The Local Sweden

Snow in May? Arctic winds ruin spring for Sweden

Mon, 08 May 2017 17:06:06 +0200

Large parts of Sweden have experienced snow showers only a few days after thermometers registered the warmest temperatures of the year so far, with Arctic winds causing the spring weather to disappear.

Sweden and Canada sign Arctic agreement

Sat, 12 Dec 2015 13:25:28 +0100

Canada and Sweden have reached a deal to share data that could help support Canadian claims to a vast swath of the Arctic beyond its natural borders, it was announced on Friday.

An Arctic tradition: hunting and handicraft

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 15:00:00 +0100

You've seen the city life, Stockholm clubs and Gothenburg streetcars - but there's another side of Sweden, wild and raw. The Local spoke with Peter Siikavuopio, a Swedish trapper living in the far north, about his craft.

How to beat back the Swedish winter blues

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:37:00 +0100

As Swedes struggle through the shortest days of the year, contributor Alec Forss offers up a few tips on how to survive the dark depths of winter in Sweden.

Norway and Sweden join forces to save Arctic fox

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 15:50:29 +0200

Norway and Sweden are combining forces to save the Arctic fox, which is under threat from climate change and the incursion into its territory of the common red fox, which is almost twice the size.

'Sweden has met every test of global citizenship'

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 12:54:43 +0200

The first woman to represent the US in foreign affairs, veteran politician Madeleine Albright spoke to The Local's blogger Natalia Brzezinski following a recent visit to Stockholm and reflected on Sweden's role in shaping global democracy.

Swede leads Greenpeace Arctic oil mission

Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:22:12 +0200

A 27-year-old former Swedish oil worker is leading a group of activists who remain on board a drill rig being transported across the Pacific Ocean as Shell seeks an injunction against the move.

Bildt welcomes China's new Arctic Council status

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:21:00 +0200

Carl Bildt hailed a decision taken by the Arctic Council in Kiruna on Wednesday to grant India, China and five other nations permanent observer status at a summit boycotted by Greenland over what it felt was a snub by Sweden.

'If they have bad news, they'd rather not tell you'

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:45:00 +0100

Having spent the last six months struggling to get settled in northern Sweden, ex-Londoner Paul Connolly shares his frustration over locals' hatred of confrontation.

Foreigners to help plug Jokkmokk brain drain

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:22:00 +0100

Jokkmokk in Sweden's far north is hoping to entice foreigners to make their home on the Arctic Circle by offering cheap housing and a helping hand, all in a drive to help repopulate the area, The Local's Ann Törnkvist discovers.

Santa Winter Games draw Christmas lovers to the Arctic

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 13:44:00 +0100

Christmas cheer came early to Sweden's Arctic mining town of Gällivare this weekend, where Santas from around the world gathered to compete in one of the world's most important but little known sporting events: the Santa Winter Games.

'Why bother with a bastu when you can pop into your local shop'

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:34:00 +0100

As temperatures plunge in northern Sweden, ex-Londoner Paul Connolly discovers that wearing shorts and t-shirts while everyone else pulls on their hats and gloves betrays a past spent in more temperate climes.

'I waved and flapped like a swan in a cattery'

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:52:00 +0200

While house-hunting up north, ex-Londoner Paul Connolly comes face to face with the scourge of the northern Swedish summer; the bloodthirsty and dreaded mygga, or mosquito.

'In the north we do things - we don't just watch'

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:53:00 +0200

Northern skies, reindeer carpaccio and house-jumping parties; ex-Londoner Paul Connolly finds out that all is not always what it seems when relocating to northern Sweden.

Greenpeace prompts new delay of Shell icebreaker

Fri, 04 May 2012 13:00:00 +0200

Greenpeace activists halted an icebreaker headed for the Arctic for a third time this week, in a bid to block plans by Anglo Dutch giant Shell to drill for oil in the region, the environmental group said Friday.

Arctic oil drill ban would be 'irresponsible': Bildt

Thu, 03 May 2012 20:15:00 +0200

As Greenpeace activists' fight to prevent further oil exploration in the Arctic hits Swedish waters, foreign minister Carl Bildt argues that a general ban on drilling in the Arctic would be "irresponsible".

Greenpeace protesters occupy Arctic-bound ship

Thu, 03 May 2012 15:30:00 +0200

Six Greenpeace activists have been arrested in Sweden after they attached themselves to a ship off the southern coast of Sweden in an attempt to prevent Shell’s proposed drilling for oil in the Arctic region.

Sweden visit to 'boost China's Arctic profile'

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:07:00 +0200

China will seek a larger role in the Arctic region during an upcoming visit by Premier Wen Jiabao to Iceland and Sweden and wants observer status in the Arctic Council, a senior official said Monday.

Swedish artist to chart Arctic expedition in clay

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:10:00 +0200

A Swedish ice-breaker is heading to the chilly waters off Greenland last week, equipped with maps, charts - and a container full of clay, courtesy of a Stockholm-based ceramics artist, contributor Katherine Dunn reports.

Svanberg defends BP over Gulf oil spill

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:01:00 +0200

BP has emerged as a safer company from last year's massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill, chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg insisted Tuesday, defending the British company's widely-criticised handling of the crisis.