A System and Organisation Controls (SOC) report is an independent assessment of risks associated with using a service organisation and is integral to internal governance and risk management. Different types of SOC reports exist, with SOC 1 reports focusing on outsourced services that could impact financial reporting. While there is no statutory requirement for a SOC report, they are commonly performed for various activities within the financial services sector and provide transparency and assurance of effective risk mitigation through appropriate controls. Obtaining a SOC report can differentiate a service organisation and satisfy auditors and investors.

Austria's nationwide lockdown, initially announced to last a maximum of 20 days, may end on December 12th for vaccinated individuals, with official confirmation pending a government decision next week. The term 'Schattenkanzler' was voted as Austria's Word of the Year, reflecting the ironic sentiment towards Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg's succession of Sebastian Kurz. Protests against mandatory Covid-19 vaccines occurred in Vienna and other regions. Employers can give €365 per employee in vouchers as an alternative to office Christmas parties, a tax-deductible expense. A survey found Vienna has the best quality of life but the least friendly people.

The Swedish word 'precis' can be used to confirm statements with 'yes, exactly' or 'no, exactly' in response to negated statements. It can also emphasize confirmation with 'just precis'. 'Precis' is similar to the English 'exactly' and can be used to describe sounding like someone, affirming what someone said, or indicating the opposite. Additionally, it means 'just now' or 'very recently', as well as 'with a slim margin', like 'just in time' or 'just made the last train'.

British-Swedish dual citizens are considering whether to apply for post-Brexit residence status in Sweden, despite already having Swedish citizenship. The new residence status can be revoked under certain conditions, unlike citizenship, but it offers more generous rights for certain family members of British citizens to join them in Sweden. The deadline for applying has been extended to December 31st, 2021, and the application is free. The Migration Agency has confirmed that the main advantage of residence status over citizenship is the simpler process for family members to join their British family member in Sweden.

Sweden's government failed a vote of no confidence due to a coalition of the Left Party and right-of-centre parties, leading Prime Minister Stefan Löfven to resign. Parliamentary speaker Andreas Norlén is conducting talks to find a new prime ministerial candidate. The Social Democrats hold the most seats, followed by the Moderate Party and Sweden Democrats. A new government could be a Social Democrat-Green coalition, a Moderate-Christian Democrat government, or a centrist coalition. Löfven opted against a snap election due to the pandemic and potential political instability. The outcome of the crisis will affect laws and reforms, including immigration policy and tax cuts.

Following the resignation of Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, the speaker of parliament, Andreas Norlén, will conduct a series of talks with party leaders to find a candidate who can command a parliamentary majority. There is no set time limit for this process, known as talmansrunda. Potential nominees include Löfven, Ulf Kristersson of the Moderate Party, and Annie Lööf of the Centre Party. The current parliamentary seats are unchanged since the last election, but the Liberal Party, under new leader Nyamko Sabuni, is not willing to renegotiate a previous deal and seeks a right-wing government. The Centre Party has dropped its demand for market rents, which could help form a centre-left government. If no majority is found, a snap election will be called, to be held within three months of the announcement, but the general election scheduled for September 2022 will still occur.

Sweden has extended its coronavirus measures, including early closing times for restaurants and customer limits in shops, gyms, and museums, due to the high spread of infection and healthcare burden. Health Minister Lena Hallengren expressed that restrictions will be relaxed when possible, urging adherence to the rules. Culture Minister Amanda Lind is set to announce additional support for the sports and culture sectors. Life expectancy in Sweden has decreased for the first time in years, and regional authorities report widespread non-compliance with Covid-19 restrictions. Sweden also prepares for April Fool's Day and Easter celebrations.

Sweden's Constitutional Committee begins hearings into the government's Covid-19 strategy, questioning if responsibility was improperly delegated to the Public Health Agency. The committee's review is separate from the coronavirus commission, which has already identified government failings. Travel restrictions from Denmark, Norway, and the UK are being adjusted, with non-EU/EEA travel bans extended until May 31st. Regions report challenges in enforcing Covid-19 rules in shops. A local debate in southern Sweden centers on the true location of the country's lowest point. Sweden celebrates Waffle Day, a tradition stemming from a mispronunciation of a Catholic holiday.

Brittsommar is a Swedish term for a late period of warm weather, akin to 'Indian summer' in English. It is named after Saint Bridget of Sweden, whose saint day is on October 7th, and is used to describe warm weather in early autumn following cooler temperatures. The term has no offensive connotations and is not linked to Great Britain. There is no specific meteorological definition for brittsommar in Sweden, but periods of distinct warm weather in early October have been recorded in 1973, 1995, 2005, and 2018. The older Swedish term 'grävlingssommar' or 'badger summer' was also used historically to describe a late period of warmth.

The article discusses the pros and cons of buying versus renting property in Sweden, highlighting the differences between first-hand and second-hand rentals, the process of acquiring a mortgage as a new arrival, and the impact of location on housing options. It also explains the financial aspects of buying property, including the need for a deposit, monthly costs, and potential investment returns. Additionally, the article covers the responsibilities of property ownership versus renting, such as repairs and renovations, and the implications of making a long-term commitment to staying in Sweden.

Prosecutor Hans Ihrman, who led the case against Rakhmat Akilov for the 2017 Stockholm truck attack, expressed satisfaction with the life sentence verdict. Ihrman discussed the challenges and responsibilities of the case, which was unprecedented in Sweden since the introduction of anti-terrorism laws. The trial could set international precedents due to the rarity of terror attack perpetrators facing trial. Ihrman also touched on the difficulties of proving the psychological impact of terrorism in court and the debate over the compensation awarded to victims' families. He believes the ruling will help define the severity required for a crime to be considered terrorism in Sweden.

The article discusses the issue of crime and safety in Fittja, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden, which is classified as an 'especially vulnerable' area due to high crime rates. It focuses on a group of mothers, led by Fatma Ipek, who patrol the streets at night to provide a sense of security and set a positive example for the youth. The initiative, known as 'night-walking', has spread to other similar neighborhoods and is supported by the organization Nattvandring.nu. The article also highlights other community-driven projects aimed at improving safety and integration, such as language and job training programs for immigrant women, and the collaboration between residents, police, and local businesses like Botkyrkabyggen. The efforts have led to a perceived increase in safety and community engagement, challenging the notion of 'no-go zones' and demonstrating the power of collective community action.

The author reflects on their personal experience of moving to Sweden, initially by chance, and how Stockholm has become home after two years. They discuss the initial cultural shocks, such as adjusting to new norms and the challenges of being a foreigner, from bureaucratic hurdles to fitting in. The article also touches on the author's work at The Local, where they report on both light-hearted and serious topics in Sweden. They note the growing interest in Swedish culture and lifestyle, particularly the concept of 'lagom' and 'friluftsliv', and how their quality of life has improved. However, the author also acknowledges the rise of the far-right and societal issues like loneliness and sexism, suggesting that Sweden, like any other country, has its problems despite its idyllic reputation.