Monday, June 23, 2025
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Monday, June 23, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/ericsson-makes-u-turn-after-trumps-demand-removes-diversity-and-inclusion/

Sweden

Ericsson makes U-turn after Trump’s demand – removes “diversity” and “inclusion”

Published 3 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Ericsson claims that the wording has been updated to provide "greater clarity" - and that it has not changed its view on anything.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

“Ericsson strives to create a diverse and inclusive organization”, the telecom giant declared in its last annual report.

However, the politically correct rhetoric seems to have been used mostly to appease left-liberal politicians and journalists – and after US pressure, the wording has now been quickly removed.

Donald Trump is no friend of left-wing identity politics or the now common “diversity programs” that aim to benefit various minority groups in various ways or to quota them into workplaces – often at the expense of white people.

Instead, the US President and his administration have expressed the need to put merit, skills and knowledge first – and have even announced that all federal diversity programs will be shut down.

Recently, Trump also demanded that European companies abolish their diversity initiatives if they want to secure contracts and future trade with the US – and Wallenberg-owned Ericsson is one of the players that is quickly turning the corner and scrapping the left-liberal rhetoric.

Replaced with “equal treatment and equal opportunities”

The company has for many years claimed that “diversity and inclusion” is very important and something it works hard to achieve – and the terms appeared no less than twelve times in the 2023 annual report.

Now, however, things are different and in the latest annual report, all these phrases have been deleted – instead, several of them have been replaced with the more neutral-sounding “equal treatment and equal opportunities“.

Ericsson has also deleted another paragraph that previously emphasized the importance of achieving gender balance among new hires.

“Has not changed its approach”

Although the sudden changes are fully in line with US requirements, Ericsson’s press officer Ralf Bagner claims the wording has been updated to provide “increased clarity” – he also promises Swedish state broadcaster SVT that despite the change in language, the company’s approach to DEI initiatives is exactly the same as before.

“Ericsson has not changed its approach to diversity and inclusion. We regularly review and update the language in our communications, such as in annual reports, to ensure clarity and consistency”, the company states.

Danish Lego is another well-known company that, following Trump’s directive, has chosen to remove all “diversity” language from its documents – while Swedish AB Volvo is an example of the opposite and has chosen to continue using the terminology.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/birthing-pools-gain-popularity-among-swedish-women/

Sweden

Birthing pools gain popularity among Swedish women

Published today 7:19
– By Editorial Staff
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

A growing number of women are choosing to give birth in so-called birthing pools. Water births are now offered in almost all regions of Sweden, something that was unusual just a few years ago.

Water birth means that the pregnant woman is in a pool and thus surrounded by water, and that the baby is then born underwater. The woman lifts the baby out of the water herself once it is born.

Since 2019, when only four of Sweden’s regions offered this option, more water births have been introduced at Swedish maternity hospitals, according to a survey by the tax-funded SVT. Today, only four do not offer water births: Region Kronoberg, Region Örebro County, Region Gävleborg and Region Blekinge.

In the 17 other regions, there is, or is about to be, some form of possibility to give birth in a birthing pool. One of the latest to acquire a birthing pool is the birthing clinic in Karlstad.

– It feels absolutely fantastic, it’s a goal that we’ve been working towards for several years and haven’t had the conditions for until now, says Charlotte Stenström, head of the obstetrics department at Karlstad Central Hospital, to SVT.

Not everyone will have the opportunity, however, as there are certain criteria. In Karlstad, for example, there will be requirements that the pregnancy is within normal limits and that the baby in the womb is of normal size.

Giving birth in a birthing pool can shorten labor and give the woman a more positive experience of the process, as well as a sense of control over her birth. It can also be beneficial against pain.

– There are many benefits of water births – pain relief is one, says midwife Araceli Carranza.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/power-shortages-threaten-southern-sweden-this-winter/

Sweden

Power shortages threaten southern Sweden this winter

The energy crisis in Europe

Published 17 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Residents in southern Sweden can expect sky-high electricity prices this winter.
2 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Svenska kraftnät (the Swedish national grid operator) warns of a critical electricity shortage in southern Sweden this winter equivalent to the output of seven nuclear reactors. A new report shows that electricity area SE4, southern Götaland including Skåne, is particularly vulnerable.

The forecast points to a power shortage of 7,700 MWh/h during a normal winter in SE3 and SE4. The reason is insufficient plannable production in relation to consumption.

Malin Johansson, energy and climate manager at the industry organization IKEM, is calling for quick solutions:

– This confirms that we need to quickly build new capacity in the form of gas turbines and batteries that can even out the peaks and cope with the power demand in southern Sweden, especially during cold, windless winter days.

Imports do not offer a reliable solution either, as the electricity systems of neighboring countries are often just as strained:

“Analyses of import opportunities from neighboring countries show that most, like Sweden, are dependent on imports in strained situations. This indicates that import opportunities from our neighboring countries at these times may be limited if shortages occur simultaneously”, writes Svenska kraftnät.

– It’s no news that if there’s no wind in Denmark, there’s no wind in Skåne either. Every country must take responsibility for its own electricity system. We can’t rely on neighboring countries, says Malin Johansson.

“Must be able to produce around the clock”

Svenska kraftnät highlights consumer flexibility and storage as solutions, but Johansson is skeptical:

– Why should we create a market where industry is forced to be flexible? It’s not as if we have a high added value from selling electricity to other countries. Industry must be able to produce around the clock to promote growth and prosperity in Sweden.

The transmission capacity between SE3 and SE4 is insufficient during peak hours, which drives up electricity prices in SE4. The ERAA 2024 report confirms that margins are shrinking in southern Sweden, where demand is increasing while transmission from the north is limited. The situation requires urgent measures to secure the electricity supply.

The report points out that Europe’s electricity system is at risk of becoming increasingly vulnerable to power shortages. Despite extensive investments in wind and solar power, there is no realistic plan to replace fossil fuel-based electricity production that is being phased out for economic reasons. As a result, new capacity may not be built in time, which threatens security of supply.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/widdings-new-party-wants-to-put-swedes-first/

Sweden

Widding’s new party wants to put Swedes first

Published 13 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Elsa Widding's party wants to focus on “the important issues that none of the current parties in parliament dare to pursue with sufficient vigor".
4 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

A new political party, Sverige Först (Sweden first), was launched yesterday with the stated vision of restoring Sweden’s prosperity, security, and independence.

The founder is the outspoken and popular member of parliament Elsa Widding, who has long been a vocal critic of climate alarmism, supranationalism, and experimental mass vaccination programs.

The party uses the slogan “Make Sweden rich again!” and compares Sweden to Switzerland, noting that Swedes have fallen far behind in recent years.

“In the 1970s, Swedes were one of the richest people in the world; we were then on the same level of prosperity as Switzerland. Today, an experienced Swedish high school teacher earns about 40,000 kronor per month, while a Swiss teacher earns the equivalent of 150,000 kronor”, they write. The party’s solution? Lower taxes and a freer market economy.

In the area of security, Sverige Först wants to see a return to non-alignment. They criticize NATO membership as provocative and risky and want to focus on invasion defense and diplomacy, especially to reduce tensions with Russia.

“Given the uncertainties surrounding NATO, Sweden’s goal should be to pursue an independent security policy aimed at becoming an alliance-free country again. Our ambition should be to stay out of armed conflicts and instead work for détente in our immediate neighborhood”, they argue further. The party is also strongly critical of the DCA agreement, which they see as a direct provocation against Russia, and emphasizes that Sweden should avoid becoming a target in a potential conflict scenario.

More independence

Sverige Först is also opposed to supranationalism and globalism and sees the EU and the World Economic Forum (WEF) as threats to Sweden’s sovereignty and independence.

“Swedish citizens should govern Sweden, not the globalists in Davos or the EU bureaucrats in Brussels”, they declare, arguing that Sweden may need to leave the EU if the union no longer serves the interests of Sweden and the Swedish people.

They also warn that global institutions such as the WHO and the IMF are actively depriving nations of their self-determination and pushing for digital control systems that threaten individual freedom.

“The further away political decisions are made, the more difficult it is for individuals to make their voices heard, and the less self-government and freedom the nation has left. For globalists, the individual is a source of tax revenue and soldier material, but otherwise mostly a nuisance”, they write.

No to climate alarmism and experimental vaccines

Climate policy is another contentious issue. Sverige Först dismisses the climate crisis as greatly exaggerated and wants to base decisions on science, not “alarmism”.

They refer to the IPCC and claim that disaster scenarios have been toned down, while prioritizing agriculture and self-sufficiency over wind power, which they want to phase out in favor of more stable nuclear power. The party emphasizes that nuclear power is the key to cheap and reliable energy, while wind power is seen as unreliable and harmful to nature.

On the vaccine issue, the party expresses skepticism toward mRNA vaccines and condemns the handling of COVID-19. It emphasizes that the individual’s right to choose must be respected according to the Nuremberg Code and criticizes the coercive and surveillance measures introduced during the pandemic.

“Self-evident rights such as gathering, demonstrating, visiting elderly relatives, and attending funerals were abolished. In some countries, it was more or less mandatory to be vaccinated with COVID vaccines, even though the preparations are still in the experimental stage”, it continues.

The party expresses strong concern that the vaccines have not been sufficiently tested and have caused a number of serious vaccine injuries, and calls for an independent review of the pandemic measures:

“Positive change always begins with an acknowledgment of the mistakes that have been made. This process must begin immediately, before more lives are lost in a careless and unnecessary manner”.

Want to highlight what others ignore

When it comes to migration, the party wants to limit it with income requirements – but does not advocate any comprehensive repatriation programs. However, it wants to “stop immigration in order to be able to take care of those who are here” and “create good conditions for the families and individuals who have come to Sweden over the past 25 years with the desire to integrate into Swedish society”.

According to Elsa Widding, the party’s focus is “on the important issues that none of the current parties in parliament dare to pursue with sufficient vigor”, and each policy area will be represented by three people until the 2026 election.

“All with documented experience and relevant expertise to be able to show the way forward”, it says.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/shadowy-globalist-meeting-in-stockholm-19-nordic-power-brokers-attend/

The Nordics

Shadowy globalist meeting in Stockholm – 19 Nordic power brokers attend

The globalist agenda

Published 13 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Jacob Wallenberg, Magdalena Andersson and Ebba Busch are three of the Swedes at the power conference.
3 minute read
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

When the world’s most powerful people gather in Stockholm, it happens without an audience, without the press, and without protocol. The Bilderberg meeting is back – and this time with more Swedish participants than ever before.

The infamous Bilderberg meeting – an annual and strictly closed power conference where the world’s most influential people from politics, business, and the media gather – is in full swing at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm.

The meeting began on Thursday evening and will continue until Sunday. A total of 114 Western leaders are participating, including nine Swedes, four Finns, four Norwegians and two Danes.

Critics see Sweden’s greatly increased participation as a symptom of an increasingly isolated power culture, where crucial discussions are held behind closed doors – far from open debates and even further from public scrutiny.

The Bilderberg meeting has long been known for its secrecy.

Discussions take place in secret and under the so-called Chatham House rule, which means that participants may use the information they receive, but never reveal to outsiders who said what. This lack of transparency has attracted repeated criticism and fueled speculation about what is actually decided in this closed network, where the people have no opportunity to hear what is said.

“Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s) nor of any other participant may be revealed”, it states.

Oligarchs and political leaders

The Swedish delegation consists of some of the most influential people in the country. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), opposition leader Magdalena Andersson (S), and Minister of Energy and Business Ebba Busch (KD) represent the political elite. From the business world, the oligarch brothers Jacob and Marcus Wallenberg – two of the key figures in Sweden’s most powerful financial dynasty – are participating. In addition, Oscar Stenström, former NATO negotiator and now advisor to the Wallenberg sphere, is also involved in the event.

Other Swedish participants include Martin Lundstedt, CEO of the Volvo Group, Micael Johansson, CEO of arms manufacturer Saab, Spotify founder Daniel Ek, and EQT chairman Conni Jonsson.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attends this year’s Bilderberg meeting. Photo: Ninni Andersson/Government Offices of Sweden

In addition to the Swedes, several international leaders are on the list of participants. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and former Prime Minister Sanna Marin are among the political figures. From the media and tech world, journalist Anne Applebaum, billionaire and Palantir founder Peter Thiel, and the company’s CEO Alex Karp – known for supplying surveillance technology to both intelligence agencies and the military – are participating.

The US dominates the meeting with 29 participants, followed by France with 12. Fifty-seven people, including Swedes Daniel Ek and Marcus Wallenberg, also attended last year’s meeting in Madrid. Among the 114 participants this year are 27 women.

No one knows what will be discussed

According to the organizers, this year’s agenda includes topics such as the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, the US economy, AI, national security, and defense innovation. The list also includes “depopulation and migration”, critical minerals, and geopolitics – topics with a direct impact on global politics, economics, and technology. But since no minutes are taken and no independent review takes place, it is impossible to know what is actually being discussed, what interests are at play, or whether any agreements are reached.

For decades, the Bilderberg meeting has been subject to harsh criticism because of its closed nature and total lack of democratic transparency. Critics argue that it serves as a forum where the world’s most powerful people can coordinate their agendas – without journalists, without accountability and far from the public eye.

However, the organization itself claims that it sees the event as a space for “informal discussions on major issues” and argues that its private nature allows for frank conversations:

“Thanks to the private nature of the Meeting, the participants take part as individuals rather than in any official capacity, and hence are not bound by the conventions of their office or by pre-agreed positions. As such, they can take time to listen, reflect and gather insights”, it claims.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Confirmed participants – full list:

Abrams, Stacey (USA), CEO, Sage Works Production
Albuquerque, Maria Luís (INT), European Commissioner Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union
Alcázar Benjumea, Diego del (ESP), CEO, IE University
Alverà, Marco (ITA), Co-Founder, zhero.net; CEO TES
Andersson, Magdalena (SWE), Leader, Social Democratic Party
Applebaum, Anne (USA), Staff Writer, The Atlantic
Attal, Gabriel (FRA), Former Prime Minister
Auchincloss, Murray (CAN), CEO, BP plc
Baker, James H. (USA), Former Director, Office of Net Assessment, Department of Defense
Barbizet, Patricia (FRA), Chair and CEO, Temaris & Associés SAS
Barroso, José Manuel (PRT), Chair International Advisors, Goldman Sachs International
Baudson, Valérie (FRA), CEO, Amundi SA
Beleza, Leonor (PRT), President, Champalimaud Foundation
Birol, Fatih (INT), Executive Director, International Energy Agency
Botín, Ana (ESP), Group Executive Chair, Banco Santander SA
Bourla, Albert (USA), Chair and CEO, Pfizer Inc.
Brende, Børge (NOR), President, World Economic Forum
Brunner, Magnus (INT), European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
Brzoska, Rafal (POL), CEO, InPost SA
Busch, Ebba (SWE), Minister for Energy, Business and Industry
Caine, Patrice (FRA), Chair & CEO, Thales Group
Calviño, Nadia (INT), President, European Investment Bank
Castries, Henri de (FRA), President, Institut Montaigne
Chambers, Jack (IRL), Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Reform and Digitalisation
Champagne, François-Philippe (CAN), Minister of Finance and National Revenue
Clark, Jack (USA), Co-Founder & Head of Policy, Anthropic PBC
Crawford, Kate (USA), Professor and Senior Principal Researcher, USC and Microsoft Research
Donahue, Christopher (USA), Commander, US Army Europe and Africa
Donohoe, Paschal (INT), President, Eurogroup; Minister of Finance
Döpfner, Mathias (DEU), Chair and CEO, Axel Springer SE
Eberstadt, Nicholas N. (USA), Henry Wendt Scholar in Political Economy, AEI
Ek, Daniel (SWE), CEO, Spotify SA
Ekholm, Börje (SWE), CEO, Ericsson Group
Eriksen, Øyvind (NOR), President and CEO, Aker ASA
Feltri, Stefano (ITA), Journalist
Fentener van Vlissingen, Annemiek (NLD), Chair, SHV Holdings NV
Fraser, Jane (USA), CEO, Citigroup
Freeland, Chrystia (CAN), Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
Friedman, Thomas L. (USA), Foreign Affairs Columnist, The New York Times
Gabuev, Alexander (INT), Director, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Hammer, Kristina (AUT), President, Salzburg Festival
Harrington, Kevin (USA), Senior Director for Strategic Planning, NSC
Hassabis, Demis (GBR), Co-Founder and CEO, Google DeepMind
Hedegaard, Connie (DNK), Chair, KR Foundation
Heinrichs, Rebeccah (USA), Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
Heraty, Anne (IRL), Chair, Sherry Fitzgerald ana IBEC
Herlin, Jussi (FIN), Vice Chair, KONE Corporation
Hernández de Cos, Pablo (ESP), General Manager Elect, Bank for International Settlements
Hobson, Mellody (USA), Co-CEO and President, Ariel Investments LLC
Hoekstra, Wopke (INT), European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
Hunt, Jeremy (GBR), Member of Parliament
Isla, Pablo (ESP), Vice-Chair, Nestlé SA
Johansson, Micael (SWE), President and CEO, Saab AB
Jonsson, Conni (SWE), Founder and Chair, EQT Group
Karp, Alex (USA), CEO, Palantir Technologies Inc.
Klingbeil, Lars (DEU), Vice-Chancellor; Minister of Finance
Klöckner, Julia (DEU), President Bundestag
Kostrzewa, Wojciech (POL), President, Polish Business Roundtable
