The Dispatch

Man sets himself on fire in front of U.S. embassy in Denmark

COPENHAGEN, April 21 (Reuters) - An 18-year-old Danish man set himself on fire in front of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen on Friday, police said. The fire was put out…

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Swedish govt sees deeper downturn as it launches inflation-focused budget bill

STOCKHOLM, April 17 (Reuters) - The economic downturn in Sweden this year will be somewhat deeper than initially thought, the government said in a fresh economic forecast on Monday as…

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Almost 25,000 Norwegian industry workers to go on strike

Strike action among Norwegian private sector workers Construction, breweries, manufacturing among those affected Conflict set to escalate in the coming days Oil and gas production unaffected OSLO, (Reuters) - Almost…

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Criminal network transporting drugs via trucks between Spain and Sweden broken up

Joint actions of the Spanish National Police (Policia National) and the Swedish National Police (Polisen), supported by Europol, have led to the dismantling of a criminal network transporting drugs via…

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Finland starts fence on Russian border amid migration, security concerns

By Anne Kauranen IMATRA, Finland (Reuters) - Finland is building the first stretch of a fence on its border with Russia, less than two weeks after it joined the NATO…

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After 18 years, Europe’s largest nuclear reactor starts regular output

Construction of Finland's OL3 reactor began in 2005 Work was originally schedule for completion in 2009 Completion boosts Finland's energy security Reactor is expected to produce for 60 years or…

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Far-right Finns Party moves to ECR group in EU Parliament

The far-right Finns Party has decided to leave the nationalist Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament to join the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), the party…

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UPDATED: Swedish prosecutor says state sponsored group still most likely Nord Stream culprit

STOCKHOLM, April 6 (Reuters) - The Swedish prosecutor investigating the Nord Stream blasts said on Thursday that "the clear main scenario" was that a state sponsored group was behind the…

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What can Finland’s armed forces and arsenal offer NATO?

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland joined NATO on Tuesday, bringing the Western defence alliance significant military capabilities developed over the years. Finland is one of few European countries to have retained…

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Finland’s Marin steps down as party leader

HELSINKI, April 5 (Reuters) - Finland's outgoing Prime Minister Sanna Marin is stepping down as leader of the Social Democratic party, she said on Wednesday, adding she will serve as…

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Finland joins NATO in historic shift, Russia threatens ‘counter-measures’

Finland ends military non-alignment adhered to since 1945 NATO accession spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine Finland has made dangerous historical mistake, Russia says By Anne Kauranen and Andrew Gray…

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Finnish centre-right eyes coalition talks as defeated Marin considers future

Outgoing Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin was left to consider her future after she conceded defeat in a tight parliamentary election on Sunday that handed her centre-right rival Petteri Orpo…

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Petteri Orpo, Finland’s likely next prime minister

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Here is a profile of Finland's conservative National Coalition Party leader Petteri Orpo, who said he would have the first chance of forming a coalition government after…

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UPDATED: Finland to officially join NATO on Tuesday

Finland will officially become a member of NATO on Tuesday, the Finnish president's office has announced. The announcement was also confirmed by NATO's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, who said the…

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UPDATED: Finnish centre-right eyes coalition talks as defeated Marin considers future

HELSINKI, April 3 (Reuters) - Outgoing Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin was left to consider her future after she conceded defeat in a tight parliamentary election on Sunday that handed…

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Finland’s Marin faces tough re-election bid in national election

By Anne Kauranen and Essi Lehto HELSINKI, April 2 (Reuters) - Finns cast ballots in a closely contested parliamentary election on Sunday that could cost left-wing Prime Minister Sanna Marin…

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Finland’s Marin in battle over state spending to stay in power

Polls show three parties running neck-and-neck Opposition calling for cuts in government spending Early results due when polls close at 1700 GMT on Sunday By Anne Kauranen HELSINKI (Reuters) -…

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Denmark acknowledges military shortcomings as it hosts large NATO drill

OKSBOL, Denmark, (Reuters) - Denmark has major shortcoming in its ability to defend its territory and meet its NATO commitments despite pledges to increase defence spending, its army chief said,…

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Sweden summons Russia’s ambassador over “legitimate target” statement

Sweden's foreign ministry said on Wednesday it will summon Russia's Stockholm ambassador to complain about an "attempt at interference" with the Swedish NATO application process.Sweden and Finland in 2022 both…

