Thursday, May 29, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Ad:

The Danish economy is growing

Published 21 February 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The pharmaceutical industry accounted for about 55% of Denmark's total GDP growth.

Denmark’s GDP increased last year, according to figures from Statistics Denmark. The pharmaceutical industry is highlighted as the main driver of growth.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Denmark’s GDP grew by 1.6%. For the whole year, growth amounted to a total of 3.6 percent.

Statistics Denmark points to the pharmaceutical industry as the main driver of last year’s economic growth. The industry grew by 30% in 2024 and accounted for around 55% of the country’s total GDP increase.

– It is good for individual households and the higher demand benefits a broader part of the economy, so industries other than the pharmaceutical industry are helping to drive growth, says Minister of Economic Affairs Stephanie Lose (V) in a comment on the news, according to Danish state channel DR.

TNT is truly independent!

We don’t have a billionaire owner, and our unique reader-funded model keeps us free from political or corporate influence. This means we can fearlessly report the facts and shine a light on the misdeeds of those in power.

Consider a donation to keep our independent journalism running…

Denmark to ban junk food advertising to children

Published today 8:31
– By Editorial Staff
Junk food producers often use "influencers" whose content is aimed at a very young audience.

In a new bill, the Danish government wants to put an end to the advertising of soft drinks, chips and fast food to children under 15. This comes after two companies were criticized for using so-called “influencers” to market junk food to minors.

Last year, food companies Orkla and Danish burger chain The Burger Concept used “influencers” to promote chips and burgers.

For example, the chip brand Kims, owned by Orkla, promoted its chips through the “Kims Chips Battle”, which involved launching and promoting new chip flavors. Those paid to do the advertising were Morten Münster, Jas & Mika and Alexander Husum, who are all active on YouTube. What these “influencers” have in common is that they have a large number of younger followers,

The Danish Food Advertising Association found the ad to be inappropriate and in breach of industry guidelines on marketing as it was aimed at children.

“Must be stopped”

The Danish government now wants to ban junk food advertising aimed at children, reports Danish state broadcaster DR. The main focus of the legislation is on social media and digital platforms, as this is where children are most exposed.

– If you look at social media, you can see that there is a problem. Especially among influencers, a lot of time and energy has been spent on advertising to children and young people, and this must be stopped, says Morten Bødskov, the Danish Social Democrats’ minister for trade and industry.

Advertising junk food in public spaces will still be allowed, as long as it does not target children or use children in the advertising. Bødskov urges people to contact the Consumer Ombudsman if they are unsure, as fines can be high.

We already have rules in the Marketing Act, and the fines are quite high. That will also apply here, says Bødskov.

According to the Danish Cancer Society, almost 80% of all food and drink advertisements that children and young people are exposed to are for products with a high content of fat, sugar and salt.

Bitcoin reaches new record level – could become a safe haven

The new crypto economy

Published 23 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff

Bitcoin has broken a new record and is now trading at $111,196, having passed its January 2025 peak of $109,500. The rise, which began in the context of Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly presidency, has been boosted by regulatory tailwinds and institutional interest.

Christopher Kock, co-founder and CEO of Virtune, highlights Bitcoin’s growing role as a safe haven, like gold, in times of economic uncertainty. According to Kock, quoted by EFN, the price rise is being driven by institutional investors such as BlackRock and Fidelity, which are increasingly diversifying into Bitcoin.

He argues that the decentralized nature and limited supply of the cryptocurrency make it attractive, especially in a world of global instability. Kock believes that even small allocations from large players can drive the price up significantly more.

Despite the optimism, the volatility of the market is emphasized. Kock and other experts warn that speculation could lead to sharp corrections, although Bitcoin’s long-term potential as a digital asset is bolstered by growing confidence.

Fuel prices in Sweden set to climb regardless of political outcome

Published 20 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
As the EU has also decided what the minimum tax level on petrol and diesel should be, Swedish politicians do not currently have the option of lowering taxes at will.

Swedes can expect gasoline and diesel prices to rise significantly from 2027, regardless of the political constellation in Sweden.

The reason is the EU’s new emissions trading system ETS 2, which forces fuel companies to pay for carbon dioxide emissions – a cost that directly affects consumers.

Regardless of the outcome of the 2026 election, Swedish motorists will face higher fuel prices. Behind the increase is the EU’s ETS 2 emissions trading system, which has already been adopted by the Swedish Parliament. The system, which comes into force in 2027, requires companies that sell fossil fuels to purchase emission allowances for every ton of carbon dioxide they emit. The cost is expected to be around SEK 2.50 (€0.23) extra per liter based on today’s prices for emission allowances.

Emissions allowances are already being traded on the pre-market, where the price in May was 74 euros per ton of carbon dioxide. According to John Hassler, professor of economics and former government climate advisor, this is a realistic forecast for the future:

– This is probably the best guess of what these emission allowances will cost in the future, he told state television SVT.

