Sweden recently made headlines with a bold proposal: to offer immigrants struggling to assimilate into Swedish society $35,000 to return home.
This so-called remigration check is presented as a win-win solution: Immigrants get financial support to rebuild their lives in their home countries, and Sweden's welfare system avoids the long-term costs of providing ongoing support. But what about the Swedish taxpayers, who are now bearing the financial burden of the mess they never helped create?
A country that once led the world in social progress is now a cautionary tale of what happens when unchecked violence, mass immigration, and political indecision collide.
That the government is willing to try such drastic measures is a telling indication of how bad the problem has gotten.
Sweden has long been seen as a Nordic utopia — an idyllic nation where people live in perfect harmony, cycling from sauna to cold plunge with smiles plastered across their faces. The image is one of tranquility, of a society built on trust, equality, and peace. A place where life is easy, crime is nonexistent, and the biggest concern might be how many cinnamon buns to indulge in on a Saturday.
But that idyllic image isn’t just crumbling; it’s being blown apart.
Bombs now rip through suburban neighborhoods, leaving homes shattered and citizens terrified. Smoke fills the sky and screams fill the air. Gang members aren’t just fighting for turf; they are targeting each other’s families, launching attacks on the places people once considered safe.
It’s no longer an isolated problem. The mayhem that was once confined to the capital, Stockholm, has spread to other cities, like the once-peaceful Uppsala.
Malmö, a city in southern Sweden, has increasingly found itself at the epicenter of a growing gang violence crisis that mirrors broader concerns across the country. Once known for its rich cultural history and high standard of living, Malmö has seen a dramatic rise in shootings, bombings, and organized crime activity, much of it driven by rival gangs involved in drug trafficking and turf wars.
For a nation that once prided itself on being civilized, peaceful, and orderly, this kind of violence feels like a betrayal of everything Sweden stands for. The nation once celebrated for ABBA and Ikea is now gaining recognition for something far more sinister. And foreigners are mostly to blame.
The bombings are just one part of a much darker picture. Sweden is grappling with a rise in violent crime on multiple fronts, including a surge in sexual violence. The rates of rape, aggravated rape, attempted rape, and attempted aggravated rape have skyrocketed in recent years.
In 2012, Sweden recorded around 6,000 cases of rape and related crimes. By 2023, that number had ballooned to 9,300. In a land of a little over 10 million people, that’s quite a number. The increase has been exponential, and it is a sobering reminder of how far the country has fallen from the idyllic, Bernie Sanders-endorsed image it once projected.
Studies clearly show that foreign-born individuals play a significant role in these crimes. The uncomfortable reality is that nothing good has come from the influx of immigrants in recent years. The 2015 immigrant crisis, closely tied to the EU's suicidal open-door policy, saw Sweden admit an unprecedented number of refugees, many of African and Middle Eastern descent.
This decision has been a pivotal factor in the country's ongoing societal upheaval.
The tragic irony of Sweden’s demise was brought into sharp focus by the recent case of a Syrian refugee — a 15-year-old boy, once celebrated by the Swedish press as a model of successful integration. This boy, who arrived in Sweden during the immigrant crisis, was hailed as a symbol of hope. But that hope turned to horror when he was arrested for attempted murder following a school shooting. In short, the very individual who was supposed to exemplify Sweden’s progress and humanitarian spirit became a symbol of its failures.
Sweden’s public image — the polished vision of an amicable, advanced society — has become a zombie lie, clinging to life even as the truth of its growing violence and unrest becomes undeniable.
This is not just about crime; it’s about the collapse of the Sweden that the world thought it knew. A country that once led the world in social progress is now a cautionary tale of what happens when unchecked violence, mass immigration, and political indecision collide.
The fight for Sweden's future has moved from theory to harsh reality as the streets run red with blood. But the conflict is no longer confined within Sweden’s borders — it’s spreading. Copenhagen, just across the Öresund strait from the aforementioned Malmö, has witnessed a sharp surge in gang violence over the summer.
In recent times, Danish authorities have reported three deaths and at least 25 violent incidents or attempts, signaling a dangerous escalation. This wave of cross-border crime has left officials alarmed, with Malmö police officer Glenn Sjögren highlighting the troubling involvement of younger perpetrators.
With the influx of foreigners into Sweden, juvenile gang crime has surged, with internationally connected gangs enlisting minors into their ranks, fueling a crisis that a senior minister recently warned would take at least a decade to fix. These gangs are determined to expand their territory, not only within Sweden but also into neighboring Denmark. Like a virus, the violence spreads.
This crisis is not merely a Swedish (or Danish) problem but a reality of the challenges facing Europe as a whole. Sweden’s unraveling serves as a mirror reflecting the broader European struggles with unchecked immigration and inept leadership.
From Stockholm to Stuttgart, Malmö to Manchester, Europe is grappling with a crisis of unprecedented proportions. Once-stable communities are literally being blown apart by external forces. Repairing this damage won’t be easy. In fact, I fear the destruction may be entirely irreversible. Gangsters are shaping policies, while gangs are shaping societies.
Sweden's latest policy, offering $35,000 to immigrants who have struggled to integrate into Swedish society as an incentive for them to return home, deserves some criticism. This so-called remigration check is presented as a win-win solution: immigrants get financial support to rebuild their lives in their home countries, and Sweden's welfare system avoids the long-term costs of providing ongoing support. But what about the Swedish taxpayers, who are now bearing the financial burden of the mess they never helped create?
Undeterred by boycotts and anti-Semitic abuse, Israeli singer Eden Golan made it to the final round of the Eurovision Song Contest Thursday only to discover that the thousands of pro-Hamas radicals outside were not the only people in Malmö, Sweden, who regarded her presence as intolerable.
Eurovision is an international music competition organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union and has been around since 1956. Despite its name, entrants hail from beyond the European Union's porous borders. Australia, the United Kingdom, Georgia, and Israel are among the other nations further afield that also regularly participate.
Although the contest has long prohibited "messages promoting any organization, institution, political cause or other, company, brand, products or services," politics and world conflicts nevertheless bleed into the competition.
For instance, in 2016 there was outrage over an Armenian performer's display of the flag of the Republic of Artsakh — an autonomous region within Azerbaijan's borders that was largely populated by ethnically Armenian Christians up until its brutal capture by Islamic Azerbaijani forces late last year.
In 2022, the inclusion of a Russian entry was prohibited "in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine."
Whereas other political controversies are sporadic, Israel's involvement since 1973 appears to be a constant sore spot for various radicals. Various Arab states have refused to take part on account of the Jewish state's presence and various leftist groups have called for boycotts. This year is no different.
Eden Golan, 20, entered as Israel's representative in the contest earlier this year. She wanted to sing a song entitled, "October Rain." Presuming her song to be a vague commentary on the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks on Israel, contest officials barred her from singing it, citing their rules on political neutrality, reported the BBC.
The English version of the lyrics included the lines, "There's no air left to breathe," and, "They were all good children, each one of them."
Israel's public broadcaster Kan initially vowed not to change the lyrics. However, Israeli President Isaac Herzog signaled the acceptability of "necessary adjustments" to ensure Golan could represent the country, and the broadcaster complied.
Kan reportedly said, "The president emphasized that at this time in particular, when those who hate us seek to push aside and boycott the state of Israel from every stage, Israel must sound its voice with pride and its head high and raise its flag in every world forum, especially this year."
Provided with the updated song, entitled "Hurricane," the European Broadcasting Union confirmed that the "official submission from its Israeli member Kan has been deemed eligible to compete in the Eurovision song contest in May," reported the Guardian.
The prospect of a Jewish singer taking the stage sent various radicals into apoplexy.
