Swedish technology is highly interesting for NATO

Sweden is already exporting defense materials to several NATO countries, and its potential membership could create opportunities for new companies to do business with the defense alliance. One area of interest is space technology, where Sweden has expertise due to the Esrange space base.

Diana, a NATO program, aims to develop and support civil technology that can have military applications, offering grants and financing to member countries' companies. Sweden's advanced technology in radar, sensors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computers makes it a sought-after partner.

Additionally, Sweden possesses valuable expertise in cryptography and intelligence operations, but the most sensitive knowledge is shared only with select countries within NATO.

Read more :

DN: This is how Sweden will contribute to NATO's cyber defense

DN: NATO wants Swedish technology for advanced warfare

Questions remain for Sweden's NATO process

Last week Türkiye's President Erdogan announced that he was finally ready to move ahead with Sweden's NATO application, but questions remain. The main question being when Türkiye might vote on the matter. The Turkish Parliament went on summer recess last Friday and is not scheduled to return until October.

Hungary's vote

There are also still questions about when Hungary may vote to approve Sweden. In the past Hungarian leaders had made it clear that they would move forward when Türkiye did, but as of now, it is still unclear when Hungary may move forward.

Sweden's role

Once Sweden finally is part of the military alliance there are also questions about what exactly their role will be. Last week Minister of Defense Pål Jonson (M) said that Sweden will need to take a commanding role during times of crisis, and will therefore work toward being a "reliable and influential ally."

Read more:

DN: Here, Sweden can participate in defending NATO's border

DN: Jonson: Many Swedish units will be part of NATO

DN: Behind the scenes: How the agreement with Erdogan was reached

DN: Five questions that are still unanswered about Sweden in NATO

Banks ignoring Supreme Court's telephone fraud ruling

You hear the stories all of the time. A neighbor was scammed out of their savings, a coworker was tricked into giving up millions, or an elderly relative fell victim to a financial scam. Telephone fraud is on the rise in Sweden, in fact, it's a multimillion-dollar industry. Nearly 22,000 people reported falling victim to financial fraud just last year, a nearly 86 percent increase from the previous year.

Despite its seemingly straightforward nature, this method of fraud is anything but simple; rather, it is often executed with remarkable sophistication. The perpetrators adopt various guises, posing as banks, debt collection agencies, police officers, and even healthcare centers. Caught off guard, unsuspecting victims find themselves being shuttled between different "experts" who skillfully manipulate them into authenticating their identities through bank IDs or devices. This trick typically involves convincing individuals to update their personal information or prevent fictitious fraud.

Unfortunately, falling into this trap grants the fraudsters complete access to victims' bank accounts, which they quickly empty of funds.

The money is often used in criminal activities, like the purchase of weapons .

Banks responsible

Telephone fraud is a direct consequence of the technological advancements pioneered by banks, with bank ID serving as a prominent example. Paradoxically, while banks have been at the forefront of such developments, security measures have often been neglected. Despite the widespread prevalence of fraud as a societal issue, most banks lack automated systems that can effectively halt suspiciously large transfers or transfers to unfamiliar accounts.

What is even more concerning is the banks' persistent refusal to compensate customers affected by fraud, despite the stance of the law on the matter. A landmark ruling by the Supreme Court last summer highlighted this disregard. In the case of Länsförsäkringar Bank, the court established that the institution was legally obligated to compensate an account holder who had fallen victim to a swindle, resulting in a loss of 400,000 kronor.

While the account holder was found to have been "grossly negligent" by giving away his account information, they were not found to be "particularly blameworthy" given that the victim was not aware of the consequences of their actions. The landmark distinction necessitates that the victim possesses awareness or, at the very least, indifference toward the consequences of providing bank and security information.

Changing recommendations

Last year the National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN) changed its recommendation for banks, stating that they should compensate their clients who have fallen victim to fraudsters, in line with the Supreme Court ruling. But banks have largely resisted this and have refused to compensate defrauded clients.

Read more :

DN: Banks ignore Supreme Court on phone scams - it's a scandal

Staff shortage in Sweden's restaurant industry

In April, there were over 7,000 job advertisements for restaurant and kitchen assistants, chefs, cold buffet workers, head waiters, waiters, and bartenders at the Swedish Public Employment Service.

During the same month, over 27,000 people applied for these jobs, but the puzzle of staffing still remains unsolved. The industry is still desperately in need of personnel, particularly those with experience, according to the industry organization Visita.

The Swedish hospitality industry faces a critical staff shortage despite thousands of job openings.

The shortage was exacerbated by the pandemic, as some individuals shifted to other professions and didn't return. This scarcity hampers the industry's recovery, leading to reduced offerings and delayed expansion plans. Automation is seen as a potential solution, with certain tasks becoming automated, but the sector still requires a large workforce.

The industry seeks improved conditions, security, and education to attract more talent, while authorities and industry organizations work to address the problem and match unemployed workers with available jobs.

Read more:

DN: Restaurants may be forced to close – unable to find staff

DN: Thousands of vacant jobs and even more applicants - but a continuing staffing crisis

Rain forecasted in Sweden

After an exceptionally dry early summer, much-needed rain is forecasted in Sweden.

While vacationers may be disappointed, it brings relief to the country's farmers. The rain is valuable for agriculture, particularly for cattle and dairy farmers who depend on grass for feed.

