The Local - Sweden's news in English

Ten ways Swedish living can change your life

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:37:00 GMT

For some foreigners living in Sweden, a natural "inner Swede" can develop that often doesn't show its face until you're back home again. The Local's Patrick Reilly lists the top ten ways this inner-Swede can change your life.

Assange is the UK's problem: lawyer

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:54:00 GMT

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is prepared to spend another five years inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London, but one Swedish lawyer said on Tuesday that the decision would not affect the Swedish case.

Male nurse dons dress in shorts shortage rage

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:37:00 GMT

A male Swedish nurse has donned a dress to protest the lack of shorts at a hospital in southern Sweden, saying he had to fight the small battles for gender equality in the workplace.

Transport chaos threatens Midsummer

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:30:00 GMT

A public transport strike appears likely to kick off on Wednesday night after unions and state-transport heads failed to agree on workers' pay and conditions after three days of discussions.

Aid cuts would be 'devastating'

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:42:00 GMT

Criticism of the government's foreign aid policy is mounting as Swedish ambassadors, aid organizations and politicians slam Development Aid Minister Gunilla Carlsson's announcements that development assistance to several countries may be slashed.

Swedish forestry firm cuts 2,500 jobs

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:59:00 GMT

Forestry giant Stora Enso plans to let another 2,500 employees go, of whom 750 work in Sweden, citing weak markets and deflating profits.

Puppy smuggling shows no signs of abating

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:25:00 GMT

Almost 2,000 puppies are smuggled illegally to Sweden every year, new statistics reveal, putting Sweden at risk of rabies while endangering the life and health of the trendy dogs.

Train driver slams beggar on loudspeaker

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:39:00 GMT

A Swedish train driver has been criticized for using the loudspeaker to warn passengers about a beggar on board a Stockholm commuter train, and encouraging them to save their money and rip up the beggar's papers.

Stockholm travellers a repeat problem: police

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:47:00 GMT

A travelling community has moved on after Stockholm University exchange students were forced out of their accommodation over safety concerns, with police claiming the situation is nothing new.

Swedish princess bride escapes traffic fine

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:13:00 GMT

Stockholm City Police have decided not to issue Princess Madeleine a fine for driving in the bus lane a few days before her high-profile wedding, after confusion about her rights to use the lane.

The ultimate love test is a bloody affair

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:40:00 GMT

A zombie, a cocaine-snorting rock star and a middle-aged cop walk into a bar.... Which one captures love columnist Emilia Millicent's attention? In her last column for The Local, she explains how she has devised the ultimate test of romantic compatibility.

No review for hand-shake discrimination case

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 03:40:00 GMT

The Swedish Justice Ombudsman will not look at a case in western Sweden where a man was paid damages for not being given an internship after he refused to shake a female boss's hand for religious reasons.

Sweden among winners in future EU-US deal

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:05:00 GMT

Sweden is second in line to benefit the most from an EU free-trade deal with the US, for which negotiations were finally given the all-clear in a move welcomed by pro-business groups in Sweden.

Top ten tips for entrepreneurs in Sweden

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:43:00 GMT

Thinking of starting a business? Doubting you can make it work? The Local caught up with equity crowdfunders FundedByMe to find out what makes "just another great idea" become a successful big-earner.

Swedish woman cleared after dog towed to death

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:01:00 GMT

A woman in southern Sweden has been cleared of animal cruelty charges after she tied her pet dog to the towbar of her car, which was driven away by a man causing the death of the animal.

Profit hunt dampens housing construction

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:21:00 GMT

The challenge of finding solutions to Stockholm's housing shortage must compete with the profit margins of commercial construction companies with a vested interest in keeping property prices high, a new report has found.

'Low ambition' Achilles heel of Swedish start-ups

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:01:00 GMT

Despite increasing numbers of start-ups, Swedes are still less talented at taking their business to the next level, according to a new global study published on Monday.

Boxing defenders knock down ban proposal

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:15:00 GMT

A debate about banning professional boxing in Sweden has been reignited following Frida Wallberg's nearly fatal defeat in a title fight against Australia's Diana Prazak.

New Telia CEO 'excited' about the job

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:04:00 GMT

TeliaSonera's new head Johan Dennelind believes he is the right man to restore the Swedish telecom giant's reputation after the company's Uzbek bribery scandal.

Swedes joining rebels can 'rarely be stopped'

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:25:00 GMT

A Säpo official has suggested Sweden is powerless to stop citizens from joining Islamist rebels in Syria even though there is a risk they will return to commit acts of terror in Sweden.

Silent buses to woo Gothenburg commuters

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:52:00 GMT

Swedish automaker Volvo is set to launch a fleet of silent, electric buses in Gothenburg, as part of the west coast city's aim to become climate-neutral as well as tackle noise pollution.

ABB board unanimous in pick of CEO

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:19:00 GMT

Swiss-Swedish engineering giant ABB has appointed a new CEO, who has a background in oil and gas, utilities, telecoms and automotive industries and who was a key player in the acquisition of Baldor.

Swedish woman fakes cancer to get out of jail

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:55:00 GMT

A woman in southern Sweden has been sentenced to a further two months in prison after she tried to get out of her initial sentence by forging a medical certificate that claimed she had cancer and only a few months to live.

Woman and child forced into 'frightening' crash

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:12:00 GMT

Three young men who felt "provoked" by a woman on a road in eastern Sweden are suspected of assault and reckless driving after they taunted the woman and both vehicles ended up in a ditch.

Assange meets Ecuador minister in London

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 05:18:00 GMT

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange made a rare public appearance on Sunday as he met with Ecuador's foreign minister, over a year after Assange took asylum in London's Ecuadorean embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden.