Latest news with #TheLocal
Local Norway
a day ago
- Politics
- Local Norway
Q&A: What's Norway's stricter language requirement for permanent residency?
This week, the Norwegian government announced changes to the language requirements for foreigners seeking permanent residence permits. While the previous requirement for spoken proficiency at A1 level, applicants must now demonstrate A2-level or higher. 'Foreigners who want a permanent residence permit in Norway should have a certain level of oral Norwegian. Being able to speak and understand the Norwegian language is an important prerequisite for being able to participate in education and work', said Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen (Labour Party). The language levels refer to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). At level A2, individuals can understand simple everyday language, express themselves on personal and basic topics such as family, and manage simple conversations. However, the new requirements include exemptions for those with special circumstances related to health or personal reasons. This particularly applies to adult immigrants with limited or no formal education, elderly people, and individuals with low literacy skills. In addition, the requirements for language and social studies tests will be moved from the Integration Act to the Immigration Act. This could indicate a change to the streamline process, reducing the need for assessments by local municipalities. In 2024, 10,554 individuals were granted permanent residency in Norway . To clarify what the new rules mean in practice, The Local contacted the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security to help us answer some of the frequently asked questions from applicants: Advertisement What exactly has changed regarding Norwegian language requirements? Under the new rules, applicants for permanent residency must pass an oral Norwegian test at level A2 or higher, replacing the previous A1 requirement. What about the social studies (samfunnskunnskap) requirement? Applicants are still required to pass the social studies test, but they are no longer obligated to submit documentation of having completed a course. The legislation mandates a passed test taken in a language the applicant understands. Who does this affect? The changes apply to people seeking permanent residence aged 18–67, including outside‑EU/EEA. The 18-year age limit is calculated based on the time of application and the 67-year age limit is calculated from the time of the decision (the time the application is decided). Advertisement When do these new rules take effect? The changes were officially announced June 26th, 2025, and apply to applications for a permanent residence permit submitted after September 1st 2025. Are there any exceptions? Yes. Applicants can be exempt from the spoken Norwegian test if they can document special health conditions or personal circumstances beyond their control that make it impossible to pass the A2-level test. This applies especially to adult immigrants with little or no schooling, limited reading and writing skills, or older age. People with learning difficulties, cognitive challenges, or mental health conditions such as neurological disorders, may also qualify for an exemption. Are there still written or reading exams required? No. The requirements to obtain a permanent residence permit are to pass an oral Norwegian language test at level A2 and to pass the social studies test.
Local Sweden
a day ago
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Almedalen special: Swedish red tape vexes Ukrainians
This week: Can northern Sweden's green transition survive the fall of Northvolt, migration bureaucracy causes headache for Ukrainian refugees, and the former US ambassador talks about how his country's relationship with Europe has changed – and what remains the same. Advertisement In this week's episode we find out all that's happening at this year's Almedalen, Sweden's annual festival of politics on the island of Gotland. The Local's James Savage rounds up the sights and sounds from this year's event as he speaks to Helena Renström at Skellefteå municipality about Northvolt and the future of the northern Sweden green transition, and former US ambassador Eric Ramanathan. Khrystyna Hevchuk, chair of Refugee Hope, an organisation that helps Ukrainian refugees in Sweden, also explains how migration bureaucracy is making life hard for them. You can listen to the episode here: Or follow Sweden in Focus wherever you listen to podcasts. Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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. Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre. Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription on a podcast platform. If you prefer to listen on the site, you can find all episodes at the bottom of our podcast page.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Country music star ‘doing much better' after having stroke on stage
Ronnie McDowell is showing signs of improvement after the country music suffered an apparent stroke while performing. The singer's son, Ronnie Jr., said his father 'is doing much better' in a Facebook post on Wednesday, June 25. 'He went to the doctor yesterday and they are retrieving all of his records from the Reading Hospital. They will be setting up his surgery shortly,' he wrote. 'As of yesterday he was still showing some signs of the stroke but I spoke with his nurse and they said that it was completely normal. It could go away within a day or a few months, but there is no long term damage (Thank You Jesus).' He added that he would post updates about his father's surgery. Ronnie McDowell was released from the hospital Monday after he began to slur his words and started 'not making sense' after a few songs while he was performing at the Summer Solstice Music Festival in Oley, Pennsylvania Saturday,WKRN reported. A tour manager told the outlet that McDowell reportedly thought he might have had a stroke. He was then brought to a hospital in Reading for treatment. 'I know you're all concerned. I promise — no one is more worried than I am," McDowell's other son Tyler wrote in a Facebook post Saturday. 'Please understand, this is an incredibly stressful time, and right now, my focus is on my Dad. If there's anything that needs to be shared, I promise — we will." On Sunday, Tyler revealed his father underwent an MRI and that he and his brother spent the day with Ronnie in the hospital. Ronnie Jr. said his father was discharged on Monday. In his latest Facebook post, Ronnie Jr. thanked the entire staff at Reading Hospital for their help, calling them 'some of the nicest people that we could have ever encountered during this trying time.' He also thanked fans for their continued support and encouraged them to mail cards to his father's address at P.O. Box 2652 in Hendersonville, Tennessee, 37075. 'Love you all from the bottom of my Heart & Soul and have a Very Blessed Day,' Ronnie Jr. wrote. With a career spanning nearly five decades, Ronnie McDowell has charted more than 30 top 40 hits on the Billboard country music charts. Two of his singles — 'Older Women' and 'You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation' — reached were No. 1 hits. The singer has multiple shows scheduled for the rest of the year. Ronnie Jr. seemingly indicated that his father's concert this coming Saturday will go on as planned. 'We will see some of you in Kentucky this week at his Concert in Dry Ridge and I will see some of you as well at my gigs starting tomorrow at The Local in Hendersonville with Cliff Waddell & The Twang Gang and Friday Night at Alley Taps with my brother Nick Cross and his Incredible Band,' he wrote. Country music star falls off stage with beer in hand, keeps on singing 'Nothing sadder': Country singer asks fans to pray for his 4-year-old daughter New music from country music legend to be released 23 years after his death Country singer Cole Swindell to headline The Big E Arena for fall 2025 Iconic country band gives surprise performance at Mass. wedding Read the original article on MassLive.
