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☆ A hacker got 6 years in prison for stealing therapy notes and blackmailing patients
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Hacker Aleksanteri 'Julius' Kivimäki was sentenced to over six years in prison. He was found guilty of hacking a therapy company to steal notes and blackmail thousands of patients. AdvertisementA Finnish hacker has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison after he was found guilty of stealing confidential therapy notes to blackmail thousands of patients. According to BBC News, Kivimäki demanded a ransom of more than 400,000 euros, or $426,818, from the therapy company in 2020. A trove of confidential information then surfaced on the dark web, including patients' personal details, Social Security numbers, and sensitive therapist and doctor notes from sessions.

Persons: Hacker Aleksanteri, Julius, Kivimäki, —, Aleksanteri Organizations: Service, Western Uusimaa, BBC News, Associated Press, AP, BBC, National Bureau of Investigation, Health Technology, Informatics, US Department of Health, Human Services Locations: Nordic, France, Finland, bitcoin, Brunswick

☆ The world's happiest countries are targeting net-negative emissions — despite a growing 'greenlash'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

It is aiming to be the first high-income country to reach net zero emissions in 2035 and net negative by 2040. Denmark, which the World Happiness Report recognized as the world's second-happiest country, is targeting net zero by 2045 — and net negative by 2050. Thierry Monasse | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesDanish Climate Minister Lars Aagaard said the need for negative emissions was clear. He added that Denmark's ability to achieve net negative emissions would hinge upon policies implemented over the next five to seven years. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

Persons: Sergei Gapon, Thierry Monasse, Lars Aagaard, Denmark's Aagaard, —, Stefano Guidi, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Kai Mykkänen, Mykkänen, Moscow … Organizations: Afp, Getty, Atlantic ., Agriculture Ministers, CNBC, Lars Aagaard Danish Climate, United Arab Emirates, Union, Nationalist, Former U.S, Finnish Climate Locations: Copenhagen, Denmark, Atlantic, Atlantic . Finland, Finland, Brussels, Belgium, Lars Aagaard Danish, Panama, Europe, Germany, France, Turin, Italy, U.S, November's, Paris, Finnish, Helsinki, Montreal, Beijing, Moscow, of Finland, Neva Guba

London CNN —Prince Harry will return to the United Kingdom in May to celebrate a milestone anniversary of the Invictus Games, the biennial sporting competition he founded a decade ago. It was not immediately clear if the prince will meet with his relatives during the trip next month. Prince Harry talks with wheelchair basketball players during the launch of the Invictus Games at the Copper Box Arena in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in March 2014. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesThe Invictus Games were established by Prince Harry after his deployment in Afghanistan. Winter sports will also be played for the first time at the Vancouver Whistler games, including Alpine skiing and snowboarding, Nordic skiing and biathlon, skeleton and wheelchair curling.

Persons: London CNN — Prince Harry, Duke, Sussex, King Charles ’, Harry, ABC’s, “, ”, I’m, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Queen Elizabeth II, Paul’s, Prince Archie’s, Buckingham, Charles, Naruhito, Masako, Prince Harry, London's Queen Elizabeth, Max Mumby, ” Harry Organizations: London CNN, Invictus Games, London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic, CNN’s Royal, Invictus, Vancouver Whistler, First Nations Locations: United Kingdom, London’s St, Paul’s, United States, St, London's Queen, Afghanistan, Vancouver, Whistler, Canada

☆ I’m a happiness expert from Denmark: Here are 3 phrases we use every day
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Meik Wiking | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

As the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, my work is dedicated to measuring and understanding what improves people's wellbeing and overall quality of life. We're based in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, one of the countries that is consistently ranked the happiest in the world. As someone who was born and raised in Denmark, I'm often asked about what makes Danish people so content. If you want an indication of how we approach life and think about happiness here, you can find the answer in these three phrases we use every day. 'There is no such thing as bad weather — only bad clothing'This is an old Danish expression without any clear origin.

