Sweden Today

Swedish news in English

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Healthcare System Faces Major Overhaul

The implementation of the Millennium healthcare system in Sweden has faced significant challenges, leading to the resignation of its head, Boel Mörck. The system, criticized for its technical failures and high costs, has been described as a tech experiment gone wrong, with potential risks to patient safety.

10 h

Health

Tragic Preschool Accident Sparks Safety Debate

A tragic accident at a preschool in Umeå, Sweden, has ignited a national debate on the use of reflective vests for children. A young boy died after his vest got caught on a slide, leading to a reevaluation of safety practices in preschools.

10 h

Safety

Sweden's Security Advisor Faces Repeated Lapses

Henrik Landerholm, Sweden's national security advisor, has admitted to multiple security lapses, raising concerns about his role. In late 2022, Landerholm left his mobile phone at Hungary's embassy, and shortly after, he forgot a notebook at Sveriges Radio.

10 h

Politics

Syrians Celebrate Assad's Fall Worldwide

Syrians around the world, including in Sweden, are celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. In cities like Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg, people have gathered in public squares to express their joy and hope for a new era in Syria.

8 December, 16:46

World

Sweden Tightens Citizenship Amid Security Concerns

The Swedish government is grappling with how to tighten citizenship requirements amid rising security concerns. Migrationsminister Johan Forssell has acknowledged the need for stricter criteria but admits the exact measures are still under consideration.

8 December, 16:46

Politics

New Protocol Boosts Emergency Response

In a significant development for emergency medical services in Region Jämtland Härjedalen, a new protocol has been introduced that could potentially save lives. Previously, during severe weather conditions, the region's ambulance helicopters were unable to transport patients in need of urgent care, relying instead on the availability of both aircraft and intensive care staff from Umeå.

8 December, 12:23

Health

Sweden's Prison System Faces Overcrowding Crisis

Sweden's prison system is grappling with severe overcrowding and staffing shortages as a result of tougher sentencing laws. The Swedish Prison and Probation Service is under pressure to expand its facilities and workforce, aiming to increase prison capacity from 9,000 to 27,000 within a decade.

8 December, 07:56

Politics

Millennium System Faces Major Setbacks

The launch of the Millennium healthcare system in Västra Götaland, Sweden, has faced significant challenges, leading to its temporary suspension. Initially criticized, the system allowed unauthorized access to patient records, raising privacy concerns.

7 December, 18:49

Technology

Beware: Healthcare Phone Scams Surge

Swedish authorities are issuing urgent warnings about a surge in phone scams targeting residents, particularly in regions like Söderköping, Valdemarsvik, and Norrbotten. Scammers are impersonating healthcare professionals, claiming to need digital identification to schedule medical appointments.

7 December, 09:58

Crime

Ica Halts Bake My Day Deliveries

Ica, a leading Swedish supermarket chain, has suspended all deliveries from the bakery supplier Bake My Day following alarming reports of unsanitary conditions and poor working environments. Investigations by Arbetet and Mål och Medel revealed disturbing issues such as rodent infestations and excessively long working hours for employees.

6 December, 21:04

Business

Elderly Detainee Released After Health Concerns

After a month of being detained at the Migrationsverket facility in Mölndal, 86-year-old Halim Allushi has been released. Halim, who suffers from multiple illnesses and likely dementia, was initially moved to a new section of the facility to better accommodate his needs.

6 December, 21:04

Human Rights

Kiruna Named European Culture Capital 2029

Kiruna, a city in northern Sweden, has been selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2029, alongside Lublin in Poland. This decision was announced by an expert jury appointed by the European Commission, marking the third time a Swedish city has received this honor, following Stockholm in 1998 and Umeå in 2014.

6 December, 16:42

Culture

TV4 Star Faces Sex Purchase Charges

A prominent TV4 personality has been charged with purchasing sex 31 times across various Swedish cities, including Örebro, during 2023 and early 2024. The individual, who has appeared in one of TV4's major programs, initially denied the allegations but later admitted to all but one of the charges.

