STOCKHOLM: Sweden will phase out development aid to five countries in coming years and use the money to increase support for Ukraine, the government said on Friday.
The Nordic country plans to phase out aid to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Liberia and Bolivia, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa said.
“Ukraine is Sweden’s most important foreign policy and aid policy priority and therefore the government is going to increase aid to Ukraine to at least 10 billion crowns ($1.06 billion) in 2026,” Dousa said. “There isn’t a secret printing press for banknotes for aid purposes and the money has to come from somewhere.”
The government said the measures would free up more than 2 billion crowns over the next two years that could be diverted to Ukraine, to be used in such projects as rebuilding the country’s energy infrastructure.
Sweden has already cut aid to more than 10 countries since the current government took power in 2022, including Burkina Faso and Mali.
Sweden is a major donor of and humanitarian aid, with a budget of 56 billion crowns a year over the last three years.
The government has said it will cut that to 53 billion crowns a year for the period 2026-2028 and has reprioritized spending, including using some of the money to pay for the costs of immigration and repatriation of migrants.
Sweden to cut development aid to five countries, divert money to Ukraine
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Sweden to cut development aid to five countries, divert money to Ukraine
- “The government is going to increase aid to Ukraine to at least $1.06 billion in 2026,” Dousa said
- Sweden has already cut aid to more than 10 countries since the current government took power
US playwright arrested in Japan for alleged drug smuggling: reports
- Harris was detained at Naha airport on November 16
- Customs officers found 0.78 grams of a substance containing the stimulant MDMA concealed in his bag
TOKYO: Prominent American playwright and actor Jeremy O. Harris has been arrested in Japan on suspicion of drug smuggling, according to local media reports.
Known for his Tony-nominated “Slave Play” and his appearance in the hit show “Emily in Paris,” Harris was detained at Naha airport on November 16, the Okinawa Times reported on Thursday.
Customs officers found 0.78 grams of a substance containing the stimulant MDMA concealed in the 36-year-old’s tote bag, according to the newspaper.
It was not clear whether Harris had been officially charged.
Japan has some of the world’s strictest drug laws, and possession of illegal narcotics can result in jail time.
Harris arrived in the southern Okinawa region on a flight from Taiwan, where he had a layover after flying from Britain, according to local broadcaster RBC.
He came to Japan for tourism, the broadcaster said.
“Slave Play” earned a record-breaking 12 Tony nominations in 2018, but did not win any awards.
Harris also serves as a co-producer of HBO’s popular series “Euphoria.”