Persons: We're, I'm, Danes, hygge Organizations: Happiness Research, London School of Economics Locations: Copenhagen, Denmark, Nordic, Hygge

☆ Carrier, the century-old inventor of the air conditioner, is moving on to the home heat pump
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Bob Woods | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

Andrew Aitchison | In Pictures | Getty ImagesIn case you haven't noticed, heat pumps are hot. But there are other reasons why heat pumps are fast becoming popular with homeowners. All of this is transforming Carrier Global , the nearly 100-year-old manufacturer whose founder, Willis Carrier, invented air conditioning. Heat pumps have a history dating back to 1850s The thermodynamic science behind heat pumps was developed in the 1850s, when the first ones were invented, and they've been used in homes since the 1960s. Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from a cool space to a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer.

Persons: CARR, Andrew Aitchison, Willis Carrier, David Gitlin, Carrier, Hakan Yilmaz, Yilmaz, they've, Michael Kretschmer, Sebastian Kowalski, Kretschmer, Tobie Stanger, Dave Lis, Viessmann, Milena Oliveira, Oliveira, Mark Prodan, Prodan, There's Organizations: Carrier Global, United Technologies, Solutions, East Trade Policy, Getty, International Energy Agency ., U.S . Climate Alliance, Consumer, Energy Efficiency, Carrier, M, Energy Star Locations: Gardens , Florida, Saxony, Leipzig, America, U.S, Maine, Michigan, Indian, Connecticut, New York State

☆ How electric trucks are becoming the norm for moving cargo
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Jonathan Keane | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Drayage trucks, which bring cargo from ports to warehouses nearby, must make the move to electric by 2035 in the U.S. state. Transitioning fleets to electricAcross the Atlantic, Dutch brewer Heineken recently partnered with Swedish electric truck start-up Einride to make the transition to electric. Getting more electric trucks to carry cargo on the road, especially for long-distance journeys, will need to be spearheaded by cargo owners that want their goods moved sustainably. Many of the new trucks will be deployed in markets where DFDS has not yet moved to electric trucks, including in the U.K. In California, Lime's use of electric trucks has been driven by legislation that states all drayage trucks must be zero-emissions by 2035.

Persons: Andrew Savage, we've, Savage, Arjen van der Woude, that's, van der Woude, Sweden's, Robert Falck, " Falck, Lime's Savage Organizations: PT Vale, Hight Logistics, CNBC, Heineken, DFDS, Volvo Locations: PT Vale Indonesia, China, California, U.S ., North America, Los Angeles, Long, Canada, Dutch, Swedish, Netherlands, Germany, Europe, Rotterdam

☆ Was Jesus a man of color? Why this question matters more than ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( John Blake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

But the question over the color of Jesus’ skin is a serious one this Easter, for two reasons. But there are some who say Jesus’ color should stay the same, or that it doesn’t matter at all. He concedes that there are barriers to worshipping a White Jesus that he, a White man, may not understand. Jesus didn’t simply care about the poor, he was poor.”Cleveland tells CNN that people who say Jesus’ color wasn’t important ignore history. She says the experience taught her how much White Christian nationalism and the White Jesus have merged.

Persons: CNN — Christena Cleveland, Thomas ”, Jesus, —, Cleveland, Thor, ”, Jesus didn’t, Megyn Kelly, “, Trump, Donald Trump, Al Drago, Gentile, Warner, he’s, Sallman, Edward J, Blum, Jesus Christ, Mario Tama, Christina L, Barr, ” Barr, he’d, coon, ” Antony Pinol, Pinol, God, Jesus doesn’t, ” Pino, Jeff Hutchens, Albert Cleage, George Floyd, Black, Dante Stewart, ” “, ” Stewart, James Cone, Toni Morrison, White, ‘ ’ Blum, MAGA, White MAGA Jesus, Paul Weaver, Drew Angerer, Jesus ’, Frederick Buechner, John Blake Organizations: CNN, Cleveland, TSA, Fox News, Bloomberg, Getty, CARE, New York Times, Christ, America, Communist Party, Warner, Republican Party, Black Tea News, Pennsylvania State Capitol, Christianity Locations: Cleveland, Hollywood, barbershops, Santa Claus, America, White, Avoca , Pennsylvania, Israel, Port, Prince, Haiti, Africa, Dillon , South Carolina, Asia, Southern, Eastern Europe, Rome, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania, Gaza, New York City

☆ Tesla's stock wraps up one of its worst quarters on record as global dominance wanes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Lora Kolodny | In Lorakolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

Deliveries are the closest approximation of sales reported by Tesla but are not precisely defined in the company's shareholder communications. Tesla's Model 3 is about $4,000 more than that. Aging lineup, early days for Cybertruck While EV sales are still gaining popularity worldwide, the growth rate has slowed. In a push for end-of-quarter sales, Musk recently mandated that all sales and service staff install and demo FSD for customers before they hand over their cars. Despite its name, Tesla's premium option requires a human driver at the wheel, ready to steer or brake at any moment.

