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The Old Country Newsletter – Gangs, Missing Hikers & 007
Your Weekly Newsletter from Sweden
Philip Gustavsson
August 23, 2024
Good morning!
It’s Friday, August 23.
The front pages of Swedish newspapers are still dominated by the U.S. presidential election. With just over two months until election day, this focus is likely to continue.
The fascination Swedes have with American politics may stem from the historic ties between our two countries. Many Swedes also have family members, whether distant relatives from generations past or close family who have moved across the Atlantic for work. The twists and turns of this election cycle, combined with the sense that this year is particularly consequential, likely fuel this interest.
But if you’re here to escape the political disputes at home, don’t worry! As always, this newsletter is packed with stories from across the ocean.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Philip
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Take care of your life! Take care of it! Don't waste it! Because now is your time on earth!
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.
Statistics you didn’t ask for
Sweden holds the remarkable title of being the country with the most islands in the world, boasting an astounding 267,570 islands. This unique geography is largely due to its glacial history; during the last Ice Age, glaciers carved the landscape, creating a multitude of islands across the country, especially in the archipelagos near Stockholm and along the coast of Norrbotten. Despite this vast number, only around 1,000 islands are inhabited, making the archipelagos a serene and largely untouched natural haven.
Denmark and Sweden Team Up to Combat Gang Crime, Eye Tech Giants
In a bid to crack down on gang-related crime, Denmark and Sweden are ramping up their cross-border collaboration. This includes putting pressure on tech giants to prevent organized crime from misusing digital platforms.
On Wednesday, Sweden’s Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer and Swedish police chief Petra Lundh met with their Danish counterparts in Copenhagen to bolster the Danish-Swedish police partnership. The agenda? Intensified information sharing, enhanced prevention strategies, and tackling the exploitation of digital platforms by organized criminals—especially the recruitment of children and young people.
"We have a shared responsibility to push back against these criminal gangs," said Strömmer during a joint press conference.
At the press conference, Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard laid out a clear message to gang members: “You won’t be able to hide. We will use every tool at our disposal to stop your crimes.” Strömmer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that this heightened collaboration aims to combat crime that threatens the safety and openness of society. Both ministers also plan to engage tech platforms in discussions about stopping the abuse of digital channels. Strömmer acknowledged the challenge ahead but stressed the need for these companies to step up their efforts.
Additionally, the countries aim to deepen cooperation with non-EU nations to target gang leaders living comfortably abroad while orchestrating violent crimes back home.
In other news
🌐 Veronica Lin's ex-husband, who fled Swedish justice after being suspected of her murder in 2003, has reportedly been arrested in China on murder charges. Swedish authorities are aware of the arrest, though it remains unclear whether it is related to Veronica's case, and any cooperation with Chinese authorities would require assurances against the use of the death penalty.
🏔 A couple from Eskilstuna who were hiking in Sarek National Park went missing after failing to return on time, prompting a police search involving a helicopter. After several days of search efforts by police and mountain rescuers, Sanja Paronen and Nico Sallmén, returned to their car, unaware of the search operation or their worried family. Despite being delayed due to fog, they were in good spirits upon their return and surprised by the commotion their unintentional delay had caused.
🐻 This year's bear hunting season in Västerbotten has seen a record interest, with 200 baiting sites registered and a total of 48 bears permitted to be hunted in the region. The hunt, which began on August 21, aims to reduce the bear population toward a target of 350, while a bear population survey involving the collection of bear droppings will also be conducted.
Would you like to feel closer to Sweden? A perfect way to do that would be to have a look at Swedish broadcasts, either current or past. SVT Play is an online streaming service provided by Sveriges Television (SVT), the Swedish national public television broadcaster.
To watch it, one has to be in Sweden – or have access to a VPN provider that can connect to a remote server located in Sweden. Like NordVPN, which sponsors this segment of the newsletter.
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.
Sverigedemokraterna's Local Board in Sölvesborg Resigns Amid Turmoil
In a surprising move, all six members of the Sweden Democrats’ local board in Sölvesborg have resigned, leaving the party scrambling to stabilize its largest local chapter.
The Blekinge district leadership will now step in to take over, according to Fredrik Thomasson, chairman of SD Blekinge. None of the outgoing board members have commented publicly, but local media reports suggest tensions have been brewing for a while.
Group leader Louise Erixon, mother to party leader Jimmie Åkesson’s son, returning from parental leave, noted that the board’s poor performance in the EU elections made their resignation a necessary step. However, insider sources claim the real reason was Erixon’s return itself, sparking criticism during a tense Sunday meeting that led the board to collectively throw in the towel.
Sverigedemokraterna became the largest party in Sölvesborg after securing 40% of the vote in 2022, but now the party is described as being in "complete chaos" locally. Columnists are divided on Erixon’s leadership—beloved by the town’s people but apparently facing strong internal opposition. As Markus Alexandersson of Sydöstran puts it, "Sölvesborg has become a mythic battleground for the party, but now it’s looking like a chaotic porcelain shop."
Word of the week
STÖK [STURK]
Your Weekly Swede-ish
Maud Adams: From Sweden with Love
Maud Adams, born Maud Solveig Christina Wikström in the northern city of Luleå in 1945, is one of Sweden's most glamorous exports to Hollywood. Starting her career as a model, she moved to Paris and then New York City to work for the famed Eileen Ford agency.
Her acting career kicked off with a small role as a model in the 1970 film The Boys in the Band. Throughout the 1970s, Adams also guest-starred in popular American TV series like Hawaii Five-O and Kojak.
Her big break came when she was catapulted to international fame playing the ill-fated mistress of the villain in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), alongside Christopher Lee. She later cemented her status as a Bond legend by returning to star in Octopussy (1983), making her one of the few actresses to appear in two Bond films as different characters.
Despite her Hollywood success, Adams has remained connected to her Swedish roots, frequently visiting her homeland. Now living a quieter life with her husband Charles Rubin, her Swedish grace and international allure continue to captivate audiences worldwide.