Nord News - The Nordic Daily

Low incomes and underemployment are more common among the disabled than in the rest of the population, says Statistics Finland. https://nord.news/2023/03/31/a-quarter-of-disabled-people-in-finland-are-at-risk-of-poverty-and-marginalization/?feed_id=21027

Closing the plant is part of the city's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. https://nord.news/2023/03/31/helsinkis-coal-fired-district-heating-plant-will-shut-down-on-saturday/?feed_id=21006

The ratio between studded and non-studded tires in March this year was 39.7% to 60.3%, similar to December 2022. Two years ago it was 41.4% to 58.6%. According to the road regulations, drivers can use studded tires from November 1 to April 15, however, the city authorities encourage drivers to choose good […] The article Studded tires must be changed by April 15 comes from ICELAND NEWS. https://nord.news/2023/03/31/studded-tires-must-be-changed-by-april-15/?feed_id=20999

When the acceptance letters of all 30 member countries are in Washington, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will send an official letter of invitation to Finland. https://nord.news/2023/03/31/whats-next-on-finlands-road-to-nato/?feed_id=20985

Several leaders and decision-makers reacted to the Turkish legislature's vote on the ratification of Finland's NATO membership late Thursday evening. https://nord.news/2023/03/31/leaders-welcome-natos-approval/?feed_id=20957

Other options available e-Boks wrote that its distributors are working frantically to get their solution back online. The good news is that the public can still check their digital messages elsewhere – at Borger.dk or via Virk.dk . According to e-Boks, around 5.2 million people use their service. https://nord.news/2023/03/31/digital-service-e-boks-is-down/?feed_id=20936

Turkey's approval of Finland's NATO bid has ended months of delays and negotiations. https://nord.news/2023/03/31/fridays-papers-turkeys-approval-finns-partys-u-turn-and-a-windy-weekend/?feed_id=20929

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Following are the central rates of the Chinese currency renminbi, or yuan, against 24 major currencies announced on Friday by the China Foreign Exchange Trading System: Currency unit Central parity rate in yuan US Dollar 100,687.17 Euro 100,749.45 Japanese Yen 100 5.1693 Hong Kong Dollar 100 87.541 British Pounds 100,851.27 Australian Dollar 100,461.31 New Zealand Dollar 100,430.69 Singapore Dollar 100,517.60 Swiss francs 100,752.37 Canadian Dollars 100,508.24 Malaysian Ringgit 64,262,100 Rubles 1,124.62 100 rubles Rand 259.36 100 Korean Won 18,884,100 UAE dirham 53.443 100 Saudi Riyal 54,622,100 Hungarian forint 5,068.48,100 Polish zlotys 62,369,100 Danish kroner 99.39 100 Swedish kronor 150.71 100 Norwegian kroner 151.23 100 Turkish Lira 279.042 100 Mexican peso 263.31 100 Thai baht 496.86 100 The central rate of the yuan ...

Ankara [Turkey]March 31 (ANI): The Turkish parliament on Thursday unanimously voted in favor of Finland's application to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), clearing the final hurdle in the accession process, while continuing to block Sweden from joining the military alliance, reported CNN. The vote in parliament fulfills Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "promise" to allow Finland to become part of the military alliance, according to the news report. Turkey was the last NATO member to approve Finland's accession. After the vote, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said his country is "ready to join NATO". He went on to say, "All 30 NATO members have now ratified Finland's membership. I want to thank each and every one of them for their trust and support," according to the CNN report. Sauli Niinisto emphasized that "Finland will be a strong and capable ally, committed to the security of the allianc...

STOCKHOLM, March 30 (Xinhua) -- A growing number of grocery store owners in Sweden are considering abandoning self-scanning in their stores due to an increase in thefts, especially of meat and meat products, local media reported Thursday. The total value of stolen goods has grown by over 20 percent to 4.5 billion Swedish kronor (434 million US dollars) in 2021 compared to 2018, Dagens Nyheter (DN) reports. One of the victims of the worsening trend, a shopkeeper in the capital of Stockholm, decided to phase out the self-scanning points within a year of the system being introduced. - The main reason is theft. Enormous amounts of goods go in through the back door, says Ulf Svensson, who runs a store belonging to one of Sweden's largest grocery chains, ICA, to DN. Theft-related losses at his store have doubled to SEK 9 million in one year, which is roughly 4 percent of annual turnover, he said. That's because customers sometimes "forget" to scan ...

