Nine Swedes were killed on Sunday (July 14) when their plane crashed during a skydiving trip near Umea, a small university city in northern Sweden. The small plane designed to carry parachutists crashed on an island on the Ume river shortly after takeoff, police spokesman Peder Jonsson said. Those on board were on a skydiving trip. The police said that all the victims were Swedish, with one person holding dual citizenship. The names of the victims were not been disclosed. Authorities said the cause of the accident was not yet known. The region's main University Hospital of Umea confirmed there were no survivors and relatives of the deceased had been notified.

Nine killed in plane crash during skydiving trip in Sweden

The French government is to impose a tax of up to 18 euros ($20) on plane tickets for all flights from airports in <a href="http://wionews.com/world/france-president-emmanuel-macrons-advisor-heads-to-iran-to-calm-nuclear-tensions-234122">France</a> to fund less-polluting transportation projects, a minister said Tuesday.

The move, which will take effect from 2020, will see a tax of 1.5 euros imposed on economy-class tickets on internal flights and those within <a href="http://wionews.com/world/europe-needs-to-find-candidate-to-head-imf-france-233585">Europe</a>, with the highest tariff applied to business-class travellers flying outside the bloc, Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne said.

The new measure is expected to bring in some 182 million euros a year which will be invested in greener transport infrastructures, notably rail, she said.&nbsp;

It will only be applied on outgoing flights and not those flying into the country, Borne added.&nbsp;

A similar tax was introduced in <a href="http://wionews.com/entertainment/us-rapper-aap-rockys-europe-tour-in-jeopardy-after-sweden-arrest-233121">Sweden</a> in April 2018, which imposed an added charge of up to 40 euros on every ticket in a bid to lessen the impact of air travel on the climate.

The French government is to impose a tax of up to 18 euros ($20) on plane tickets for all flights from airports in France to fund less-polluting transportation projects, a minister said Tuesday.

The French government is to impose a tax of up to 18 euros ($20) on plane tickets for all flights from airports in France to fund less-polluting transportation projects, a minister said Tuesday. The move, which will take effect from 2020, will see a tax of 1.5 euros imposed on economy-class tickets on internal flights and those within Europe, with the highest tariff applied to business-class travellers flying outside the bloc, Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne said. The new measure is expected to bring in some 182 million euros a year which will be invested in greener transport infrastructures, notably rail, she said. It will only be applied on outgoing flights and not those flying into the country, Borne added. A similar tax was introduced in Sweden in April 2018, which imposed an added charge of up to 40 euros on every ticket in a bid to lessen the impact of air travel on the climate.

France to impose green tax on plane tickets

How cities around the globe fight rising rents

Lennart Johansson, a Swede who presided over European soccer for 17 years as its new <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-beat-tottenham-to-win-champions-league-final-223520&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwio06iKjdLiAhVKPY8KHWk1B5wQFjAEegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Yo7lJCURncK_-f2z_Q5Af">Champions League</a> turned into a global commercial juggernaut, has died after a short illness aged 89, Sweden's Football Association said on Wednesday.

Johansson, president of European football association UEFA from 1990 to 2007, was a driving force behind the formation of the Champions League, giving the continent's top club competition a new identity, a catchy anthem and worldwide reach.

His reign saw huge revenue streams flow into the continent's big clubs, turning Manchester United, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/valencia-knock-barcelona-off-copa-del-rey-throne-221707&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj-08v1jNLiAhVLnI8KHUvkDHQQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1VEPs7YODRHk5DKYn_yByd">Barcelona</a>, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and others into multi-billion dollar enterprises, and their players into global megastars.

"World football will always be grateful to him for all he has achieved for the beautiful game," UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement.

The Swedish FA said Swedish football was in mourning.

Johansson took over the top job in European football at a turbulent time when money from television coverage was flooding into the sport and players gained complete freedom to move between countries and clubs in Europe.

"It was not a given that UEFA would be successful in meeting all these dramatic changes," the Swedish FA said.

"The Champions League became an enormous success, but Lennart Johansson's other major achievement was finding a fragile balance between the big clubs' demands and the needs of the broader football family," SFA added.

Johansson ran against Swiss Sepp Blatter to head football's world governing body FIFA in an acrimonious vote in 1998 but lost.

Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, is now serving a six-year ban from football for unethical conduct.

The men remained rivals. The Swedish FA quoted Johansson as saying,&nbsp;"It is my 20-year fight with Blatter that people like."

Blatter's successor at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-to-stick-with-32-teams-for-2022-football-world-cup-in-qatar-220740&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjj8LSbjdLiAhUKknAKHVeMB0kQFjAEegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw35byZJ6mfMoeY7klN_IHnK">FIFA</a>, Gianni Infantino, who worked earlier in his career under Johansson at UEFA, called the Swede "a friend and an invaluable source of wisdom and inspiration".

"Lennart has always been a role model of professionalism and, more importantly, of humanity," he said.

In 2007, Johansson stepped down as UEFA president after being beaten in an election by former France international Michel Platini.

Johansson was given the title honorary president, a role which he took seriously, even attending meetings in his wheelchair.

Johansson was a lifelong supporter and honorary president of Stockholm club AIK.

Lennart Johansson, a Swede who presided over European soccer for 17 years as its new Champions League turned into a global commercial juggernaut, has died after a short illness aged 89, Sweden's Football Association said on Wednesday.

Lennart Johansson, a Swede who presided over European soccer for 17 years as its new Champions League turned into a global commercial juggernaut, has died after a short illness aged 89, Sweden's Football Association said on Wednesday. Johansson, president of European football association UEFA from 1990 to 2007, was a driving force behind the formation of the Champions League, giving the continent's top club competition a new identity, a catchy anthem and worldwide reach. His reign saw huge revenue streams flow into the continent's big clubs, turning Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and others into multi-billion dollar enterprises, and their players into global megastars. "World football will always be grateful to him for all he has achieved for the beautiful game," UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement. The Swedish FA said Swedish football was in mourning. Johansson took over the top job in European football at a turbulent time when money from television coverage was flooding into the sport and players gained complete freedom to move between countries and clubs in Europe. "It was not a given that UEFA would be successful in meeting all these dramatic changes," the Swedish FA said. "The Champions League became an enormous success, but Lennart Johansson's other major achievement was finding a fragile balance between the big clubs' demands and the needs of the broader football family," SFA added. Johansson ran against Swiss Sepp Blatter to head football's world governing body FIFA in an acrimonious vote in 1998 but lost. Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, is now serving a six-year ban from football for unethical conduct. The men remained rivals. The Swedish FA quoted Johansson as saying, "It is my 20-year fight with Blatter that people like." Blatter's successor at FIFA, Gianni Infantino, who worked earlier in his career under Johansson at UEFA, called the Swede "a friend and an invaluable source of wisdom and inspiration". "Lennart has always been a role model of professionalism and, more importantly, of humanity," he said. In 2007, Johansson stepped down as UEFA president after being beaten in an election by former France international Michel Platini. Johansson was given the title honorary president, a role which he took seriously, even attending meetings in his wheelchair. Johansson was a lifelong supporter and honorary president of Stockholm club AIK.

Former UEFA boss Lennart Johansson, father of the Champions League, dies aged 89

Julian Assange: Heroic Whistleblower now battles rape allegation

Sweden's state prosecutor said on Monday she would reopen a rape investigation involving WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that circumstances now existed to seek his extradition from Britain.

Swedish prosecutor reopens Julian Assange rape investigation

Swedish prosecutors will announce whether they are reopening an inquiry into a rape allegation against Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange.

Sweden Orders Reopening of Rape Case against Assange

In this episode of WION Traveller our Swede had a long awaited visit home coming up. No stopping him telling us what Sweden is like, even in 25 degrees below freezing! The Swede quickly realized he left his heart in India and return after a mere week with family. Could it be because Meraj had taken the opportunity to ride the largest Harley he could find all the way from Delhi to Goa on an epic road trip? Watch this weeks episode to catch up with what happened next...

WION Traveller S2 Episode 21 – From Sweden to Goa

More than 70 British lawmakers have urged their government to prioritise any extradition bid Sweden might make for WikiLeaks founder <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-to-fight-us-extradition-request-lawyer-209644&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiMp7OU_czhAhVEvo8KHc1PAawQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2nC2jSy7ub-wNMc--ZIwI1">Julian Assange</a>, who is also wanted in the United States.

Assange was arrested on Thursday at<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/julian-assange-being-spied-upon-at-ecuador-embassy-wikileaks-209435&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiMp7OU_czhAhVEvo8KHc1PAawQFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3m-J-BqfblGOcZZkMc5gQc"> Ecuador</a>'s London embassy on allegations of skipping bail and on a US extradition warrant related to a huge leak of official documents.

He had sought refuge in the embassy in 2012 while on bail awaiting extradition to Sweden for allegations of sexual assault and rape, which he always denied.

