The following articles have been tagged with "Billström":
Politics: 2 May 13
Swedish municipalities will be forced to welcome underage asylum seekers who come to Sweden without parents or guardians from January onward, if the government gets its way.
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National: 11 Apr 13
Sweden's Green Party and the government have agreed to lower the requirements needed for refugee children to get residence permits for Sweden.
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Politics: 24 Mar 13
A local Left Party youth leader has been forced to resign after issuing a death threat against Sweden's migration minister Tobias Billström on Twitter.
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National: 22 Mar 13
A Moderate Party MP has suggested the Swedish armed forces solve the dilemma of interpreters in Afghanistan fearing retaliation after the troop pull-out by employing them in Sweden.
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Politics: 21 Mar 13
Tobias Billström, Sweden's embattled migration minister, has apologized once again for his recent "blonde, blue-eyed" comment, a blunder that already prompted a harsh rebuke from the prime minister.
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Politics: 20 Mar 13
Sweden's top military commander Sverker Göranson on Wednesday called for local interpreters working with Swedish forces in Afghanistan to be granted asylum in Sweden.
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National: 19 Mar 13
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on Tuesday called on his migration minister, Tobias Billström, to shape up following controversial statements Billström made about the appearance of illegal immigrants.
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Politics: 19 Mar 13
Fredrik Reinfeldt must take action in the wake of Migration Minister Tobias Billström's controversial "blonde and blue-eyed" statement, Social Democrat leader Stefan Löfven demanded on Tuesday.
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Politics: 18 Mar 13
Migration Minister Tobias Billström unleashed a storm of criticism on Monday with comments that people who help illegal immigrants in Sweden are rarely "blonde and blue-eyed".
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Politics: 14 Mar 13
The Green Party has threatened to walk away from an agreement with the centre-right Alliance government to cooperate on immigration policy over its stance toward illegal immigrants.
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Analysis & Opinion: 27 Feb 13
The movement of people across borders is a powerful engine for growth, putting pressure on policy makers worldwide to compete to attract talent, argue government ministers Gunilla Karlsson and Tobias Billstrom.
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Politics: 7 Feb 13
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has distanced himself from Migration Minister Tobias Billström's comments about the need to reduce the "volumes" of foreigners coming to Sweden.
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Politics: 6 Feb 13
The Swedish government has no plans to tighten asylum policy, Integration Minister Erik Ullenhag said on Tuesday in the wake of comments by Migration Minister Tobias Billström that current immigration levels are "unsustainable".
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Politics: 2 Feb 13
Sweden's immigration minister has said that the country needs to tighten rules for asylum seekers and other prospective immigrants to cut the number of people coming into the country.
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Politics: 16 Dec 12
The Swedish Centre Party believes free immigration into Sweden could solve the country's labour-power needs.
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Politics: 3 Dec 12
The migration minister wants immigrants to get jobs before their families follow them to Sweden, but may face an uphill struggle to convince his government partners to tighten up current family reunification rules.
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National: 1 Nov 12
Sweden's Migration Board has been slammed for "serious deficiencies" in how it assigns public defenders to asylum seekers, thousands of whom are forced to fight deportation battles with representatives who lack law degrees.
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Politics: 29 Oct 12
Over 50,000 asylum seekers are expected to arrive in Sweden next year, according to the latest prognosis from the Swedish Migration Board, stretching the country’s capacity.
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Politics: 25 Oct 12
Sweden and Germany led the push on Thursday for a reintroduction of visas for residents from Balkan EU candidate countries in an effort to fight a growing number of bogus asylum requests.
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Analysis & Opinion: 7 Jun 12
Sweden's efforts to liberalize rules governing labour migration are meant to ensure that working in Sweden becomes an obvious choice for every global citizen, argues migration minister Tobias Billström.
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Politics: 22 Apr 12
The Swedish Migration Board is having trouble convincing Sweden’s municipalities to receive sufficient numbers of unaccompanied refugee children. Migration minister Tobias Billström now wants to force municipalities to step up.
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Politics: 9 Mar 12
Sweden's prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt approved plans to build an arms factory in Saudi Arabia, according to the latest revelations regarding the Saudi weapons deal.
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Business & Money: 19 Dec 11
Sweden needs to implement tighter controls of new rules governing foreign labour migration, according to the OECD, which nevertheless concluded that the 2008 reforms have worked fairly well.
