Tim Cook called to ‘kiss my a**’: Donald Trump’s post on ‘incredible’ Apple CEO is all about himselfDonald Trump’s post on Tim Cook’s succession announcement has prompted varied reactions. Published on: Apr 22, 2026 6:53 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link President Donald
India, US seek greater clarity on trade issuesThe Indian negotiating team, led by Additional Secretary Darpan Jain, met US negotiators led by Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch to begin talks. Updated on: Apr 22, 2026 7:35 AM IST By Shashank Mattoo Share via Copy link Another round of
Ten years ago, Leicester were days away from winning the Premier League. Next season, they will play in League One. The Foxes have suffered a sharp decline since winning the FA Cup in 2021, and Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Hull City confirmed their relegation to the third tier.Ten years ago
The Congress on Tuesday submitted a privilege notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that his national address on April 18 “cast aspersions” on Opposition MPs. In a letter to Birla, Congress MP KC Venugopal said that a prime minister criticising the
Global oil prices traded lower on Wednesday morning after US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran to allow talks to continue toward a “unified proposal”. However, the ongoing US naval blockade of Iran and the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz limited
For most tourists heading to the picturesque meadows of Pahalgam in Kashmir, the first stop for many years has been a stone-paved pathway built along the banks of river Lidder. Standing in its middle, a decorative frame of wooden beams with colorful letters saying “I love Pahalgam”
Is Kevin Durant playing tonight? NBA injury analyst's concerning update with Game 2 status uncertainKevin Durant hurt his knee in practice after a collision caused a patellar tendon bruise; experts warn it could worsen. KD's status for Game 2 is uncertain. Published on: Apr 22
Sundar Pichai reacts to Tim Cook’s 1st tweet after Apple confirms John Ternus as new CEOTim Cook will become the executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors. John Ternus will assume the role of CEO on September 1. Published on: Apr 22, 2026 7:37 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy
Swedish workers trial 'friendship hour' to combat loneliness
Swedish workers trial 'friendship hour' to combat loneliness
Staff at a major Swedish pharmacy chain are being given paid time off to spend with friends, as Sweden's government calls on businesses to help play a role in tackling loneliness.
Yasmine Lindberg, 45, is one of 11 participants taking part in the pilot "friendcare" scheme for the pharmacy group Apotek Hjärtat.
She works shifts at the company's outlet at a retail park in Kalmar, a small seaside city in southern Sweden.
"I'm really tired when I go home. I don't have time or energy to meet my friends," she explains, before restocking a shelf of paracetamol.
Yasmine spends a lot of her free time with her teenage children who live with her every other week. But she admits feeling "quite lonely" since separating from her partner four years ago, which led to fewer social invitations with couples in their network.
Now, thanks to the Apotek Hjärtat pilot scheme, which started in April, she's granted 15 minutes a week, or an hour a month during working hours to focus on strengthening her friendships or making new connections.
She can use this allotted friendcare time to chat on the phone, make plans over text, or meet up with someone in person.
"I wanted to make it better for myself… like, kick myself in the back to do stuff," says Yasmine.
I feel happier. You can't live through the internet like most people do these days.
Like all participants in the pilot project, she has been given 1,000 kronor ($100; £80) by Apotek Hjärtat to help pay for friendship-based activities during the year-long trial.
The volunteers have also received online training in how to recognise and tackle loneliness, which the pharmacy chain has made available for all its 4,000 employees across Sweden.
Monica Magnusson, Apotek Hjärtat's CEO, says the inspiration for the company's friendcare project comes partly from a previous collaboration with the mental health charity Mind. She says that helped demonstrate how short meaningful conversations between pharmacists and customers could help the latter group feel less isolated.
The company wanted to test if providing a short amount of ring-fenced friendship time for its employees could also impact their wellbeing.
Volunteers could also sign up if they weren't lonely, but wanted to spend more time with isolated people in their network.
"We try and see what the effects are from having the opportunity to spend a bit of time every week on safeguarding your relationships," explains Ms Magnusson.
The project's title, friendcare or "vänvård" in Swedish is also a wordplay on "friskvård", a benefit already offered by many Swedish businesses, who give employees a tax-free annual wellness allowance to spend on fitness activities or massages. Some Swedish companies also offer staff a weekly wellness hour called "friskvårdstimme".
"This is a reflection on that, but targeting loneliness and relationships instead," explains Ms Magnusson.
Apotek Hjärtat's project comes as Sweden's right-wing coalition government is putting the spotlight on loneliness. In July, Sweden's Public Health Agency released Sweden's first national strategy aimed at minimising loneliness, commissioned by the government.
A core part of the strategy is increased collaboration between the business community, municipalities, researchers and civil society. Health Minister Jakob Forssmed has described loneliness as major public health concern, citing global research linking the problem to an increased risk of illnesses including coronary heart disease and strokes, and a greater likelihood of early mortality.
Businesses should be worried about it, he suggests, since their employees and customers are at risk, and public finances are impacted by healthcare and sick leave costs linked to loneliness.
"We need to… have a greater awareness about this, that this is something that really affects health, and affects [the] economy as well," says Forssmed.