In the letter, the MPs and peers urge British Home Secretary Sajid Javid to "give every assistance to Sweden should they want to revive and pursue the investigation".

British law states that if Sweden does make an extradition request, it would be up to Javid to decide which should take precedence.

"We must send a strong message of the priority the UK has in tackling sexual violence and the seriousness with which such allegations are viewed," the letter says.

The sexual assault claim expired in 2015 and Swedish prosecutors dropped a preliminary investigation into the rape allegation in 2017, arguing that since Assange could not be reached, they could not proceed.

Following his arrest, however, the alleged rape victim asked that her case now is reopened -- but the limitation period on this claim expires in August 2020.

"We do not presume guilt, of course, but we believe due process should be followed and the complainant should see justice be done," the letter says.

The MPs and peers add that it is "of grave concern to us" that the Swedish authorities did not appear to have prior warning of Assange's arrest, unlike the US authorities.

The letter was also copied to Diane Abbott, the home affairs spokeswoman for the main opposition Labour party.

'Fight it hard'

Abbott said: "Assange skipping bail in the UK, or any rape charge that may be brought by Swedish authorities shouldn't be ignored.&nbsp;

"But the only extradition request is from the USA because he's a whistle-blower on atrocities caused by US military ops. This extradition would be wrong so we oppose it."

Assange is currently being held at the high-security Belmarsh jail in southeast London.

The 47-year-old Australian claims the Swedish cases against him were politically motivated, linked to the leak in 2010 of a huge number of US military and diplomatic documents.

He sought refuge with Ecuador, claiming that his extradition to Sweden was a pretext for his transfer to the United States.

But Ecuador withdrew his asylum status and allowed British police into the embassy on Thursday to arrest the white-bearded Assange.

He appeared in court a few hours later and was found guilty of breaching his bail terms back in 2012. He could be jailed for up to a year when he is sentenced at a later date.

The separate extradition case on US charges of computer hacking is set for May 2, although the United States has until June 12 to submit full extradition papers.

Assange's London lawyer Jennifer Robinson said: "He's obviously going to fight extradition and fight it hard."

More than 70 British lawmakers have urged their government to prioritise any extradition bid Sweden might make for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is also wanted in the United States.

More than 70 British lawmakers have urged their government to prioritise any extradition bid Sweden might make for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is also wanted in the United States. Assange was arrested on Thursday at Ecuador's London embassy on allegations of skipping bail and on a US extradition warrant related to a huge leak of official documents. He had sought refuge in the embassy in 2012 while on bail awaiting extradition to Sweden for allegations of sexual assault and rape, which he always denied. In the letter, the MPs and peers urge British Home Secretary Sajid Javid to "give every assistance to Sweden should they want to revive and pursue the investigation". British law states that if Sweden does make an extradition request, it would be up to Javid to decide which should take precedence. "We must send a strong message of the priority the UK has in tackling sexual violence and the seriousness with which such allegations are viewed," the letter says. The sexual assault claim expired in 2015 and Swedish prosecutors dropped a preliminary investigation into the rape allegation in 2017, arguing that since Assange could not be reached, they could not proceed. Following his arrest, however, the alleged rape victim asked that her case now is reopened -- but the limitation period on this claim expires in August 2020. "We do not presume guilt, of course, but we believe due process should be followed and the complainant should see justice be done," the letter says. The MPs and peers add that it is "of grave concern to us" that the Swedish authorities did not appear to have prior warning of Assange's arrest, unlike the US authorities. The letter was also copied to Diane Abbott, the home affairs spokeswoman for the main opposition Labour party. 'Fight it hard' Abbott said: "Assange skipping bail in the UK, or any rape charge that may be brought by Swedish authorities shouldn't be ignored. "But the only extradition request is from the USA because he's a whistle-blower on atrocities caused by US military ops. This extradition would be wrong so we oppose it." Assange is currently being held at the high-security Belmarsh jail in southeast London. The 47-year-old Australian claims the Swedish cases against him were politically motivated, linked to the leak in 2010 of a huge number of US military and diplomatic documents. He sought refuge with Ecuador, claiming that his extradition to Sweden was a pretext for his transfer to the United States. But Ecuador withdrew his asylum status and allowed British police into the embassy on Thursday to arrest the white-bearded Assange. He appeared in court a few hours later and was found guilty of breaching his bail terms back in 2012. He could be jailed for up to a year when he is sentenced at a later date. The separate extradition case on US charges of computer hacking is set for May 2, although the United States has until June 12 to submit full extradition papers. Assange's London lawyer Jennifer Robinson said: "He's obviously going to fight extradition and fight it hard."

British lawmakers urge government to cooperate with Sweden in Assange case

Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist on Wednesday signed a security protection agreement in Stockholm. &nbsp;

The pact will provide a facilitating framework for greater cooperation on the high end and cutting edge technology and manufacturing.

The signing of the security protection agreement by both countries will enable them to share classified information with each other on defence and security. Sweden has had similar agreements with over 30 countries around the world, as well as with the EU and NATO.

Later at a joint press conference, Hultqvist said, "The agreement that I and Shrimati Nirmala Sitharaman signed today is an important step in implementing the action plan on deeper cooperation with India".

Explaining the agreement, Swedish defence ministry told WION that it "regulates how sensitive information is to be handled, processed and protected. One good example when such an agreement is needed is when a company from one nation offers i.e.high tech weapons systems to another nation."

Asked if two sides discussed reported deal for Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, Swedish defence ministry said no such discussions happened.&nbsp;

Asked on how the agreement will boost "Make in India" in Defence sector, Sitharaman said, "I think it gives a very good framework which the two countries have agreed upon -- to have greater collaboration on technical and innovation which will lead to joint activities with direct bearing on the make in India."&nbsp;

India has also proposed a dialogue to enable a greater understanding of the successful model of collaboration between government, industry and academia in building technologically advance ecosystem.&nbsp;

Sitharaman also met Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and thanked his country support for India's bid United Nation Security Council and multilateral export control regime--Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

Since 2009 when Sweden and India had signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the area of defence, seven bilateral meetings have been taken place under the MoU, the last in December 2018 in Delhi.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Stockholm and took part in the first India Nordic summit in April 2018. He also held a bilateral meet with PM Löfven during which both sides jointly signed an action plan for future cooperation. 
&nbsp;

Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist on Wednesday signed a security protection agreement in Stockholm. The pact will provide a facilitating framework for greater cooperation on the high end and cutting edge technology and manufacturing.

Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist on Wednesday signed a security protection agreement in Stockholm. The pact will provide a facilitating framework for greater cooperation on the high end and cutting edge technology and manufacturing. The signing of the security protection agreement by both countries will enable them to share classified information with each other on defence and security. Sweden has had similar agreements with over 30 countries around the world, as well as with the EU and NATO. Later at a joint press conference, Hultqvist said, "The agreement that I and Shrimati Nirmala Sitharaman signed today is an important step in implementing the action plan on deeper cooperation with India". Explaining the agreement, Swedish defence ministry told WION that it "regulates how sensitive information is to be handled, processed and protected. One good example when such an agreement is needed is when a company from one nation offers i.e.high tech weapons systems to another nation." Asked if two sides discussed reported deal for Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, Swedish defence ministry said no such discussions happened. Asked on how the agreement will boost "Make in India" in Defence sector, Sitharaman said, "I think it gives a very good framework which the two countries have agreed upon -- to have greater collaboration on technical and innovation which will lead to joint activities with direct bearing on the make in India." India has also proposed a dialogue to enable a greater understanding of the successful model of collaboration between government, industry and academia in building technologically advance ecosystem. Sitharaman also met Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and thanked his country support for India's bid United Nation Security Council and multilateral export control regime--Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Since 2009 when Sweden and India had signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the area of defence, seven bilateral meetings have been taken place under the MoU, the last in December 2018 in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Stockholm and took part in the first India Nordic summit in April 2018. He also held a bilateral meet with PM Löfven during which both sides jointly signed an action plan for future cooperation.

India, Sweden sign key pacts on technology, manufacturing

Wion Wings In Sweden

Wion Wings Explores A Jumbo Stay In Stockholm, Sweden

Nila Vikhe-Patil was recently appointed the political advisor to the Prime Minister's Office of Sweden and will handle taxes, budgets, financial markets and housing.

She is the daughter of leading educationist Ashok Vikhe Patil and granddaughter of late Union minister Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil who served under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaye. Patil would be working with Stefan Lofven, the Social Democrat leader who was last month elected as Swedish prime minister, leading a Social Democrat-Green Party coalition.

Patil, 32, was born in Sweden and educated in Europe. Her father Ashok Vikhe-Patil runs Vikhe Patil Foundation which runs 102 educational institutions across Maharashtra. She speaks to WION's Kartikeya Sharma:

WION: How do you remember India?