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Politics: 26 Nov 11
More than one third of people registered as unemployed come from outside Sweden, according to a new unofficial report revealed by Dagens Nyheter.
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Politics: 23 Nov 11
The number of people coming to Sweden to work is rising at the same time as the number of refugees coming to the country is falling, according to new figures from Statistics Sweden.
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Politics: 18 Nov 11
Rejected asylum seekers will only be allowed to remain in detention for a maximum of two months before being deported from Sweden, according to a new agreement between the government and the Green Party.
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Politics: 10 Oct 11
A recent report that labour migrants are abusing Swedish rules in a bid to enter the EU has prompted migration minister Tobias Billström to call the practice "intolerable".
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Education: 22 Jun 11
New rules requiring biometric information from non-Europeans wishing to study in Sweden is causing problems for would-be foreign students, according to Swedish universities.
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Business & Money: 30 May 11
The government should work to cut wages in low paid jobs so that more new Swedes can get into the labour market, according to Swedish free market think tank Timbro.
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Business & Money: 15 Apr 11
Many of the companies approved to bring foreign workers to Sweden every year have little or no turnover or go bankrupt shortly after the labour migrants arrive, according to a new report.
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Politics: 31 Mar 11
A parliamentary committee has proposed granting work permits to rejected asylum seekers and allowing immigrants to live abroad for up to five years without losing their right to reside in Sweden.
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Analysis & Opinion: 30 Mar 11
Sweden's parliament met on Wednesday to debate migration and asylum policy at the behest of the Sweden Democrats, who found themselves marginalized alongside the Left Party, The Local's Peter Vinthagen Simpson reports.
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Politics: 25 Feb 11
Sweden's foreign minister Carl Bildt has underlined that the country's first priority is to help nationals flee war-torn Libya, while migration minister Tobias Billström accused Italy of exaggerating any impending refugee wave.
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Politics: 23 Jan 11
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Migration Minister Tobias Billström's refusals to answer questions about a recent Wikileak released on Friday has fuelled sharp criticism from the opposition over the weekend.
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Politics: 21 Jan 11
A Green Party member is considering reporting Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Migration Minister Tobias Billström to a parliamentary committee following a WikiLeak exposing statements that they made in 2007 about Iraqi refugees.
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National: 20 Jan 11
Despite widespread protests, Sweden deported 20 people back to Iraq on Wednesday after they had been denied asylum, police said.
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National: 19 Jan 11
Swedish police said they have released 24 of the 25 people who had protested outside an asylum seeker detention centre Stockholm early Wednesday, where they were reportedly trying to stop a mass deportation to Iraq.
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Politics: 18 Jan 11
The United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday criticised Sweden’s decision to deport 25 Iraqis back to their home country despite warnings about unsafe conditions there.
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National: 9 Jan 11
Iraq wants to put a stop to the forced deportation of Iraqis from Sweden after their asylum claims are rejected, but Sweden’s migration minister sees no reason to adjust the practice.
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National: 22 Dec 10
Following recent criticism of the Sweden's decision to deport Christian Iraqis to Iraq, the government is set to demand that the Migration Board expand its knowledge of the conditions faced by religious minorities.
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National: 19 Dec 10
The United Nations and Council of Europe have expressed concerns about Sweden’s decision to resume the deportation of Iraqis.
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Business & Money: 23 Nov 10
Sweden's migration minister has denied claims by a Swedish umbrella union organisation that unscrupulous companies are abusing new rules that have eased the migration of foreign workers.
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National: 17 Nov 10
A flight carrying deported Iraqi asylum seekers from Sweden back to Iraq has been cancelled following a request from the European Court of Human Rights that Sweden delay around 150 forced deportations.
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Business & Money: 9 Nov 10
Sweden's unions are furious at how the country's migration minister has reacted to revelations about abuses related to a new law on labour migration.
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Politics: 6 Nov 10
Swedish Migration Minister Tobias Billström is 'tired' of Greece and its problems in dealing with asylum seekers.
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Business & Money: 5 Nov 10
Swedish companies are exploiting labour migration legislation, with work permits being sold for up to 30,000 kronor ($4,560) and either non-existent or poorly paid jobs offered in return.
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Politics: 6 Oct 10
Fredrik Reinfeldt's newly installed minority government wasted no time in setting to work, announcing plans on Wednesday to present 77 motions in the next three months.
