package is Sweden's 18th since Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. So far Sweden has provided almost $5.5 billion in military support to Kyiv.
The aid will include 146 trucks, 23 weapon stations for marine use, 16 CB 90 combat boats, 1 million rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, 1,500 TOW anti-tank missiles, 200 anti-tank weapons, infantry equipment, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) personal protective equipment.
The donations from the Swedish armed forces, from marine and army stocks, will amount to approximately $294 million and roughly 25% of the military aid package.
Roughly 45% of the package, $534 million will be used for new production from the defence industry to Ukraine's armed forces. This can be directed towards prioritized needs, such as artillery, long-range strike abilities and drones.
Up to $71 million will go to repairs and maintenance of already Swedish-donated equipment. It will also be used for transport and security for logistics. The funds will also be used for services from the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) and the Swedish Defence University.
The Swedish Defence University will be tasked with carrying out a training program for students in Ukraine, which works as a high-level course on strategic decision-making at various levels of conflict. This also shows that Sweden's military support is expanding in scope.
About 90 million USD will be allocated towards production of long-range missiles and drones. The government is now negotiating with suppliers in Sweden and Europe to supply prioritized equipment such as artillery and drones, Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a press conference. “A short delivery time is important,” - Pal Jonson wrote on platform X.
Approximately $250 million USD will be allocated towards different international funds, including $178 million directed towards the Danish model, which aims to source funds for Ukraine's defence industrial base. This also builds sustainability and resilience within Ukraine, he added.
The Danish model delivered around €590 million of locally manufactured weapons to Ukraine in 2024, the Danish Ministry of Defence says. The Danes are among the top military aid donors to Ukraine in absolute terms, behind the U.S., Germany and the U.K., according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
Fears of wider escalation grow despite President Donald Trump saying U.S. strikes on Iran could end within weeks. Meanwhile missile attacks, tanker incidents and rising casualties across Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf heighten risks to regional stability and energy routes.
Four astronauts blasted off from Florida on Wednesday on NASA's Artemis II mission, a high-stakes voyage around the moon that marks the United States' boldest step yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade in a race with China.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck in Indonesia's Northern Molucca Sea on Thursday, killing one person, damaging some buildings and triggering tsunami waves, authorities and witnesses said.
President Donald Trump staunchly defended his handling of the month-old U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in a prime-time address on Wednesday, saying the U.S. military was nearing completion of its mission while also reinforcing his threats to bomb the Islamic Republic back to the Stone Age.
Iran has rejected claims it has been weakened, vowing instead “more crushing” attacks against the United States and Israel. President Masoud Pezeshkian also warned that Israel is fabricating threats about Iran, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed affecting the global energy market.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet on Friday (3 April) in a bid to contain a growing scandal over the alleged fraudulent use of European Union farm subsidies.
One crew member from a U.S. warplane shot down over Iran has been rescued, U.S. officials said, as a search continues for a second crew member.
Across China, people are taking part in a wide range of activities to honour fallen heroes ahead of the Qingming Festival, a traditional time for remembrance and paying respect to the deceased.
France and South Korea have agreed to strengthen defence ties and energy security cooperation following a two-day visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Seoul.
In a highly unusual move highlighting shifting narcotics diplomacy, the U.S. has handed over a Chinese fugitive accused of serious drug crimes to authorities in Beijing.
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