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Hungary parliament backs Finland’s NATO accession, Swedish bid pending

Hungary's parliament approved a bill on Monday to allow Finland to join NATO once its application has been ratified by all 30 members of the alliance, ending months of foot-dragging…

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Nordic countries plan joint air defence to counter Russian threat

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Air force commanders from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark said on Friday they have signed a letter of intent to create a unified Nordic air defence aimed…

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UPDATED: Kremlin: important to identify object found next to Nord Stream pipeline

MOSCOW, March 24 (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Friday said it was important to identify an object discovered next to one of the Nord Stream pipelines, and said the ongoing…

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Finland should not give Hornet fighter jets to Ukraine, says defence minister

HELSINKI, March 23 (Reuters) - Finland's defence minister on Thursday said he did not want to donate Hornet fighter jets to Ukraine, despite a Ukrainian request for such planes to help with its…

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Denmark cuts GDP forecast for 2023

COPENHAGEN, March 23 (Reuters) - The Danish government expects Denmark's economy to grow by 0.2% this year, down from an August forecast of 0.8%, according to a finance ministry report…

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In case affecting oil, Norway Supreme Court says EU ships cannot fish Arctic snow crab

Ruling has implications for oil, minerals Non-EU Norway has sovereignty over Svalbard Arctic islands State can sue Norway -expert By Gwladys Fouche OSLO, March 20 (Reuters) - Norway's Supreme Court…

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Denmark deems Syrian province safe for returning refugees, worrying UNHCR

By Johannes Birkebaek and Nikolaj Skydsgaard COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - The Danish Refugee Appeals Board deemed it safe for Syrian refugees to return to Latakia province in the western part of…

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NATO’s Stoltenberg hails Turkish move on Finland membership, sees Sweden joining soon

BRUSSELS, March 17 (Reuters) - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday hailed Turkey's decision to move ahead with ratifying Finland's bid for membership of the military alliance and said he was confident…

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Sweden prepares legislation that would block risky foreign investments

STOCKHOLM, March 16 (Reuters) - Sweden will propose a law this year to allow scrutiny of foreign direct investments in Swedish companies and block those that pose a risk to…

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Denmark’s central bank sees 4% inflation this year, risk of wage-price spiral

COPENHAGEN, March 15 (Reuters) - Denmark's central bank on Wednesday forecast 4% inflation this year, more than half the level in 2022, and warned high wage increases could delay the…

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Swedish inflation soars in February, Riksbank under pressure

Headline inflation 9.4%, in line with c.bank forecast Ex-energy inflation 9.3% vs Riksbank's forecast of 8.0% Next rate decision on April 26 C.bank forecast is for 25 or 50 bps…

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Russian flag painted on base of Denmark’s “Little Mermaid” statue

COPENHAGEN, March 2 (Reuters) - A Russian flag was discovered painted onto the base of Denmark's "The Little Mermaid" statue on Thursday in what police said was a "case of…

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Thunberg, other protesters block Norway energy ministry over wind farms

OSLO, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg and dozens of other activists on Monday blocked entrances to Norway's energy ministry, protesting against wind turbines built on land traditionally used by…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Helsinki, Finland

An aerial photo taken by a drone shows an ice carousel with its center decorated in the national colours of Ukraine on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion in…

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Denmark ‘open’ to delivering F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

COPENHAGEN, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Denmark is "open" to the idea of sending fighter jets to Ukraine to help its war effort against the Russian invasion, the Danish defence minister…

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Norway inflation seen at 4.8% in 2023, pay commission says

OSLO, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Norwegian headline inflation is forecast to fall to 4.8% in 2023 from 5.8% last year, when it was at its highest since the 1980s, a…

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Finland wants to join NATO at the same time as Sweden – PM Marin

MUNICH, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Saturday her country was aiming to join NATO at the same time as neighbouring Sweden. Finland has made this desire…

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Russia deploys nuclear-armed ships for first time in 30 years

Russia has begun deploying tactical nuclear weapon-armed vessels in the Baltic Sea for the first time in the last 30 years, the Norwegian Intelligence Service said in its annual report.…

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Airline SAS network hit by hackers

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Scandinavian airline SAS said it was hit by a cyber attack Tuesday evening and urged customers to refrain from using its app but later said it had…