Nila Vikhe-Patil: I go to India every year. I have many memories and new memories are added every year. It is a happy place for me as I visit India frequently on vacations. Whenever I'm in India, it is always about lot of people and lot of food with nice gathering with family and friends. I always make new friends whenever I come back to India.

WION: You have a political career in Sweden. Did you ever think of a career in India? You come from a prominent Indian political family.

Nila Vikhe-Patil: Indian politics is very different and being a woman, the scope of making an impact for me was larger in Sweden as I understand the culture and nuances of the place. In India, the culture is slightly different. For example, after the news of my appointment became public I got a lot of friend requests on LinkedIn and Facebook and they weren't professional. That is a different part of being a woman in Indian politics. I do not encounter this frequently in Sweden.

WION: India had a woman Prime Minister...

Nila Vikhe-Patil: Yes, India had a woman Prime Minister and Sweden never had one. India also has great respect for women but it is so big, diverse and complex so it is difficult to make generalisation.

WION: What is your take on Indian political scenario from outside?

Nila Vikhe-Patil: From an outside perspective, it is not very different from Swedish experience. We also had Social Democratic Party in power for 50 years and then a radical shift took place. Now we have a new Nationalist Conservative Party growing very quickly. I think it is the same in India as people want change. I'm with the Green Party. We have had difficulty in communicating the urgency of climate change and what we need to do about it. People want to have politics close to home and easy to understand which simplifies a lot of problems. Politics is getting easier and problems are getting more and more complex.

WION: How do you reconcile the imperative of economic development with sustainability, especially in context of countries which have experienced colonialism and want to make up for the lost time?

Nila Vikhe-Patil: India now has the capacity to utilise new technology and India does not need to do step-by-step industrialisation. There are no steam engines in use today. We have solar power today. Ecological concerns can be reconciled.

WION: Did you ever feel like an outsider in Sweden?

Nila Vikhe-Patil: Yes, but more in Stockholm than in my hometown. It is a small city compared to many Indian cities, but it is a big city in Sweden. People tend to simplify and categorise people more. That is a problem as most people are individuals. India is better in this department knowing that people might be different and can be put in different social and religious categories and understand that.

WION: How do you evaluate India-Sweden relationship? It seems Bofors dominate the image...

Nila Vikhe-Patil: There is Volvo and Ericsson too. Skype was a Swedish company. 160 Swedish companies are established in India right now and I hope it continues.

WION: Your father is an Indian. Today immigrant issue dominates European political narrative. What is your take on this?

Nila Vikhe-Patil: I find my Indian experience helpful as India is a complex place with many useful perspectives. Europe is like India, but India is one country and Europe is many countries. I think Europe can learn a lot from India - which is that people will settle wherever they can and will keep their culture and traditions. But everybody can still live together and respect together.

WION: Is immigration an issue in Swedish politics?

Nila Vikhe-Patil: We have a high immigration but we have a lot of space as we are scarcely populated. My comparison is that if the option is to sleep on the street and getting bombed, or be in Sweden then we should do what we can. My family has traditionally been involved in charity work. My grandfather was involved in charity work in India. My father is still involved in the charity work.

WION: The news that Sweden is preparing for war - is it media's imagination or is there some element of reality to it?

Nila Vikhe-Patil: Sweden is a very stable place. There is nothing like that. In fact, the whole Nordic region is stable.

WION: Do you have memories of Indian food?

Nila Vikhe-Patil: I do have. My father cooks very well. He cooks for me when he is in Sweden. He cooks, aaloo gobhi, dal rice, vegetable dishes and a lot of chicken curry and traditional Maharashtrian food like Bhakri. I like simple vegetarian dishes a lot.

Nila Vikhe-Patil was recently appointed the political advisor to the Prime Minister's Office of Sweden and will handle taxes, budgets, financial markets and housing.

Nila Vikhe-Patil was recently appointed the political advisor to the Prime Minister's Office of Sweden and will handle taxes, budgets, financial markets and housing. She is the daughter of leading educationist Ashok Vikhe Patil and granddaughter of late Union minister Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil who served under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaye. Patil would be working with Stefan Lofven, the Social Democrat leader who was last month elected as Swedish prime minister, leading a Social Democrat-Green Party coalition. Patil, 32, was born in Sweden and educated in Europe. Her father Ashok Vikhe-Patil runs Vikhe Patil Foundation which runs 102 educational institutions across Maharashtra. She speaks to WION's Kartikeya Sharma: WION: How do you remember India? Nila Vikhe-Patil: I go to India every year. I have many memories and new memories are added every year. It is a happy place for me as I visit India frequently on vacations. Whenever I'm in India, it is always about lot of people and lot of food with nice gathering with family and friends. I always make new friends whenever I come back to India. WION: You have a political career in Sweden. Did you ever think of a career in India? You come from a prominent Indian political family. Nila Vikhe-Patil: Indian politics is very different and being a woman, the scope of making an impact for me was larger in Sweden as I understand the culture and nuances of the place. In India, the culture is slightly different. For example, after the news of my appointment became public I got a lot of friend requests on LinkedIn and Facebook and they weren't professional. That is a different part of being a woman in Indian politics. I do not encounter this frequently in Sweden. WION: India had a woman Prime Minister... Nila Vikhe-Patil: Yes, India had a woman Prime Minister and Sweden never had one. India also has great respect for women but it is so big, diverse and complex so it is difficult to make generalisation. WION: What is your take on Indian political scenario from outside? Nila Vikhe-Patil: From an outside perspective, it is not very different from Swedish experience. We also had Social Democratic Party in power for 50 years and then a radical shift took place. Now we have a new Nationalist Conservative Party growing very quickly. I think it is the same in India as people want change. I'm with the Green Party. We have had difficulty in communicating the urgency of climate change and what we need to do about it. People want to have politics close to home and easy to understand which simplifies a lot of problems. Politics is getting easier and problems are getting more and more complex. WION: How do you reconcile the imperative of economic development with sustainability, especially in context of countries which have experienced colonialism and want to make up for the lost time? Nila Vikhe-Patil: India now has the capacity to utilise new technology and India does not need to do step-by-step industrialisation. There are no steam engines in use today. We have solar power today. Ecological concerns can be reconciled. WION: Did you ever feel like an outsider in Sweden? Nila Vikhe-Patil: Yes, but more in Stockholm than in my hometown. It is a small city compared to many Indian cities, but it is a big city in Sweden. People tend to simplify and categorise people more. That is a problem as most people are individuals. India is better in this department knowing that people might be different and can be put in different social and religious categories and understand that. WION: How do you evaluate India-Sweden relationship? It seems Bofors dominate the image... Nila Vikhe-Patil: There is Volvo and Ericsson too. Skype was a Swedish company. 160 Swedish companies are established in India right now and I hope it continues. WION: Your father is an Indian. Today immigrant issue dominates European political narrative. What is your take on this? Nila Vikhe-Patil: I find my Indian experience helpful as India is a complex place with many useful perspectives. Europe is like India, but India is one country and Europe is many countries. I think Europe can learn a lot from India - which is that people will settle wherever they can and will keep their culture and traditions. But everybody can still live together and respect together. WION: Is immigration an issue in Swedish politics? Nila Vikhe-Patil: We have a high immigration but we have a lot of space as we are scarcely populated. My comparison is that if the option is to sleep on the street and getting bombed, or be in Sweden then we should do what we can. My family has traditionally been involved in charity work. My grandfather was involved in charity work in India. My father is still involved in the charity work. WION: The news that Sweden is preparing for war - is it media's imagination or is there some element of reality to it? Nila Vikhe-Patil: Sweden is a very stable place. There is nothing like that. In fact, the whole Nordic region is stable. WION: Do you have memories of Indian food? Nila Vikhe-Patil: I do have. My father cooks very well. He cooks for me when he is in Sweden. He cooks, aaloo gobhi, dal rice, vegetable dishes and a lot of chicken curry and traditional Maharashtrian food like Bhakri. I like simple vegetarian dishes a lot.

Europe has a lot to learn from India when it comes to immigration: Nila Vikhe-Patil to WION

Sweden ended a four-month political vacuum Friday when lawmakers elected <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-first-swedish-pm-stefan-lofven--to-receive-modi-at-airport--130780">Prime Minister Stefan Lofven </a>to a second term after he elbowed out the far-right to save one of Europe's few leftwing governments.

Lofven, 61, may have won a victory, but the former welder and union leader emerges weakened by months of wrangling in the wake of September's inconclusive legislative elections that forced him to make major concessions to centre-right parties to win their support.

Lofven will formally present his new minority centre-left government, comprising his Social Democrats and the Greens, and its programme on Monday.

His new administration will be one of the weakest in Sweden in 70 years, with just 32.7 per cent of voters have cast ballots for the two parties.

He therefore secured the backing of the Centre and Liberal parties, until now members of the four-party, centre-right opposition Alliance, agreeing to a policy document that includes, among other things, the introduction of market rates for newly produced rental housing and easing Sweden's strict labour laws.

