Nord News - The Nordic Daily

Iceland is at the forefront of Europe for the fourth year in a row in terms of the number of fiber optic (FTTH) connections. In Iceland, 76.8% of households are connected to fibre, followed by Spain (73.6%) and Portugal (71.1%). In other Nordic countries, such as Sweden and Norway, 67.5% of households have a fiber connection, Denmark 43% and Finland too […] https://nord.news/2023/04/30/iceland-is-europes-leader-in-the-use-of-fiber-optics/?feed_id=26025

The official and traditional start of Helsinki's May Day began on Sunday evening with the washing and crowning of the Havis Amanda statue in the city center. https://nord.news/2023/04/30/the-may-day-ceremony-in-helsinki-starts-the-festivities/?feed_id=26011

The VAT on electricity has been reduced from 24 percent since December in order to curb the effects of inflation and the energy crisis. https://nord.news/2023/04/30/electricity-prices-will-rise-when-the-vat-discount-ends/?feed_id=26004

The forecast also calls for dressing for the rain, as is often required on May Day in Finland. https://nord.news/2023/04/30/the-weather-on-may-day-is-miserable-but-getting-better/?feed_id=25997

Rescuers in Eyjafjörður were called just after 2pm today after a canoeist fell out of his canoe east of Hrísey. According to Jón Þór Víglundsson, information representative of Landsbjargar, two people went out in separate kayaks. One of them swam away so quickly that the other lost sight of him. The canoeist who fell into the water […] https://nord.news/2023/04/29/a-canoeist-fell-out-of-a-canoe-near-hrisey/?feed_id=25983

There has been huge confusion in the "Education Export" program in both Finland and Kenya. https://nord.news/2023/04/29/hbl-some-kenyan-students-in-finland-have-resorted-to-prostitution-to-finance-their-education/?feed_id=25976

For the first time since 2018, China is increasing its Antarctic footprint. A Washington-based think tank says Beijing has resumed construction of its fifth station at the South Pole, worrying Western governments. According to the report "Frozen Frontiers - China's Great Power Ambitions in the Polar Regions," published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China has "undertaken ambitious expeditions and developed world-class facilities" that serve "to advance China's broader strategic and military interests." China calls itself a "near-Arctic state" and wants to become a "polar powerhouse" by 2030. According to the CSIS report, climate change is opening up previously frozen waterways, which could serve the interests of Beijing's trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and thereby expand Beijing's influence in the world at large. Officially, China's presence at the North and Sou...

Beer with capelin roe, Masago, was a hit at the Seafood Expo Global conference held in Barcelona from April 25-27. Produced by Icelandic Asia, the beer is brewed with masago and the Japanese herb shiso. Beer first appeared at the conference last year, but this year's batch was enriched with shiso. […] https://nord.news/2023/04/29/icelandic-fish-beer-a-hit-at-seafood-expo-global/?feed_id=25962

Helsinki is one of many European capitals where Russia has placed suspected signals intelligence on the roofs of its embassies. https://nord.news/2023/04/29/stt-spy-devices-photographed-on-the-roofs-of-the-russian-embassy-in-helsinki/?feed_id=25955

According to the television network NBC, the US president's visit to NATO's newest member country would coincide with NATO's July summit in Lithuania. https://nord.news/2023/04/29/nbc-us-president-joe-biden-expects-to-visit-helsinki-this-summer/?feed_id=25948

This week's musical crossword. Complete the cross plan and compete for honor and great prizes. Every Saturday at 10.03 you can listen to Melodikrysset in P4. https://nord.news/2023/04/29/melodikrysset-with-anna-charlotta-gunnarson-6/?feed_id=25934

NEW YORK, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar rose slightly in late trade on Friday as the euro zone saw weak economic growth in the first quarter of this year. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, rose 0.16 percent to 101.6595 in late trade. In late New York trading, the euro was down to US$1.1017 from US$1.1025 in the previous session, and the British pound rose to US$1.2563 from US$1.2491 in the previous session. The US dollar bought 136.2430 Japanese yen, higher than 133.95 Japanese yen from the previous session. The US dollar fell to 0.8938 Swiss francs from 0.8940 Swiss francs, and it was down to 1.3537 Canadian dollars from 1.3602 Canadian dollars. The US dollar was down to SEK 10.2638 from SEK 10.2951. Eurostat reported on Friday that the euro area's first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.1 percent from the quarter. Growth was in line with previous readings but weaker than some economists'...