A national loneliness epidemic? Research for the EU suggests around 14% of Sweden's population report feeling lonely some or all of the time, slightly higher than the EU average.
A separate study for the state's number-crunching agency Statistics Sweden in 2024 found that 8% of adults in Sweden don't have a single close friend.
Daniel Ek, a Swedish psychologist and co-author of The Power of Friendship, a handbook on how to develop deeper relationships, argues that in Sweden the country's cold, dark winters can discourage people from socialising, alongside cultural factors.
"The Swedish mentality is like – you shouldn't disturb others. We value personal space a lot, and we have a hard time breaking the ice," he says. Sweden's housing may also play a role, Ek suggests.
More than 40% of homes are occupied by just one person, and a July's report by Sweden's Public Health Agency indicated there are higher levels of loneliness amongst this group.
At Apotek Hjärtat's headquarters in Stockholm, Ms Magnusson says it is too soon to decide whether the friendcare project is rolled out more widely, but the results of self-assessment surveys so far indicate higher levels of life satisfaction amongst participants on the friendcare scheme, compared to before it started.
Forssmed, the Health Minister, is monitoring the pharmacy chain's efforts.
I think this is very interesting and I'm following what they're doing," he says. "[But] I'm not going to give you any promises that the government is going to scale this up or give a tax deduction or something like that.
Apotek Hjärtat is also part of a business network called 'Together against involuntary loneliness', initiated by Forssmed in 2023.
It includes around 20 major Nordic brands, such as Ikea, Strawberry, a hospitality chain, and HSB, Sweden's biggest federation of cooperative housing, who meet to share their experiences and strategies for tackling loneliness.
Ms Magnusson says there has already been "a lot of interest" in the friendcare project from the other businesses in the network. Representatives from the other firms have even participated in the pharmacy chain's online loneliness training.
It's quite a different approach to working together," says Ms Magnusson, "collaborating as companies in an area where you just let competition go, and instead try and figure out 'how can we tackle this common obstacle that we have?'.
Earlier this month, a separate project launched in Piteå in northern Sweden, with 20 businesses offering wellness grants for employees to attend group cultural experiences, such as concerts and plays, in an effort to boost wellbeing and improve social inclusion.
Mr Ek, the psychologist, agrees these sorts of initiatives can have a positive impact in helping "lower the threshold" to increased social interaction, which in turn, can pave the way for deeper friendships and reduced levels of loneliness.
But he is calling for more research and reflection on some of the potential structural issues that may also be impacting loneliness in the Nordic nation.
"What is happening in society that makes us have to have those lower thresholds for meeting and connecting? I think that's an important thing to look at," he says. Mr Ek points to Sweden's high unemployment rate (8.7%), rising income inequality, and young Swedes spending more time on digital devices than the average across the 27-member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Income differences matter. Availability to events and places matter. How we build cities matters," says Mr Ek. "So those structures are important to look at to work out the plan for the future.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: US pharmacy chain Rite Aid closes final stores Walmart Pharmacy pay increase Off! Off! Off! AI laptops see big discounts on Amazon Diwali sale Minnows Mjallby set to land historic first Swedish title The striking Swedish workers taking on carmaker Tesla Historic Swedish church arrives at new home after two-day journey India U20 women's football team held to 1-1 draw by Swedish club Enskede IK Dam America's favourite chain is looking to ‘sell off’ all 29 locations Goa Hotel Staff Picks Mumbai Yankees revamp coaching staff for 2026
Supreme Court agrees to hear plea challenging NIA ActThe court heard a PIL by Kerala lawyer Mohammed Mubarak Ali, also an accused in an NIA case on alleged unlawful activities of banned outfit PFI. Published on: Apr 22, 2026 7:44 AM IST By Abraham Thomas Share via Copy link The Supreme Court on
3 hours ago
Congress MP K. C. Venugopal has moved a privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging he cast aspersions on opposition MPs during his April 18 address by criticising their vote against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026
3 hours ago
Bombay High Court Hall Ticket 2026 for peon posts released at bhc.gov.in, direct link to download hereBombay High Court Hall Ticket 2026 has been released for peon posts. The direct link to download the admit card is given here. Updated on: Apr 21
3 hours ago
SBI Life Insurance Q4 FY26 Results Preview: Mumbai-headquartered SBI Life Insurance Company is set to report its financial results for the January-March period on Tuesday, April 22. Analysts expect the insurer to stage a mixed Q4 performance
3 hours ago
Tim Cook steps into a new role as executive chairman, dedicating more time to global diplomacy for Apple. He will engage policymakers worldwide amidst US-China trade friction and rising geopolitical tensions. Cook's experience in building Apple's China operations and his relationship with Donald
3 hours ago
The FIVB has tasked an existing steering committee comprising Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Council member Rohit Rajpal, CEO Raghuram lyer, FIVB General Sports Director Steve Tutton, FIVB Head of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Stephen Bock and Hitesh Malhotra
3 hours ago