Together, the four parties hold 167 of 349 seats in parliament, eight fewer than the 175 that constitutes a majority in the Riksdag.

'We stand up for democracy'

"All around our world we see the rising influence of rightwing extremism. But in Sweden we stand up for democracy, for people's equal rights," Lofven said after the vote.

"Sweden will have a vigorous government that is not dependent on the (far-right) Sweden Democrats," he stressed.

The nationalist and anti-immigration Sweden Democrats came third in the legislative elections in September with 17.6 per cent of the vote, putting the party in a position to act as kingmaker.

In the long weeks that followed, both Lofven and the head of the rightwing opposition Alliance, Ulf Kristersson, failed repeatedly to form a government.

Neither was able to build a majority due to their refusal to negotiate with the Sweden Democrats, with lawmakers rejecting both of the party's nominations for prime minister.

"For a long time Swedish politics was dominated by a two-bloc conflict. After the rise of the Sweden Democrats, a three-block situation occurred. Now the situation has changed dramatically," political scientist Olof Petersson told AFP.

Divide and conquer

Lofven was the most shrewd in the post-election negotiations, analysts said.

"Lofven has reached his strategic goals: to remain in power and to split up the non-socialist Alliance opposition," Petersson said.

But the deal between the coalition and centre-right parties contains "worrisome" elements for the left wing, in particular, tax policies that "risk increasing inequalities in Swedish society," said Gothenburg University political science professor Ulf Bjereld, who is affiliated with the Social Democrats.

The ex-communist Left Party had backed Lofven's previous minority government since 2014, helping pass legislation in parliament.

But this time, the Left, which now holds 28 seats in parliament, was excluded as Lofven shifted toward the centre.

The Left had considered blocking Lofven's election, arguing that he had given away too much to the centre-right, but decided against it in order to block the Sweden Democrats from wielding any influence.

The Left Party reiterated its warning Friday that while it allowed Lofven's re-election, that did not mean the party was giving the new government carte blanche.

It said it was ready to topple the new administration if it went ahead with its proposed plans for the labour market and market rates for rentals.&nbsp;

Petersson said the threat was an empty one because it would be "political suicide" to carry it out.

"At least 35 MPs are required to table a motion of non-confidence. The Left only controls 28 seats," the analyst said.

"It would be political suicide if the Left reached out to the conservative Moderates, the Christian Democrats or the Sweden Democrats to secure the 35 seats necessary."

The Moderates and Christian Democrats, the other two parties in the Alliance, together hold 92 seats.

Opposition leader Kristersson of the Moderates criticised the new government as "very shaky".

"The Left is threatening to topple it if it goes through with its reform pledges, and the Centre and Liberals are threatening to topple it if it doesn't. This is a government without a political compass or direction," he said.

Sweden ended a four-month political vacuum Friday when lawmakers elected Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to a second term after he elbowed out the far-right to save one of Europe's few leftwing governments.

Sweden ended a four-month political vacuum Friday when lawmakers elected Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to a second term after he elbowed out the far-right to save one of Europe's few leftwing governments. Lofven, 61, may have won a victory, but the former welder and union leader emerges weakened by months of wrangling in the wake of September's inconclusive legislative elections that forced him to make major concessions to centre-right parties to win their support. Lofven will formally present his new minority centre-left government, comprising his Social Democrats and the Greens, and its programme on Monday. His new administration will be one of the weakest in Sweden in 70 years, with just 32.7 per cent of voters have cast ballots for the two parties. He therefore secured the backing of the Centre and Liberal parties, until now members of the four-party, centre-right opposition Alliance, agreeing to a policy document that includes, among other things, the introduction of market rates for newly produced rental housing and easing Sweden's strict labour laws. Together, the four parties hold 167 of 349 seats in parliament, eight fewer than the 175 that constitutes a majority in the Riksdag. 'We stand up for democracy' "All around our world we see the rising influence of rightwing extremism. But in Sweden we stand up for democracy, for people's equal rights," Lofven said after the vote. "Sweden will have a vigorous government that is not dependent on the (far-right) Sweden Democrats," he stressed. The nationalist and anti-immigration Sweden Democrats came third in the legislative elections in September with 17.6 per cent of the vote, putting the party in a position to act as kingmaker. In the long weeks that followed, both Lofven and the head of the rightwing opposition Alliance, Ulf Kristersson, failed repeatedly to form a government. Neither was able to build a majority due to their refusal to negotiate with the Sweden Democrats, with lawmakers rejecting both of the party's nominations for prime minister. "For a long time Swedish politics was dominated by a two-bloc conflict. After the rise of the Sweden Democrats, a three-block situation occurred. Now the situation has changed dramatically," political scientist Olof Petersson told AFP. Divide and conquer Lofven was the most shrewd in the post-election negotiations, analysts said. "Lofven has reached his strategic goals: to remain in power and to split up the non-socialist Alliance opposition," Petersson said. But the deal between the coalition and centre-right parties contains "worrisome" elements for the left wing, in particular, tax policies that "risk increasing inequalities in Swedish society," said Gothenburg University political science professor Ulf Bjereld, who is affiliated with the Social Democrats. The ex-communist Left Party had backed Lofven's previous minority government since 2014, helping pass legislation in parliament. But this time, the Left, which now holds 28 seats in parliament, was excluded as Lofven shifted toward the centre. The Left had considered blocking Lofven's election, arguing that he had given away too much to the centre-right, but decided against it in order to block the Sweden Democrats from wielding any influence. The Left Party reiterated its warning Friday that while it allowed Lofven's re-election, that did not mean the party was giving the new government carte blanche. It said it was ready to topple the new administration if it went ahead with its proposed plans for the labour market and market rates for rentals. Petersson said the threat was an empty one because it would be "political suicide" to carry it out. "At least 35 MPs are required to table a motion of non-confidence. The Left only controls 28 seats," the analyst said. "It would be political suicide if the Left reached out to the conservative Moderates, the Christian Democrats or the Sweden Democrats to secure the 35 seats necessary." The Moderates and Christian Democrats, the other two parties in the Alliance, together hold 92 seats. Opposition leader Kristersson of the Moderates criticised the new government as "very shaky". "The Left is threatening to topple it if it goes through with its reform pledges, and the Centre and Liberals are threatening to topple it if it doesn't. This is a government without a political compass or direction," he said.

Swedish centre-left PM wins second term after months of wrangling

A top North Korean diplomat was travelling to Sweden Tuesday, she told reporters, as speculation mounts over the next summit between the isolated state's leader <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-seeks-to-up-ante-with-xi-summit-analysts-189006&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi-wqWave_fAhUHuY8KHRVKAsUQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3QRoSp6uM2wv1niHr2J446">Kim Jong Un</a> and US President Donald Trump.

Choe Son Hui, a North Korean vice-minister of foreign affairs, landed in Beijing on a flight from the North Korean capital Pyongyang.

"I am going to an international conference in Sweden," South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted her as saying on arrival at the airport.

Choe's trip comes as expectations grow for a second meeting between Kim and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-record-long-government-shutdown-could-be-resolved-in-15-minutes-189918&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiMu_WBwO_fAhXYe30KHXYcBmwQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw080PzFPcJFkJya-os8jZgU">Trump</a>&nbsp;— despite a lack of progress in denuclearisation negotiations — after the North Korean leader went to Beijing, long Pyongyang's key ally, last week for talks with President Xi Jinping.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Kim's trip was a sign a second US-North Korean summit was "imminent", and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added at the weekend that: "We're working out the details".

Suggestions circulating among Korea-watchers for possible venues include Vietnam and Thailand, among others.

Stockholm has a long history of mediating between Washington and Pyongyang — while the two do not have diplomatic relations, Sweden is the protecting power for US citizens in the Asian country, and Choe has been intimately involved in the US-North Korean relationship.

Before she assumed her current position, she was director general of the foreign ministry's North American department.

She was also among the officials who accompanied Kim to Singapore for his first summit with Trump in June.

The meeting, held in a blaze of publicity, saw the two men sign a vaguely worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula".

But progress has since stalled with the two sides disagreeing over what that means.

Pyongyang is seeking sanctions relief and rejects demands for what it calls its "unilateral" disarmament, while Washington insists that the punitive measures must stay in place until it gives up its nuclear arsenal.

Citing a diplomatic source, the South's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported Tuesday that Kim Yong Chol, Pompeo's counterpart in the discussion process, was expected to visit Washington later this week for talks.

There were no reports that he had passed through Beijing.

A top North Korean diplomat was travelling to Sweden Tuesday, she told reporters, as speculation mounts over the next summit between the isolated state's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump.

