The Old Country Newsletter –

My personal favorite book series of all time is The Emigrants, by the Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg. Through the four books in the series, we get to follow the triumphs and tribulations of early Swedish immigrants in America. In the first book, "The Emigrants," we meet Karl Oskar, Kristina Nilsson, their three children, and eleven others who set out from Småland in 1850, seeking a better life away from poverty, religious persecution, and social injustice.

By clicking here, you can learn more about the books and order a copy for yourself. Beyond getting your hands on an incredible book, it is also a great way to show support for this newsletter, as a few cents of each sale will help support our work.

Drone Sighting Grounds Arlanda Flights for Hours

All flights at Arlanda Airport were grounded late Sunday night after four drones were spotted hovering over the airfield, forcing authorities to halt all takeoffs and landings. Several flights were rerouted to alternate destinations.

The Swedish Civil Aviation Administration made the call to shut down the airport around 1 AM on Sunday, following reports from tower personnel of the drones. "Four drones of varying sizes were sighted from the tower, prompting the decision to stop all traffic," said Cecilia Bengtström from the aviation authority's press service.

Police, with support from helicopters and ground patrols, scrambled to track down the drones. "We're gathering information on where the drones were and how they moved. We're working closely with other agencies, including the military," said police spokesperson Daniel Wikdahl. An investigation into potential airport sabotage and violations of protection laws has been launched.

Flights resumed by 3:30 AM, though it remains unclear if the drones were neutralized or left the area on their own. "We don't have further information at this point, but traffic has resumed safely," Bengtström added.

During the disruption, several flights were redirected to nearby airports. A SAS flight from Malaga, along with others from Alanya and Gatwick, were sent to Skavsta, while a plane from Palma was diverted to Gothenburg. In one case, a plane landing at Skavsta declared a low-fuel emergency, though officials stressed the landing went smoothly.

This marked the third consecutive day that drones were spotted near Arlanda, with sightings continuing even after the initial incident. Despite police investigations, no arrests have been made yet.

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By using NordVPN, you can access what SVT Play has to offer – including current news, documentaries about emigrants, live broadcasts from nature events, and much more – by simply connecting to a server in Sweden. Follow the link here to get 74 % off for your first two years and three months (!) of usage. By doing so, you also help support the distribution of this newsletter.

Swedish battery giant Northvolt has announced a pause in part of its battery factory operations in Skellefteå, aiming to streamline costs. Experts, however, are sounding the alarm about the company's future.

“They should be in full production by now. It’s not looking good,” said economics professor Magnus Henrekson on Aktuellt. According to him, the delays in reaching full capacity are causing Northvolt to burn through its capital at an alarming rate, putting its financial stability in jeopardy.

On Monday, Northvolt confirmed layoffs at the Skellefteå factory, following ongoing startup issues. Henrekson expressed disappointment, noting he expected the company to have the industrial expertise needed to be fully operational by now. Meanwhile, economics professor Pontus Braunerhjelm speculated that if Northvolt faces a worst-case scenario, such as bankruptcy, the facility would likely be taken over by another player—but at lower capital costs.

As the battery market continues to grow slower than expected, innovation and sustainability professor Björn Sandén highlighted the uncertainty around the future of electric vehicle production. While some companies may struggle, he noted the potential for growth in the coming years, emphasizing the need for resilience amid market fluctuations.

One of Northvolt’s biggest customers, truck maker Scania, responded cautiously to the news, stating they’re closely monitoring the situation.