Belgium's culture minister, Bénédicte Linard, tweeted, "Like Russia, excluded from competitions and Eurovision following the invasion of Ukraine, Israel must be excluded until it puts an end to its flagrant violations of international law, which are causing thousands of victims, starting with the children."
Various music industry groups in countries such as Iceland and Finland called for boycotts against Eurovision, demanding a ban on Israeli performers.
On the flip side, some pro-Israel celebrities signaled their support for the country's involvement. Deadline indicated that Oscar-winner Helen Mirren was among those to sign a public letter demanding that Golan should be able to compete.
"You are successfully competing against an ugly wave of antisemitism, and are standing up to it," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Artists representing nine European countries in the contest issued a statement in March indicating they would not boycott the contest. However, they attempted to placate protesters by calling for a ceasefire and condemning so-called Islamophobia.
Some performers — such as Ireland's entry, Bambie Thug — have since flouted the contest's rules, showing off their pro-Palestinian colors. The Greek entry, Marina Satti, opted to show her contempt instead by pretending to snore at a press conference when Golan was responding to questions.
The opposition has not only been behind the curtain.
During a rehearsal Tuesday, Sky News indicated audience members booed Golan and chanted "Free Palestine." One audience member waving a Palestinian flag was escorted out of the auditorium.
"It is outrageous that Israel is allowed to participate," said climate alarmist Greta Thunberg.
Golan was unfazed by the bitterness in the stands and successfully secured a spot in Saturday's final along with nine others in the second semi-final Thursday — all to the chagrin of the thousands of radicals who had gathered outside in the streets of Malmö to protest her presence.
Among those desperate to see Israel eliminated from the competition was climate alarmist Greta Thunberg, who — wearing a keffiyeh — said, "It is outrageous that Israel is allowed to participate."
Some pro-Hamas protesters seized control of a nearby train stop in an apparent effort to block fans from attending the concert.
MALMO, SWEDEN \n\nThousands of anti-Israel protesters congregates in the Swedish city of Malm\u00f6, protesting against the participation of a 20-year-old Israeli singer in the Eurovision Song Contest.\n\nIt is reported singer Eden Golan required the protection of 100 police officers as\u2026— (@)
The Guardian indicated that additional protests and an alternative concert dubbed "a song contest without genocide" are planned for Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cheered Golan on, stating, "You are competing, proudly and impressively, not only in the Eurovision but you are successfully competing against an ugly wave of antisemitism, and are standing up to it, honorably representing Israel."
— (@)
Golan attended a press conference Thursday evening after securing her spot in the final. A reporter from the Polish radio outlet Newsletter put a "personal question" to Golan: "Have you ever thought that by being here, you bring risk and danger for other participants and the public?"
Golan, who has to travel through Sweden surrounded by a small army of security guards due to the danger posed by pro-Hamas protesters, appeared stunned by the apparent intimation that her Jewish nationality makes her a danger.
Swedish moderator Jovan Radomir told Golan, who remained smiling and composed, that she did not have to answer.
Sky News reported that Joost Klein, a competitor from the Netherlands, yelled, "Why not?"
Golan responded, "I think we're all here for one reason and one reason only, and the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone. So I think it's safe for everyone or we wouldn't be here."
Golan's response received a round of applause. Klein, on the other hand, missed his slot in the dress rehearsal Friday and is apparently under investigation.
Apart from having to deal with thousands of antisemitic protesters on the streets of Malm\u00f6 and a booing anti-Israel audience in the arena, Israel\u2019s Eden Golan also has to deal with other Eurovision Song Contest contenders being nasty against her\n\nHere\u2019s Netherlands\u2019 Joost Klein\u2026— (@)
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The developers behind the latest Star Wars Outlaws video game denounced oppression and inequality in a series of images about what equality means to them.
The Swedish developers at Massive Entertainment, a subsidiary of Montreal's Ubisoft, celebrated International Women's Day by posing with their arms sideways in an attempt to depict an equal sign, with #EachForEqual on their photos.