The weather in Bulgaria will be sunny, with more clouds in the afternoon, but with a slight chance of rain. The wind will be weak, in eastern Bulgaria and along the Black Sea - moderate from the north. Today the maximum temperatures will be between 13C and 18C. In the mountains, cloud cover will be variable, often significant, but there will be almost no precipitation there either. There will be more hours of sunshine over the western Bulgarian massif. The maximum temperatures will rise and in the resorts will be between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius. A moderate northerly wind will blow. In many areas of the continent there will be rain, on the Scandinavian peninsula - still snow. The warming in Portugal and Spain will continue and will also cover the Apennines and the Balkans, where it will remain cool during the season. The temperature increase in Bulgaria will continue in the coming days, but the weather will remain too changeable. During the weekend there will be rain and t...

30,181 fewer people died in Bulgaria in 2022 compared to 2021, when the peak of the covid-19 pandemic was here. This shows data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI). However, the total population of Bulgaria decreased by 34,774 people in just one year and on 31 December 2022 it was 6,447 million. For every 1,000 men, there are 1,080 women. Bulgaria and Latvia have the highest death rates among the countries of the European Union - 18.4. The lowest are Ireland - 6.8, and Luxembourg - 7, according to the NSI survey. The number of Bulgarian citizens over the age of 65 is 1.515 million, which is an increase of 0.1% in just one year. Their share is the largest in the regions of Vidin, Gabrovo and Kyustendil, and the smallest - in the city of Sofia, Varna and Blagoevgrad. Only Italy and Portugal have older populations in the EU. In Bulgaria, 1,250 more boys than girls were born in 2022 - 28,923 and 27,673 respectively. According to the KPO, the country's birth rate ...

The article mentions that global military spending last year rose 3.7 percent in real terms to $2.24 trillion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). Finland's spending grew the most, 36 percent after the purchase of F-35 fighter jets, which is the largest annual increase in military spending since 1962, according to the report. Lithuania, Sweden and Poland increased their defense budgets by 27 percent, Sweden by 12 percent and 11 percent respectively, a sign of European countries' growing commitment to military preparedness. The report particularly emphasizes Ukraine's growing military budget as a key factor in the growth of defense spending in the region, which is about half of the annual increase. The defense budgets of other European countries, such as Lithuania, Sweden and Poland, increased by 27 percent, Sweden by 12 percent and Poland by 11 percent. The report also states that about half of the annual grow...

A woman in her thirties was found dead yesterday in her home in Selfoss. Suðurland Police are investigating whether the death was at fault. Two men were arrested at the scene. According to the police statement, an investigation is underway. The technical department of the Metropolitan Police is involved in the investigation. It focuses […] https://nord.news/2023/04/28/thirty-year-old-girl-dies-in-selfoss/?feed_id=25892

The president of Landværður — the Icelandic Land Protection Agency — says Iceland does not need gold prospecting in geothermal or other locations. "We don't think Iceland needs to get involved," says Auður Anna Magnúsdóttir, chairwoman of Landværður, of the prospecting for gold and other precious metals. “There have been many attempts to do so in recent decades, but never […] https://nord.news/2023/04/28/iceland-doesnt-need-a-gold-rush/?feed_id=25885

Three defendants were jailed earlier this month on suspicion of publishing confidential information on social media. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/the-police-released-one-two-were-arrested-for-state-secrets/?feed_id=25878

Despite people tying the knot, the number of new marriages last year was still the second lowest in more than a century. There were even fewer weddings in 2021. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/in-finland-the-number-of-marriages-will-increase-divorces-will-decrease-in-2022/?feed_id=25871

Hopes of the recent sunny weather continuing into the May Day weekend have been dashed, with meteorologists predicting rain, sleet and snow for much of the country. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/finland-is-preparing-to-celebrate-may-day-traditionally-in-sleet-and-snow/?feed_id=25864

The defendant was found to have taken pictures and videos in which he portrayed a terrorist. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/the-court-sentenced-the-spaniard-to-a-suspended-sentence-for-terrorist-training-crimes/?feed_id=25843

Author Mikael Berglund's book "Ovanjorden" wins Sveriges Radio's Novel Prize 2023, it was just announced in P1 Kultur Direkt. Berglund, born in 1977, debuted in 2015 with the acclaimed novel An object's story of non-response "Overworld" is his third in a row. Nominees for the Novel Prize were also: "Björnjägarens dötter" by Anneli Jordahl, "Natten" by Sara Gordan and "Hemsökelse" by Khashayar Naderehvandi. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/mikael-berglunds-ovanjorden-wins-sveriges-radios-novel-prize/?feed_id=25836

"We still have a lot of booking inquiries for the summer, but unfortunately we have no more vacancies - they are almost all sold out," says Sara Ósk Rúnarsdóttir, receptionist at Fosshotel Jökulsárlón. The same can be said for most accommodations in South Iceland. According to the latest tourist forecast, Iceland may be visited by up to 2.2 million tourists this year. Sigurlaug […] https://nord.news/2023/04/28/south-iceland-basically-booked/?feed_id=25829

The meeting will be held in the Presidential Palace next Wednesday. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/the-president-of-finland-hosts-the-prime-ministers-of-the-nordic-countries-in-helsinki/?feed_id=25822

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to Yle and other Nordic news agencies in Kyiv. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/zelensky-to-yle-the-war-in-ukraine-cannot-end-the-way-the-second-world-war-ended-for-finland/?feed_id=25815

In the 19th century, Finland handed over fragments of the sacred stone taken by a Finnish missionary from northern Namibia. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/shards-of-the-sacred-stone-brought-home-from-finland-to-namibia/?feed_id=25794

The cash-strapped Ähtäri Zoo has decided to keep the animals while it looks for partners for the panda conservation program. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/the-giant-pandas-will-remain-in-finland-for-the-time-being/?feed_id=25780

The financial group calculated for the first time which cities have the most affordable housing situation. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/op-housing-prices-demand-continues-to-fall/?feed_id=25759

Official negotiations on the formation of Finland's new government will begin immediately after May Day on Tuesday, and press analysts do not expect them to be easy. https://nord.news/2023/04/28/fridays-papers-tough-negotiations-ahead-unhealthy-taxes-less-young-people-drinking/?feed_id=25745

BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The 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 100,692.40 Euro 100,763.61 Japanese Yen 100 5.1723 Hong Kong Dollar 100 88.206 British Pounds 100,865.04 Australian Dollar 100,458.94 New Zealand Dollar 100,425.54 Singapore Dollar 100,518.62 Swiss francs 100,774.52 Canadian Dollars 100,508.93 Malaysian Ringgit 64,403,100 Rubles 1,180.31 100 rubles Rand 264.29 100 Korean Won 19,331,100 UAE dirham 53.039 100 Saudi Riyal 54,171,100 Hungarian forint 4,886.92,100 Polish zlotys 59.91 100 Danish kroner 97.62 100 Swedish kronor 148.63 100 Norwegian kroner 153.33 100 Turkish lira 280.745 100 Mexican peso 260.55 100 Thai baht 492.80 100 The central rate of the yu...

NEW YORK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. dollar rose in late trade on Thursday as investors see high likelihood of another interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve in early May. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, rose 0.03 percent to 101.5015 in late trade. In late New York trading, the euro was down to US$1.1025 from US$1.1038 in the previous session, and the British pound rose to US$1.2491 from US$1.2457 in the previous session. The US dollar bought 133.9500 Japanese yen, higher than 133.52 Japanese yen from the previous session. The US dollar was up to 0.8940 Swiss francs from 0.8906 Swiss francs and it was down to 1.3602 Canadian dollars from 1.3646 Canadian dollars. The US dollar fell to SEK 10.2951 from SEK 10.3410. The Federal Open Market Committee has about an 87 percent chance of raising the federal funds rate by another 25 basis points at the next monetary policy meeting in early May, according to data from the CM...

HELSINKI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Finland's conservative Union Party leader Petteri Orpo announced Thursday that he will begin talks next week to form a four-party government. The Samlingsparty, the Right Finns, the Swedish People's Party and the Christian Democrats are participating in the talks. If they succeed, the government would have 109 seats, giving it a slim majority in the 200-member parliament. Orpo acknowledged at a news conference Thursday that the parties differ on many issues, but said he believes those differences can be overcome. A cabinet could be formed by early June, he added. Local commentators have said that immigration and carbon neutrality will require the most negotiations. At the same time, Orpo noted that it will be a challenge to plan public spending in a way that does not hinder economic growth. The Finns' president Riikka Purra said there are major differences of opinion, but these can be negotiated. Purra said ...