6 December, 12:08

Crime

Swedish Man Accused of Abuse

A Swedish man in his 50s is facing serious allegations of sexual abuse and attempted rape against five teenage girls at a care home in Norway. One of the victims, a 14-year-old girl named Madelen, tragically took her own life after the alleged incidents.

6 December, 07:41

Crime

Security Clearance Controversy in Swedish Government

A recent controversy has emerged in Sweden regarding the appointment of Björn Fagerberg to a sensitive government position without undergoing a new security clearance. Fagerberg, who was brought in from the Swedish embassy in Washington to work closely with national security advisor Henrik Landerholm, did not receive a fresh security assessment for his new role, which experts argue is a violation of the Security Protection Act.

5 December, 22:43

Politics

Sweden's Birth Rate Hits Record Low

Sweden is experiencing a significant decline in birth rates, with the number of newborns reaching a record low not seen since 2005. According to the latest statistics from the National Board of Health and Welfare, only 99,636 children were born in 2023, marking a 5% decrease from the previous year.

5 December, 22:43

Demographics

Gustav Hemming Resigns Amid Crime Allegations

Gustav Hemming, the leader of the Center Party in Stockholm's regional council, has resigned from all his political duties with immediate effect following allegations of criminal activity. The Center Party, upon receiving information about the suspicions, promptly forwarded it to the police.

5 December, 13:47

Politics

Jönköping Tops Sweden's Home Care Rankings

For the third consecutive year, SPF Seniorerna has evaluated the quality of home care services across Sweden's 290 municipalities. This year, Jönköping has been recognized as having the best home care services in the country, climbing from its previous third-place position.

5 December, 00:21

Elderly Care

Princess Birgitta: A Colorful Royal Farewell

Princess Birgitta, sister to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, has passed away at the age of 87 on the island of Mallorca, where she had resided for many years. Known for her vibrant personality and candid nature, Birgitta was a beloved figure both within and outside the royal family.

4 December, 19:57

Obituary

PFAS Contamination Sparks Legal Battles

Residents in Kallinge and near Uppsala's F16 airbase are grappling with PFAS contamination in their drinking water, a result of firefighting foam used by the Swedish Armed Forces. In Kallinge, 145 residents sought compensation for health damages, but the military refused, citing expired claims.

4 December, 19:57

Environment

Al Jazeera Documentary Sparks Controversy in Sweden

A new documentary by Al Jazeera, alleging that Sweden removes children from families on flimsy grounds, is stirring controversy as it targets Swedish audiences on social media. The documentary, part of Al Jazeera's AJ360 initiative, has reached over 50,000 Swedes through Facebook and Instagram ads.

4 December, 15:08

Media

Kristinehamn Bomb Scare Resolved Safely

A recycling center in Kristinehamn was evacuated and cordoned off after a suspected dangerous object was found on the premises. The alarm was raised around 1 PM, leading to police involvement and consultation with the national bomb squad.

4 December, 15:08

Local News

Swedish Students Excel in Math

Swedish students have shown remarkable improvement in mathematics, according to the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The results reveal that fourth and eighth graders in Sweden have achieved their highest scores ever, with eighth graders outperforming their peers in other EU and OECD countries.

4 December, 10:16

Education

Alarming Surgical Complications at Swedish Clinic

A series of alarming surgical complications have emerged from a Swedish clinic, where multiple women have reported severe health issues following operations. Diana Elsherbiny, 42, suffered kidney failure and blood clots after a botched surgery at the clinic, which also treated Catharina Stenhammar, who tragically died from sepsis.

3 December, 20:45

Health

Cable Breaks Disrupt Finland-Sweden Internet

Two significant cable breaks have occurred on internet lines between Sweden and Finland, causing internet outages for around 6,000 households and 100 businesses in Finland. The Swedish government, through Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin, has expressed serious concern over the incidents.

3 December, 12:11

Technology