Today in Sweden: A round-up of the latest news on Tuesday

Swedish regions push back vaccination deadline

At least three Swedish regions have now said that they don't expect the capital region to be able to meet Sweden's target of offering Covid-19 vaccine to all adults by Midsummer.

The Swedish government reiterated last week that the country's goal to offer the Covid-19 vaccine to all over-18s by the end of June held firm, despite external factors such as the pharmaceutical companies' delayed deliveries of several of the various vaccines. But as The Local reported, Stockholm told the Dagens Nyheter newspaper yesterday that it now aims to vaccinate Stockholmers by mid-July, a few weeks behind target.

SVT reports that Skåne also estimates it won't be able to meet the deadline. And Halland also expects to have completed its vaccination programme by mid-July. Västra Götaland, along with Stockholm and Skåne one of Sweden's big city regions and home to Gothenburg, has not made a final call, reports the TT news agency.

Swedish vocabulary: target – mål

• CHARTS: How many vaccinations have been given in Sweden's regions?

Sweden grants trans woman refugee status

A Swedish Migration Court in Gothenburg has granted asylum and a three-year work permit to a trans person applicant after the Migration Agency initially denied her request.

"It is unusual for an asylum seeker to invoke a gender identity as a trans person as a reason for protection. In this case, the court has unanimously agreed that the asylum seeker has presented her reflections on identifying as a woman in a clear and detailed manner," said the judge and court chairman Lars I Magnusson in a statement.

The woman had links to both Iraq and Kuwait, but the court judged that it would not have been possible for her to openly disclose her background on returning to either country, nor receive protection from authorities.

Swedish vocabulary: court – domstol

Who lit those fireworks in central Stockholm?

One person received minor injuries after fireworks and distress flares were lit in central Stockholm, near City Hall, on Monday evening. A police press spokesperson told TT that it's illegal to light distress flares unless there's an emergency, and that the firework display was held without a permit. No one was left at the scene when police arrived.

Police said they had received witness statements about potential suspects, but did not say who they were. The matter is being investigated by police as a violation of Sweden's Public Order Act and causing bodily harm to another person.

TT writes that videos and pictures of the fireworks were shared widely on Twitter, with reference to the fact that the AIK football club celebrated 130 years on Monday.

Swedish vocabulary: fireworks – fyrverkerier

No significant relaxation of Swedish coronavirus measures expected before summer

Sweden's state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell has warned that it's unlikely that there will be any relaxation of the country's coronavirus measures during spring.

The legally binding measures currently in place in Sweden include a ban on public events for more than eight people, a limit on the maximum number of customers allowed in shops or gyms, and social distancing rules in restaurants. Everyone in the country is also asked to work from home if possible, limit socialising to a small group of people, and avoid situations where crowding could occur, for example.

In an interview with Sveriges Radio's Godmorgon Världen, Tegnell said it was unlikely there would be any significant changes to the restrictions in place, "but rather above all ensuring that the ones we have in place are working".

Swedish vocabulary: unlikely – osannolikt

What's the plan for today? Eat a giant, cream-filled bun

Fettisdagen literally means 'fat Tuesday' (fett + tisdag), and it is the Swedish name for the Catholic celebration of Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, being a literal translation of the latter. In 2021, it takes place on February 16th. Yes, you read that right: it's today.

In Catholic tradition, this is the final day of Shrovetide, the period of confession and reflection before Lent, forty days of fasting or abstinence from luxuries. People would also use the final day before fasting to indulge in rich foods, hence the 'fat'.

In Sweden, it means eating a giant, cream-filled bun: semla.

If you have no idea what we're talking about, read this. If you are nodding your head in appreciation of the mighty semla, it's time to level up and try your hand at this recipe.

Swedish vocabulary: bun – bulle