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NATO’s Stoltenberg will not seek another extension of his term – spokesperson

BERLIN, Feb 12 (Reuters) - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will end his term as planned in October, a spokesperson for the alliance said, after a newspaper reported a further extension was in…

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Denmark agrees aid package to cushion blow from inflation

COPENHAGEN, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Denmark's government has agreed with parliament to spend 2.4 billion Danish crowns ($346.12 million) on an aid package aimed at easing the blow from higher…

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Finland to discuss NATO ratification that may leave Sweden behind

HELSINKI, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Finnish parliamentary groups are expected to discuss on Friday when to ratify NATO's founding treaties, in a move that could lead the country to proceed…

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Sweden increasingly a focus for Islamic extremists, SAPO security police say

STOCKHOLM, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Sweden has moved into the spotlight for violent Islamic extremists globally after a number of incidents including the recent public burning of the Muslim holy…

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Norway plans $7 billion aid to Ukraine over five years

OSLO, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Norway's prime minister will on Monday propose that his country provides aid to war-torn Ukraine of some 75 billion Norwegian crown ($7.3 billion) in total…

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Thousands of Danes protest cancelling of public holiday

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Thousands of people gathered in Copenhagen on Sunday to protest a bill put forward by the government to a scrap a public holiday to help finance increased…

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Norway to order 54 new army tanks from Germany

OSLO, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Norway will order 54 new German-made Leopard 2 tanks for its army from the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Group, and will get an option to buy a…

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Turkey’s Erdogan signals Finland’s NATO bid may be considered over Sweden

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan signalled on Sunday that Ankara may agree to Finland joining NATO ahead of Sweden, amid growing tensions with Stockholm. "We may deliver Finland…

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EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Nittedal, Norway

Surrounded by ice and snow covered trees, ducks swim in open water in a small river in Nittedal, some 30 km north of Oslo, Norway. Photo: EPA-EFE/PAUL KLEIVEN

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Sweden tells citizens to avoid crowds in Turkey after Koran burning

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden's foreign ministry on Saturday warned Swedes in Turkey to avoid crowds and demonstrations following protests there over the burning of the Koran by a far-right politician…

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Norway finds ‘substantial’ mineral resources on its seabed

A Norwegian study has found a "substantial" amount metals and minerals ranging from copper to rare earth metals on the seabed of its extended continental shelf, authorities said on Friday…

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Denmark’s supreme court to rule on Danes’ right to fly foreign flags

Denmark’s supreme court will rule on whether citizens should be allowed to fly a foreign flag after a couple were ordered to take down their star-spangled banner. The hearing will…

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Norway’s oil and gas tax revenue soars to record $89 bln

OSLO, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Norway's estimated tax revenue from the oil and gas industry rose by 200% last year to a record 884 billion Norwegian crowns ($89.3 billion), almost…

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Norwegian police question ex-Wagner commander about time in Ukraine

Norwegian police have begun questioning a former commander of Russia's Wagner mercenary group who recently fled to Norway about his time in Ukraine, police said on Tuesday. Andrei Medvedev, who…

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Finland says timeout needed in talks with Turkey over NATO bid

Finland's foreign minister said on Tuesday a timeout of a few weeks is needed in the talks between Finland, Sweden and Turkey on the two Nordic nations' plans to join…

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Former Wagner commander faces deportation from Norway – Russian rights group

OSLO, Jan 23 (Reuters) - A former commander of Russia's Wagner mercenary group who recently fled to Norway has been apprehended by police, an official said on Monday, and a…

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Protests in Stockholm, including Koran-burning, draw condemnation from Turkey

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Protests in Stockholm on Saturday against Turkey and Sweden's bid to join NATO, including the burning of a copy of the Koran, sharply heightened tensions with Turkey…

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Sweden, Finland must send up to 130 “terrorists” to Turkey for NATO bid, Erdogan says

Sweden and Finland must deport or extradite up to 130 "terrorists" to Turkey before the Turkish parliament will approve their bids to join NATO, President Tayyip Erdogan said. The two…

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Sweden finds Europe’s largest deposit of rare earth metals in race against China

LKAB identifies over 1 mln tonnes of resources Company to apply for concession to develop site Mining of deposit still seen 10-15 years away Could in time reduce EU dependence…

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