Politics / Sweden Sweden to Knight Blinken for His NATO Role Honors recognize efforts in Sweden's NATO membership process By Newser.AI Read our AI policy Posted Oct 22, 2024 2:08 PM CDT Copied Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a meeting, July 9, 2024, at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, file) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg are set to be knighted in Sweden for their significant contributions to Sweden's successful bid to join NATIO. Former Finnish leaders Sanna Marin and Pekka Haavisto will also receive the Royal Order of the Polar Star, an honor bestowed on non-Swedish citizens for outstanding service to Swedish interests. "The awards are an expression of our great gratitude for the efforts of these people," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Tuesday. Sweden's NATO membership concludes its long-standing tradition of non-alignment post-World War II; it joined nearly a year after Finland did. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) < > 11 Hurt When Explosion Rocks Louisville Business 20 hours, 9 minutes ago New Mexico Election Official Faces Online Threats 20 hours, 39 minutes ago Olympian Withdraws From Boxing Elections After Racist, Sexist Attacks 21 hours, 39 minutes ago Driver Dies After Bypassing Barricade on Damaged Highway 22 hours, 9 minutes ago Decades-Old Baby Swap Case Unfolds in Norway Nov 12, 2024 4:00 PM CST Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to All of LA Nov 12, 2024 3:15 PM CST Renowned Artist Frank Auerbach Dies at 93 Nov 12, 2024 2:43 PM CST The Estimate for Fixing Tropicana Field Is In Nov 12, 2024 2:37 PM CST Spy Satellite Imagery Reveals Historic Battle Site in Iraq Nov 12, 2024 1:18 PM CST Thunberg Leads Protest Against Azerbaijan Hosting Climate Talks Nov 12, 2024 1:45 AM CST New Zealand's Prime Minister Apologizes for Decades of Abuse Nov 12, 2024 1:15 AM CST Man Detained After Car Hits Exercisers in Zhuhai Nov 12, 2024 12:45 AM CST 5 Found Dead in Linked Wichita Shootings Nov 12, 2024 12:15 AM CST Singles' Day Losing Luster as E-Commerce Looks Abroad Nov 11, 2024 11:19 AM CST Taliban Joins UN Climate Conference for First Time Nov 11, 2024 1:45 AM CST Taylor Swift Dominates 2024 MTV EMAs Nov 11, 2024 1:15 AM CST Cuba Shaken by Earthquake Amid Hurricane Recovery Nov 11, 2024 12:45 AM CST King Charles III Leads Remembrance Sunday Ceremony Nov 11, 2024 12:15 AM CST Report an error