Latest Sweden News Recap for Tuesday: Today's Headlines
Lightning Strikes Historic Swedish Monument in Kvidinge
Kvidinge, Sweden, witnessed a devastating event as a royal monument, erected to commemorate the demise of Swedish Crown Prince Karl Augustus, was obliterated by a lightning strike during a storm late on Monday.
Just like that, a deafening boom echoed across the town, according to Henrik Kollén, a neighbor who spoke to local newspaper Helsingborgs Dagblad. "Out of the blue, there was a flash and a crash simultaneously, without warning," he recalled.
By the morning, the over seven-meter tower lay in shambles, leaving behind only the monument's base. Designed by Stockholm's urban architect Carl Christoffer Gjörwell, the memorial stood tall since 1826, crafted meticulously out of Swedish green marble from Kolmården's quarries.
"It's heart-wrenching to see historical landmarks suffer such devastation at the hands of nature," stated Marcus Årskog, a spokesperson for the National Property Board of Sweden, which is responsible for the monument's upkeep.
Swedish lexicon: a flash of lightning - en blixt
Train Operators Shun Night Services to Northern Sweden
Alas, no train operators resolved to manage night trains connecting Stockholm to northern Sweden after the opportunity to bid on their operation came up. Per railway site järnvägar.nu, not a single bid was put forth before the June 3rd deadline.
Currently, SJ handles the services, with responsibility continuing through December next year. "While we never comment on bidding processes, it's evident that we didn't submit a bid this time around," SJ's business lead, Jan Kyrk, confessed to järnvägar.nu. Kyrk added, nonetheless, that SJ would eagerly keep managing the sleeper trains provided the terms weren't excessively demanding.
Swedish vernacular: a sleeper train - ett nattåg
Alert for US Citizens in Sweden: Potential Iranian Attacks Loom
After Swedish investigative program Uppdrag granskning alleged that Iran has wielded pressure on local criminal networks, including the Foxtrot Network, to mount attacks against U.S. and Israeli interests in Sweden, the US embassy in Stockholm has advised U.S. citizens to exercise caution, especially near the embassy.
The embassy urged citizens to monitor media updates, maintain a low profile, stay attentive of their surroundings, review security plans, and practice care in the embassy's vicinity. Tensions have escalated between the parties since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, with several reported incidents targeting Israeli interests in Sweden.
Swedish vocabulary: caution - försiktighet
US Support for NATO 'Remains Strong', Says Former Ambassador to Sweden
Underway in Gotland, the week-long Almedalen political event brought together politicians, business leaders, journalists, and lobbyists for a dose of political discourse, debates, and speeches. Our publisher, James Savage, managed to meet with the former US ambassador to Sweden, Erik Ramanathan, attending Almedalen Week post-departure.
Among other topics, Ramanathan affirmed that solid US backing for Ukraine persists, despite President Donald Trump's skepticism. "I firmly believe in the continued support of Americans for Ukraine, including myself. I feel that sentiment locally, and it resonates with people I converse with," Ramanathan asserted. He also disclosed his intention to participate in Stockholm Pride in August. "Stockholm Pride is among my favorite Pride marches globally, and I believe attending it symbolizes our solidarity and commitment."
Ramanathan's departure followed the return of Trump to the White House, leaving the US without a new ambassador. Trump's nominee, Christine Jack Toretti, is yet to gain Senate approval.
Swedish vernacular: important - viktigt
The local newspapers, like Helsingborgs Dagblad, report on events beyond just general-news, such as the recent lightning strike on a historical monument in Kvidinge.
In a surprising turn of events, operators decided to forego managing night services to northern Sweden, leaving uncatered the demand for travels between Stockholm and the north.
