Sweden Democrats call on government to pardon people convicted of defamation after warning about paedophiles
The far-right Sweden Democrats want the government to pardon individuals convicted of defamation after warning others about convicted paedophiles.
"We can't have it like this, it is not in keeping with the general sense of justice," Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson said at a press conference outside Stockholm District Court, where a high-profile defamation trial of this nature begins today.
The party's justice policy spokesperson, Henrik Vinge, said that defamation law has missed the mark.
"All those people who have warned about paedophiles, about dangerous criminals, and who have been convicted of defamation for doing so should be pardoned," he says, continuing:
"If we have our way, the government will do this – it could become a reality." (TT)
Swedish vocabulary: defamation – förtal
'Avoid showering': southern Sweden imposes extreme water-saving measures after pipe burst
Residents of Malmö and several other towns in southern Sweden have been urged to urgently save water – including being asked to forgo showers and doing the dishes – after one of the main water supply pipes sprung a major water leak.
"You may notice low water pressure in the system or that the water coming out of your tap is discoloured. Please be extremely conservative with your water usage so that the reservoirs last until the leak has been repaired," said Sydvatten, the water provider in several municipalities in southern Sweden, in a statement on Wednesday morning.
The advisory applies to all of Malmö, Svedala, Burlöv, Staffanstorp and Vellinge municipalities, as well as to Dalby and Veberöd in the municipality of Lund.
People are being asked to avoid showering, doing the dishes, washing clothes, and watering plants.
Swedish vocabulary: to avoid – att undvika
New case of measles confirmed in Stockholm
Eleven cases of measles have now been confirmed across Sweden after the Urkult folk festival in Ångermanland, which ran from July 30th to August 1st. Yesterday ten cases had been reported, but another one has now been confirmed in Stockholm.
The majority are under-18s, according to the Public Health Agency.
Cases have been reported from the regions of Jämtland-Härjedalen, Skåne, Stockholm, Västerbotten, Gotland and Värmland.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause severe illness. However, the disease is rare in Sweden, as the vaccine is included in the routine childhood immunisation scheme. Around 96 percent of the Swedish population is vaccinated against measles, which prevents large outbreaks.
Region Västerbotten has reminded the public that anyone showing symptoms should contact healthcare providers before turning up in person, to minimise the risk of spreading the virus further.
Swedish vocabulary: to confirm – att bekräfta
Bus driver protest forces transport operator to drop anti-immigration election campaign
Public transport operator Västtrafik is removing election advertisements from the far-right Sweden Democrats on local buses in Skaraborg after bus drivers went on sick leave in protest, reports regional public radio broadcaster P4 Skaraborg.
"Miss Mogadishu? The repatriation grant helps you get home," read the ads.
Around 20 bus drivers reportedly called in sick to protest. Several of the drivers have a Somali background, according to the radio station.
Mette Ramquist, head of press at public transport operator Västtrafik, told Göteborgs-Posten that the company made an error in judgment when approving the advertisement.
"We did not anticipate the risk to the working environment that subsequently arose. As soon as we were made aware of this, we acted immediately and decided to take down the ads. Naturally, our drivers must be able to feel safe at work," Ramquist wrote in a statement to the newspaper. (TT)
Swedish vocabulary: to call in sick – att sjukskriva sig
Passengers help avert disaster after Swedish bus driver faints
Have you heard about the two passengers who managed to bring a careening bus to a halt after the driver fainted?
We've spoken with one of them, Indian engineer Niranjan Nithyanandam.
So what happened? Welll, the bus, carrying around 50 passengers, was on the motorway 30 minutes outside of Jönköping in southern Sweden when the driver fainted with his foot on the gas pedal.
But a video which has gone viral in Sweden shows how Nithyanandam and another brave passenger managed to take control of the bus and get it to safely slow down to a halt amid panicked screams.
What an incredible feat and presence of mind. Thanks to them, no one on the bus was injured.
You can read the interview (and watch the video) here.
Swedish vocabulary: a bus – en buss