Malmö registers hottest day ever as Sweden swelters in record-breaking heatwave
Scientists have shown that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming, primarily caused by burning coal, oil and gas – and warn they are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense.
And Saturday's temperature in Malmö was the hottest since records began, according to national weather agency SMHI.
Neighbouring Lund, meanwhile, experienced its hottest day since 1947.
In Helsingborg and Jönköping, residents sweltered through the hottest June day ever recorded, with temperatures of 33C and 34.2C respectively.
Malmö smashed its temperature record after reaching 35.1C, while Lund hit 36.3C as the heatwave peaked.
In Växjö the mercury climbed to 34.4C, matching the city's previous all-time heat record set in 1992.
Temperatures remained high even after thunderstorms swept the south and west coast on Sunday, but they are expected to drop this week.
"Along the Småland coast, in particular, daytime temperatures could reach around 25C," SMHI meteorologist Viktor Bergman told TT.
Swedish vocabulary: to match (a previous record) – att tangera
Swedish government orders probe into boosting the Swedish language
The Swedish government has launched an inquiry to investigate how the Swedish language could be strengthened, particularly in areas experiencing high levels of social exclusion.
According to a press release from the government, the inquiry will map out and compile knowledge regarding the status of the Swedish language in various parts of the country, assess how it impacts integration and social exclusion, and propose measures to improve opportunities and incentives for more people to learn Swedish.
"Knowing Swedish is crucial for settling into society. When people can communicate and understand each other, it strengthens both social cohesion and the opportunity to become part of the community," said Education and Integration Minister Simona Mohamsson, of the Liberal Party, in a statement.
The inquiry is due to present its findings by August 31st, 2027.
Swedish vocabulary: social exclusion – utanförskap
Norwegian drivers set to flock to Sweden as fuel prices plummet to 1999 levels
Hordes of Norwegians expected in western Sweden this week, after Sweden cuts its taxes on petrol and diesel from July 1st.
Sweden will become one of the cheapest countries in Europe for petrol and diesel when the temporary tax cut is introduced.
If you want cheaper petrol, you will have to drive all the way down to North Macedonia, reports TT, comparing 35 countries.
On the diesel front, Sweden will become the fifth cheapest country, behind Bosnia, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Poland.
Swedish fuel station owners are working flat out to top of their fuel tanks ahead of the expected onslaught, especially in the towns close to the Norwegian border, where Norwegians already make up a large customer base.
"The pumps might run dry for a few hours," David Sällh, head of emergency preparedness at the industry organisation Drivkraft Sverige, told the TT news agency. "But that will be sorted out. There is fuel available. There's no worry about running out completely. It's more that deliveries might take some time."
Claes Hemberg, an energy economist at heat pump manufacturer Nibe, is critical of the move, as electricity taxes are not falling in tandem.
According to Hemberg, petrol prices this summer are now heading towards 13 kronor per litre, the lowest level seen since 1999. This is largely thanks to a series of tax cuts that over five years have slashed petrol tax from 8.58 kronor to 1.96 kronor per litre.
Swedish vocabulary: an onslaught – en anstormning
Swedish man builds own island in the shape of a penis
Micael Stohm, who normally works as a breakdown recovery driver, has gone viral in Sweden after building his own island – in the shape of a penis.
"It has really taken off," he told TT about the story.
It has a name. Kukön, or in English, "dick island".
Stohm actually finished the project years ago, but it's only recently gathered steam online. The island has featured recently on SVT, SR and in Ulricehamns Tidning, as well as racking up tens of thousands of views across various social media platforms.
"I think the lads at work showed photos of this poor island when some people from SVT were visiting," said Stohm. "Then it just became what it became. Brilliant. It turned out brilliant."
Stohm built the pond, and island, in 2019 together with a friend. In previous interviews he has described the design sprint as "a couple of crates of beer, two nutters and an excavator".
The island measures just over 28 metres by 11 and 18 metres, depending on where you measure. The shape is best seen from above, but there is also a small lookout spot by the pond with a good view of Kukön.
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"We actually had our wedding up there on the hill," Stohm shared with a big laugh. "My wife has plenty of her own crazy ideas too, so she just laughs at it."
He is careful to point out that he applied for and received all the necessary permits for his pond construction. But following the success, he has new – still secret – plans for other projects.
"Yes, I have to outdo myself now somehow, before someone else does. I just need to manage to get hold of an excavator again."
Swedish vocabulary: a nutter – en stolle (a usually affectionate term for someone acting a bit eccentric)