Tag Archives: current events
The End of Apoteket (well, almost) Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 24, 2009
If all goes well, very soon you’ll be able to buy over the counter and prescription medications at your local ICA supermarket! Yay! I’d say it’s about time! You see, until July 1st of this year, Sweden was one of the very few countries left in the world with a state-controlled pharmacy monopoly. That has…
Victoria och Daniel gifter sig! Posted by Transparent Language on Feb 25, 2009
There’s one less eligible princess in the world today! Victoria and Daniel are getting married! Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland (Kronprinsessan Victoria, Sveriges kronprinsessa, hertiginna av Västergötland) and her long-time boyfriend – Daniel Westling announced their engagement yesterday. And it was about time! They’ve been together for seven years now, if I…
The Pirate Bay Trial Posted by Transparent Language on Feb 18, 2009
The buzz in Sweden this week seems to be all about the Pirate Bay trial. Unless you’ve been living under a rock on planet Zog, you have most likely heard about file sharing. I have purposely left out the word “illegal” from the previous sentence, because file sharing comes in all sorts of shapes and…
Yes, Sweden Is a Neutral Country Posted by Transparent Language on Jan 28, 2009
I am very behind when it comes to entertainment news in the US, and only today finally managed to catch up on the whole Jessica Alba hullabaloo. And even then, it was only thanks to a very astute reader who sent me the story. Thanks! You know who you are. What surprised me was just…
Sveriges ekonomi i kris Posted by Transparent Language on Jan 16, 2009
Recently people have been asking me how the global economic crisis is affecting Sweden. It seems to me that many foreigners are under the impression that a state with a cradle-to-grave welfare scheme should be immune from the worldwide tumble. Well, that impression is very mistaken. Welfare benefits don’t grow on trees, as some people…