Sweden’s likely next prime minister has vowed to end segregation and “smoke out” the violence and wave of gang-related crime that has hit the country.
Magdalena Andersson, who would become Sweden’s first female leader, was backed by the ruling Social Democrats to take the leadership reigns from incumbent Prime Minister Stefan Lofven.
He wants to step down from his role before national elections due in September 2022.
Ms Andersson, currently Sweden's Finance Minister, said reducing the role of the private sector in education, health and elderly care, and addressing climate change would be priorities.
“I want ... no, I demand that we turn every stone to end segregation and smoke out the violence that threatens our entire community,” she said.
Sweden has in recent years struggled to rein in rising shootings and bombings — usually score-settling by organised criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking.
The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention says gun violence has been on the rise since 2005.
“Although it is difficult to explain the initial causes of the trend in Sweden, research shows that gun violence can escalate due to a social contagion effect, where one shooting tends to lead to another,” it said.
“It then becomes increasingly easy to resort to weapons and gun violence is used both offensively and in self-defence.
"At the same time, the increase in Sweden is limited to a very specific group — young men involved in criminal milieux in socially disadvantaged areas.”
While Ms Andersson is on track to become prime minister, her appointment is not assured.
Mr Lofven’s minority coalition with the Green Party has struggled since coming to power in 2014. Ms Andersson, 54, would need backing from the Greens as well as other parties to succeed Mr Lofven and lead the country.
Once he steps down, Ms Andersson would have to win a vote in the Swedish Parliament to become the nation's first female prime minister.
“With all the problems we have had, it is clear to people that we need to do more together,” she said.
Ms Andersson, the only daughter of a university professor and a teacher, first made a her name as a swimmer and twice won the Swedish national junior championship gold medal.
Ways to control drones
Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.
"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
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