Sweden Today:

Saint Lucia celebration / Politicians discuss Russian gas pipeline / Two jailed for smuggling Syrians to Sweden / Charity supports education in war zones / Nursing shortage sends patients home /  

  • Screen grab from SVT's 2017 Lucia celebration at Varberg Fortress.

  • Saint Lucia celebration
    (Holiday) Sweden’s traditional Lucia celebration was broadcast on SVT on Dec. 13 and focused on a medieval theme at Varberg Fortress in southeast Sweden. Included in the celebration were traditional Lucia songs, medieval music and modern arrangements. Watch the year's televised Lucia celebration in Sweden on SVT Play here: Lucia 2016

  • Screen grab from SVT's 2017 Lucia celebration at Varberg Fortress.

  • Politicians discuss Russian gas pipeline
    (World) The Russian gas pipeline project, Nord Steam 2, wants to use the ports of Karlshamn in the south and Slite on Gotland to store pipes which will transport natural gas from northern Russia to Germany. The pipeline will bypass Ukraine and Russia and will pass through Swedish waters. A meeting with Foreign Minister Margot Wallström and politicians from Gotland and Karlshamn will address support of the endeavor for the opportunities which would be offered, such as earnings from renting out the port.

  • Two jailed for smuggling Syrians to Sweden
    (National) Three men were accused of smuggling approximately 170 Syrians from Milan, Italy to Sweden. Two of the men have been convicted of running a human smuggling ring and will serve a 24- and 18-month prison sentence, and the third man has been given a suspended sentence with 220 hours of community service. The Syrians were transported on at least 15 different occasion during the summer and autumn of 2014.

  • Charity supports education in war zones
    (National) A week-long fundraiser began on Dec. 12 to bring attention to the issue of children’s education in war zones. A collaboration between Radio Sweden, SVT and Musikhjälpen, the fundraiser will broadcast for 144 consecutive hours from Örebro town square. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has offered his support by putting up his watch for auction. The proceeds go to Musikhjälpen. The program will be broadcast on P3 and SVT and an app is available for the public to download.

  • Nursing shortage sends patients home
    (National) Hundreds of hospital beds are empty at Sahlgrenska University Hospital due to an extreme nursing shortage which extends across the country. Patients are sent home and operations are postponed. A recent survey shows that 1,506 hospital beds are empty at the country’s largest facilities, representing approximately 9.5 percent. Hospital administration reports that the issue is due to a shortage of skilled and qualified nurses.