A top North Korean diplomat was travelling to Sweden Tuesday, she told reporters, as speculation mounts over the next summit between the isolated state's leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump. Choe Son Hui, a North Korean vice-minister of foreign affairs, landed in Beijing on a flight from the North Korean capital Pyongyang. "I am going to an international conference in Sweden," South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted her as saying on arrival at the airport. Choe's trip comes as expectations grow for a second meeting between Kim and Trump — despite a lack of progress in denuclearisation negotiations — after the North Korean leader went to Beijing, long Pyongyang's key ally, last week for talks with President Xi Jinping. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Kim's trip was a sign a second US-North Korean summit was "imminent", and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added at the weekend that: "We're working out the details". Suggestions circulating among Korea-watchers for possible venues include Vietnam and Thailand, among others. Stockholm has a long history of mediating between Washington and Pyongyang — while the two do not have diplomatic relations, Sweden is the protecting power for US citizens in the Asian country, and Choe has been intimately involved in the US-North Korean relationship. Before she assumed her current position, she was director general of the foreign ministry's North American department. She was also among the officials who accompanied Kim to Singapore for his first summit with Trump in June. The meeting, held in a blaze of publicity, saw the two men sign a vaguely worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula". But progress has since stalled with the two sides disagreeing over what that means. Pyongyang is seeking sanctions relief and rejects demands for what it calls its "unilateral" disarmament, while Washington insists that the punitive measures must stay in place until it gives up its nuclear arsenal. Citing a diplomatic source, the South's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported Tuesday that Kim Yong Chol, Pompeo's counterpart in the discussion process, was expected to visit Washington later this week for talks. There were no reports that he had passed through Beijing.

North Korean official heads for talks in Sweden: Report

Organic food has a bigger climate impact than conventionally farmed food, due to the greater areas of land required, according to a study.

Researchers from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden developed a new method for assessing the climate impact from land-use, and used this, along with other methods, to compare organic and conventional food production.

The results, published in the journal Nature, show that organic food can result in much greater emissions.

"Our study shows that organic peas, farmed in Sweden, have around a 50 per cent bigger climate impact than conventionally farmed peas," said Stefan Wirsenius, an associate professor at Chalmers.

"For some foodstuffs, there is an even bigger difference -- for example,&nbsp;with organic Swedish winter wheat the difference is closer to 70 per cent," Wirsenius said.

The reason why organic food is so much worse for the climate is that the yields per hectare are much lower, primarily because fertilisers are not used.

To produce the same amount of organic food, you therefore need a much bigger area of land, researchers said.

"The greater land-use in organic farming leads indirectly to higher carbon dioxide emissions, thanks to deforestation," said Wirsenius.

"If we use more land for the same amount of food, we contribute indirectly to bigger deforestation elsewhere in the world," he said.

Even organic meat and dairy products are -- from a climate point of view -- worse than their conventionally produced equivalents, researchers said. 
Since organic meat and milk production uses organic feed-stock, it also requires more land than conventional production, they said.

"This means that the findings on organic wheat and peas in principle also apply to meat and milk products," Wirsenius said.

"We have not done any specific calculations on meat and milk, however, and have no concrete examples of this in the article," he said.

The researchers used a new metric, which they call "Carbon Opportunity Cost", to evaluate the effect of greater land-use contributing to higher carbon dioxide emissions from deforestation.

This metric takes into account the amount of carbon that is stored in forests, and thus released as carbon dioxide as an effect of deforestation.

The study is among the first in the world to make use of this metric.

"The fact that more land use leads to greater climate impact has not often been taken into account in earlier comparisons between organic and conventional food," said Wirsenius.

Organic food has a bigger climate impact than conventionally farmed food, due to the greater areas of land required, according to a study. Researchers from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden developed a new method for assessing the climate impact from land-use, and used this, along with other methods, to compare organic and conventional food production.

Organic food has a bigger climate impact than conventionally farmed food, due to the greater areas of land required, according to a study. Researchers from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden developed a new method for assessing the climate impact from land-use, and used this, along with other methods, to compare organic and conventional food production. The results, published in the journal Nature, show that organic food can result in much greater emissions. "Our study shows that organic peas, farmed in Sweden, have around a 50 per cent bigger climate impact than conventionally farmed peas," said Stefan Wirsenius, an associate professor at Chalmers. "For some foodstuffs, there is an even bigger difference -- for example, with organic Swedish winter wheat the difference is closer to 70 per cent," Wirsenius said. The reason why organic food is so much worse for the climate is that the yields per hectare are much lower, primarily because fertilisers are not used. To produce the same amount of organic food, you therefore need a much bigger area of land, researchers said. "The greater land-use in organic farming leads indirectly to higher carbon dioxide emissions, thanks to deforestation," said Wirsenius. "If we use more land for the same amount of food, we contribute indirectly to bigger deforestation elsewhere in the world," he said. Even organic meat and dairy products are -- from a climate point of view -- worse than their conventionally produced equivalents, researchers said. Since organic meat and milk production uses organic feed-stock, it also requires more land than conventional production, they said. "This means that the findings on organic wheat and peas in principle also apply to meat and milk products," Wirsenius said. "We have not done any specific calculations on meat and milk, however, and have no concrete examples of this in the article," he said. The researchers used a new metric, which they call "Carbon Opportunity Cost", to evaluate the effect of greater land-use contributing to higher carbon dioxide emissions from deforestation. This metric takes into account the amount of carbon that is stored in forests, and thus released as carbon dioxide as an effect of deforestation. The study is among the first in the world to make use of this metric. "The fact that more land use leads to greater climate impact has not often been taken into account in earlier comparisons between organic and conventional food," said Wirsenius.

Organic food has bigger climate impact than conventionally farmed food: Study

Yemen's warring parties convene in Sweden on Thursday for UN-led peace talks for the first time since 2016 in a small victory for special envoy Martin Griffiths as he attempts to re-launch negotiations to end nearly four years of war.

Various UN&nbsp;mediators had sponsored a series of failed peace rounds since a Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa by the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement in 2014.

Deep mistrust among all sides has made it difficult to launch a political process to resolve the disastrous conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and left millions living under the threat of starvation and disease.

Analysts say getting the parties to Sweden was an accomplishment in itself as the last attempt for talks in Geneva in September was abandoned when the Houthis, who control most population centres in Yemen, failed to show up.

A UN&nbsp;source said the two sides were unlikely to hold direct talks at a renovated castle outside Stockholm. Griffiths' team would shuttle between them to discuss confidence-building steps and the formation of a transitional governing body.

Prospects for the new round of talks have risen as Western allies that supply arms and intelligence to the coalition press Saudi Arabia to end the conflict, seen widely in the region as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran.

Delegates from both Hadi's government and the Houthi group have praised Griffiths, who took over as mediator in February, for securing some confidence-building steps ahead of the talks, including evacuating wounded Houthi fighters for treatment.

The envoy is seeking agreement on reopening Sanaa airport, swapping prisoners and securing a truce in the Houthi-held port of Hodeidah, now a focus of the war.

This could lead to a wider ceasefire that would halt coalition air strikes blamed for the deaths of thousands of civilians and Houthi missile attacks on Saudi cities.

The United Nations is trying to avert a full-scale assault on Hodeidah, the entry point for most of Yemen's commercial goods and aid. Both sides have reinforced positions in the Red Sea city in sporadic battles after a de-escalation last month.

Outrage over the Oct. 2 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's Istanbul consulate has refocused attention on the Yemen war and scrutiny over Riyadh's regional activities.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, leaders of the Sunni Muslim alliance, want to exit a costly war that has become bogged in a military stalemate since the coalition seized the southern port of Aden in 2015, its sole major gain despite superior air power.

The Gulf states, wary of Iranian influence, entered the war in support of Hadi, who was elected in 2012 to a two-year term to oversee a democratic transition after mass protests in 2011 toppled late former President Ali Abdullah al-Saleh.

The Houthis deny they are Iranian pawns and say their movement is a national revolution against corruption.

Yemen's warring parties convene in Sweden on Thursday for UN-led peace talks for the first time since 2016 in a small victory for special envoy Martin Griffiths as he attempts to re-launch negotiations to end nearly four years of war.

