Swedish surströmming tradition in danger

The long-awaited surströmming premiere in Bergsviken, Sweden, faced challenges due to a shortage of herring in the Bothnian Sea. Fishing industry stakeholders, like Jan Söderström, worry that the EU's fishing policy, aimed at achieving maximum sustainable yield, is leading to overfishing and endangering the herring stock. Researchers and producers are urging politicians to take the warnings seriously and lower fishing quotas to protect the keystone species and prevent ecological disasters. Despite concerns, the Swedish Minister of Rural Affairs is initiating trials and action plans to address the issue.

Facts

The annual fishing quotas are decided by the EU Council based on the Commission's proposals. Sweden's position relies on information from the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, guided by advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and SLU. To safeguard herring, Minister Peter Kullgren has initiated measures such as moving the trawl boundary and developing an action plan to support the fishing industry.

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Iran accuses Sweden of hatred and hostility toward Muslim countries

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian Supreme Leader, took to Twitter to condemn the Swedish government's handling of Quran burnings in the country: "The Swedish government should know that by supporting the criminal who burned the holy Quran, they have prepared themselves for war against the Muslim world. They have created feelings of hatred and hostility towards them in all Muslim countries and in many of their governments."

The Ayatollah warned that Sweden's support for the individual responsible for the Quran desecration could lead to hostility from the Muslim world and its governments. Iranian leaders see themselves as defenders of Islam, and the statement reflects their aggressive stance towards perceived religious offenses. The strained relationship between Sweden and Iran means that any consequences are likely to be symbolic rather than concrete, but there remains a security concern as Western targets may be seen as legitimate in the eyes of extremist groups.

DN has reached out to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström, who declined to comment on the Ayatollah's statement.

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DN: Expert on Ayatollah attack: "Sweden is increasingly being portrayed as a legitimate target"

A promising mushroom season after the drought

This summer's widespread drought in Sweden initially disappointed mushroom pickers, as the dry conditions were unfavorable for mushroom growth.

However, recent rains have brought hope for a bountiful harvest. In central Sweden and other regions, mushrooms like chanterelles and porcini are starting to appear. Niclas Bergius, the chairman of the National Association of Mushroom Consultants, advises inexperienced pickers to stick to easily identifiable mushrooms like chanterelles and avoid confusing them with similar but inedible varieties.

As the season progresses, enthusiasts can look forward to exploring forests in search of delicious and safe edible mushrooms like Chanterelle, Porcini Mushroom, Sandy Mushroom, Lemon Milky Cap, Butter Cap, and Blood Milk Cap, among others.

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Svampguiden: List of edible fungi in Sweden

DN: Mushroom expert: Could be a good year for mushrooms despite previous drought

• Utopia Music closes R&D offices : Swedish startup Utopia Music has closed its research and development offices in the UK and Finland, resulting in layoffs of approximately 5% of its employees. The closure is part of the company's effort to streamline operations for profitability and sustainable growth, with future development focused on the Stockholm office. Utopia Music has recently resolved tax debts and payment issues with employees after facing financial difficulties.

• Record for Swedish hotels : Hotels in Sweden are experiencing high demand this summer, leading to increased room prices by 12-13% compared to last year. The return of events such as concerts, conferences, and weddings, along with the low exchange rate of the Swedish krona, are driving the increased demand. The hotel industry expects a record summer, despite rising costs for food, rent, and staff.

• Copyright clash: H&M vs. Shein : H&M has filed a lawsuit against Shein, accusing the Chinese "fast fashion" company of copyright infringement in Hong Kong. H&M is seeking damages and an injunction against Shein's alleged infringement on their designs, with a hearing scheduled for July 31. Both companies have declined to provide further comments on the ongoing case.

• Youtube raises the price for premium : Youtube's ad-free service, Premium, will now cost $13.99 in the US, a $2 increase from its previous price. Existing subscribers will not be affected, with the price hike applying only to new customers.

• Twitter changes name to X : Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, has confirmed that Twitter's classic bird logo will be replaced with an X as part of a major change to the platform. The entire brand, including the name, is expected to undergo changes .

• Spotify raises premium prices : Spotify is increasing the price of its Premium service by $1 in the US and by SEK 10 in Sweden. Family and student accounts will also see price increases. Despite the price hikes, Spotify has reported a 27% increase in monthly users and is raising its forecast for the third quarter.

