The Power Big Meet in Västerås, Sweden, is the world's largest American car show, attracting 17,000 car owners globally. Rooted in Sweden's 1950s-inspired 'raggar' subculture, the event celebrates classic American cars, rockabilly music, and 1950s nostalgia. Participants, including Bertil Johansson, Sebastian Stridh, and Niklas Berggren, express a deep appreciation for the era's culture and community spirit. The event also features car competitions, social gatherings, and a marketplace for vintage car parts. Despite some controversial symbols like the Confederate flag, attendees emphasize the rebellious and communal aspects of the subculture.

Sweden's minister of culture, Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, faced backlash after participating in a controversial performance art piece by Afro-Swedish artist Makode Aj Linde, which involved a cake shaped like a stereotypical African woman. The event, intended to highlight female genital mutilation, was criticized as a 'racist spectacle' by the National Afro-Swedish Association, leading to calls for Liljeroth's resignation. The incident sparked widespread outrage and discussions on cultural sensitivity and artistic freedom.

Sweden's decision to avoid a government-mandated lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted significant challenges, particularly for its immigrant communities. Disproportionate COVID-19 cases among immigrants from Somalia, Iraq, and Syria reveal gaps in the country's public health strategy. Cultural differences and communication barriers have hindered the effective dissemination of health information. Authorities have acknowledged delays in translating information and are working to improve outreach. The situation underscores the need for tailored communication strategies to address diverse populations in public health crises.

Sweden has adopted a unique approach to the coronavirus pandemic, opting against the strict lockdown measures seen in other countries. The Swedish government relies heavily on the Public Health Agency's recommendations, emphasizing public trust and personal responsibility. Despite facing criticism, the strategy is rooted in Sweden's high level of social trust and independent public agencies. The outcome of this approach remains uncertain, with both support and skepticism from various experts and the public.

The Swedish Academy's crisis, triggered by sexual assault allegations and resulting in the cancellation of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature, has escalated into a national diplomatic issue. Swedish policymakers, including Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, are concerned about the impact on Sweden's international reputation. The scandal has intensified the national debate on Sverigebilden, the image of Sweden, which the government has been actively managing, especially in light of negative perceptions following the 2015 refugee crisis. The crisis is seen as an opportunity for reform within the Academy, reflecting Sweden's commitment to equality and transparency. Despite the negative media coverage, officials believe the long-term image of Sweden will remain intact.

The article reports on a terrorist attack in Stockholm where a man hijacked a beer lorry and drove it into a crowd of shoppers, resulting in at least four deaths and 15 injuries. The attack is compared to similar incidents in London, Berlin, and Nice. Following the attack, the city centre was locked down, and two men were arrested. One of the men, a 39-year-old, was apprehended in the northern suburb of Marsta after exhibiting suspicious behavior in a shop. Police have also released a photograph of a person of interest related to the attack.

The article discusses Sweden's 'Vision Zero' policy, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious accidents. Since its adoption in 1997, the policy has been successful in reducing traffic-related fatalities in Sweden and has been adopted by various countries and cities worldwide. The policy's success has led to its principles being applied to other areas in Sweden, such as drowning prevention, fall prevention among the elderly, construction-site accidents, workplace fatalities, and even abortion. The article also explores the application of Vision Zero to suicide prevention, which has been less successful. Critics argue that the policy's objectives are too vague and that the government's investment in suicide prevention is insufficient compared to traffic safety. Mental health professionals have questioned the feasibility of a zero-suicide goal, citing the complexity of mental health issues and the potential negative consequences of overzealous prevention measures. The article highlights the debate on whether the state should intervene to prevent self-harm and the balance between public safety and individual autonomy.

The article discusses the heightened Russian military activity around the eastern fringes of Europe, particularly in the Baltics, and Sweden's response to these developments. Sweden has witnessed Russian troops engaging in warfare and probing its coastal defenses. The Swedish government, led by the Social Democrats and Greens, is promoting a 'feminist foreign policy' as articulated by Foreign Minister Margot Wallström. This policy is influenced by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 and aims to include women in peace and security roles. However, Sweden is also facing internal political instability with a snap election called after the right-wing populist group, the Sweden Democrats, blocked the government's budget. The article explores the apparent contradiction between Sweden's increased military readiness and its feminist foreign policy, with opinions from various political scientists and defense officials. It also touches on the challenges the Social Democrats face in reconciling their defense stance with the Greens' preference for reduced military spending.

The article examines Sweden's response to Russian aggression in the Baltic region, highlighting the new Swedish government's feminist foreign policy led by Foreign Minister Margot Wallström. It discusses the challenges and criticisms of integrating feminist principles into traditional security policies, especially in the context of heightened military tensions with Russia. The article also covers the political instability in Sweden, including the upcoming snap election and the coalition dynamics between the Social Democrats and the Greens. Key figures such as Vladimir Putin, Stefan Löfven, and Sverker Göranson are mentioned, along with their respective roles and statements.

Swedish feminists, led by My Vingren, have launched a blog called 'Macho i Kollektivtrafiken' to address the issue of men taking up excessive space on public transport, which they view as a subtle form of gender-based oppression. The campaign aims to raise awareness about this behavior and its implications for gender equality. Despite Sweden's reputation as a gender-equal society, Vingren argues that significant inequalities persist. The article explores the motivations behind the campaign and the broader context of feminist struggles in Sweden.

The article discusses the phenomenon of 'Lunch Beat,' a movement that started in Sweden in 2010 where workers take an hour out of their workday to dance and enjoy music in a nightclub-like atmosphere, without drugs or alcohol. The concept, which began with 14 friends, has grown to attract up to 600 people and has spread across Europe. Lunch Beat events follow a manifesto with rules such as being nonprofit and not talking about jobs during the event. The journalist attended a Lunch Beat event in Stockholm and described the energetic and inclusive environment. The article also touches on the cultural shift from the perception of raves in the 1990s to the current trend of companies endorsing such events as a healthy alternative to traditional leisure activities.

The article discusses Sweden's reputation as a gender-equal paradise, highlighting its achievements such as the high percentage of working women and gender-equal parental leave policies. However, it delves into the growing movement towards gender neutrality, where activists seek to eliminate all gender distinctions, not just ensure equality. This includes advocating for gender-neutral names, clothing, and the use of the gender-neutral pronoun 'hen' in place of 'he' and 'she'. The article also covers the backlash from critics who argue that such measures can be confusing and damaging, particularly for children. It describes how Swedish schools and preschools are adopting gender-neutral policies, with some critics arguing that this new agenda is being embraced too quickly and could impose a new set of norms on children.

The Park Slope Food Co-op in Brooklyn voted against a boycott of Israeli products, with 1,005 votes against and 653 for the motion. The vote was seen as a symbolic act rather than an effective measure to influence the Israel-Palestine conflict. The article critiques the boycott movement as a form of moral posturing prevalent in Western circles, particularly in socially conscious communities like Park Slope. It argues that such consumer boycotts have minimal impact on the Israeli economy and serve more as a statement of political and moral identity for the participants than as a practical tool for change.