The priest allegedly said that gay people should not take on the responsibility of family life. Gay marriage photo: Shutterstock

Swedish priest says sorry for gay comments

UPDATED: A priest in southern Sweden has apologized for preaching that some gay people suffer from a “psychological disorder” that can be “cured”, after his comments sparked outrage among gay rights campaigners. READ

A little pygmy marmoset. Photo: Bo Jonsson/Skansen-akvariet/TT

No Saudi Arabia visas for Swedish zoo monkeys

Sweden's diplomatic spat with Saudi Arabia has had ramifications well beyond the human world, after four monkeys who were supposed to move from a Stockholm zoo to Riyadh were given the cold shoulder.READ 4 comments

Swedish ministers at a press conference on Tuesday. Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Sweden in billion kronor railway revamp bid

The Swedish government announced plans on Tuesday for a billion kronor railway revamp. Ministers want to invest 620 million kronor ($72m) in 2015 and thereafter 1.24 billion a year until 2018 to put an end to delays and train cancellations which have plagued Swedish rail travellers in recent years. READ

Royal Wedding

Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist enjoy a kiss after announcing their engagement. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Officiants announced for Swedish royal wedding

Sweden’s Royal Court on Tuesday announced the officiants for the marriage ceremony for Prince Carl Philip and his bride-to-be Sofia Hellqvist, which will take place in June. READ

Over a dozen trains are standing still in Stockholm. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

Travel chaos after power fault in Swedish capital

UPDATED: Trains are running again after at more than a dozen came to a halt at Stockholm's central train station when an electric wire was torn down by a commuter train in southern parts of the Swedish capital around noon on Tuesday. But delays are to be expected. READ 3 comments

Swedish parents have been told to pay back millions to the state. Photo: Lena Granefelt/imagebank.sweden.se

Parents told to pay back millions to Swedish state

Swedish parents who stay at home with sick children get paid at least 80 percent of their salary. But after a crackdown by the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan), hundreds of Swedish mums and dads have been told to pay back a record 14.8 million kronor ($1.7m) to the state. READ 16 comments

Opinion

Northern Sweden needs to do more to attract immigrants and tourists, argues Paul Connolly. Photo: Helena Wahlman/imagebank.sweden.se

Northern Sweden needs immigrants and tourists

Our northern correspondent, Paul Connolly, explains why northern municipalities need to get their act together on immigration and tourism. READ 9 comments

Several Afghan translators have been offered asylum in Sweden. Photo: AP Photo/Sergei Grits

Sweden slammed over Afghan interpreters case

Sweden's handling of the Afghan interpreters who worked for the Swedish Armed Forces in Afghanistan has been legally fragile and in some cases downright illegal, according to lawyers who have now reported the case to the Ombudsman. READ

A glider aircraft similar to the one pictured crashed in northern Sweden. Photo: Tobias Röstlund/Pressens Bild AB

Man, 18, dies as glider plane crashes in Sweden

Swedish police were set to decide on Tuesday whether or not to launch an investigation after an 18-year-old man died when a glider plane crashed near Nikkaluokta in northern Sweden. READ

Risk of discrimination in hiring jumps: survey

The risk of facing hiring discrimination because of age or disability has increased significantly over the past few years, according to a survey by Sifo. One reason is uncertainty about diversity by management at many companies. READ

Features

A Swedish class for immigrants in Stockholm. Photo: TT

Immigrants need time to learn Swedish: OECD

Sweden needs to do more to help its immigrants and refugees learn Swedish so they can become fully-integrated members of society who hold down jobs, the OECD has argued. READ

My Swedish Career

Tiffany Alnefelt (left) giving her debut tour: Photo: Private

'We give you the chance to drink through history'

History buff Tiffany Alnefelt, 30, met her Swedish husband while she was studying in Ireland. The pair now run an alternative tour for visitors to Stockholm, via some of the city's oldest pubs. Bobbie Carlson tagged along. READ

The Local investigates

Princess and Lloyd Justus from Nigeria are seeking asylum along with their baby daughter. Photo: The Local

'It was a long journey and some of my friends died'

A week after the Swedish Migration Board announced it was tripling the maximum number of residents allowed at asylum centres, The Local brings you a special report from inside Märsta, the country's busiest asylum application centre just outside Stockholm, where hundreds of refugees spend their first nights in Sweden each week.READ

Interview

Pia Sundhage, left, celebrating after Sweden beats Scotland in the World Cup qualifier. Photo: Adam Ihse/TT

Is Swedish super coach Pia Sundhage quitting?

