Glommersträsk, a small village in Lapland, Sweden, is facing a shrinking population. To combat this, the village is offering financial incentives to families with children to relocate there. The initiative aims to revive the local community, preserve the village school, and potentially boost tourism in the region.
India’s Davis Cup team faces a challenging matchup against Sweden, weakened by the absence of key players Sumit Nagal and Yuki Bhambri. Captain Rohit Rajpal acknowledges the team’s diminished strength, but remains hopeful for a competitive tie, emphasizing the importance of doubles play and the potential of upcoming players.
Sweden’s right-wing coalition government has sparked controversy by announcing the abolition of its airline ticket tax from 2025. While airlines welcome the decision, environmentalists argue that it undermines climate efforts and will lead to increased emissions. The move has been criticized by researchers, environmental groups, and opposition politicians who highlight the aviation industry’s significant climate impact.
Sweden is eliminating its airline ticket tax starting in mid-2024, aiming to lower travel costs, stimulate air travel demand, and enhance airline competitiveness within the country. This move is expected to benefit the aviation and tourism industries, contribute to economic recovery, and potentially attract more international businesses and tourists.
Sweden’s Public Health Agency has released new guidelines urging parents to limit screen time for children of all ages. The recommendations call for no screen time for children under two, one hour daily for children aged two to five, and a maximum of two to three hours per day for teenagers. The agency cites concerns about sleep deprivation, depression, and body image issues related to excessive screen use.
Sweden’s recent decision to grant visa-free travel to citizens of 191 countries is a major milestone that promises significant economic benefits. The policy is expected to boost Sweden’s global standing, enhance travel freedom, stimulate tourism, and fuel economic growth across various sectors.
The Indian Davis Cup team, led by coach Ashutosh Singh, is confident of a strong performance against Sweden in the World Group play-off tie, despite the challenging indoor hard court conditions in Stockholm. The team is banking on the experience of Sumit Nagal, who has enjoyed a successful season, as well as the contributions of other key players like Ramkumar Ramanathan and Sriram Balaji.
Swedish prosecutors have charged two men with inciting ethnic hatred for their involvement in several protests featuring the burning of Korans in 2023. The incidents sparked widespread outrage in Muslim countries and strained relations between Sweden and several Middle Eastern nations. The charges highlight the ongoing tension between freedom of speech and the potential for hate speech in Sweden.
India’s Davis Cup team for the upcoming World Group I tie against Sweden features the return of top-ranked singles player Sumit Nagal. Yuki Bhambri, however, has withdrawn from the contest due to undisclosed reasons. Former national champion Ashutosh Singh has been appointed as the new coach for the national team.
Nordic countries are increasing police cooperation and establishing a hub in Stockholm to combat the spread of Sweden’s serious gang crime problem. The initiative aims to share information in real-time, identify at-risk youth, and prevent them from being drawn into criminal networks. This collaboration comes in response to a surge in Swedish gang members committing violent crimes in Denmark, raising concerns about the influence of Swedish gangs across the Nordic region.
