Latest news

Trump's USA Tensions in the Caribbean
Expert: Believes the US will attack within two days

Trump denies that he is planning any land attacks on Venezuela, but US expert Jan Hallenberg believes that he is bluffing in order to be able to surprise the country.

Most indications are that an attack will come within two days, probably with missiles or drones fired from ships off the coast of Venezuela, Hallenberg tells SvD.

- It will probably be an airstrike against a specific target in Venezuela - for example an air base where the US can claim that Maduro's military is smuggling drugs.

An attack is likely to lead to strong international condemnation and a fierce debate domestically, according to Hallenberg.

Drone alarm in Europe
Berlin airport closed for hours after drone alarm

All traffic at Berlin's international airport Berlin Brandenburg was stopped for two hours on Friday evening after a drone alarm, AFP reports.

A “whole series” of flights were diverted to other airports during the incident, a spokesperson for the airport said. It is unclear what kind of drones they were and how they were moving.

Several European airports, including in Denmark, Norway and Poland, have been forced to halt air traffic after drone alarms recently.

Elections in Tanzania
Embassy does not help Swedes in Tanzania

Despite the deadly riots in Tanzania, Sweden’s embassy has remained closed since Thursday, reports the newspaper Syre.

This despite Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) yesterday telling Ekot that the embassy “is working to ensure that staff and Swedes in the country are safe”. Around 1,000 Swedes are in Tanzania.

Anna, whose daughter is in Tanzania, says that the only way to get in touch with the embassy when they are closed is via email – but the internet is down in the country. Therefore, it is also not possible to follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' only advice, namely to download the Sweden Abroad app.

– I am shocked and disappointed. I thought more about our Swedish system than this, she says.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented on the information.

Global Public Health
Maldives to introduce smoking ban – first in the world

The Maldives will be the first country to introduce a smoking ban, reports The Guardian. No one born after January 1, 2007, will now be allowed to buy or use tobacco.

The aim is that the island nation wants to “promote a tobacco-free generation”. The ban was initiated by President Mohamed Muizzu earlier this year to protect public health. The ban also applies to visitors and tourists.

– The ban applies to all forms of tobacco, and retailers are required to verify age before sale, says Muizzu.