Swedish News:

Record for Astrid Lindgrens Värld. The Moderate Party drop in new poll. Nuclear plant in Oskarshamn closed. Drought leads to potato shortage. Frozen export. Unusual butterfly. 

  • The Moderate Party is decreasing in popularity.

  • Record for Astrid Lindgren's World
    This summer was a record one for Astrid Lindgren's World in Vimmerby. The number of visitors was 429,646 during the three summer months, according to daily Östran/Nyheterna. The number is seven percent higher than last summer’s. The previous record was in 2007, when Astrid Lindgren’s World had 424,817 visitors.
    For more on Astrid Lindgrens Värld:
    www.alv.se/en

  • Almondy – the cake from Torslanda that’s ready to take over the globe.

  • 'Moderaterna' drop in new poll
    The Moderate Party got the worst numbers since 2008, 25.6 percent in Ipso's latest poll for August. Compared to the survey in June, the loss is 0.9%, which is within the margin of error. But the loss since April and May, when the Moderates were around 29%, is confirmed. Meanwhile the Social Democrates have increased with 1.3% to 34.4% in August, according to daily Dagens Nyheter.

  • The warm weather and lack of rain may lead to potato shortage later on, especially in southern Sweden.

  • Nuclear plant in Oskarshamn closed
    The nuclear power plant O3 has been closed after problems with a control valve in the turbine sector, according to a press release from OKG. The operation was stopped and the valve was turned off manually. Troubleshooting has begun, but it is as of yet not clear when the reactor will be in operation again. The other two reactors are not operating. O1 is expected to be running September 12, after a review of the valve equipment, and O2 is undergoing extensive modernization.

  • The unusual so-called Scarce Swallowtail (or ”segelfjäril) butterfly has been caught in Sweden. Only twice before has that happened. Photo: Adrian198cm

  • Drought leads to potato shortage
    The warm summer may cause problems for the potato harvest. The drought, primarily in southern Sweden, may lead to a shortage of potatoes later on. ”There might be a shortage of potatoes, I do believe so,” says Anders Nilsson, president of the trade organization LRF-GRO’s potato section. In certain countries in Europe it looks really bad. ”Germany has had the lowest harvest they’ve ever had,” says potato consultant Ingemar Nilsson.

  • Swedish wolves die in Norway. Of the 12 wolves that have been killed in Norway thus far in 2013, ten were born in Sweden. The other two came from the border region.

  • Frozen export
    The secret behind last year's increase in export is universal tastes like almond and cocoa. At least according to Swedish cake producer Almondy, whose frozen cake from Torslanda is ready to take up the fight on the global dessert market. The export of frozen food products and desserts from Sweden is increasing, and frozen Swedish cakes seem to be popular everywhere. Almondy exports more and more of their gluten free almond cakes, one reason is obviously that the cake is available in Ikea stores under Ikea’s own brand. ”Our export increased by 17% last year. We then include the products we sell via Ikea, but under their brand name. That’s an important help. This year’s export is too early to predict, since we have quite a few months left,” says Almondy’s CEO Anders Hansson. The main foreign markets for the cake are Germany and England, but Almondy is also branching out and Spain and France are also getting interested in the cake, as are countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Japan, and South Korea. As for now the cake is exported to over 40 countries.
    More on the popular cake here:
    www.almondy.com

  • Skånes University Hospital has put a ban on these cute crocheted octopuses meant for babies in the neonatal care unit, as they may spread bacteria.

  • Unusual butterfly
    An unusual butterfly has been caught in Sweden. Only twice before has the "segelfjäril" (Scarce Swallowtail) been caught in Sweden. But last Thursday it happened again, outside Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (the Swedish Museum of Natural History) in Stockholm. The butterfly will now join the museum’s collections. The wings of the Scarce Swallowtail are tiger-striped and may grow up to 85 millimeters (2.5 inches). The butterfly can often be seen sailing on stiff wings. It is more common in the Mediterranean area.

  • Astrid Lindgrens Värld, a theme park located in Astrid Lindgren's native city Vimmerby. Visitors can meet all the beloved characters from Astrid Lindgren's books in person, such as Pippi Longstocking, Emil, and Karlsson-on-the-Roof. All the environments are built as prescribed in the books. Photo: Klugschnacker

  • Swedish wolves die in Norway
    Of the 12 wolves that have been killed in Norway thus far in 2013, ten were born in Sweden. The other two came from the border region. This according to DNA-tests made by Rovdata, a company that keeps track on wolves in Norway. The mapping of wolves with radio transmitters shows that Norwegian wolves tend to move into Sweden, while Swedish wolves make the reverse trip. This pattern reveals the need for a stronger common Nordic management of these animals, says Norwegian Center Party’s environmental policy spokesperson Erling Sande.

  • Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant, none of the three reactors are currently operating. O3 was closed due to problems with a control valve in the turbine sector. Photo: Daniel Kihlgren

  • Crocheted octopuses banned
    Sweden’s neonatal care units have been drowned in crocheted octopuses from private people. The Danish trend of crocheting octopuses as comfort for babies born prematurely has now reached Sweden. But obviously it has become a bit too much. Skånes University Hospital has now introduced a ban. ”A plush toy like this can attract bacteria and become a risk factor for infections. If we were to let the children have the octopuses, then we need to wash them daily, and we cannot offer that,: says Berit Paul, director at the neonatal care unit to TV4 news in Malmö.