Local Sweden
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Local Sweden
Swedish word of the day: padda
The word padda has two meanings: one that dates back centuries and one that's far more modern. Advertisement Padda is the Swedish word for a common toad (Bufo bufo in Latin). It lives all over Sweden (and almost all of Europe) and is a protected species in Scandinavia. A frog is known as a groda in Sweden, which you may have heard in Små grodorna, a popular song and dance on Midsummer's Eve about little frogs with neither tails nor ears. You can tell them apart by looking at their skin. Toads have thick, warty skin and are drier than frogs, who spend more time in the water, and have smooth or slimy skin. While padda is usually taken to refer to the common toad, which is also known as the European toad in English, there are actually another two species that live in Sweden. These are the strandpadda (Epidalea calamita or natterjack toad) and grönfläckig padda (Bufotes viridis or European green toad), both of which only live in southern Sweden. You'll also find the word in sköldpadda, Sweden's wonderfully literal ("shield toad") name for a turtle or tortoise. Don't miss any of our Swedish words and expressions of the day by downloading The Local's app (available on Apple and Android) and then selecting the Swedish Word of the Day in your Notification options via the User button The word padda comes from Old Norse and has existed in Swedish since before 1520. But it's also got a far more modern meaning. A padda is also used to refer to a tablet computer, a Swedish twist on iPad. If you prefer a term not associated with a particular brand, you can also say surfplatta. Advertisement Example sentences: När är ett barn gammalt nog att få sin egen padda? When is a child old enough to have its own tablet (or toad)? Varför sjunger man inte om paddor på Midsommarafton? Why aren't there any songs about toads on Midsummer's Eve? Villa, Volvo, Vovve: The Local's Word Guide to Swedish Life, written by The Local's journalists, is available to order. Head to to read more about it. It is also possible to buy your copy from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Bokus or Adlibris.
Local France
2 days ago
- Sport
- Local France
Where in Paris you can swim the Seine this summer
In recent years the city of Paris has been engaged in a massive clean-up project aimed at making the Seine safe to swim in. Last year's Olympic and Paralympic Games saw open-water swimming races held in the river in the heart of the city - but the end goal was always to make swimming available to everyone. This will finally happen in July, when for the first time in more than 100 years, the Seine will be open to the public for swimming. You can listen to the team at The Local discuss the swimming situation in the latest episode of the Talking France podcast - download here or listen on the link below The finishing touches are being put to three supervised swimming areas at Bras Marie, Bercy, and Grenelle that will allow hundreds of people to dive into the river, a century after taking an al fresco dip was banned for health reasons. Advertisement They are scheduled to open, conditions permitting, on Saturday, July 5th. READ ALSO Paris makes clean water bet for River Seine bathers Because the Seine is a busy commercial river, swimming will only be permitted in the designated areas. Bras Marie - near the pont de Sully, overlooking the Île Saint-Louis, right in the heart of the capital, up to 150 people can get in the water at the same time – while lockers, outdoor seating, showers and a first aid station are all on hand. The area is handily close to the Paris Plages summer-time city 'beaches' and will be open from 8am to 11.30am Monday to Saturday and 8am to 5.30pm on Sundays. Bercy - In the 12th arrondissement, the Bercy site – opposite Bibliothèque nationale de France and on either side of the Simone de Beauvoir footbridge, near Parc de Bercy – has two designated swimming areas, and all the necessary amenities, and will be open from 11am to 9pm daily. Grenelle - Opposite the Île aux Cygnes and a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower, the Grenelle area, in the 15th arrondissement offers secure swimming for families – the water is at a depth of 40cm to 60cm, while a nearby water sports centre offers free kayaking. Opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday; 10am to 4.45pm Saturday; and 10am to 12noon, 12.30pm to 2.15pm, and 2.45pm to 5.30pm on Sundays. Safety Swimming at all sites will be supervised by lifeguards, and people who are not judged to be strong enough swimmers may be asked to leave the water. Advertisement Water and weather conditions will be monitored continuously, and decisions taken daily whether to open the three river sites. If last year's Games are anything to go by, the period immediately after heavy rain is most likely to have unsafe water quality, in which case the pools will temporarily close. Visitors will be informed on arrival, or by logging on to the city's website . River traffic in the parts of the river close to the swim suits will be limited during opening hours, although popular boat services like the Bateaux Mouches and the Seine river cruises will continue to run as normal throughout the summer.