Yemen's warring parties convene in Sweden on Thursday for UN-led peace talks for the first time since 2016 in a small victory for special envoy Martin Griffiths as he attempts to re-launch negotiations to end nearly four years of war. Various UN mediators had sponsored a series of failed peace rounds since a Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa by the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement in 2014. Deep mistrust among all sides has made it difficult to launch a political process to resolve the disastrous conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and left millions living under the threat of starvation and disease. Analysts say getting the parties to Sweden was an accomplishment in itself as the last attempt for talks in Geneva in September was abandoned when the Houthis, who control most population centres in Yemen, failed to show up. A UN source said the two sides were unlikely to hold direct talks at a renovated castle outside Stockholm. Griffiths' team would shuttle between them to discuss confidence-building steps and the formation of a transitional governing body. Prospects for the new round of talks have risen as Western allies that supply arms and intelligence to the coalition press Saudi Arabia to end the conflict, seen widely in the region as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran. Delegates from both Hadi's government and the Houthi group have praised Griffiths, who took over as mediator in February, for securing some confidence-building steps ahead of the talks, including evacuating wounded Houthi fighters for treatment. The envoy is seeking agreement on reopening Sanaa airport, swapping prisoners and securing a truce in the Houthi-held port of Hodeidah, now a focus of the war. This could lead to a wider ceasefire that would halt coalition air strikes blamed for the deaths of thousands of civilians and Houthi missile attacks on Saudi cities. The United Nations is trying to avert a full-scale assault on Hodeidah, the entry point for most of Yemen's commercial goods and aid. Both sides have reinforced positions in the Red Sea city in sporadic battles after a de-escalation last month. Outrage over the Oct. 2 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's Istanbul consulate has refocused attention on the Yemen war and scrutiny over Riyadh's regional activities. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, leaders of the Sunni Muslim alliance, want to exit a costly war that has become bogged in a military stalemate since the coalition seized the southern port of Aden in 2015, its sole major gain despite superior air power. The Gulf states, wary of Iranian influence, entered the war in support of Hadi, who was elected in 2012 to a two-year term to oversee a democratic transition after mass protests in 2011 toppled late former President Ali Abdullah al-Saleh. The Houthis deny they are Iranian pawns and say their movement is a national revolution against corruption.

Yemen's warring parties to convene for UN-led peace talks in Sweden

A Houthi delegation arrived in Sweden on Tuesday for UN-sponsored Yemen peace talks, the first since 2016, as Western nations press for an end to the war and the United Nations warned of a looming economic disaster.

The nearly four-year-old conflict, which has killed tens of thousands and left millions facing starvation, pits the Iranian-aligned Houthi group against Yemeni forces backed by an Arab coalition loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Houthi team was escorted from the capital Sanaa, which was seized by the group in 2014, to Sweden by UN special envoy Martin Griffiths. Before boarding a Kuwaiti plane, one delegate praised him for delivering on confidence-building measures like the evacuation of wounded fighters and a prisoner swap deal.

"Griffiths was true to his word ... We are certain he has put in place a general framework for negotiations in order to proceed with the political process," Abdelmeguid Hanash told reporters.&nbsp;

Hadi`s government is expected to follow the Houthis, whose attendance was secured after the evacuation of 50 wounded Houthis for treatment in Oman on Monday. A previous round in September collapsed when the Houthis failed to appear.

The talks will be held in a renovated castle outside Stockholm to discuss further confidence-building steps and a transitional governing body, as the U.S. Senate is set to consider a resolution to end support for the coalition in the war.

Outrage over the October 2 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has intensified international scrutiny of Saudi activities in the region, potentially giving Western powers, which provide arms and intelligence to the coalition, more leverage to demand action.

Germany, Denmark and Sweden have suspended arms exports to Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi`s killing and the Yemen war. The United States halted refuelling support for coalition warplanes, whose air strikes have been blamed for many civilian deaths.

The Arab alliance intervened in the war in 2015 to restore Hadi`s government, but has bogged down in military stalemate.

Residents in the port of Hodeidah, now a focus of the war, were fearful of renewed fighting if the talks failed as each side fortified their positions in the Houthi-held Red Sea city after a period of reduced hostilities.

"The situation here does not make us optimistic that we will avoid war," said 51-year-old government employee Mohammed Taher.

SEVERE HUNGER

The conflict, seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran, has left over 8 million Yemenis facing famine although the United Nations has warned this could rise to 14 million. Three-quarters of the population, or 22 million, rely on aid.

World Food Programme chief David Beasley said in Geneva that an upcoming food security report would show an increase in severe hunger rates in Yemen - where a child dies every 11 minutes - but not necessarily meet the criteria of famine.&nbsp;

UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said Yemen`s government will need billions of dollars in external support to fund core state functions, its 2019 budget and to avoid another currency collapse, in addition to $4 billion in aid.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Tuesday that the Sweden talks are a "critical opportunity".

"A sustainable Yemeni-led political solution offers the best chance to ending the current crisis. A stable state, important for the region, cannot coexist with unlawful militias."

The talks, which will focus on reopening Sanaa airport, implementing a prisoner swap and securing a truce in Hodeidah, the entry point for most of Yemen`s commercial goods and aid.

This would serve as a foundation for a wider ceasefire that would halt coalition air strikes and Houthi missile attacks on Saudi cities.

The last available UN figure for the civilian death toll was in 2016 and stood at more than 10,000. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which tracks violence in Yemen, puts it at around 57,000 people.

A Houthi delegation arrived in Sweden on Tuesday for UN-sponsored Yemen peace talks, the first since 2016, as Western nations press for an end to the war and the United Nations warned of a looming economic disaster.

A Houthi delegation arrived in Sweden on Tuesday for UN-sponsored Yemen peace talks, the first since 2016, as Western nations press for an end to the war and the United Nations warned of a looming economic disaster. The nearly four-year-old conflict, which has killed tens of thousands and left millions facing starvation, pits the Iranian-aligned Houthi group against Yemeni forces backed by an Arab coalition loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Houthi team was escorted from the capital Sanaa, which was seized by the group in 2014, to Sweden by UN special envoy Martin Griffiths. Before boarding a Kuwaiti plane, one delegate praised him for delivering on confidence-building measures like the evacuation of wounded fighters and a prisoner swap deal. "Griffiths was true to his word ... We are certain he has put in place a general framework for negotiations in order to proceed with the political process," Abdelmeguid Hanash told reporters. Hadi`s government is expected to follow the Houthis, whose attendance was secured after the evacuation of 50 wounded Houthis for treatment in Oman on Monday. A previous round in September collapsed when the Houthis failed to appear. The talks will be held in a renovated castle outside Stockholm to discuss further confidence-building steps and a transitional governing body, as the U.S. Senate is set to consider a resolution to end support for the coalition in the war. Outrage over the October 2 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has intensified international scrutiny of Saudi activities in the region, potentially giving Western powers, which provide arms and intelligence to the coalition, more leverage to demand action. Germany, Denmark and Sweden have suspended arms exports to Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi`s killing and the Yemen war. The United States halted refuelling support for coalition warplanes, whose air strikes have been blamed for many civilian deaths. The Arab alliance intervened in the war in 2015 to restore Hadi`s government, but has bogged down in military stalemate. Residents in the port of Hodeidah, now a focus of the war, were fearful of renewed fighting if the talks failed as each side fortified their positions in the Houthi-held Red Sea city after a period of reduced hostilities. "The situation here does not make us optimistic that we will avoid war," said 51-year-old government employee Mohammed Taher. SEVERE HUNGER The conflict, seen as a proxy war between Riyadh and Tehran, has left over 8 million Yemenis facing famine although the United Nations has warned this could rise to 14 million. Three-quarters of the population, or 22 million, rely on aid. World Food Programme chief David Beasley said in Geneva that an upcoming food security report would show an increase in severe hunger rates in Yemen - where a child dies every 11 minutes - but not necessarily meet the criteria of famine. UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said Yemen`s government will need billions of dollars in external support to fund core state functions, its 2019 budget and to avoid another currency collapse, in addition to $4 billion in aid. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Tuesday that the Sweden talks are a "critical opportunity". "A sustainable Yemeni-led political solution offers the best chance to ending the current crisis. A stable state, important for the region, cannot coexist with unlawful militias." The talks, which will focus on reopening Sanaa airport, implementing a prisoner swap and securing a truce in Hodeidah, the entry point for most of Yemen`s commercial goods and aid. This would serve as a foundation for a wider ceasefire that would halt coalition air strikes and Houthi missile attacks on Saudi cities. The last available UN figure for the civilian death toll was in 2016 and stood at more than 10,000. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which tracks violence in Yemen, puts it at around 57,000 people.

Yemen's Houthis in Sweden for peace talks; UN warns of economic breakdown

Peace talks aimed at ending the war in Yemen have been set for early December in Sweden, between Huthi rebels and the UN-recognized government, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday.

He said the Saudis and United Arab Emirates -- who have militarily backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi in the brutal three-year-old war -- "are fully on board, by the way."

"It looks like that very, very early in December, up in Sweden, we'll see both the Huthi rebel side and the UN-recognized government, President Hadi's government, will be up there."

Mattis last month made a surprise call for a ceasefire in Yemen and urged warring parties to enter negotiations within the next 30 days.

The United Nations has now pushed that deadline back to the end of the year.

Mattis' latest comments came as the US State Department said talks must not be delayed any longer, and UN envoy Martin Griffiths was in Sanaa for talks with rebel leaders to push them to join the peace talks in Sweden.

Griffiths is spearheading the biggest push in two years to end the war, which has sparked what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

It also comes a day after US President Donald Trump vowed to stick with Saudi Arabia as an ally despite the gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul October 2.