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Analysis & Opinion: 14 Sep 10
The Local has a quick Q&A with the Moderate Party's Anders Borg, among others, to learn more about the party's stance on a few key issues.
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Analysis & Opinion: 7 Sep 10
Here's a look at the Moderates, bidding to retain power and become the largest party in Swedish politics.
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Society: 4 Sep 10
The Roma people are the most discriminated in Europe and Sweden is no exception, the Council of Europe commissioner for human rights argued on Saturday.
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Politics: 12 Aug 10
Sweden’s largest trade union group, LO, has slammed the government over the suffering of foreign berry pickers in northern Sweden.
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Politics: 7 Jul 10
The Swedish government has announced that migration minister Tobias Billström will take temporary charge of the employment ministry following the resignation of Sven Otto Littorin, citing personal reasons.
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National: 31 May 10
Sorsele, a town in the far north of Sweden, is hoping to attract highly-qualified Russian immigrants in a move aimed at arresting depopulation and ensure the municipality's future.
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Politics: 25 Mar 10
The Swedish government has announced plans to build homes in Afghanistan where unaccompanied children seeking asylum in Sweden can be sent.
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National: 9 Feb 10
The number of asylum seekers deported from Sweden rose by 1,300 during 2009, according to new figures from the Swedish Migration Agency.
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Business & Money: 15 Dec 09
Thai berry pickers and Indian IT experts have been the primary recipients of work permits since Sweden's new labour force immigration laws came into force a year ago.
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Society: 1 Dec 09
Swedish migration minister Tobias Billström lightened the mood at an EU meeting about human trafficking on Monday by sneaking his baby daughter into the proceedings.
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Politics: 20 Nov 09
Local politicians who previously voiced their disapproval at a move to house asylum seeker children in Vellinge look set to sign an agreement to invite more children to reside in the municipality in the future.
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National: 16 Nov 09
As housing shortages for refugee children reach crisis levels, Swedish migration authorities have decided to more than double the number of municipalities assigned to receive young asylum seekers.
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National: 15 Nov 09
The Moderate party secretary Per Schlingmann has warned party members in Skåne in southern Sweden over comments regarding the housing of refugee children at a Vellinge youth hostel.
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National: 12 Nov 09
A former youth hostel in Vellinge outside of Malmö in southern Sweden opened its doors on Thursday as temporary housing for refugee children, despite bitter complaints from local residents and politicians.
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Politics: 25 Aug 09
The Swedish EU presidency announced on Monday that proposals to reform immigration policy will be presented in September.
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National: 29 Jul 09
A wave of teenage Afghan refugees has arrived in Malmö and other Swedish cities in recent weeks. Many remain in limbo as most Swedish municipalities refuse to accept them.
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Politics: 15 Jul 09
Speaking for the European Union presidency, Swedish migration minister Tobias Billström said on Wednesday that the EU supported requiring visas for Canadians travelling to the EU in the wake of a Czech-Canada visa spat.
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Analysis & Opinion: 15 Jul 09
As European Union ministers gather in Stockholm on Wednesday Swedish ministers Beatrice Ask and Tobias Billström explain the EU’s efforts to promote cross-border cooperation in the areas of justice, home affairs, and migration.
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Politics: 17 Feb 09
Naturalized Swedes who received their citizenship under false pretenses could have their Swedish passports revoked, according Migration Minister Tobias Billström.
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Politics: 2 Jan 09
Finance Minster Anders Borg and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt are the most popular members of the current Swedish cabinet, according to a new opinion poll.
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Society: 19 Dec 08
Sweden's Migration Minister Tobias Billström has vowed to ease residency restrictions for asylum seekers who have started families with Swedish partners.
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Society: 12 Nov 08
Sweden's parliament has pushed through legislation that will make it easier for non-EU citizens to come to the country to work.
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Politics: 19 Oct 08
The Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket) has failed in its goal of a maximum six month wait for asylum applications and has sought the help of management consultancy McKinsey.
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National: 26 Aug 08
Sweden's Moderates want to see a tougher line on asylum seekers. Government reforms are positive, but employment should be a priority, a parliamentary group argues.
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Society: 14 Aug 08
United Nation refugee agency UNHCR has criticized Sweden's decision to deport Afghan refugees to Kabul even if they have no social or family ties in the capital city.
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Analysis & Opinion: 9 Jul 08
Sweden has taken in thousands of asylum seekers in recent year. But not all have had their applications accepted. Faisal Enayat Khan describes his encounters with just a handful of Sweden's estimated 15,000 undocumented migrants.
