IT outage, budget and free TBE vaccine

A global Microsoft IT outage affected Södertälje municipality, Scania and Astra Zeneca. The new five-party administration in Region Stockholm has presented its first budget, including free TBE vaccination for children up to 18. In Upplands-Bro, the neighbours' plots around the disputed shooting range are now also to be tested.

IT problems in Södertälje – the municipality refers people to the phone

Södertälje municipality, Scania and Astra Zeneca were among those affected when Microsoft caused a major IT disruption. The municipality’s switchboard told SVT that it has “pretty major problems,” and on its website the municipality wrote: “If you need to contact us, the phone is the safest way.” A municipality is the local authority responsible for, among other things, schools, elder care and supervision.

According to BBC, Microsoft users in more than 70 countries have reported problems since Thursday. More than 400 million users of Microsoft 365 services such as Outlook, Teams and Copilot may be affected. The municipality’s head of security later said that the IT disruption and the problems with the phone switchboard were two separate incidents. SVT Nyheter Södertälje

Plots around the noise barrier in Upplands-Bro are to be tested

The disputed noise barrier in Upplands-Bro is to be tested for toxic substances, and it is now clear that the plots around the barrier will also be included in the investigations. Neighbours had found scrap metal, iron and footballs in the barrier and wanted samples to be taken to see whether the barrier was affecting the soil in their gardens.

Now, seven years later, and after SVT's investigation and the neighbours' pressure, the municipality has decided to take new samples to see whether toxins have spread. It was the newspaper Mitt i that first reported it. SVT Nyheter Stockholm

16 cosmetic products were banned from sale in Södertälje

After test purchases in four small grocery stores in Södertälje, 16 cosmetic products have been banned from sale, reports SVT. These are makeup and skincare products imported from countries outside the EU that lack proper labelling and warning texts. Those selling the products must, among other things, state what they contain and write any warnings in Swedish. Läkemedelsverket is the government agency with overall responsibility for supervising the products in Sweden.

The ban also entails a cost for the store of 5,000 kronor per ban, according to the environmental office in Södertälje municipality, which says that each inspection can result in costs of tens of thousands of kronor. SVT Nyheter Södertälje

New budget for Region Stockholm 2027

The Stockholm coalition with S, MP, KD, C and L has presented its budget for Region Stockholm 2027. A region is responsible for, among other things, healthcare and public transport. A total of 460 million kronor more than previously is to be used so that more residents can have a regular doctor, and the TBE vaccine will become free for all children up to 18 years of age in 2027. Women over 74 years of age are to receive mammography in a study that the region is to carry out, and the option of boarding through all doors is to be extended to more bus routes. The tax is reduced by five öre next year.

The opposition is critical and says the budget is a hollowed-out proposal and a betrayal of voters. According to opposition regional council member and Left Party politician Anna Sehlin, the efforts to reduce the cost of SL travel cards and support healthcare staff completely lack substance. SVT Nyheter Stockholm DN Stockholm

M demands scrutiny of the Safiren care home

The Safiren care home in Vallentuna is facing closure after Ivo shut down services over an administrative mistake by Region Stockholm. Ivo is the Inspection of Health and Social Care, a government agency that scrutinizes health and social care. The Moderates now demand an independent review of the region's handling of the registry extracts.

The party believes there was a casual disregard for the children. DN Stockholm

Hallsta take the series lead after 8–0 against SHK Hockey

Hallsta defeated SHK Hockey 8–0 (3–0, 2–0, 3–0) at home on Friday. The team is now top of the Uppland fourth division, one point ahead of Gimo after seven matches played. Gimo, however, have played one match fewer. SHK Hockey are fifth in the standings. Norrtelje Tidning

In brief

• The first snow fell over Södertälje on Friday morning, and frosty nights are expected within a week. SVT Nyheter Södertälje
• A new second-hand shop has opened in Ösmo centrum. Nynäshamns Posten
• Arkdes is exhibiting ”Utan gränser”, about how Swedish architecture has established itself in the world. DN Stockholm
• Midas defeated Vaksala Legends 6–3 at home in Division 3 Uppland women's floorball. Norrtelje Tidning
• At 20.13 on Friday evening, police were called to reports of explosions in Gärdet in central Stockholm, where bullet holes were found in an apartment door; the incident is being investigated as an attempted murder, and no one was injured. SVT Nyheter Stockholm