However, the rain comes too late to significantly impact this year's grain harvest, which is expected to be the worst since 2018. The smaller harvest may raise domestic grain prices, affecting consumers in grocery stores, but the exact consequences remain uncertain. Too much rain in late July and early August can also damage agriculture and affect crop choices for farmers.

Read more :

DN: Weak harvest - an economic blow to farmers

DN: This is the perfect rain for Swedish farmers

• Swedish Krona strengthens : The Swedish Krona has risen against the dollar and euro, with experts attributing the strengthening to the market's perception that the currency is undervalued. Lower inflation in the US also reduces the likelihood of further interest rate hikes, which could be another factor behind the Krona's recent strengthening.

• Interest rates to rise : Inflation in Sweden is declining but not as quickly as expected, leading to predictions of further interest rate hikes by the Riksbank. The inflation rate stands at 9.3 percent, with a worrying 8.1 percent excluding energy. The weak currency is contributing to imported inflation and households and businesses are advised to prepare for more rate hikes.

• Stabilizing food prices : Official statistics confirm that food prices in June showed a minimal increase of 0.3 percent compared to May, indicating a stabilization after previous fluctuations. Certain foods, such as herring, honeydew melon, and salad, experienced a decline in prices, while items like pears, grapes, and carrots saw an increase in price.

• Ericsson CEO: "It will get better next year" : Ericsson experienced a 9 percent decrease in sales during Q2 due to challenging market conditions and decreased investments by mobile operators. However, CEO Börje Ekholm is optimistic about the future, citing increasing mobile traffic and the expansion of digital highways as drivers for future growth. Ericsson expects 1.5 billion 5G subscriptions worldwide by the end of the year and 4.6 billion by 2028.

• Alcaraz wins Wimbledon : Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic in a stunning match, winning Wimbledon and ending Djokovic's streak. Alcaraz, the 20-year-old Spaniard, secures his second grand slam title of his career and his first at Wimbledon. The final lasted 4 hours and 42 minutes, with Alcaraz taking the victory after a gripping five-set match.

• Swedish great power is over? Sweden's lack of investment in cultural infrastructure and decline in international influence, exemplified by the absence of Swedish players at Wimbledon, reflects a broader decline in Sweden's global standing, including its weakened currency and the need to reassess its foreign policy and security posture in light of Russian aggression, argues Barbro Hedvall at Dagens Nyheter.

• Adder bites on the rise : The warm spring has brought out adders early, leading to an increase in adder bites and calls to the Poison Information Center. Approximately 400 people are hospitalized annually due to adder bites and require antivenom. It is important to remain calm, keep the bitten body part still, and seek medical advice if bitten by an adder.

• Employees raise concerns : Former and current employees of Zalando's Stockholm warehouse report surveillance, harassment, and difficult working conditions, with one worker stating that it feels like "ceasing to be human" when entering the warehouse. These allegations follow recent critiques of the working environment at Boozt and stress the need for improved conditions in the fashion industry.

• Last Gröna Lund patient discharged : The last patient injured in the Gröna Lund roller coaster accident has been discharged from the hospital. The investigation into the accident is ongoing, the investigation is estimated to take up to a year.

• New Era for Nordic Security : As Sweden and Finland plan to join NATO, the Nordic countries are speaking with one voice, marking a new era of security cooperation. The move is seen as strengthening the region's defense and sending a message to Russia. The United States has also expressed interest in strengthening defense cooperation with the Nordic countries due to their strategic locations.

• New heat records : Southern Europe, including Italy, Spain, Cyprus, and Greece, is experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius. The heatwave, named Kerberos, has prompted warnings and precautions from authorities and travel companies, including the temporary closure of the Parthenon temple in Athens to protect tourists. While this week is not forecasted that temperatures are high in Sweden, the risk of wildfires has been raised since last month all over Sweden with fire bans in place in many areas.

• Protests Against Undemocratic Laws : Major protests erupted in Israel as demonstrators blocked roads and intersections to show opposition to the government's legislative program, which includes a bill that restricts the Supreme Court's power. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declining influence and rising dissent within his party raise concerns about the future of democracy in Israel. A majority of Israelis oppose the legislative program, with divided opinions within Netanyahu's Likud party itself.

• Engagement decreasing for Threads : Meta's social media platform, Threads, initially attracted 100 million users within a week, but engagement has since declined. Users now spend only six minutes a day on the app, compared to the initial 21 minutes. The analysis is based on Android users, according to Similar Web.

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Do I need permission to dance in Sweden?

No, it is not that you are not allowed to dance to your favorite "Walk like Beyoncé" Spotify playlist while walking down the streets of Stockholm.

In Sweden, dance permits for restaurants or places are required for certain public gatherings or events where the primary purpose is to attract an audience through organized dancing. If a group spontaneously starts dancing in a park or public place without an organizer or intent to attract an audience, a dance permit is generally not necessary.

The purpose of dance permits is to ensure that events are conducted safely and securely. It allows authorities to review and approve the arrangements made by the organizers to prevent any potential hazards or disruptions to the public or participants. The application process involves providing details about the event, such as the location, date, and safety measures, to the relevant authorities.

Failure to obtain the required dance permit can result in penalties, including fines or even imprisonment for the organizers. The permit application fee varies, and its cost contributes to covering administrative expenses related to processing and evaluating the event's safety measures.

While dance permits might be perceived as bureaucratic or unnecessary by some, they play a crucial role in maintaining order and ensuring the well-being of the participants and the surrounding community during organized dance events in public places.

What do you think?

by Viviana Levet/Riedia