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National: 31 May 08
300 Iraqi citizens left Sweden in the first four months of 2008. This represents an increase on the 233 Iraqis who returned home in the corresponding period of 2007.
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National: 17 May 08
Half of Swedish healthcare authorities give the same care to illegal immigrants as they do to other patients.
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National: 15 May 08
Migration Minister Tobias Billström has now said he is open to offering healthcare to immigrants who find themselves in Sweden without proper residence permits.
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Society: 18 Apr 08
Recent decisions by Sweden to send refugees back to Baghdad and other war-ravaged areas have tarnished its reputation for welcoming victims of conflict, critics say.
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Politics: 27 Mar 08
The Swedish government and the Green Party are to present a joint proposal on Thursday for new rules governing labour force immigration.
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National: 25 Mar 08
The Swedish Migration Board has proposed changing the "stone age" regulations for asylum seekers who have started families with Swedish nationals.
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National: 23 Mar 08
The UN has questioned Sweden over the attempted deportation of a 23-year-old Eritrean.
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Society: 18 Mar 08
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has criticized Sweden's policy of deporting rejected Iraqi asylum seekers to the southern and central regions of their home country.
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Politics: 18 Feb 08
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has said his country will take back asylum seekers rejected by Sweden, clearing the way for forced deportations.
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Lifestyle: 17 Feb 08
Part 1: Having taken in more Iraqi refugees per capita than any other Swedish town, officials in Södertälje are now warning that the town's infrastructure may be close to bursting point.
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Analysis & Opinion: 8 Feb 08
Sweden Says is a new series in which we look at what the Swedish papers are saying about the major issues making the news in Sweden. This week, David Landes surveys reactions to proposed new reforms in the areas of immigration and education.
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National: 7 Feb 08
The new directive would require immigrants to have a job and housing before sending for relatives.
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Society: 7 Jan 08
Iraqis and Somalis contributed to a sharp rise in the number of asylum seekers coming to Sweden in 2007.
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Politics: 1 Jan 08
It's a grim start to 2008 for Sweden's current crop of ministers, who have achieved record low approval ratings in an annual poll.
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National: 4 Dec 07
People claiming asylum in Sweden will soon face measures to stop them moving to areas which already have a lot of refugees.
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Society: 18 Nov 07
Sweden is to receive nearly half the EU's immigration budget after taking in record numbers of Iraqi refugees.
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Society: 25 Sep 07
Failed asylum seekers who are hiding in Sweden will in future be entitled to state support to return to their homelands, Migration Minister Tobias Billström has said.
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National: 2 Sep 07
Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad on Sunday for talks expected to be dominated by Stockholm's stricter policies for Iraqi refugees.
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Society: 17 Jul 07
New rules that will make it easier for people to move to Sweden to work haver been announced by the government. Swedish employers will be able to recruit from outside Europe without first gaining the approval of the authorities.
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Business & Money: 25 May 07
Migration Minister Tobias Billström hopes to launch a new law enabling Swedish companies to recruit staff from anywhere in the world.
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National: 16 May 07
The much-criticized decision to deport Egyptian Ahmed Agiza in 2001 has been reversed by Swedish Migration Minister Tobias Billström. Agiza and a fellow Egyptian were taken out of the country by CIA agents.
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Politics: 6 Apr 07
Three ministers have indicated that newly arrived immigrants and asylum seekers will no longer be free to live where they want. Instead they are to be placed in areas where there are jobs.
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Business & Money: 23 Mar 07
Sweden's finance minister Anders Borg has said that the economy will grow faster than previously predicted this year and next. Spending increases and tax cuts could follow.
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Politics: 1 Mar 07
The decision to deport Egyptian Mohammed Alzery, who was controversially removed from Sweden by CIA agents, has been declared invalid by the Swedish government.
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National: 22 Feb 07
A terror suspect who says he could be tortured if sent back to Jordan is embarking a last-ditch attempt to stay in Sweden. Hassan Assad tells The Local he has no links with terrorist groups, and has simply given aid to refugees.
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Society: 16 Feb 07
Liberal Party MP Fredrik Malm has asked Sweden's migration minister to look into ways of tackling the current ID problem.
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Society: 14 Feb 07
Having successfully appealed the original verdict against them, two lesbian couples in Norrköping will now be given the right to adopt their children
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