• Sjöström's world record stands : Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei wins gold in the 100m butterfly at the World Swimming Championships, but fails to break Sarah Sjöström's seven-year-old world record. The value of a gold medal at the championships is SEK 210,000. Meanwhile, Sjöström chooses not to compete in the 100-meter freestyle individually at the World Championships, focusing instead on the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter butterfly. Sjöström has won numerous medals in the 100-meter freestyle but does not feel the need to win gold in the event.

• FIFA top advocates female leadership : Sarai Bareman, the highest-ranking official for women's football at FIFA, believes that if there were more women in decision-making positions within the organization, the major corruption scandal that rocked FIFA in 2016 could have been prevented. She emphasizes the importance of women's representation and their natural progression into leadership roles.

• Duplantis challenges Warholm to race : In an exciting prospect, Armand Duplantis, the best pole vaulter in history, expresses his desire to challenge Karsten Warholm, the world's best hurdler, in a 100-meter race. Duplantis believes it's possible to make it happen, as both athletes enjoy challenges and stepping out of their comfort zones.

• Stockholm rejects GVI for "Trefas" : Stockholm city has chosen to reject the successful method of Group Violence Intervention (GVI) that has shown a 50% decrease in serious violence in other parts of Sweden, such as Malmö. Instead, the city will invest in a more individual-oriented strategy called "Trefas" to combat serious violent crimes, although this strategy lacks a clear method description and its effectiveness is uncertain. An evaluation of Trefas will be conducted and published in the autumn.

• Thunberg fined for disobedience : Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been convicted of disobedience against the authorities after participating in a climate demonstration in Malmö. She is fined 30 daily fines of SEK 50 each and must also pay SEK 1,000 to the crime victim fund. Thunberg states that she will not appeal the verdict and continues to vow action against those who harm the environment.

• Alcohol treatment drug in shortage : The shortage of Antabuse, a medication used to treat alcohol dependence in Sweden, can lead to relapses in alcohol consumption. The reason for the shortage is currently undisclosed, but the complex medication chain may be a factor. Smaller towns are primarily affected, and alternative medication options may take time to be available.

• Iran rejects new Swedish ambassador : Iran's Foreign Minister announces that Iran will not accept Sweden's new ambassador until the Swedish government takes strong measures in response to a Quran burning event in Stockholm. This decision comes after protests outside Sweden's embassy in Tehran, and Iran also states that their ambassador will not be sent to Sweden.

• Baghdad protesters target embassies : Protesters in Baghdad attempt embassy storming, but were pushed back by security forces, avoiding entry into the Green Zone where government buildings and foreign embassies, including the Swedish and Danish ones, are located. The former Swedish Prime Minister, Carl Bildt , warns that the current crisis sparked by Quran burnings is worse than previous incidents in 2007. This situation poses a significant security threat to Swedish interests and could escalate further, increasing tensions. The government is attempting to calm the situation to protect Swedish citizens and interests abroad, but the challenges related to religious conflicts make it much harder to handle.

• Two tons of snus seized : Finnish Customs discover nearly two tons of snus, with 17 individuals involved in a large-scale smuggling operation, resulting in possible earnings of half a million euros and over 735,000 euros in evaded taxes. The case has been classified as aggravated tax fraud, smuggling offenses, and illegal handling of imported goods.

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Summer rainy days in Stockholm: A quick guide

We know that rain is not ideal to discover Sweden during the summer, but there are great options for those rainy days, where you can still enjoy yourself and discover amazing places:

Military Workout?

The best weather to get your summer body in shape is when the sun is absent.

Why not try training like a soldier? It may sound tough, but it's also suitable for beginners. Nordic Military Training is located in Tanto, Ursvik, Täby, and Östermalms IP. Book a free training session at nordicmilitarytraining.se. Prince Fitness boot camp combines military training with boxing in Kronobergsparken on Kungsholmen.

Feast like a Viking

Does the thought of a clubbed leg of pork and a fully baked turnip make your mouth water? Do you find appetizers silly? Reserve an unpolished table at Aifur or Sjätte Tunnan in Gamla stan. Address: Västerlångg. 68B and Stora Nyg. 43, respectively.

Urban Art

Take a stroll through Subtopia's outdoor gallery and experience graffiti, murals, stencil art, and stick art by artists from around the world. Among them is Swedish artist Vegan Flava. Address: Rotemannav. 10.

Exhibitions

Embark on a colorful journey through Mexico's ancient history at the exhibition Viva Mexico! at Etnografiska and discover one of the most amazing and rich cultures on Earth. Address: Djurgårdsbrunnsv. 34. Price: 140 SEK (annual pass), free on Tuesdays from 11 am to 2 pm.

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