EU does not allow tax cuts

Sweden stands out in European comparisons as one of the countries where fuel prices are currently lowest, partly as a result of the government’s tax cuts on fuel.

However, the EU has the final say here too, and according to John Hassler, Sweden is already close to the lowest tax level allowed by Brussels for gasoline and diesel, which will make future price adjustments difficult when the new emissions trading system, ETS 2, is introduced.

– We cannot compensate for this by lowering taxes on gasoline and diesel, maybe by 0.5 SEK, but no more than that, he says.

Hundreds of millions to the treasury

At the same time, ETS 2 will generate significant revenue for the government estimated at €915 million annually as the EU distributes the revenue from emission allowances to member states. Hassler believes that the money should be used to mitigate the effects on Swedish households.

There is a good signal value in using this money for, for example, a climate bonus for Swedish households. One could also imagine this money going to people in rural areas or other places where it is difficult to find alternatives to cars.

Green Party spokesperson Amanda Lind has previously stated that the opposition is planning fuel price increases to reduce emissions. However, analysts believe that price increases will happen regardless of which party is in power in Sweden, as this has largely become an EU issue with limited national influence.

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme ETS 2 is an expansion of the previous emissions trading scheme to include the transport and construction sectors. The aim is said to be to push down the use of fossil fuels by making them more expensive. From 2027, fuel suppliers will have to buy allowances for their emissions, a cost that will be directly passed on to the end consumer.

Swedish state secretary bought Saab shares day before Hungary Gripen deal announcement

The corruption in Sweden

Published 14 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Many defend Janse on the grounds that the sums involved are relatively small - but experts say that doesn't matter.

The day before it was announced that Hungary would purchase four Jas 39 Gripen aircraft from Sweden – a deal worth around SEK 2 billion (€180 million) – State Secretary Diana Janse (M) bought shares in Saab, the company that manufactures the aircraft.

Although the sums involved are relatively small, experts believe that this action is deeply inappropriate and risks damaging public confidence in the government.

Hungary was the last country to approve Sweden’s heavily criticized NATO application, and an agreement was also reached between the countries that included a deal on the sale of Swedish fighter jets.

Saab’s shares also rose sharply when the deal became known – something that benefited State Secretary Diana Janse, who had bought shares in the arms manufacturer for just under SEK 10,000 (€900) the day before the announcement.

She bought several shares that day and did not give any special consideration to the timing, commented Trade Minister Benjamin Dousas (M) press secretary to the tabloid Aftonbladet, which first reported the share purchase.

At the time, Janse was working for the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Johan Forssell, and today she holds the same position, but under Benjamin Dousa. She denies that she had any prior knowledge of the deal.

A state secretary participates in preparations within their area of responsibility. This means that not all state secretaries participate in or are informed about all preparations that come to the ministry. At the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the cabinet secretary is responsible for issues relating to NATO, said her press secretary.

“Should keep a safe distance”

However, not everyone is impressed by the explanations, and Claes Sandgren, senior professor of law at Stockholm University and former chairman of the Swedish Anti-Corruption Institute, believes that the action is directly damaging to public trust.

– Considering that she was State Secretary with political responsibility for trade issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that the agreement was coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, her share purchase appears clearly inappropriate.

There is a ban on insider trading for anyone with insider information. They must keep a safe distance from anything that could be perceived as improper. According to the guidelines, such actions can damage confidence in the government, he continues.

It is often difficult to determine exactly who had insider information and who did not, especially since those accused almost always deny such allegations. However, Sandgren believes that similar allegations of corruption can easily be avoided and that neither politicians nor state secretaries should manage their own share purchases.

– Given her central position, she should, like ministers, not engage in share trading herself but place her holdings in an independent custody account with a bank.

Recurring scandals

It is worth noting that this is not the first time that high-ranking representatives of the Moderate-led government have made questionable private share purchases in companies with which the Swedish state does business. In March, the newspaper reported how Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) bought shares in the Swedish defense and IT company Mildef.

This purchase took place at the same time as the Swedish government was negotiating a multi-billion order from the arms industry – where Mildef was one of the companies that benefited financially from the deal.

As in the case of Diana Janse, many supporters defended the purchase on the grounds that the amounts involved were relatively small – around SEK 10,000 (€900)– arguing that this is pocket change for a minister.

However, according to Daniel Stattin, professor of civil law at Uppsala University, the size of the purchase is of little significance in this context: “The principle is really the same: make sure you don’t do business where independence or self-interest can be called into question”.

Our independent journalism needs your support!
We appreciate all of your donations to keep us alive and running.

Our independent journalism needs your support!
Consider a donation.

You can donate any amount of your choosing, one-time payment or even monthly.
We appreciate all of your donations to keep us alive and running.

Dont miss another article!

Sign up for our newsletter today!

Take part of uncensored news – free from industry interests and political correctness from the Polaris of Enlightenment – every week.