In a historic change, all 30 alliance countries have accepted Finland as a full member of NATO. Meanwhile, neighboring Sweden is still waiting for its green light. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/finland-joins-nato-after-the-approval-of-the-turkish-parliament/?feed_id=20880

The Real Estate Administration of Iceland has published a tender notice for the construction of a pavilion over the ruins at Stöng in Þjórsárdalur. The design of the building was made by the architectural office SP(R)INT Studio. "The superstructure that is currently over the ruins needs renovation, so it's time to bring these facilities to a better condition and modernize them," reads the website of the Development Office. […] An article to be built on a pavilion above the ruins this summer comes from ICELAND NEWS. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/construction-of-the-pavilion-over-the-ruins-will-begin-this-summer/?feed_id=20873

NEW YORK, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar weakened in late trade on Thursday as market participants looked forward to a key U.S. inflation report. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, fell 0.48 percent to 102.1516. In late New York trading, the euro was up at US$1.0904 from $1.0843 in the previous session, and the British pound was up at US$1.2388 from $1.2314 in the previous session. The US dollar bought 132.44 Japanese yen, down from 132.67 Japanese yen from the previous session. The US dollar fell to 0.9138 Swiss francs from 0.9190 Swiss francs and it fell to 1.3519 Canadian dollars from 1.3570 Canadian dollars. The US dollar fell to SEK 10.3649 from SEK 10.4090. The February US personal consumption expenditure price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, is released on Friday. The US currency has come under pressure in March, as turmoil in the banking sector led investors to discount th...

A young Spaniard living in Finland is accused of committing a terrorist crime and planning battles in Syria or West Africa. He denies the charge. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/a-spanish-man-is-accused-of-terrorism-in-finland/?feed_id=20859

According to the latest information from the Roads Authority, many roads in the east are impassable or closed. In many places there is a high risk of snow or mud avalanches, the situation is being monitored. In the east, the weather forecast is very bad. There is snow, ice or slush on the roads. The roads leading through the Fjarðarheiði Pass and Fagradalur are closed, and Vatnsskárð […] The article Many Roads Are Impassable or Closed is from ICELAND NEWS. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/many-roads-are-impassable-or-closed/?feed_id=20845

BRUSSELS, 30 March 2023 (WAM) - Ambassadors of EU member states agreed on Wednesday on the Council's negotiating mandate for a proposal to digitize the visa process. The proposal introduces the possibility to apply for a visa online and replaces the current visa stamp with a digital visa. It aims to make the visa application process more efficient and to improve security in the Schengen area. Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden's Minister of Migration, said: "A digital Schengen visa will make it easier for legitimate travelers to apply and will at the same time help make the Schengen area safer. Online applications will reduce the number of trips to the consulate for travelers and make the process smoother for national administrations. At the same time, the digital visa will put an end to the risk of forgery and theft of the visa stamp." She added that the proposed new rules will create a visa application platform. All Schengen visa application...

Let's dive into big things when Finland goes to the elections on Sunday, April 2. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/apn-podcast-parliamentary-election-special-offer/?feed_id=20810

Palace Restaurant has been at the top of the list for four years in a row. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/helsinki-palace-was-chosen-as-the-best-restaurant-in-finland-for-the-fourth-time/?feed_id=20789

The last time such few mortgages were taken out was in 2003, said the Bank of Finland. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/home-loans-were-at-their-lowest-level-in-20-years/?feed_id=20761

The strike was called off late Wednesday night when a wage agreement was reached. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/cleaners-fear-sanctions-after-calling-off-late-strike/?feed_id=20733

The frequent breakdowns that plague the Baldur ferry linking West Iceland with the Westfjords may soon be a thing of the past. As reported by RÚV, the replacement of the old ferry is expected in mid-October. The replacement vessel called Rust, like its predecessor, comes from Norway. Baldur is the only ferry currently operating between the Snæfellsnes peninsula and the Westfjords. In last […] Article New ferry to the Westfjords expected this fall comes from ICELAND NEWS. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/new-westfjords-ferry-expected-this-fall/?feed_id=20712

This enterprising family rose from the bottom to incredible heights during their years in Russia. The Nobel Prize was established in 1901. Since then, it has been awarded 615 times to 989 individuals and organizations, mostly from the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Sweden and Russia. What few people remember today is that the prize appearance was made possible, thanks to the Nobel family's lucrative oil business in the Russian Empire. Bankruptcy The Nobel family came to Russia from Sweden in 1838. The inventor Immanuel Nobel - the head of the family and father of the Nobel Prize founder - moved his wife and three sons to St. Petersburg, hoping to market inventions he had worked on in Sweden. Swedish industrialist Emmanuel Nobel (1859-1932). Sputnik The risk of relocation eventually brought rich profits for the family. The innovative Swede managed to arouse the personal interest of Czar Nicholas I of Russia, when he introduced an improved version of an ...

