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Sweden

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Sweden. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Stockholm

Head of State

King Carl XVI Gustaf

Head of Government

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson

Police and rescue services on site at Brinellskolan school during an emergency response after a man with a sword reportedly attacked several people at the school in Fagersta, Sweden, on Friday. Photo: EPA

European Union

Sword attack that killed 1 at Sweden high school prompts social media probe

Police are investigating whether the teenager who carried out the attack was involved in online communities promoting school violence.

23 Aug 2026 - 12:36AM

Crime

1 killed, 3 injured when man with sword attacks Swedish school

22 Aug 2026 - 5:00AM

China-EU relations

China’s trade grip tightens in Europe as clock ticks towards October deadline

22 Aug 2026 - 3:06AMvideocam

European Union

Belgium battles worst wildfire on record, EU allies come to aid

Helicopters from the Czech Republic and Swedish water-bombing aircraft were due to arrive under the European Union civil protection mechanism.

16 Aug 2026 - 6:09PM

Smoke from a massive wildfire in Belgium’s Hohes Venn region is seen from Germany, on Sunday. Photo: dpa

SCMP Highlights

China retaliates on US sanctions; North Korea’s dog meat advisory: 7 highlights

From Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao’s burger brand to Filipino star Eala’s maiden WTA win, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

7 Aug 2026 - 12:15PM

Trending in China

Chinese baby adopted by Swedish couple makes emotional return decades later

When asked about her decision, Gao reflects, ‘I’ve made peace with my past and need to know where my roots are’.

4 Aug 2026 - 6:14PM

Crime

Sweden doubles prison terms for gang-related crimes

Sweden has struggled to contain gang violence, with criminal networks often recruiting teenagers to carry out contract killings.

1 Aug 2026 - 9:01PMvideocam

A stop sign on the gates of Rosersberg Prison near Stockholm, Sweden. Under Sweden’s new rules, the maximum doubled sentence is capped at 18 years in prison. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong society

‘Fear and anger’ drive parents to seek review of city’s custody of baby Danny

Tsang Wai-bong and Kwan Pui-sin argue son should not be taken away from them because of their stance against vaccinations and prenatal check-ups.

31 Jul 2026 - 10:21PMvideocam

Britain

Norwegian teen found guilty in UK murder plot tied to Iran-linked group

Prosecutors said Natland had been recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organised crime group used by ⁠the Iranian state.

29 Jul 2026 - 8:49PMvideocam

Nordic nations

European heatwaves drive summer tourists to cooler north

The concept of ‘coolcations’ – holidays in a cooler clime – has been gathering pace in recent years and appears to have exploded in 2026.

26 Jul 2026 - 12:54PM

A tourist takes photos of Mount Nuolja, overlooking Abisko in northern Sweden, on August 26, 2021. Photo: AFP

France

Modelling scout with links to Epstein found dead in France

Daniel Siad, 69, was one of several men accused of helping the US financier traffic and abuse women.

23 Jul 2026 - 12:08PM

Daniel Siad had ties with Jeffrey Epstein. Photo: US Department of Justice

European Union

France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

France is the only nuclear power in the 27-member EU, while Germany plans to build Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039.

19 Jul 2026 - 6:32PM

Get to Know

Meet Greta Thunberg’s younger sister Beata Andersson, who’s a singer

The rising Swedish artist, known as Beata MonaLisa on social media, has distanced herself from her older sibling’s fame by changing her surname.

15 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong couple files complaint with UN over Swedish custody plans for daughter

Tsang Wai-bong and Kwan Pui-sin appeal to UN Human Rights Committee over Swedish authorities’ handling of four-year-old Lily in custody dispute.

14 Jul 2026 - 4:46PM

Kwan Pui-sin and Tsang Wai-bong are embroiled in a legal dispute with Swedish authorities over the custody of their four-year-old daughter, Lily. Photo: Handout

Science

Using AI could reduce exam scores by a fifth, a study on Chinese students finds

Researchers in Sweden and Hong Kong say students may experience a deceptive sense of fluency – AI makes tasks feel effortless.

14 Jul 2026 - 9:03AMvideocam

By comparing AI users with non-users, researchers from Sweden and Hong Kong found a clear gap: AI boosted short-term efficiency but harmed long-term learning. Photo: Shutterstock

Ukraine war

Ukraine allies meet in Paris to boost air defence, pressure Russia to end war

The 37-member Coalition of the Willing aims to develop ‘purely defensive’ anti-ballistic capabilities in Europe.

14 Jul 2026 - 3:40AMvideocam

Nato

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

10 Jul 2026 - 9:46AM

Crime

Norway police says 28 arrested in international child porn operation

The men, aged 22 to 54, had been arrested in Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.

8 Jul 2026 - 7:15PM

A visual representation of digital cryptocurrencies, including Monero. The arrested men had used the cryptocurrency Monero to pay for access to several forums on the dark web. Photo: Getty Images

European Union

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi calls on Sweden to help rebuild mutual trust

China’s top diplomat is visiting the Nordic countries amid a growing debate in the EU about how to respond to Beijing’s trade practices.

5 Jul 2026 - 4:38PMvideocam

China travel

China’s economic clout boosts ‘passport power’, index finds

Chinese travellers are gaining easier access to destinations worldwide, even as they still require visas for more countries than they can enter freely.

3 Jul 2026 - 4:00PM

European Union

Putin superyacht ‘Graceful’ spotted on radar off Denmark

Danish media said the boat, not seen on radar since 2022, was accompanied by two Russian warships, the Danish navy and the German coastguard.

30 Jun 2026 - 8:43PMvideocam

The luxury superyacht Graceful, widely believed to be part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal fleet. File photo: dpa

E-commerce

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

29 Jun 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

On AliExpress, Alibaba’s international retail site, this month’s debut of air conditioners in Germany saw local warehouse inventory for a Midea model completely wiped out by Thursday. Photo: Shutterstock

Artificial intelligence

China keeps an eye on AI smart glasses as privacy concerns come into focus

Voluntary code aims to address privacy fears surrounding AI smart glasses as shipments surge and hidden recordings spark public outrage.

26 Jun 2026 - 6:35PM

European Union

Swedish minister brings baby to EU meeting, a first for the bloc

She did so to highlight the benefits of parental leave policies that do not force women to choose between work and family.

25 Jun 2026 - 9:03PM

Science

China ‘on track to surpass United States’ in goals for human, planet health: UN

Report showing global progress on 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals shows gap between Chinese and US closed significantly since 2015.

25 Jun 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

According to UN data on its Sustainable Development Goals, China has achieved "no poverty" and quality education while the US has achieved the target for industry, innovation and infrastructure. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong children

Hong Kong parents may lose battle over daughter Lily amid fight for baby Danny

Ahead of court hearing over son, Tsang Wai-bong and Kwan Pui-sin say Swedish authorities have yet to arrange daughter’s return to Hong Kong.

25 Jun 2026 - 11:11PM

Hong Kong couple Tsang Wai-bong (right) and Kwan Pui-sin have been at the centre of a controversial cross-border child welfare case involving their three children. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong parents in welfare custody case say 2-month-old baby sick in hospital

Baby Danny was at one point recommended for meningitis testing.

22 Jun 2026 - 11:02PM

Crime

Swede who ‘ruthlessly’ prostituted wife to over 100 men jailed for 4½ years

The prosecutor said the woman had ‘a serious fear’ of her husband, who had warned her ‘the monster would be released’ if she angered him.

16 Jun 2026 - 6:49PM

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