Swedish football coach Pia Sundhage's contract leading the women's national team runs out next year. And she has not yet made up her mind as to whether or not she wants to stay on. “If they asked me today, I would say no,” she told The Local on Friday. READ

The Local Recipes

Chocolate Truffles. Photo: John Duxbury

How to Make Chocolate Truffles for Easter

If you are looking for a fun alternative to Easter eggs, why not try Swedish chocolate truffles. They are delicious, easy to make and kids can help you make these delightful sweets. Food writer John Duxbury shares his recipe with The Local. READ

More News

Photo: Shutterstock

Debt collection rising in Sweden

Around eight million debt collection notices were sent out in Sweden last year, an increase over the year before, according to a trade group. A greater willingness to buy on credit these days means more people are unable to pay off their debts. READ

Photo: Shutterstock

Spring-like weather predicted this week

After the cool temperatures of the Easter weekend, a week of warmer, spring-like weather is predicted for many parts of the country, along with a healthy dose of sun. READ

Sweden is uncomfortable about a planned military parade on May 9th. Photo: TT

Swedish ministers to forego Russian party

Neither Stefan Löfven nor any other cabinet-level ministers will be attending the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Moscow in May, according to the prime minister’s press office. READ 69 comments

Photo: TT

Church needs new sex abuse policy: clergy

The Church of Sweden is not taking the problem of sexual abuse seriously enough, wrote two clergy members in Sunday’s Svenska Dagbladet. Cases of priests resuming pastoral duties after abusing children show church policy needs an overhaul, they said. READ

Photo: Shutterstock

Sweden still in top spot for visa-free travel

Holders of a Swedish passport can visit 174 countries around the world without needing a visa, according to a global ranking, up from 173 countries in 2013. The world awaits. READ 7 comments

Photo: Shutterstock

More Swedes changing their names

The number of applications for a name change in Sweden keeps growing, according to the Swedish Patent and Registration Office. But before choosing a new moniker, the office reveals some things people should take into consideration. READ 7 comments

Photo: TT

Military puts focus on equality in design

The Swedish military is launching a major equipment design overhaul in the interests of equality. The aim is to ensure all military gear, from uniforms to weapons, is suitable for everyone serving, regardless of gender or body size. READ 28 comments

Photo: Shutterstock

Court rules in drunken tree chopping case

Sweden’s Supreme Court has had the final say in a case where a man chopped down a friend’s neighbour’s trees under the influence. The judgment might make him think twice before reaching for a handsaw after a party again. READ

Rural Revolt 2015 demonstrated at Mynttorget in Stockholm on Friday. Photo: TT

Rural Swedes protest ‘fanatical urbanisation’

On Friday, rural residents drove tractors and other vehicles with banners into several Swedish cities to protest what they are calling the injustice they experience in the countryside. They say their concerns are largely ignored by politicians. READ 10 comments

Analysts believe Sweden's GDP will grow by around three percent in 2015. Photo: Christine Olsson/SCANPIX

Experts predict Sweden's economy set to grow

The Swedish economy is getting stronger, with the most optimistic analysts predicting that GDP growth will land at around three percent in 2015. But inflation has still not gained momentum and interest rates are set to remain at record low levels. READ

Read older articles »

From our other editions:

April Fool's Day

In Austria we had you fooled that the government had proposed a hike in sales tax for garden gnomes. Photo: Shutterstock

April Fool! The Local's day in gags

No, you weren’t going crazy when you scrolled through The Local this morning. Today, our network temporarily lost its marbles for April Fools' Day. So, as the clock strikes 12pm, it’s time for The Local to fess up and reveal which of our stories were red herrings. READ

April Fools' Day

Were you fooled into believing that Switzerland was bringing back the bicycle infantry in the Swiss Army? Photo: Rasbak/Wikimedia Commons

April Fool: The Local's collection of gags

No, you weren’t going crazy when you scrolled through The Local this morning. Today, our network temporarily lost its marbles for April Fools' Day. Now it’s time for The Local to fess up and reveal which of our stories were red herrings. READ

April Fools' Day

In our April Fool's joke we reinstated the German monarchy. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

April Fool! The Local's day in gags

April Fools' Day

In Denmark we had you fooled that the country was introducing English as an official language. Photo: Claus Fisker/Scanpix

April Fool! The Local's day in gags

April Fools' Day

In Spain we had you fooled that Benidorm had banned full English breakfasts.

April Fool! The Local's day in gags

Concern in France over vaccinations for gastroenteritis. Photo: AFP

Two babies die in France after vaccinations

Health authorities in France are reviewing whether a common vaccine to prevent stomach illnesses should be given to babies, after it emerged this week that two newborns died following the inoculations.READ

April Fools' Day