Ankara's approval is the only remaining obstacle to Finland joining the military alliance. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/the-turkish-parliament-will-discuss-finlands-nato-membership-on-thursday/?feed_id=20677

According to the Security and Intelligence Service, the Russians have collected intelligence information mainly under diplomatic cover. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/supo-russian-espionage-in-finland-weakened-significantly/?feed_id=20656

NEW YORK, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar strengthened in late trade on Wednesday amid weakness in the Japanese yen. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, rose 0.21 percent to 102.6478. In late New York trading, the euro rose to US$1.0843 from US$1.0842 in the previous session, and the British pound was down to US$1.2314 from US$1.2336 in the previous session. The US dollar bought 132.67 Japanese yen, higher than 130.79 Japanese yen from the previous session. The US dollar was down to 0.9190 Swiss francs from 0.9193 Swiss francs and it fell to 1.3570 Canadian dollars from 1.3603 Canadian dollars. The US dollar rose to 10.4090 Swedish kronor from 10.3516 Swedish kronor. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/the-us-dollar-rises-as-the-yen-falls/?feed_id=20635

According to police, the 13-year-old girl had expressed an interest in attacking someone in order to get them committed to an institution or prison. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/helsinki-police-a-female-teenager-planned-a-school-stabbing-in-the-hope-of-a-prison-sentence/?feed_id=20628

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The following are the central rates of the Chinese currency renminbi, or yuan, against 24 major currencies announced on Thursday by the China Foreign Exchange Trading System: Currency unit Central parity rate in yuan US Dollar 100,688.86 Euro 100,746.80 Japanese Yen 100 5.1956 Hong Kong Dollar 100 87.758 British Pounds 100,847.97 Australian Dollar 100,460.19 New Zealand Dollar 100,428.40 Singapore Dollar 100,518.27 Swiss francs 100,750.02 Canadian Dollars 100,507.95 Malaysian Ringgit 64,122,100 Rubles 1,122.18 100 rubles Rand 262.76 100 Korean Won 18,947,100 UAE dirham 53,311,100 Saudi Riyal 54,507 100 Hungarian forint 5,093.66,100 Polish zloty 62.76 100 Danish kroner 99.74 100 Swedish kronor 150.95 100 Norwegian kroner 151.23 100 Turkish lira 277,968 100 Mexican peso 262.71 100 Thai baht 496.19,100 The central rate of the y...

Asmara Riaz received Finnish citizenship in January, when she had the right to vote in the parliamentary elections for the first time. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/asmara-is-excited-to-vote-for-the-first-time-but-finds-it-difficult-to-find-candidates-in-english/?feed_id=20600

Every fifth person in management positions in Finnish listed companies has been convicted of a crime. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/thursdays-papers-cleaning-strike-cancelled-business-leaders-in-trouble-with-the-law-and-elderly-workers/?feed_id=20586

According to Yle's party support survey, the support of the Coalition and the Social Democrats may have decreased. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/ylen-poll-the-competition-is-getting-tougher-as-the-election-day-approaches-2/?feed_id=20558

According to Yle's party support survey, the support of the Coalition and the Social Democrats may have decreased. https://nord.news/2023/03/30/ylen-poll-the-competition-is-getting-tougher-as-the-election-day-approaches/?feed_id=20544

The Minister of Finance hopes that inflation has peaked and is optimistic about the future. The government intends to take action to introduce lower prices. The consumer price index has increased by 0.59 per cent since last month, and annual inflation has fallen from 10.2 per cent to 10.2 per cent. up to 9.8 percent This is due to new data from the Central Statistical Office. Price index of goods and services […] There is hope that inflation has peaked from ICELAND NEWS. https://nord.news/2023/03/29/there-is-hope-that-inflation-has-peaked/?feed_id=20530

STOCKHOLM, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The white powder found in letters sent to many Swedish authorities on Wednesday has been deemed "harmless," local media reported. At least three people were seen by healthcare personnel after 18 of Sweden's county administrative boards received letters containing a powdery white substance on Wednesday, Dagens Nyheter (DN) reported. Analyzes from several of the sites later showed that the substance was harmless, the report said. Many buildings were evacuated after the discovery of the letters and local authorities were unreachable by phone, as the main switchboard for the vast majority of the county administrations is centralized to one of the affected. At least three employees were seen by medical personnel, while others underwent decontamination procedures and were placed in isolation as a precaution. Several letters also contained verbal threats, DN reported. A spokesperson for the Security Police told DN...