Kotkin, Stephen (USA), Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Kratsios, Michael (USA), Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Kravis, Henry R. (USA), Co-Founder and Co-Executive Chair, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
Kudelski, André (CHE), Chair and CEO, Kudelski Group SA
Kuleba, Dmytro (UKR), Adjunct Professor, Sciences Po
Leeuwen, Geoffrey van (INT), Director Private Office of the Secretary General, NATO
Lemierre, Jean (FRA), Chair, BNP Paribas
Letta, Enrico (ITA), Dean, IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs
Leysen, Thomas (BEL), Chair, dsm-firmenich AG
Lighthizer, Robert (USA), Chair, Center for American Trade
Liikanen, Erkki (FIN), Chair, IFRS Foundation Trustees
Lundstedt, Martin (SWE), CEO, Volvo Group
Marin, Sanna (FIN), Strategic Counsellor, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
McGrath, Michael (INT), European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law
Mensch, Arthur (FRA), Co-Founder and CEO, Mistral AI
Micklethwait, John (USA), Editor-in-Chief, Bloomberg LP
Minton Beddoes, Zanny (GBR), Editor-in-Chief, The Economist
Mitsotakis, Kyriakos (GRC), Prime Minister
Monti, Mario (ITA), Senator for life
Moore, Richard (GBR), Chief, Secret Intelligence Service
Nadella, Satya (USA), CEO, Microsoft Corporation
Netherlands, H.M. the King of the (NLD),
O’Leary, Michael (IRL), Group CEO, Ryanair Group
Ollongren, Kajsa (NLD), Fellow, Chatham House; Senior Fellow, GLOBSEC
Özyeğin, Murat (TUR), Chair, Fiba Group
Papalexopoulos, Dimitri (GRC), Chair, TITAN S.A.
Paparo, Samuel (USA), Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command
Philippe, Édouard (FRA), Mayor, Le Havre
Pouyanné, Patrick (FRA), Chair and CEO, TotalEnergies SE
Prokopenko, Alexandra (INT), Fellow, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Rachman, Gideon (GBR), Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator, Financial Times
Rappard, Rolly van (NLD), Co-Founder and Chair, CVC Capital Partners
Reiche, Katherina (DEU), Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy
Ringstad Vartdal, Birgitte (NOR), CEO, Statkraft AS
Roche, Nicolas (FRA), Secretary General, General Secretariat for Defence and National Security
Rutte, Mark (INT), Secretary General, NATO
Salvi, Diogo (PRT), Co-Founder and CEO, TIMWE
Sawers, John (GBR), Executive Chair, Newbridge Advisory Ltd.
Scherf, Gundbert (DEU), Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Helsing GmbH
Schimpf, Brian (USA), Co-Founder & CEO, Anduril Industries
Schmidt, Eric E. (USA), Executive Chair and CEO, Relativity Space Inc
Schmidt, Wolfgang (DEU), Former Federal Minister for Special Tasks, Head of the Chancellery
Šefčovič, Maroš (INT), European Commissioner Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency
Sewing, Christian (DEU), CEO, Deutsche Bank AG
Sikorski, Radoslaw (POL), Minister of Foreign Affairs
Şimşek, Mehmet (TUR), Minister of Finance
Smith, Jason (USA), Member of Congress
Stoltenberg, Jens (NOR), Minister of Finance
Streeting, Wes (GBR), Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Stubb, Alexander (FIN), President of the Republic
Suleyman, Mustafa (USA), CEO, Microsoft AI
Summers, Lawrence (USA), Charles W. Eliot University Professor, Harvard University
Thiel, Peter (USA), President, Thiel Capital LLC
Toulemon, Laurent (FRA), Senior Researcher, INED
Uggla, Robert (DNK), Chair, A.P. Møller-Maersk A/S
Valentini, Valentino (ITA), Deputy Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy
Vassy, Luis (FRA), Director, Sciences Po
Verhoeven, Karel (BEL), Editor-in-Chief, De Standaard
Wallenberg, Jacob (SWE), Chair, Investor AB
Wallenberg, Marcus (SWE), Chair, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB
Weder di Mauro, Beatrice (CHE), President, Centre for Economic Policy Research
Weel, David van (NLD), Minister of Justice and Security
Wilmès, Sophie (INT), Vice-President, European Parliament
Zakaria, Fareed (USA), Host, Fareed Zakaria GPS
Zeiler, Gerhard (AUT), President, Warner Bros. Discovery International

INT is used instead of the country code to indicate that a participant represents an international organization or has a cross-border role.

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