Latest news with #PaulO'Mahony
Local Sweden
4 days ago
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Red cottage nightmares, and is Sweden's support for Israel crumbling?
This week: Sweden calls for sanctions on Israeli ministers, and why are the Sweden Democrats promoting cookie-cutter 'Sweden houses'? For Membership+ subscribers: Will cash every make a comeback in Sweden? And what is the Migration Agency telling us about citizenship processing? Advertisement In this week's episode we ask why Swedish politicians are becoming more critical of Israel over the war in Gaza. We also discuss the government's plans to develop new kinds of pre-approved houses to make it easier for people to buy their own homes. For Membership+ subscribers we talk about what it's like trying to get by without a bank-card in a mostly cash-free country. Finally, we get our teeth into what the Migration Agency is saying about in-person meetings with citizenship applicants and changing how it prioritises which cases to process. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Advertisement Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Sweden and Israel Politics Money Swedish citizenship You can listen to the free episode here: Or follow Sweden in Focus wherever you listen to podcasts. Advertisement Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts 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+ 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. Advertisement
Local Sweden
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Why Sweden is making it illegal to order OnlyFans sex
This week: A thaw in the citizenship freeze, new law bans ordering sex acts online. For Membership+ subscribers: Interview with doctor facing expulsion over alleged Migration Agency mix-up, and how to celebrate Ascension Day in Sweden. Advertisement This week we have the latest on the recent citizenship freeze and we ask: Why has there been so little interest in this story from the Swedish media? We also look at a hotly debated new law criminalising the purchase of sex online. For Membership+ subscribers we have more on immigration as we hear from a doctor who has been ordered to leave Sweden at the same time as the country is struggling with a shortage of medical professionals. And finally we examine an unusual tradition associated with the upcoming Ascension Day holiday. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Advertisement Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Swedish citizenship Politics Immigration Swedish traditions You can listen to the free episode here: Or follow Sweden in Focus wherever you listen to podcasts. Advertisement Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts 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+ 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. Advertisement
Local Sweden
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
How Swedish immigration rules fuel 'chronic anxiety' for foreign researchers
This week: Stockholm and US Embassy clash over DEI, and why non-EU researchers won't recommend Sweden. For Membership+ subscribers: Grindr leak gives PM another national security headache, and why just six naturalisation applications got approved in April. Advertisement In this week's episode we talk about why Stockholm is at loggerheads with the US Embassy over anti-diversity demands and we examine a scathing new report on how Sweden's immigration policies are harming foreign researchers. For Membership+ subscribers we look at the ongoing saga of Sweden's failed attempt to appoint a national security advisor after the latest pick for the job stepped down within hours over leaked photos from the Grindr app. We also have more from last week's interview with the migration minister, Johan Forssell, and we look into why the Migration Agency rejected an unusually high number of citizenships applications in April. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. Advertisement Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Environment Sweden and the US Studying in Sweden Politics Immigration You can listen to the free episode here: Or follow Sweden in Focus wherever you listen to podcasts. Advertisement Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts 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+ 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. Advertisement
Local Sweden
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Local Sweden
Why Johan Forssell wants to change Sweden's 'weird' immigration system
This week: Eurovision, Finland Swedish, sauna culture, and an interview with the migration minister. For Membership subscribers: Where does Sweden stand on the war in Gaza? And what do planned social insurance restrictions mean for immigrants? Advertisement In this week's episode we talk about Sweden's chances of winning the Eurovision Song Contest for a record-breaking eighth time with KAJ's song Bara Bada Bastu. On a related note, we immerse ourselves in sauna culture and the Swedish language as it's spoken in Finland. We discuss new comments from Sweden's migration minister, Johan Forssell, on the three-month deadline for job seekers on work permits and how he's taking inspiration from Finland when it comes to attracting highly skilled workers to Sweden. For Membership+ subscribers we talk about where Sweden stands on Israel and Palestine as the war in Gaza rages on, and finally we examine the government's plans to limit social insurance benefits for some immigrants. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Advertisement Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Eurovision Language Swedish traditions Immigration Politics Family You can listen to the free episode here: Or follow Sweden in Focus wherever you listen to podcasts. Advertisement Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts 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+ 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. Advertisement
Local Sweden
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
All about Eves: Why Sweden celebrates holidays a day early
This week: Easter in Sweden, and how will residents be affected by the new budget? For Membership+ subscribers: How can the Centre Party's proposed new leader get out the vote? And Gothenburg seeks to attract American researchers. Advertisement In this week's episode we talk about why Sweden celebrates on the eve of holidays rather than the day itself, and we look at what you need to know about Sweden's new spring budget. For Membership+ subscribers we give you background on the proposed new leader of the Centre Party and what her nomination means for Sweden's complicated political arithmetic. And finally we'll examine efforts underway by a couple of Swedish municipalities to attract American academics who might be eager to leave the United States amid funding cuts and worries about academic freedom. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton. Advertisement Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Easter Money Politics Americans in Sweden You can listen to the free episode here: Or follow Sweden in Focus wherever you listen to podcasts. Advertisement Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts 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+ 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. Advertisement
