Sweden in Focus

In this week's episode we talk about the latest from the trial of Sweden’s former national security chief, Henrik Landerholm, over the negligent handling of classified documents.

We also discuss the language used to describe people who weren’t born in Sweden. Are we immigrants, foreigners, expats or something else entirely?

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• How to pick mushrooms in Sweden like you've been doing it all your life

• Cricket in Sweden: how can an immigrant-powered sport attract new players?

• Historic Swedish church arrives at new home

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In this week’s episode we look at the past, present and future of cricket in Sweden.

With interest soaring in Sweden in recent years, The Local’s James Savage attended an event recently introducing Swedish parliamentarians to the sport. 

To get a feel for the state of the game in Sweden, James spoke to the event’s organizer, Nagendra Siddoutam from Anchor Sports, and Mattias Karlsson, a Moderate Party politician. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange, who previously wrote a series of articles detailing a scandal that led to the national federation being stripped of its funding.

Earlier this year the Swedish Sports Federation ended the cricket organisation’s suspension and enthusiasts are now once again focused on bringing the sport to as many people as possible in Sweden. 

READ ALSO:

• LONG READ: How Cricket in Sweden went from triumph to near disaster
• Swedish Cricket Federation escapes suspension after two years
• Cricket is booming in Sweden, thanks to migrants

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In this week's episode we talk about the resurrection of Northvolt and what new ownership will mean for the bankrupt battery maker.

We also ask if the government is likely to do anything to stop the trend of young adults being deported while their working parents are allowed to stay in Sweden.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• KEY POINTS: What do we know about the rescue of Swedish battery company Northvolt?
• Lyten agrees to buy bankrupt Swedish battery company Northvolt

• Will Sweden’s government act to stop ‘teen deportations’?
• Why is Sweden's 2021 migration law leading to 'teen deportations'?

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

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• For new members: Get Membership+ 

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In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s return to day-to-day life as the summer holidays wind down. In politics we discuss divisions on the right on how to deal with Israel, and we dig into reactions to news that the Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson uses Chat GPT to test out new ideas.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelist Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Eight phrases to get back in the groove like a Swede after the summer holidays

• MAP: The places in northern Sweden that set new heat records in July
• Tourists seeking 'coolcations' in Norway and Sweden hit by heatwaves instead

• Politics in Sweden: Swedish right divided over relations with Israel
• Christian Democrat leader slammed for claiming Israel 'doing the world a favour'

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In this week's episode we bring in The Local's Denmark editor, Michael Barrett, to talk about why Denmark is liberating its work permit rules at the same time as Sweden is tightening up. And we assess Sweden’s big political experiment: a centre-right government backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats. Three years on, how has it been working?

Host Richard Orange is joined this week by The Local's publisher James Savage and Denmark editor Michael Barrett.

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• Denmark to ease work permit rules for 16 non-EU countries
• Sweden raises work permit salary threshold to almost 30,000 kronor

• Can Kristersson convince voters to give him another term?

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers features an interview with Hanna Geurtsen, the Migration Agency official responsible for overseeing a new list of jobs which could be exempted from a future salary threshold for work permits. She tells us how and why the list was put together, what it consists of, and what practical impact, if any, it is likely to have.

Membership+ subscribers can listen to the interview in the latest episode of Sweden in Focus Extra.

Read also:

• Swedish Migration Agency rates just two jobs as 'high risk' for work permits
• REVEALED: The 152 jobs that could be excused minimum salary for a Swedish work permit

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In this week's episode we talk about 'cloudburst-like rain' and what to do if your house is flooded, we talk about why Swedes tend to stay home in the summer, and we talk about what it's like to have a baby in Sweden.

How can you protect your Swedish home against downpours?

'On a sunny day, it can't be beat': The best things about spending summer in Sweden

How to use Swedish parental leave to spend four months with your baby back home

What you need to know about giving birth in Sweden

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

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It’s time again to learn some Swedish as our panelists try their hand at the tricky vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam. 

Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined this week from Malmö by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.

READ ALSO:

• SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of the SAT? 
• What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden 
• The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through 

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In this week's episode we talk about revelations that the son of Johan Forssell, Sweden's migration minister, has been active in far-right extremist groups and how the scandal is affecting the government. 

We also discuss what's behind a recent spate of redundancies in Sweden's games sector, an industry that employs a disproportionately high number of foreign workers. 

• Swedish minister vows to stay on despite son's links to white supremacist groups
• INTERVIEW: Probe into minister's relative has revealed 'threat to Swedish security'

• 'Awesome people get pushed away': What's happening in the Swedish gaming industry?
• The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish Midsummer

Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.

Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

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Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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In this week's episode we once again bring you a Swedish language quiz as The Local's journalists answer multiple choice questions from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the quiz by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.

READ ALSO:

• SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of the SAT? 
• What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden 
• The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through 

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.