In recent years, an average of ten children per year have died as a result of violence in Sweden. An investigation now proposes a new national strategy to combat violence against children .

New measures

Tens of thousands of children are subjected to violence every year in the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, bullying, abuse, and neglect. Around ten children die each year as a result of violence.

In the spring of 2021, the government set up an investigation for a national strategy to prevent and combat violence, and on Wednesday the final report was presented. Special investigator Fredrik Malmberg proposes a series of measures and new legislation to combat childhood violence.

Among many measures is the proposal that the public health agency provides support at the local and regional level, clarifies the role of municipalities, and ensures that children who are victims of violence receive a child-friendly hearing.

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by TT | edited by Riedia

🇹🇷 Kristersson: Don't bow down to Turkey

Swedish PM Kristersson is firm in his assertion that Sweden is not bowing down to Turkey .

The Swedish government has been criticized for its strong condemnation of a doll depicting Erdogan that was hung up outside the Swedish parliament last week.

“Completely wrong”

Kristersson says that critics are “completely wrong” when accusing the government of not standing up for freedom of speech; “these are people who are opposed to NATO membership, which is a very legitimate position, and I have no problem with that, but now we have made a decision to join NATO.” “This does not mean that those who are in favor of NATO are bowing down to Turkey.“

Kristersson says that Sweden is not giving in to Turkey, but rather working on a mutually beneficial relationship, “we promise to do a number of things that are important for both Swedish and Turkish security. And we are living up to exactly that agreement."

Turkey: “Absurd”

The doll hanging has enraged Turkish leaders. Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavusoglu called the decision to drop the prosecution, “extremely absurd” and a “racist hate crime.”

Swedish leaders reacted to the government’s decision.

Swedish Democrat Party leader Jimmie Åkesson understands the Swedish government's reaction, "at the same time, nothing criminal has been committed and it should not be criminal. You have the right to express your opinion."

Minister for Energy and Industry Ebba Busch (Christian Democrat Party) agrees, "in Sweden, it is possible to both mock the Christian faith and the Muslim faith. We stand by that freedom of speech.” But added that, “everything that is legal is not necessarily appropriate and we understand that it also lands badly."

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by TT | edited by Riedia

💡 Government attacked for "stingy" and late support

The opposition is attacking the government for delayed electricity support and lack of support for households in a difficult economic time.

"What is required for you to be able to act and support Swedish families with children?" Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson asks the Prime Minister.

“Alarming reports”

In this year's first party leader debate in the Riksdag, opposition parties criticized the government for lack of support for households.

"The high prices resulting from the pandemic and Putin's energy war are hitting households hard across Europe. We hear alarming reports that children are eating more at school when there is not enough money at home to satisfy hunger," says Magdalena Andersson.

The Social Democrats have proposed raising child benefits and the electricity bill, but the government says no, Andersson notes. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson countered this point, saying that the government’s budget focuses on helping those that need it the most, "there is nothing worse for Swedish households than inflation. If inflation takes hold again, almost no policy proposals will help."

Extending a hand

During the debate, Ulf Kristersson extended his hand to the opposition for more cooperation on migration, justice policy, and energy supply. None of the opposition leaders took him up on his offer, instead expressing their frustration that the government is not focussing on more immediate solutions.

Andersson complained that the government is only focused on long-term solutions to the electricity crisis, “the problem now is that we have a government that only focuses on nuclear power, which may come in 20 years,” adding that, “we Social Democrats are for more electricity, no matter what kind of power it comes from."

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by Maria Davidsson/TT, Anja Haglund/TT | edited by Riedia

🇲🇽 "El Chapo" asks for the President's help

Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, imprisoned in the United States, has sent an appeal to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

“Can’t see the sun”

"El Chapo" is appealing for the president's help because he claims to be a victim of psychological abuse in the US prison system.

In an interview with Radio Formula, his lawyer said that "El Chapo" is only allowed to be outside three times a week in a small area where he "can't see the sun." In addition, the drug kingpin is entitled to fewer visits and phone calls than other inmates.

