Stockholm - The consortium that plans to build an underwater Baltic Sea gas pipeline from Russia to Germany on Monday released an overview of the project to date.

The report said the Nord Stream AG consortium had considered various routes and concluded that "the off-shore route turns out to be the more environmental friendly," citing that a land-based route would "cross ecologically sensitive areas on land and possibly conflict with alternative land use."

Stockholm  - Testimony in the trial of a German woman charged with beating to death two toddlers in Sweden in March on Thursday centred around whether the children's mother had discussed the case with relatives and her partner after the attack.

The defence also questioned the ability of the 23-year-old mother, who sustained injuries in the attack, to accurately remember details of the March 17 attack in which her children - aged one and two - were repeatedly beaten to death with a heavy object.

Stockholm  - The SAS Group, operator of the joint carrier Scandinavian Airlines, flew more passengers in July than in the corresponding period in 2007, the group said Thursday.

Stockholm  - Saab Automobile posted a loss for 2007, but the group owned by US automotive giant General Motors reduced its losses compared to 2006, Swedish financial daily Dagens Industri reported Wednesday.

The Swedish-based carmaker sold some 125,000 cars in 2007, roughly 7,800 fewer cars than in 2006, the report said.

Saab Automobile's loss for 2007 was 2.2 billion kronor (360 million kronor) compared to a loss of 2.9 billion kronor in 2006, the daily reported, citing the group's annual report filed in Sweden.

Stockholm  - Rain showers failed to dampen the party spirit Saturday as thousands of people waving rainbow flags, balloons - and the odd umbrella - took part in the Europride parade in Stockholm.

The parade capped the 10-day event that has attracted thousands of homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender individuals from near and afar. The 2009 Europride is due to be hosted by Zurich, Switzerland.

Bystanders cheered and applauded as floats passed by, many equipped with massive loudspeaker systems blaring out popular hit songs.

Stockholm - Proceedings opened Wednesday in a Swedish court against a German woman suspected of beating two young children to death and injuring their mother.

Prosecutor Frieda Gummesson said the woman had used a hammer or similar tool to repeatedly hit the children, aged one and three, and their mother, who survived the attack with injuries.

The motive for the March 17 attack in the small town of Arboga appeared to be that the German woman refused to accept her former partner had begun a new relationship with the mother of the children, the prosecutor said.

The student, who denies the charges, was dressed in a blue shirt. In addition to her Swedish lawyer, Per-Ingvar Ekblad, the 32-year-old woman is accompanied by her German lawyer.