Pernod Ricard restarts exports to Russia oWorld's second-biggest drinks conglomerate admits it has resumed Beefeater gin exports o The Moral Rating Agency responds In response to Pernod Ricard admitting it has resumed exports of Beefeater gin to Russia - after backing off a similar announcement involving its Absolut vodka brand - the Moral Rating Agency issued a statement attacking the company. Mark Dixon, MRA founder, said: "It is as disgusting as it is ironic to return to Russia while others are still getting out. It is the first large group we have tracked swimming against the moral tide. What does Pernod Richard think has changed since it stopped exports after the invasion that could possibly justify going back? Putin is still relentlessly attacking Ukraine and threatening the world. Beefeater sales will support the Russian economy paying for the murder of Ukrainians. Anyone who drinks Beefeater is complicit in supporting Putin's regime and war." Re P...

Lindsey Young Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, Vikings.com takes a look at prospects who have received a slew of attention from national outlets. The series will include rankings of these national stores, statistics and background information for several potential customers. Vikings status at inside linebacker The Vikings currently have the following inside linebackers on their roster: Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah II, Troy Dye, William Kwenkeu and recent free agent Troy Reeder. Reeder signed with Minnesota last month, reunite with former high school friend Brian O'Neill. He began his NFL career in 2019, when he signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent. Reeder joined the Chargers for the 2022 season and played in all 17 games, contributing primarily on special teams. Vikings open 2023 NFL Draft at pick #232023 NFL Draft Prospects for Vikings: Edge & Defensive Line2023 NFL Draft Prospects for Vikings: Running Backs & Offensive Line2023 NFL Draft Prospects for V...

SHANGHAI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition concluded Thursday at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), where about 1,000 global automobile companies battled to showcase their best products over the course of the 10 - daytime show. The exhibition, also known as Auto Shanghai 2023, not only heralds technological trends in the global automotive market, but also demonstrates the strength and confidence of China's emerging automakers in the face of established global giants. "With its high level of innovation, China is an important pacesetter for the entire automotive industry," Oliver Blume, chairman of Volkswagen AG, told Xinhua at the show. The following highlights provide an insight into Auto Shanghai 2023 and China's leading role in the global automotive manufacturing industry. HOMEGROWN BRANDS At this year's event, the exhibition hall that gathered domestic new ene...

BANGKOK, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The World Table Tennis (WTT) Championships Star Contender 2023 in Bangkok recorded another surprise result in the men's singles as world No. 5 Liang Jingkun of China was defeated here on Thursday. Liang lost to world No. 31 Anton Kallberg of Sweden in the round of 16 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3 after the defeat of Japanese top seed Tomokazu Harimoto in the previous round. China's other three men's singles players advanced to the quarterfinals. In the women's singles, China's Chen Xington and Kuai Man face each other in the quarter-finals after their respective victories on Thursday. The two teamed up to reach the women's doubles final after beating the Romanian duo of Andreea Dragoman and Elizabeta Samara 11-5, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8. Chen also secured a place in the mixed doubles final with Lin Gaoyuan, who himself advanced to the men's doubles final with teammate Lin Shidong. https://nord.news/2023/04/27/china...

STOCKHOLM, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Swedish Armed Forces have completed their rescue efforts in Sudan, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Thursday. A total of 160 people, including 60 Swedish citizens, had been evacuated from the conflict-affected country on seven flights operated by the Swedish Armed Forces, Kristersson told a press conference. In addition, about 40 Swedish citizens left Sudan on flights operated by other countries, and several others left the country on their own, says Kristersson. A violent clash broke out between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15 in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and other locations. The two sides agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire on Tuesday. More than 400 people have been killed and over 3,000 injured since the unrest began, according to the World Health Organization. On April 19, the Swedish government decided to deploy the country's armed forces to support the Swedish embassy in Khar...

SHANGHAI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- No longer satisfied with existing markets, including Southeast Asia and Latin America, more Chinese automakers are now setting their sights on the European market. At the ongoing Auto Shanghai 2023 exhibition, emerging Chinese car brands such as ZEEKR, NETA and HiPhi announced their plans to go to Europe, which is dominated by established global car giants. ZEEKR, an electric vehicle (EV) brand of Chinese auto giant Geely, unveiled its ambitious global growth strategy at the auto show. Its first vehicle for Europe will debut in Sweden and the Netherlands this year. Spiros Fotinos, CEO of ZEEKR Europe, said the company will enter most of Western Europe by 2026 and aims to become a leading brand in the electric car market in Europe by 2030. "European consumers are increasingly ready to make the transition to electric cars and are more open than ever to new technology brands - especially ones that focus purely on electric vehicl...