The United States has become the 23rd ally to approve Sweden and Finland's NATO membership bid after President Joe Biden signed the U.S. Instruments of Ratifications of the two countries' Accession Protocols to the defense alliance. The Senate had overwhelmingly endorsed the NATO Accession Protocols last week.
The North Atlantic Council's approval of the applications for NATO membership requires ratification by the parliaments of all the countries of the 30-member bloc.
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Political News
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.