The team wasted no time getting into woke responses; the first female employee responded by saying equality, to her, meant "not having to do other people's emotional labor."
The first male employee stated that equality meant "renouncing all forms of oppression."
"Feeling safe without anxiety and fear of being judged," another employee added, while a succinct male employee simply said, "It's in the word."
A female employee, who appeared in a shirt that read "Baby it's [cold] outside" with the word "cold" missing — perhaps in protest to the 1944 song — said that equality meant "having representation" in games, which are "written and created by people from the communities we represent."
"That is huge," she added.
The lengthiest response was also the most buzz-word laden and political response.
"Equality means that all people — regardless of their birth or background — deserve the same respect and opportunity," a male employee began.
"For some, this will mean being provided aid so that they may aspire to rise above social, mental, or physical friction which might otherwise prevent them from succeeding," he continued.
"We're all on this boat together, and we don't have long on this ride. Be kind. Be weird. Be free. Trans rights are human rights," he added.
@Grummz There's more lol \ud83d\udc47\ud83c\udffb— (@)
Not all answers were infused with woke ideology; one male employee wearing a hat with a drink in his hand declared that the team was "here to work, and if anything, we should be judge[d] by our competences, not by the way we look."
Another simply said "respect," while others stuck to a reasonable definition of equality, taking it to mean that people should be treated fairly no matter their background.
The progressive responses are not atypical of the group, however, which boasts a feature image of pride flags on the company's page regarding commitments.
Participating in Malmo, Sweden's yearly pride parade, is listed as a company-wide commitment to "the belief that everyone should have the same value, rights, and opportunities – no matter who you love or how you identify."
"This commitment is deeply integrated in the Massive culture," the studio wrote. It added, "We share the common belief that diverse and inclusive teams have the possibility to make better games. In our continued support of diversity and inclusivity, we are proud to once again walk with Massive pride in the Parade."
Another commitment from the company is raising climate awareness in the video-game industry. Massive Entertainment entered into a partnership with 40 Nordic gaming companies, agreeing to make "the climate issue" one of the industry’s top priorities.
Recently we arranged a Bazaar at the Studio to celebrate Pride, love and human rights \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\n\nOur creative co-workers sold handcrafted items, and in our pride shop one could buy Massive branded pride merch. Thanks to everyone who contributed \ud83c\udf08\n\n#AMassiveLife #Pride— (@)
Fans have complained that the developers of the Disney-owned Star Wars game have gone out of their way to make their lead female protagonist less attractive.
Actress Humberly González plays the character Kay Vess and has received an outpouring of both sarcastic and sympathetic commentary from gamers about her portrayal.
"I would be very upset what they did to your attractiveness and downplay it. I would have a lawsuit for bastardizing your looks. You’re a beautiful woman," one fan wrote on the actress' Instagram post promoting the game.
"I will be honest...you are a beautiful woman. What they (UBISOFT) did to your model in the game is an absolute disgrace...they changed everything to fit their narrative. You [deserve] better than that," another fan decried.
Another comment asked, "What's your opinion about making your character model ugly? Do you feel insulted?"
Western activists trying not to destroy real-life femininity challenge impossible. The model from Star Wars Outlaws should sue lmao— (@)
Needless to say, video game fans are growing fed up with DEI-laden gaming companies and their enforcement of progressive narratives.
Parent company Ubisoft hasn't helped its cause with its own statements related to its customers, either.
In January 2024, Philippe Tremblay, director of subscriptions at Ubisoft, spoke about the company's desire to push gamers toward a subscription-based model in which users do not own their own games.
"One of the things we saw is that gamers are used to, a little bit like DVD, having and owning their games. That's the consumer shift that needs to happen. They got comfortable not owning their CD collection or DVD collection. That's a transformation that's been a bit slower to happen [in games]," Tremblay explained.
The subscription executive rationalized his position by offering a surety that gaming progress would not be lost.
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When screen time is eliminated or reduced, children have more time to be outside, interact in person, and, critically, sleep.
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