Hedgehogs mysteriously disappearing
Next week the third annual hedgehog count begins in Sweden. The survey has previously shown that the animal is no longer sighted in several places where they should be.
In 2024, 50,000 hedgehogs were reported, last year 55,000. WWF and Nordens Ark now want to hear from the public about as many sightings of hedgehogs – both alive and dead – as possible.
According to Jessica Ångström at WWF, the hedgehog is an endangered animal whose endangered status is getting worse and worse. This could be due to traffic, lost habitats or diseases, parasites, and/or environmental toxins.
Last year's data showed that the animal seems to be missing from several areas in Sweden where it was previously found – e.g. areas around Gothenburg, Bohuslän and Dalsland, and north of Stockholm up towards Uppsala.
"There seem to be a shortage of them there and we can't really answer why right now," said Ångström.
Hedgehog Week occurs in week 33, this year 10–16 August, for the third year in a row. The project is run by WWF and Nordens Ark and will last for at least five years. Funding comes from the Swedish Postcode Lottery.
The public is asked to report where, when and how many hedgehogs they have seen – alternatively that they have not seen or have never seen any at the location. You can do your hedgehog reporting here.
Swedish vocabulary: en igelkott‒ a hedgehog
Inflation plummets in July
Inflation according to the CPIF measure fell to 0.7 percent in July, according to preliminary figures from Statistics Sweden (SCB).
This compares with 1.3 percent in June.
This was in line with expectations. Analysts had on average expected inflation to fall to 0.7 percent.
"Energy prices fell sharply in July, which contributed to the lower inflation rate according to the CPI and CPIF," said Mikael Nordin, price statistician at Statistics Sweden.
The unusually low inflation is affected, among other things, by the temporary tax cut on fuel and the government subsidy for monthly public transport passes that was introduced on July 1st.
The inflation rate measured as CPI fell to 0.2 percent, down from 0.7 percent in June.
The Riksbank's inflation target is a CPIF inflation – where the effects of mortgage interest rates are removed – of 2.0 percent.
Swedish vocabulary: kraftigt ‒ powerfully, strongly, sharply
Gangs avoiding Sweden for burglaries and thefts
During the period January to July this year, the number of reported burglaries or attempted burglaries in residential buildings and holiday homes has decreased by 36 percent since 2022. During the same period, reported boat-related thefts have decreased by 47 percent and vehicle-related thefts by 64 percent.
"What we have really gotten better at within the Swedish police is the exchange of information across the country's borders. The gangs move very quickly, they are well organized and have planned their work. If we don't act quickly enough, they'll be out of the country again," said Linda Staaf Bydén, area manager for international crime actors.
The exchange of information has made it possible to intervene more quickly and interrupt ongoing theft tours.
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The thefts are generally committed by international theft gangs, mainly from other EU countries, but also from South America and some Russian-speaking countries. In recent years, more and more people have been stopped from entering Sweden.
"We use immigration legislation in an offensive way to prevent potential perpetrators from even being able to stay in the country and commit these crimes," said Staaf Bydén.
In 2025, over 400 deportations or expulsions were carried out and so far this year 240 have been stopped from entering.
In chats between criminals, people advise against going to Sweden.
“I would advise forgetting Sweden for a short time – they say the cops there work like devils,” can be read in a chat on a confiscated mobile phone.
“It’s difficult now... enormous checks,” wrote another.
Swedish vocabulary: bostäder ‒ homes
Children's bed recalled for strangulation risk
Two Swedish retailers are recalling children's 'side-beds' after an order from the Swedish Consumer Agency. Children risk falling out or being strangled, according to the agency.
Babyland and Stor & Liten are recalling beds of the Babybay Original, Babybay Boxspring and Babybay Maxi models.
The beds affected are so-called side beds.
"The long side of the side beds can be placed so low that children risk rolling out of bed and sustaining fall injuries or becoming hung between the side bed and the adult bed with a risk of strangulation," the Swedish Consumer Agency writes on its website.
Swedish vocabulary: strypas ‒ be strangled
Left Party promises investment in night trains to Norrland
The Left Party wants to invest 250 million kronor per year to restart more night train lines to and from Norrland.
"These were popular trains that people used and needed," said leader Nooshi Dadgostar at a press conference at Stockholm Central Station, as the election campaign kicks off in earnest.
The party also wants to secure long-term state funding for the night trains.
The Left Party points to many popular routes being discontinued, including night train service from Gothenburg to Umeå and to Jämtland, which were stopped in 2025.
The Left Party also said it wants to accelerate work on the double track along the East Coast Line, from Gävle to Härnösand.
"It is one of the most important routes to tie the country together," said Dadgostar.
She wants the entire double track section to be completed by 2035.
Swedish vocabulary: ett nattåg ‒ a night train