The CIA has reportedly concluded that the murder was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but Trump chose to overlook that in favor of the larger relationship with the kingdom.

"On the Khashoggi affair, presidents don't often get the freedom to work with unblemished partners in all things," Mattis said.

"If you want to end the war you're going to deal with Saudi. You can't say I'm not going to deal with them," he said.

US weapons

Washington has been providing bombs and other weapons, as well as intelligence support, to the Saudi-led coalition backing Hadi, but recently ended its refueling support for Saudi warplanes.

The Huthis failed to show up to peace talks in Switzerland in September, leading to the collapse of that effort to end the fighting.

The Huthis have said repeatedly that they need stronger security guarantees from the international community that they will be given safe passage through the crippling air and sea blockade the coalition has enforced since March 2015.

UN agencies say up to 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation if fighting closes the port of Hodeida, a gateway for humanitarian aid.

"All parties must not delay talks any longer, or insist on travel or transport conditions that call into question good faith intentions to look for a solution or to make necessary concessions," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

"The time for direct talks and building mutual confidence is now."

Nauert said the US welcomes the coalition's Tuesday announcement of $500 million to address Yemen's food security crisis.

"In addition to this, Hodeida port must be turned over to a neutral party to accelerate the distribution of aid to address the acute humanitarian crisis, and to prevent the port from being used to smuggle weapons and contraband into the country or to finance the Huthi militia," Nauert said. &nbsp;

"It is time to end this conflict, replace conflict with compromise, and allow the Yemeni people to heal through peace and reconstruction."

Years of United Nations-backed peace efforts have failed to end Yemen's fighting, which has killed nearly 10,000 people -- mostly civilians -- since the Saudi-led coalition intervened.

Peace talks aimed at ending the war in Yemen have been set for early December in Sweden, between Huthi rebels and the UN-recognized government, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday.

Peace talks aimed at ending the war in Yemen have been set for early December in Sweden, between Huthi rebels and the UN-recognized government, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday. He said the Saudis and United Arab Emirates -- who have militarily backed President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi in the brutal three-year-old war -- "are fully on board, by the way." "It looks like that very, very early in December, up in Sweden, we'll see both the Huthi rebel side and the UN-recognized government, President Hadi's government, will be up there." Mattis last month made a surprise call for a ceasefire in Yemen and urged warring parties to enter negotiations within the next 30 days. The United Nations has now pushed that deadline back to the end of the year. Mattis' latest comments came as the US State Department said talks must not be delayed any longer, and UN envoy Martin Griffiths was in Sanaa for talks with rebel leaders to push them to join the peace talks in Sweden. Griffiths is spearheading the biggest push in two years to end the war, which has sparked what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. It also comes a day after US President Donald Trump vowed to stick with Saudi Arabia as an ally despite the gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul October 2. The CIA has reportedly concluded that the murder was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but Trump chose to overlook that in favor of the larger relationship with the kingdom. "On the Khashoggi affair, presidents don't often get the freedom to work with unblemished partners in all things," Mattis said. "If you want to end the war you're going to deal with Saudi. You can't say I'm not going to deal with them," he said. US weapons Washington has been providing bombs and other weapons, as well as intelligence support, to the Saudi-led coalition backing Hadi, but recently ended its refueling support for Saudi warplanes. The Huthis failed to show up to peace talks in Switzerland in September, leading to the collapse of that effort to end the fighting. The Huthis have said repeatedly that they need stronger security guarantees from the international community that they will be given safe passage through the crippling air and sea blockade the coalition has enforced since March 2015. UN agencies say up to 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation if fighting closes the port of Hodeida, a gateway for humanitarian aid. "All parties must not delay talks any longer, or insist on travel or transport conditions that call into question good faith intentions to look for a solution or to make necessary concessions," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. "The time for direct talks and building mutual confidence is now." Nauert said the US welcomes the coalition's Tuesday announcement of $500 million to address Yemen's food security crisis. "In addition to this, Hodeida port must be turned over to a neutral party to accelerate the distribution of aid to address the acute humanitarian crisis, and to prevent the port from being used to smuggle weapons and contraband into the country or to finance the Huthi militia," Nauert said. "It is time to end this conflict, replace conflict with compromise, and allow the Yemeni people to heal through peace and reconstruction." Years of United Nations-backed peace efforts have failed to end Yemen's fighting, which has killed nearly 10,000 people -- mostly civilians -- since the Saudi-led coalition intervened.

Yemen peace talks set for early December in Sweden: US

Sweden's Victor Lindelof and Marcus Berg secured a 2-0 win over Russia on Tuesday and promotion from Nations League B Group 2 thanks to a better head-to-head record than the visitors.

Both teams finished on seven points but a scoreless draw in Russia and Tuesday's win in Stockholm propelled the Swedes into the top tier of the new competition as group winners.

Turkey were relegated to League C with three points following their 1-0 loss at home to Sweden on Saturday.

Defender Lindelof, named best player at Sweden's annual&nbsp;football&nbsp;awards last week, rattled home Mikael Lustig's knock-down from a corner to give his side the lead in the 41st minute.

Striker Marcus Berg, heavily criticised for his wasteful finishing during Sweden's remarkable run to the World Cup quarter-finals where they lost to England, extracted a measure of revenge by wrapping up the win with a tap-in in the 72nd.

As this year's World Cup hosts Russia chased the game and made a number of changes in attack, the Swedes lost forward Viktor Claesson to a twisted ankle but the central defensive pairing of Lindelof and Andreas Granqvist held firm.

Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen had little to do as the expected Russian onslaught failed to materialise, and Janne Andersson's side closed out the year with a vital win.

The Swedes will be in League A for the next Nations League campaign and have an extra chance to qualify for Euro 2020 via the playoffs if they need it. Russia will remain in League B.

Sweden's Victor Lindelof and Marcus Berg secured a 2-0 win over Russia on Tuesday and promotion from Nations League B Group 2 thanks to a better head-to-head record than the visitors.

Sweden's Victor Lindelof and Marcus Berg secured a 2-0 win over Russia on Tuesday and promotion from Nations League B Group 2 thanks to a better head-to-head record than the visitors. Both teams finished on seven points but a scoreless draw in Russia and Tuesday's win in Stockholm propelled the Swedes into the top tier of the new competition as group winners. Turkey were relegated to League C with three points following their 1-0 loss at home to Sweden on Saturday. Defender Lindelof, named best player at Sweden's annual football awards last week, rattled home Mikael Lustig's knock-down from a corner to give his side the lead in the 41st minute. Striker Marcus Berg, heavily criticised for his wasteful finishing during Sweden's remarkable run to the World Cup quarter-finals where they lost to England, extracted a measure of revenge by wrapping up the win with a tap-in in the 72nd. As this year's World Cup hosts Russia chased the game and made a number of changes in attack, the Swedes lost forward Viktor Claesson to a twisted ankle but the central defensive pairing of Lindelof and Andreas Granqvist held firm. Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen had little to do as the expected Russian onslaught failed to materialise, and Janne Andersson's side closed out the year with a vital win. The Swedes will be in League A for the next Nations League campaign and have an extra chance to qualify for Euro 2020 via the playoffs if they need it. Russia will remain in League B.

Sweden claim Nations League promotion with 2-0 win over Russia

Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen pulled off a world-class save as his side held Russia to a 0-0 draw in their Nations League B, Group 2 clash in Kaliningrad on Thursday.

Both teams exited this year's World Cup at the quarter-final stage and Sweden once again showcased the defensive stability that has made them so hard to beat under coach Janne Andersson.

The hosts failed to convert their dominance of possession into shots on target until 10 minutes from fulltime, when Olsen had to make a superb, acrobatic save to keep out a fearsome effort from Daler Kuzyaev.

That was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock and the result leaves Russia top of the group on four points after two games.

Russia face second-placed Turkey, who are a point adrift, on Sunday, with the Swedes bottom on one point ahead of their friendly with Slovakia on Tuesday.

Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen pulled off a world-class save as his side held Russia to a 0-0 draw in their Nations League B, Group 2 clash in Kaliningrad on Thursday.

Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen pulled off a world-class save as his side held Russia to a 0-0 draw in their Nations League B, Group 2 clash in Kaliningrad on Thursday. Both teams exited this year's World Cup at the quarter-final stage and Sweden once again showcased the defensive stability that has made them so hard to beat under coach Janne Andersson. The hosts failed to convert their dominance of possession into shots on target until 10 minutes from fulltime, when Olsen had to make a superb, acrobatic save to keep out a fearsome effort from Daler Kuzyaev. That was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock and the result leaves Russia top of the group on four points after two games. Russia face second-placed Turkey, who are a point adrift, on Sunday, with the Swedes bottom on one point ahead of their friendly with Slovakia on Tuesday.