Persons: Florence Lo, Tesla, Troy Teslike, Tesla's, China's BYD, BYD, Lei Jun, Emmanuel Rosner, Rosner, Elon Musk, Krisztian Bocsi, Rohan Patel, Musk, Sandy Munro, Forbes, Larry Magid, Donald Trump, He's, he's, Investor Ross Gerber, who've, Brad Gerstner, Gerstner, FSD Organizations: Reuters, FactSet, Independent, Qin, Tesla's, China Passenger Car Association, Bloomberg, Deutsche Bank, Tesla, Volvo, Elon, Tesla Inc, Getty, IF Metall, IF Metall's, IF, Pew Research, Gallup, Investor, CNBC, Bears, S3 Partners, U.S Locations: Beijing, China, China In China, Shanghai, Europe, Red Sea, Iran, Gruenheide, Germany, Brandenburg, Berlin, Swedish, Sweden, U.S, Austin , Texas, San Jose , California, Fremont , California, Florida, Haiti, Texas, Delaware

☆ US Marines don skis in joint NATO exercises in the critical Arctic battleground
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Last month, II MEF attended a 10-day training course in the hills near the Norwegian town of Setermoen. "I think that's one of the things that we see with our marines and sailors in this training," said II MEF commander, Lt. AdvertisementThe II MEF, the US military's rapid response group, was ordered to delay the hypothetical enemy so that "reinforcements" had time to arrive. The Arctic is a key locationThe Arctic itself is already a critical region for Russia and NATO. AdvertisementPutin has snapped back at the West following French President Emmanuel Macron's suggestions that NATO could send troops to Ukraine.

Persons: —, Ted Driscoll, David A, JONATHAN NACKSTRAND, Grant Schapps, Pål Jonson, Mark Stephens, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Emmanuel Macron's, Sergei Naryshkin, General Carl, Johan Edstrom, it's Organizations: Service, US Marines, Marine Expeditionary Force, NATO, Marines, Business, NBC News, Nato Nordic, Getty, Reuters, NBC, Norwegian Communication Authority, Brookings Institution, Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, BBC Locations: Alaska, Norway, Norwegian, Setermoen, Iraq, Afghanistan, AFP, Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, North America, Europe, Russian

☆ Finland follows France and raises possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine, says report
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Finland's Foreign Minister says the West shouldn't rule out deploying troops against Russia. AdvertisementFinland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said the West can't rule out the possibility of deploying troops against Russia, Politico reports. "We are not right now sending any troops and not willing to discuss that," she said. He again said that sending Western troops into Ukraine shouldn't be ruled out, though he said the current situation doesn't require it, AP reported. Despite the Biden administration's firm stance against sending US troops to Ukraine, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stressed on Friday that the decision ultimately lies with individual nations.

Persons: Elina Valtonen, Macron, —, Valtonen, Emmanuel Macron, Le Monde, Olaf Scholz, Putin, Vladimir Putin, ALEXANDER NEMENOV, Ukraine shouldn't, Jonathan NACKSTRAND, Ivo Daalder, Kurt Volker, John Kirby Organizations: Finland's, Politico, Service, NATO, Stalin's Red Army, Getty, Reuters, AP, NATO Nordic, AFP, Biden, National Security Locations: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Soviet Union, Moscow, Paris, Ukraine, Russian, Swedish, AFP Ukraine, Avdiivka

Norway has had massive success with EV adoption — 82% of new cars sold in the country in 2023 were electric, according to the Norwegian Road Federation. This high adoption rate can be attributed to the generous subsidies the Scandinavian country has offered to electric vehicle owners as well as its investment in charging infrastructure. Tesla's early foothold there has made Norway a pivotal proving ground for the company and a national model for electric vehicle transition. Norwegians were the first European customers to receive deliveries of the Tesla Model S in 2013. CNBC traveled to Norway to meet with local people, government officials and experts to find out how Tesla has become so successful in the Scandinavian country.