The Mexican Embassy in Washington confirmed in a post on Twitter on Tuesday that it had received an email from “El Chapo’s” lawyer regarding the matter. Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said it was unlikely the government would act on behalf of the notorious drug lord; "he is serving a sentence there, he is convicted. So frankly I don't see any possibilities for him but I will consult the prosecutor's office."

“El Chapo” is serving a life sentence in the United States after being convicted in 2019 of drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapons-related crimes, among other charges.

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by TT | edited by Riedia

🏛️ Muharrem Demirok, candidate for Center Party leader, will give up his Turkish citizenship . The decision was made to ensure that there will be no obstacles in the future in terms of access to meetings or information if he becomes the party leader.

🚛 Projects are underway around Sweden to test digital speed barriers , which can prevent vehicles from driving faster than the speed limit. The technology used is called geofencing, and around 40 logging trucks have been equipped with technology that limits how fast the vehicles can drive on a certain stretch of road.

👮 Police have released a man who had been arrested on suspicion of aggravated rape in Kalmar. Prosecutor Camilla Nordgren says that after an investigation they made the assessment that the man had nothing to do with the crime and that he is no longer a suspect . No other person is a suspect at this stage so the investigation is being led by the police instead of the prosecutor.

🚨 At least 15 people, including the Ukrainian Minister of Interior, have died in a helicopter crash in Brovary just outside Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the deaths and described the incident as a terrible tragedy, “the pain is indescribable." The cause of the crash is still unknown. Ukrainian Attorney General Andrij Kostin wrote on Telegram, "at the moment, we are considering all kinds of explanations for the helicopter crash."

🐖 Norwegian officials are investigating the death of 276 pigs . Investigators say they were called to a farm in Northland where a water leak in a barn led to several pigs having to be killed. Police say two people have been charged with gross negligence.

🇬🇧 British nurses are on strike again , demanding higher wages and better working conditions and accusing the government of not negotiating seriously. The strike, which will last for two days, increases further pressure on the already hard-pressed publicly funded NHS.

🏥 Karolinska University Hospital reported a 6 percent increase in patients last year than they did in 2021. Björn Zoëga, Hospital Director at Karolinska Hospital, says that after the summer the hospital prepared for an increased number of office visits and operations.

👮 The far-right politician Rasmus Paludan wants to burn a Koran outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm this weekend. At the same time, Kurdish groups are planning a large demonstration against Turkey. Stockholm police confirm that an application was received from Paludan, but as of Wednesday morning had not yet made a decision on permission.

💣 Another explosion has occurred in Stockholm, this time in Kista. At least three floors have been damaged in the powerful explosion. No one lived in the building. A bomb squad was put in place to investigate the area and ensure that there were no remaining bombs on site.

⚽ Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr has raised questions about why he would choose to do so, despite his estimated fortune of $5 billion. Ronaldo argues that he wanted a new, different adventure and was attracted by the opportunity to break new ground. Critics argue that his move is all about money and shows a tone-deafness at a time when "sports washing" is a highly discussed topic.

🕵️ Aftonbladet's reporter Patrik Brenning is awarded the prize as Sports Journalist of the Year by the Swedish Sports Journalist Association for their reviews of children's and youth sports in Sweden. Brenning has, among other things, written about the exploitation of young women in equestrian sports and the exclusion of youth hockey, where he has encountered opposition from those he has examined.

🎾 The Australian Open has seen its fair share of weather-related disruptions, with both extreme heat and rain causing delays in Melbourne. The withdrawal of Nick Kyrgios added to the already existing difficulties faced by the tournament.

🔱 Poseidon with… well

One of Sweden’s most famous statues is located on Götaplatsen in Gothenburg.

Designed by artist Carl Milles, the statue was inaugurated in 1931. In the beginning, many people didn’t like it, finding the statue ugly and disproportionate.

There is a myth that some citizens even complained that the artist had made the statue’s genitalia too big. Legend has it the artist was forced to reduce the size of the statue’s penis, but made sure to add a big fish to Poseidon’s hand so that it looks like a penis when viewed from the steps of the concert hall.