Published: 8 Jun 12 10:39 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/41316/20120608/
Shoe enthusiasts have been camping on the streets of Stockholm in the hopes of snagging a limited edition pair of American rapper megastar Kanye West’s new line of sneakers.
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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. READ () »
Forestry giant Stora Enso plans to let another 2,500 employees go, of whom 750 work in Sweden, citing weak markets and deflating profits. READ () »
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. READ () »
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. READ () »
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. READ () »
Sweden's state-run liquor store monopoly has sent back 6,000 bottles of a Spanish wine because it tasted better than expected, according to a Swedish alcohol supplier. READ () »
Development aid minister Gunilla Carlsson has said that the Swedish government may reduce development assistance for the Palestinians since they have failed to reach a peace agreement with Israel. READ () »
A hierarchical "Gothenburg Spirit" among politicians and civil servants contributed to a culture of corruption in the past decade, concluded a report on Sweden's second largest city. READ () »
The Swedish government has given up its efforts to force the European Union to scrap its ban on the export of snus, choosing instead to focus on protecting the popular moist tobacco product's use in Sweden. READ () »
Since 2008, migrants to Sweden can swap course from seeking asylum to seeking a work visa with the help of an employer. The Local speaks to one migrant who praises the system, while saying it could be improved. READ () »
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If, under threat of imprisonment, we're forced to clothe these people, they could at least have the decency to support Scandinavian designers.
'Unemployed'? Are you adding fiction to this article to make it suit your agenda?
Under socialism, children aren't reared by TV channels which fill their heads with the idea that they must buy shoes from over-priced American corporations so that they can win the respect of their peers.
That's capitalism, my friend.
When are you people going to grow up. Spend your money on what you like and how you like to. Dont feel bad about having more than someone else. You work for it, you invest, you prosper, you buy! Whatta concept!!!
Get off your ass and get yours.
Pedant.
@Dazzler
You'd assume most people read this site because they like Sweden, no?
But the values you espouse are directly contrary to everything that has made this country unique.
In general I guess you could say the folk that read this site like Sweden. I read it because I find the "news" quirky and sometimes informative.
As far as your comment about the stereotypical values Swedes have, I feel that's a generalization of an unfair nature. Yeah, I know of Jantelagen and find the concept appalling. As a newly granted medborgare, I am doing my damnedest to never fall into its zombie-esque hive-mind underpinnings.
Everything that makes Sweden unique; equality, social mobility, a highly educated populace, the orderliness, cleanliness, strong public services, the relaxed and equal culture, stems from the egalitarian principles of it's culture.
Without these things, Sweden would just be a much colder version of, let's say..the UK (but with better looking people, obviously).
Most people who appreciate Sweden enjoy the fact that much of it's culture is built on the idea that there is far more to life than money.
That said, since the neo-liberal virus struck Riksdagen in the 90s, this idea has been eroded (see above article for a trivial but pertinent example of this).
Your post (#18) could not be more naively idealistic. Especially:
"Everything that makes Sweden unique; equality, social mobility, a highly educated populace, the orderliness, cleanliness, strong public services, the relaxed and equal culture, stems from the egalitarian principles of it's culture."
Because Sweden is the only country in the world with these principles and scores a perfect 10/10 on all of them, right? Well if you believe that then you really are a true Swede!
"Most people who appreciate Sweden enjoy the fact that much of it's culture is built on the idea that there is far more to life than money."
Sure, "everybody knows" there are no Swedes who care about making money, just like these "shoe enthusiasts" in the article I'm sure!!! "Most people" did you get that from Statistics Sweden? Or did you read a "Welcome to Sweden" tourist brochure?
Oh, I also wanted to draw attention to this:
"That said, since the neo-liberal virus struck Riksdagen in the 90s, this idea has been eroded"
"Neo-liberal virus?" Sounds a little too general, more like direct influence of American consumerism through Swedish media if you ask me. I remember when I first saw the shows Swedish tv gears at adolescents, exact same type of crud you find in North America.