Sweden News Roundup for Thursday: Latest Developments Covered
In the realm of wildlife conservation, concerns about the elk population in Sweden are mounting. Henrik Thurfjell, organism group manager for SLU's databank of species, has highlighted that hunting, not a warmer climate or diseases, is the main factor behind the reduced elk population. Despite an increase in the elk population in northern Sweden, the overall elk population across the country has decreased by almost a quarter in ten years. The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has added the elk and the ferret to its preliminary "red list" of species at risk of extinction, listing them both as "near threatened."
Meanwhile, in the world of military exercises, the current status of USS Mount Whitney's relationship with Russian aircraft during the BALTOPS 25 military exercise in the Baltic region is characterized by cooperative interoperability rather than adversarial encounters. Notably, a Polish Special Operations Squadron successfully conducted deck landing qualifications aboard USS Mount Whitney using a Soviet-designed Mi-17 helicopter. This event is rare and strategically symbolic, demonstrating the ability of a Soviet-designed helicopter to adapt to U.S. Navy operational standards on a Cold War-era U.S. Navy command ship during the exercise.
The Polish Mi-17 helicopter performed multiple takeoffs and landings on USS Mount Whitney’s flight deck, marking an important milestone in joint military cooperation and interoperability between NATO allies, especially Poland and the United States. This operation showcases trust and professionalism and enhances the ability to operate seamlessly together to ensure security in the Baltic Sea region.
In other news, the liquidator of Northvolt's bankruptcy estate, Mikael Kubu, has declined to confirm the nationality of those interested in buying the factory. Five companies in total are interested in buying Northvolt's factory, including from Europe and North America. A deal for the sale of Northvolt's factory must be signed by the end of July, or the costs of keeping the factory and premises will be too high for the bankruptcy estate. Swedish Energy and Business Minister Ebba Busch has met at least two of the potential buyers for Northvolt's factory. An Indian company is among those interested in buying Northvolt's factory after the Swedish battery maker went bankrupt.
In the Swedish forestry industry, there is a call for more elk shooting to reduce grazing damage, despite the overall population decrease. This stance contrasts with the concerns raised by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) about the elk and ferret populations.
References: [1] https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/06/18/polish-special-operations-squadron-successfully-conducts-deck-landing-qualifications-aboard-uss-mount-whitney/ [2] https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/06/17/polish-special-ops-squadron-conducts-deck-landings-on-uss-mount-whitney-during-baltops-exercise.html [3] https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/06/17/polish-special-ops-helicopter-lands-on-uss-mount-whitney-during-baltops-exercise/ [5] https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2021/06/polish-special-ops-helicopter-lands-uss-mount-whitney-during-baltops-exercise/178142/
Here are the two sentences containing the words 'politics' and 'general-news':
- Meanwhile, in general news, the liquidator of Northvolt's bankruptcy estate, Mikael Kubu, has declined to confirm the nationality of those interested in buying the factory, creating a political conundrum.
- In the realm of politics, Swedish Energy and Business Minister Ebba Busch has met at least two of the potential buyers for Northvolt's factory, adding a political layer to the potential sale negotiations.
