Stockholm - Women in developing countries risk severe setbacks, and efforts to promote gender equality are at risk as the global financial crisis spreads, a Swedish government agency said Friday.

Employment opportunities in export-driven industries and agriculture were falling as "demand and purchasing power drops in the West and later in developing countries," said Anders Nordstrom, head of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Malmo/Stockholm - Swedish police on Friday stepped up their presence around the arena due to host the Davis Cup tie between Sweden and Israel as the first group of demonstrators assembled.

The tie in the southern city of Malmo is been played behind closed doors.

It has been classified as a high-risk event over potential protests by groups wanting to protest against the recent Israeli offensive against Hamas in Gaza.

Stockholm - A week after the announcement of Swedish Crown Princess Victoria's engagement and pending wedding, debate continued Thursday on who should foot the bill for the 2010 event.

In addition to traditional media like newspapers and letters to the editors, talkshows and radio, the social networking site Facebook has attracted people eager to debate the issue.

Stockholm tabloid Expressen reported Thursday that some 30,000 people have signed on to Facebook groups to protest that the taxpayers should pay more to the royal court.

Stockholm - Sweden's Prince Carl Philip has broken up with his long-term girlfriend, reports said Wednesday, a week after his sister, Crown Princess Victoria, announced her engagement.

"We have decided to take a break. It is a joint decision," Philip's girlfriend Emma Pernald was quoted as saying in Stockholm tabloid Expressen.

The 29-year-old prince, has been dating Pernald since 1999. They met through mutual acquaintances, and still have deep affection for each other, according to sources cited by the newspaper.

The prince, known for his interest in design, photography and motor sports, is studying forestry and agriculture at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp, southern Sweden.

Stockholm - Swedish heavy-vehicle maker Volvo on Wednesday said it would withdraw a proposal to raise bonuses to top managers.

The proposal had drawn criticism since the group - which does not include Volvo Cars, the Swedish subsidiary of US car giant Ford - is planning to slash thousands of jobs in its Swedish home-base.

Critics in recent days included Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and local unions.

Stockholm - Swedish banking group SEB's share price was up some 7 per cent Wednesday after it detailed terms for its 15-billion- kronor (1.6 billion dollar) rights issue.

New shares were to sold for 10 kronor, offering a premium compared to Tuesday's closing price of 31 kronor. Owners of five old shares were to be offered 11 new shares.

The rights issue was announced a month ago when the group released its full-year 2008 report. SEB then said it would not pay a dividend. The two measures would raise the capital base to 19.5 billion kronor.