Weather warnings in northern Sweden after heavy snow stops flights

Strong winds and snow caused three flight cancellations and other traffic issues in the northern regions of Västerbotten and Norrbotten on Sunday, and the weather disruption isn't over just yet.

Meteorological agency SMHI has a Class 1 warning (the lowest on a three-point scale) in place for Västerbotten, where between 5 and 10 centimetres more snowfall is expected during Monday. If you're out on the roads today in that region, be careful.

Swedish vocabulary: snowfall — snöfall

Property sales reached a record high in September

September was a record month for the Swedish property market, according to figures from property site Hemnet. A total of 19,411 properties were registered as sold, up 15 percent from the previous record month which was May last year. Most of the homes sold were apartments, 11,124 in total which is a 13 percent increase on September 2019.

And there is still no sign of a slump when it comes to prices. In September, property prices across the country rose by 1.1 percent, according to estate agent firm Valuegard. Detached houses in Stockholm and Malmö saw the biggest increase, of 3.5 and 3.1 percent respectively. 

Swedish vocabulary: property market — bostadsmarknad

Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT

Sweden's lunch restaurants hit hardest by pandemic

Although Sweden has not introduced strict lockdowns as seen in other countries, the coronavirus guidelines and the high spread of the infection has left many restaurants are struggling.

According to a survey by industry organisation Visita, lunch restaurants are worst hit, especially those in central city neighbourhoods or next to office blocks, which have lost on average half of their income, Sveriges Radio reports. In Sweden, everyone is asked to work from home and avoid public transport if possible, and to limit their social contacts.

Swedish vocabulary: lunch joint (slightly colloquial) — lunchhak

Malmö housing developer offers reward for 'stolen police officers'

A Swedish housing developer have offered a cash reward for any tips leading to the return of two missing statues of police officers, which have guarded the gate of a former police station in the southern city of Malmö since it was built in 1934. Developer Riksbyggen is converting the station into apartments, but said the statues were an important part of the building's history

Swedish vocabulary: statue — staty

Photo: Riksbyggen/TT

Public transport fare evasion soared during pandemic

The company operating public transport in Stockholm may have lost out on as much as 1.5 billion kronor due to ticket fraud during the coronavirus crisis, according to a report from SVT.

Ticket fraud is thought to have increased after the capital region halted checks during the peak of the crisis as a way to reduce close contact between staff and commuters. But even despite a significant decrease in the number of ticket controls, more fines for fare evasion have been handed out, with the company estimating an increase in evasion from around 3 percent to at least 15 percent.

Swedish vocabulary: fare evasion — biljettfusk

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