<p>In this week's episode we talk about why northern Sweden doesn’t get the recognition it deserves from southerners, and we prepare for the annual Lucia festivities by getting to know some of the most common songs that are sung to mark the day.</p><p>For membership+ subscribers we find out why Swedish publishers have reported Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to the police.</p><p>Finally we examine how new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2026.</p><p>Host <strong>Paul O'Mahony</strong> is joined this week by regular panelists <strong>Becky Waterton</strong>&nbsp;and <strong>James Savage</strong>.</p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>Northern Sweden</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20251201/why-northern-swedes-feel-ignored-and-underappreciated?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Why northern Swedes feel ignored and underappreciated</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Lucia</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20151209/six-things-not-to-say-on-swedens-lucia-day?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Things you should NEVER say to a Swede on Lucia day</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20181213/swedishchristmas-the-historical-dark-side-of-swedens-lucia-tradition-dec13?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>The historical dark side of Sweden's Lucia tradition</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Crime</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20251128/swedish-media-body-reports-mark-zuckerberg-to-police-over-scam-ads?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Swedish media body reports Mark Zuckerberg to police over scam ads</strong></a></li></ul><p>The link we mention for reporting scam ads isn't live yet. We'll add it here once it's up.&nbsp;</p><h2>Immigration&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20251201/how-new-swedish-migration-rules-could-affect-foreign-residents-in-2026?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>How new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2026</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Politics in Sweden</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20251205/why-does-the-swedish-right-love-to-bash-svt?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Why does the Swedish right love to bash SVT?</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts</h2><p>Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.</p><p>Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+</p><ul><li><strong>For signed-in members: </strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/members/podcasts?tpcc=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Upgrade to Membership+</strong></a></li><li><strong>For new members:</strong> <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Get Membership+&nbsp;</strong></a></li></ul><p><br></p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>