🛡️ Denmark tops the Anti-Corruption index again. For the seventh year in a row, Denmark ranks as the least corrupt country in the world, according to Transparency International. The report highlights low levels of bribery but notes concerns about oversight in public spending. While Denmark maintains its lead, perceptions of corruption can shift with media coverage of major scandals.
🚲 Copenhagen police crack down on stolen bikes. Since February 1, officers have been allowed to check bike frame numbers without any suspicion of theft. The new rule aims to make it harder to sell stolen bikes, and police hope this will make people think twice before buying secondhand without checking the serial number. With over 48,000 reported bike thefts every year, it might be time to double-check that “great deal” before pedaling away. Purchasing a stolen good is a punishable offense.
🤧 Flu season is still climbing, with no peak in sight. Influenza cases in Denmark have been rising for six consecutive weeks, and experts say it hasn’t yet peaked. Hospitalizations are increasing, though not as sharply as infections, due to a rise in Influenza B. This strain primarily affects younger people who don’t often require hospitalization. Unlike last winter’s “infection storm,” this season is milder, with fewer COVID-19 and whooping cough infections.
🏖️Amber hunting in Denmark just got a high-tech upgrade. A new app called Ravvejr predicts where amber is most likely to wash ashore on the Danish coastline, using wind, tide, and weather data to guide hunters to the best spots. Amber, a fossilized tree resin, has been prized for centuries, and now families can turn beach walks into treasure hunts with a little digital help.
🏝️ Bornholm is shrinking. Can it be saved? Bornholm’s population has hit a 120-year low with fewer than 39,000 residents, and experts warn there’s no quick fix. While some suggest investments in housing and jobs, others dismiss this as naive, arguing that population decline is inevitable. A proposed alternative is to turn Bornholm into “Denmark’s Florida” and attract retirees.
🐟 A new route for fish. For centuries, fish in Sønderjylland have been blocked by an old dam, but a new 1.3 km waterway will restore 100 km of free-flowing river. This meets EU conservation goals and could benefit sport fishing, though nature needs time to recover first. Work starts in April and finishes in autumn 2025.
🥖 Rugbrød takes a bite out of Japan. Denmark’s beloved rye bread is making waves in Japan, with the bakery Kohberg eyeing a new export opportunity amid growing demand for whole grains. Interest has increased among bakeries and health-conscious shoppers, driven by a focus on digestion and quality. With Danish pastries already a hit in Japan, rye bread might be next on the menu.
🧐 Omega-3 can slow aging. A new study suggests that taking one gram of Omega-3 per day can slow biological aging, especially when combined with vitamin D and exercise. The three-year study pointed to a slowing of several months, but researchers caution that it mainly applies to older adults with low Omega-3 levels, meaning if you already eat enough fatty fish like salmon, herring, or mackerel, you might not need supplements.
📱 TikTok trend claims iPhone can detect baby’s heartbeat. Experts say no. A viral TikTok trend suggests pregnant women can hear their baby’s heartbeat using just an iPhone and headphones, but midwives strongly advise against it. Experts warn that the method could give false reassurance, as it’s impossible to distinguish between the baby’s heartbeat and the mother’s pulse.
🌏 Family swaps Danish winter for adventure. One family from Nibe decided to trade the daily grind for a six-month adventure across the world, proving that with planning and bold choices, an alternative lifestyle is possible. Prioritizing shared experiences over routine, they explore nature, experience new cultures, and learn beyond the classroom while staying fully present with each other.
Denmark’s big red warning
Denmark’s military intelligence agency (FE) just dropped its most alarming threat assessment yet: Russia could engage in a regional war against NATO countries if it sees the alliance as weak or divided. The report lays out a grim timeline — Russia could launch a localized war within six months, pose a real NATO threat in two years, and be ready for full-scale war in Europe within five years if the U.S. doesn’t intervene.
That’s a big if. Not everyone is convinced by this worst-case scenario. Defense analysts argue that for Russia to attack NATO, three things would have to happen: Europe stops investing in defense, NATO falls apart, and the U.S. stays on the sidelines. All of these are highly unlikely.
And let’s be real, Russia is already stretched thin in Ukraine. Estimates suggest it has lost up to 800,000 soldiers. Its economy is under strain, and a fight with NATO would be vastly different from the war in Ukraine.
So why the warning now? Some see it as a necessary wake-up call. Others say it’s fear-mongering. Either way, the message is clear: Denmark and Europe should prepare for the worst, even if the worst never comes.