Olsen's super save helps Sweden hold Russia to 0-0 draw

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven lost a no-confidence vote in parliament on Tuesday and will step down after four years in power, but with neither major political bloc holding a majority it remained unclear who will form the next government.

Voters delivered a hung parliament in the September 9 election with Lofven's centre-left bloc garnering 144 seats, one more than the centre-right opposition Alliance.

The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, with 62 seats and shunned by all parties since entering parliament in 2010, backed the Alliance in the vote - an obligatory test of the prime minister's parliamentary support after an election.

Analysts expect the speaker to pick Ulf Kristersson, leader of the biggest Alliance party, the Moderates, to try to form a new administration.

But lacking a majority, he needs support either from the Sweden Democrats, with roots in the white supremacist fringe, or the centre left.

"If the Alliance parties choose to try to govern as the smallest bloc, then they make themselves totally dependent on the Sweden Democrats," Lofven said.

Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson repeated on Tuesday his party wanted a say in policy as the price of supporting a new government.

"We will do everything in our power to stop any attempt to form a government, do everything to bring down every government, which does not give us a reasonable influence in proportion to our electoral support," Akesson said.

The Alliance of the Moderates, Centre, Liberal and Christian Democrats has said it will not negotiate with the Sweden Democrats, who want to freeze immigration and have called for a new vote on membership of the European Union.

Lofven ruled out backing an Alliance government, leaving politics deadlocked.

"I want to continue to lead the country as prime minister," he said.

"I want to lead a government that has broader support in the country's parliament and that allows us to leave stalemate of bloc politics."

The speaker has four goes at finding a new government and if the stalemate continues, Sweden will hold another election within three months.

With a new vote unlikely to change the situation much, some kind of compromise is likely to be thrashed out.

A number of party combinations have been suggested, but all would have a heavy political cost and a deal is could take weeks.

Lofven will lead a transition government until a new administration is installed.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven lost a no-confidence vote in parliament on Tuesday and will step down after four years in power, but with neither major political bloc holding a majority it remained unclear who will form the next government.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven lost a no-confidence vote in parliament on Tuesday and will step down after four years in power, but with neither major political bloc holding a majority it remained unclear who will form the next government. Voters delivered a hung parliament in the September 9 election with Lofven's centre-left bloc garnering 144 seats, one more than the centre-right opposition Alliance. The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, with 62 seats and shunned by all parties since entering parliament in 2010, backed the Alliance in the vote - an obligatory test of the prime minister's parliamentary support after an election. Analysts expect the speaker to pick Ulf Kristersson, leader of the biggest Alliance party, the Moderates, to try to form a new administration. But lacking a majority, he needs support either from the Sweden Democrats, with roots in the white supremacist fringe, or the centre left. "If the Alliance parties choose to try to govern as the smallest bloc, then they make themselves totally dependent on the Sweden Democrats," Lofven said. Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson repeated on Tuesday his party wanted a say in policy as the price of supporting a new government. "We will do everything in our power to stop any attempt to form a government, do everything to bring down every government, which does not give us a reasonable influence in proportion to our electoral support," Akesson said. The Alliance of the Moderates, Centre, Liberal and Christian Democrats has said it will not negotiate with the Sweden Democrats, who want to freeze immigration and have called for a new vote on membership of the European Union. Lofven ruled out backing an Alliance government, leaving politics deadlocked. "I want to continue to lead the country as prime minister," he said. "I want to lead a government that has broader support in the country's parliament and that allows us to leave stalemate of bloc politics." The speaker has four goes at finding a new government and if the stalemate continues, Sweden will hold another election within three months. With a new vote unlikely to change the situation much, some kind of compromise is likely to be thrashed out. A number of party combinations have been suggested, but all would have a heavy political cost and a deal is could take weeks. Lofven will lead a transition government until a new administration is installed.

Swedish PM Lofven voted out by parliament, new government unclear

Ahead of the Environment Day on June 5, an event was organised by the Embassy of Sweden, a group of ploggers of India and the European Union in New Delhi on Friday.&nbsp;

The participants of the event pledged for clean and plastic free Delhi by " plogging ".

They jogged around the India gate simultaneously picking up trash from around the monument.

The event was organised as part of EU's series of environmental programmes in India.

Plogging is a Swedish fitness trend that combines running with collecting garbage.

The EU delegation and the embassies of the EU member states are expected to introduce a "green-pledge" on June 5 to ensure single-use plstic products, saving energy and water resources and managing waste.

Ahead of the Environment Day on June 5, an event was organised by the Embassy of Sweden, a group of ploggers of India and the European Union in New Delhi on Friday

Ahead of the Environment Day on June 5, an event was organised by the Embassy of Sweden, a group of ploggers of India and the European Union in New Delhi on Friday. The participants of the event pledged for clean and plastic free Delhi by " plogging ". They jogged around the India gate simultaneously picking up trash from around the monument. The event was organised as part of EU's series of environmental programmes in India. Plogging is a Swedish fitness trend that combines running with collecting garbage. The EU delegation and the embassies of the EU member states are expected to introduce a "green-pledge" on June 5 to ensure single-use plstic products, saving energy and water resources and managing waste.

India, EU pledge to 'plog' for plastic-free Delhi

World Environment Day will be celebrated on 5th June. Did you know that Sweden's waste recycling management is so extraordinary that they have run out of waste and have started importing rubbish from other countries to keep its state-of-the-art recycling plants functioning.

Less than 1 per cent of Swedish household waste was sent to landfill in 2017 or any year since 2011. &nbsp

So why is their recycling system so far ahead? &nbspSweden was one of the first countries to implement a heavy tax on fossil fuels in 1991 and now sources almost half its electricity from renewables.&nbsp

“Swedish people are keen on being out in nature. We worked on communications to make people aware not to throw things outdoors so that we can recycle and reuse,” said Anna-Carin Gripwall, director of communications for Avfall Sverige, the Swedish Waste Management’s recycling association.

The aim in Sweden is still to stop people from sending waste for recycling altogether. A national campaign called the “Miljönär-vänlig” movement has for several years promoted the notion that there is much to be gained through repairing, sharing and reusing.&nbsp

Sweden has implemented a cohesive national recycling policy so that even though private companies undertake most of the business of importing and burning waste, the energy goes into a national heating network to heat homes through the extremely cold winter.

“That is a key reason that we have this district network so that we can make use of the heating from the waste plants. In the southern part of Europe, they do not make use of the heating from the waste, and, it just goes out the chimney. Here we use it as a substitute for fossil fuel,” PTI reported Gripwell as saying.

She describes Sweden’s policy of importing waste to recycle from other countries as a temporary situation. “There’s a ban on landfill in EU countries, so instead of paying the fine they send it to us as a service. They should and will build their own plants, to reduce their own waste, as we are working hard to do in Sweden,” Ms Gripwall says.

A lot of investment has been gone into enhancing the waste collection techniques such as automated vacuum systems in residential blocks, removing the need for collection transport, and underground container systems that free up road space and get rid of any smells. 
&nbsp

Less than 1 per cent of Swedish household waste was sent to landfill in 2017 or any year since 2011

World Environment Day will be celebrated on 5th June. Did you know that Sweden's waste recycling management is so extraordinary that they have run out of waste and have started importing rubbish from other countries to keep its state-of-the-art recycling plants functioning. Less than 1 per cent of Swedish household waste was sent to landfill in 2017 or any year since 2011. So why is their recycling system so far ahead? &nbspSweden was one of the first countries to implement a heavy tax on fossil fuels in 1991 and now sources almost half its electricity from renewables. “Swedish people are keen on being out in nature. We worked on communications to make people aware not to throw things outdoors so that we can recycle and reuse,” said Anna-Carin Gripwall, director of communications for Avfall Sverige, the Swedish Waste Management’s recycling association. The aim in Sweden is still to stop people from sending waste for recycling altogether. A national campaign called the “Miljönär-vänlig” movement has for several years promoted the notion that there is much to be gained through repairing, sharing and reusing. Sweden has implemented a cohesive national recycling policy so that even though private companies undertake most of the business of importing and burning waste, the energy goes into a national heating network to heat homes through the extremely cold winter. “That is a key reason that we have this district network so that we can make use of the heating from the waste plants. In the southern part of Europe, they do not make use of the heating from the waste, and, it just goes out the chimney. Here we use it as a substitute for fossil fuel,” PTI reported Gripwell as saying. She describes Sweden’s policy of importing waste to recycle from other countries as a temporary situation. “There’s a ban on landfill in EU countries, so instead of paying the fine they send it to us as a service. They should and will build their own plants, to reduce their own waste, as we are working hard to do in Sweden,” Ms Gripwall says. A lot of investment has been gone into enhancing the waste collection techniques such as automated vacuum systems in residential blocks, removing the need for collection transport, and underground container systems that free up road space and get rid of any smells.

Sweden has run out of waste and is importing it from other countries

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