BPCL Recruitment 2026: Apply for 250 Junior Executive and other posts at bharatpetroleum.in, link hereBPCL will recruit for Junior Executive and other posts. Eligible candidates can apply at bharatpetroleum.in. Published on: Apr 21, 2026 2:25 PM IST By HT Education Desk | Edited by Papri Chanda
3 hours ago
Reese Witherspoon responds to criticism over her stance on AI: ‘No one is paying me to talk about this’Reese Witherspoon has responded to backlash over comments on AI, also addressing speculation about whether she was being paid to promote the technology. Apr 22, 2026
3 hours ago
Gold and silver prices in India fell to one week lows as the US dollar strengthened, with 24k gold near Rs 1,52,830 per 10 grams and silver around Rs 2,60,000 per kg Gold and Silver Rates In India Today, April 21: Gold and silver prices remained flat on April 21
3 hours ago
The Ministry of Electronics and IT has proposed stricter norms mandating continuous, clearly visible labels on AI-generated content throughout its duration under the IT Rules, 2021. The move aims to curb deepfake risks. The public consultation deadline has been extended to May 7 amid wider
3 hours ago
K-pop mogul Bang Si-hyuk, the man who created supergroup BTS, could be arrested on charges of fraudulent trading before his $7.3bn company went public. South Korean police have asked prosecutors to request a court warrant over accusations that he misled investors in 2019
3 hours ago
Police have charged a fourth man in the alleged kidnap and murder of a Sydney grandfather who authorities say was taken by mistake. The charges come two months after widower Chris Baghsarian, 85, was kidnapped in a pre-dawn raid at his North Ryde home
3 hours ago
Karnal: ₹5 lakh for kin of Panipat sexual assault victimAn interim assistance of ₹2 lakh has been immediately transferred to the victim’s parents’ accounts for his education.Also an additional ₹3-lakh fixed deposit was placed in his parents’ accounts
3 hours ago
Shehbaz Sharif has expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for agreeing to extend the ceasefire in the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, saying the move supports continued diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace. In a post on X, Sharif said he hopes both sides will maintain the
3 hours ago
Farah Khan agreed to act in Toaster because of Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa, says Vivek Daschaudary | ExclusiveFilmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has a cameo role in Toaster. Director Vivek Daschaudary shared why she was apt for the part. Apr 22, 2026
3 hours ago
Step into pretty much any shopping mall in Singapore and you're likely to find queues snaking outside shops with catchy names and bright-coloured branding. Chinese brands like Chagee, Molly Tea and Mixue are drawing crowds – not just in Asia
3 hours ago
Global oil prices fluctuated in early Asian trading on Wednesday as the status of peace talks between the US and Iran remains unclear. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said he will extend a ceasefire with Iran until talks between the two countries have progressed
3 hours ago
Among the cruel ironies of the Myanmar civil war, now in its sixth year, is that for an army that is struggling to conscript soldiers, the Myanmar junta has repeatedly bombed its own troops held as prisoners of war. In this garrison state, it appears everything may be sacrificed to keep the
3 hours ago
Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026: Ahead of polls in Coimbatore and nearby districts, widespread allegations of “cash for votes” have surfaced, with voters reportedly receiving ₹1,000–₹5,000 or coupons. Despite police checks, parties are accused of covert distribution
3 hours ago
A three-day shutdown by Naga civil bodies intensified disruption in Manipur’s hill districts, adding to paralysis in the valley. Protests and blockades forced the Chief Minister to take a helicopter route, while police used controlled firing to disperse a violent mob, leaving one person injured
3 hours ago
Haryana: Woman found hanging at PG accommodationA preliminary investigation suggested that the deceased was from Jind who had a love marriage with a Karnal resident three years ago; her spouse allegedly ended his life recently Published on: Apr 22, 2026 7:58 AM IST By Press Trust of India
3 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for April 22, 2026:Love Horoscope Today: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Apr 22, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Are you worried about your love life? Love Horoscope Today reveals what the stars have in store for your
3 hours ago
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior said his team's performance in their defeat by Brighton was both "indefensible" and "unacceptable" as he faced angry chants from his own supporters for the first time. The chants began when Chelsea fell 1-0 behind at the Amex Stadium
3 hours ago
United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he was extending the ceasefire with Iran until Tehran comes up with a proposal to end the conflict in West Asia permanently. Trump made the announcement hours before a two-week ceasefire, which began on April 8, was due to expire
3 hours ago
Brighton crush Chelsea to pile pressure on under-fire RoseniorBrighton crush Chelsea to pile pressure on under-fire Rosenior Updated on: Apr 22, 2026 2:49 AM IST AFP Share via Copy link Chelsea crashed to a dismal 3-0 defeat against Brighton on Tuesday
3 hours ago
Rattan is all the rage in the home decor space. From partitions to wardrobe shutters and seating, it provides a subtle statement that is both organic and elegant. Sourced from over 600 species of palms native to tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Australasia
1 days ago
Apple will have been planning this succession for a long time. Rumours were circulating for a while that 65-year-old Tim Cook was thinking about stepping down, and while a few potential replacements popped up, the name which stuck was the firm's vice president of hardware, 51-year-old John Ternus
1 days ago
