Sweden in Focus

This week we’re going to test our panelists’ Swedish language knowledge by throwing a few questions at them from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test that students can take as an entrance exam for Swedish universities.The questions in this episode are taken from a test that university applicants took in autumn 2015. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by Becky Waterton and James Savage.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 

Special offer for members of The LocalGet free 2-month upgrade to Membership+ __In this week's episode: why Sweden's deputy PM wants to restrict immigrants’ voting rights, how to get your body and mind ready for the winter, why a Swedish ad featuring the English c-word went viral last week.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Immigration Sweden's deputy PM proposes cutting non-citizens' voting rightsSweden Democrats call for ban on new citizenships until tougher rules are in placeWinterHow to prepare for a snowstorm in Sweden How a year on my allotment taught me to appreciate the Swedish seasons LanguageStockholm Metro ad blasted over 'shocking' use of English c-word __Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 

In this week's episode: why Sweden's deputy PM wants to restrict immigrants’ voting rights, how to get your body and mind ready for the winter, why a Swedish ad featuring the English c-word went viral last week. For Membership+ subscribers: how we’re supposed to be preparing for a crisis or a war, and why have the Social Democrats u-turned on immigration?Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Immigration Sweden's deputy PM proposes cutting non-citizens' voting rightsSweden Democrats call for ban on new citizenships until tougher rules are in placeWinterHow to prepare for a snowstorm in Sweden How a year on my allotment taught me to appreciate the Swedish seasons LanguageStockholm Metro ad blasted over 'shocking' use of English c-word War and CrisisSweden releases updated version of 'If Crisis or War Comes' booklet What do foreigners in Sweden need to do when preparing for a war or crisis? Guns to umbrellas: Why Nordic countries have wildly different-looking crisis booklets Social DemocratsWhat's in the Social Democrats' plan to eradicate Sweden's 'vulnerable areas'? Social Democrat leader: Sweden's stricter migration rules here to stay even if we win 

This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers deals with death. Every culture has its own way of dealing with death and this week we look at how Sweden approaches the end of life.What are funerals like here? Are there accepted ways of supporting bereaved friends and family members? And, on the more practical side: what are the bureaucratic things you need to do if a loved one dies? And how do you prepare a will in Sweden?Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. READ ALSO:What should you do when someone dies in Sweden? How do you write a will in Sweden? A new kind of funeral? How religious rituals are changing in secular Sweden 

Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__In this week's episode: will immigrants become cultural canon fodder? How Swedish politicians have reacted to Donald Trump’s victory, what's happening with the Tesla strike?Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and Nordic editor Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:CultureIs the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?LISTEN: Sweden's cultural canon plan and what it means for foreignersUS election Politics in Sweden: How Trump's victory let Sweden's PM show off his gravitas Tesla strikeSwedish union boss: 'Culture clash' behind strikes against Tesla Swedish union slams Tesla for bringing in foreign strike breakers Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 

In this week's episode: will immigrants become cultural canon fodder? How Swedish politicians have reacted to Donald Trump’s victory, what's happening with the Tesla strike? How wage levels are set in Sweden and what impact is the new salary threshold having on work permit applicants?Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and Nordic editor Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:CultureIs the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?LISTEN: Sweden's cultural canon plan and what it means for foreignersUS election Politics in Sweden: How Trump's victory let Sweden's PM show off his gravitas Tesla strikeSwedish union boss: 'Culture clash' behind strikes against Tesla Swedish union slams Tesla for bringing in foreign strike breakers Working in SwedenWhy does it matter that Sweden's industrial unions want a 4.2 percent pay rise? Work permits'Bewildering': Foreigners in Sweden explain impact of work permit salary hike How a new proposal will make it easier to get an EU blue card in Sweden  

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage, who provide updates on the state of play from work permit applicants ahead of an interview by Richard Orange with Hanna Geurtsen, the deputy head of the Migration Agency's new 'special focus area' for work permits. Tune in as they discuss the impact of the new salary requirement for work permits in Sweden, why the agency now prioritises applicants for highly skilled jobs, and the broader implications of recent political reforms for the migration agency and work permit applicants. READ ALSO:'Bewildering': Foreigners in Sweden explain impact of work permit salary hike Swedish Migration Agency: We've benefited from 'clear priority on highly skilled workers' Swedish Migration Agency launches new system for handling work permits Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Follow the relevant links below to get full access. 

Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__In this week's episode: We chat to Americans about the US election result and how it will affect Sweden, Riksbank slashes key interest rate, reactions to the guilty verdict delivered to the far-right leader Rasmus Paludan for hate speech.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and publisher James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:US ElectionAmericans in Sweden mourn Democrat defeat at election vigils'I miss being with other Americans who feel the stakes as deeply as I do'Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson congratulates Trump on election winEconomySweden's Riksbank slashes rates with first 'double cut' in a decade IN FIGURES: How could lower interest rates affect your Swedish mortgage? CrimeSwedish court jails Danish extremist Rasmus Paludan for hate crimes Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription.

In this week's episode: We chat to Americans about the US election result and how it will affect Sweden, reactions to the guilty verdict delivered to the far-right leader Rasmus Paludan for hate speech, why Sweden's military has vetoed the development of 13 offshore wind farms. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and publisher James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:US ElectionAmericans in Sweden mourn Democrat defeat at election vigils'I miss being with other Americans who feel the stakes as deeply as I do'Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson congratulates Trump on election winEconomySweden's Riksbank slashes rates with first 'double cut' in a decade IN FIGURES: How could lower interest rates affect your Swedish mortgage? CrimeSwedish court jails Danish extremist Rasmus Paludan for hate crimes EnergySweden blocks 13 offshore wind farms: 'Unacceptable consequences for defence'