Persons: Elon Musk, Tesla Organizations: Norwegian Road Federation, Nordic, Tesla, Toyota, Skoda, Volkswagen, CNBC Locations: Norway

☆ I’m a psychologist in Finland, the No. 1 happiest country in the world: 4 phrases we use every day
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Frank Martela | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

For the last six years, Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world. I've lived here most of my life, and as a psychologist and happiness researcher, I'm often asked: what exactly makes people in Finland so satisfied with their lives? However, research has shown that those most desperately seeking happiness tend to be less happy. 'Who has happiness should hide it'In Finland, we tend to believe that if you've found happiness, you shouldn't show it. 'The pessimist will never be disappointed'This is an old Finnish saying without any clear origin.

Persons: I've, I'm, you've, Eino Leino, It's, Charles Peirce, Faber Organizations: Nordic Locations: Finland, Helsinki, American, Rome

☆ Many of the world’s happiest countries are also the best for women, research shows—here’s why
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the organization behind the World Happiness Report, uses six factors to score countries' happiness: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity and absence of corruption. The WEF compares countries' gender gaps across four dimensions: economic opportunities; educational attainment; health and survival; and political empowerment. It's no coincidence that the world's happiest countries also champion gender equality socially and economically. How Nordic countries use social policies to promote gender equality and happinessIn its research, the WEF establishes a clear correlation between social policies, families' happiness and women's career advancement. The Nordic countries — Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Norway — have some of the most generous paid leave policies for parents in the world.

Persons: Alexa, Norway's, Linda Akeson McGurk, McGurk Organizations: UN Sustainable Development Solutions, Sweden, Organisation for Economic Co, Development Locations: American, Bergen, Norway, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, New Zealand, U.S, Swedish

☆ I lived in Finland for 3 years. Even as an international student, I got a taste of why it's the happiest country in the world.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Mahmudul Islam | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Finland has a reputation for being the happiest country in the world. AdvertisementFinland has been dubbed the world's happiest country for six consecutive years by the World Happiness Report. But happiness in Finland doesn't mean everyone is smiling from ear to ear or that there's a carnival atmosphere on every street. The holy grail of going to school in Finland was receiving free educationI loved my time living and going to school in Finland. AdvertisementBecause of this support from public institutions, Finns enjoy free healthcare and free education from elementary school through university, among other benefits.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Nordic, EU Locations: Finland

☆ Russia isn't ready for the surprise NATO attack its strategists foresee
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russian strategists argue its military needs more robust systems to defend against a NATO surprise attack that would come in the form of conventional missile strikes, a warning that comes as NATO conducts a massive exercise near Russia's northern border. How exactly NATO would attack Russia in this scenario is unclear, though the Russian analysts seem to be describing what the US military would call "multi-domain operations." The attack would be preceded by "provocations" to justify a war, as well as the deployment of forces near Russia. This perceived NATO strategy of massive strikes risks compelling Russia to use its nuclear weapons, especially tactical nukes, to defend itself. Ironically, the missile strike that Russian military experts accuse the West of planning is a mirror image of how Russia itself would fight a war.

Persons: —, David Petraeus, Cpl, Christopher Hernandez, That's, Julian Waller, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, NATO, TASS, Russian Aerospace Forces, CIA, Army, Marine Corps, US, Corps, Nordic, Kremlin, Russian Air Force, Center for Naval Analyses, West, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Russia, Russia's, Ukraine, Andenes, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Barents, Arlington , Virginia, Forbes

☆ Sweden formally joins NATO military alliance, ending centuries of neutrality
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft takes off from Lulea-Kallax Airport, Sweden on March 4, 2024 during the NATO Nordic Response 24 military exercise, a Norwegian national exercise carried out in northern Sweden, Norway and Finland with associated airspace and waters. Sweden officially joined NATO as its 32nd member on Thursday, almost two years after first applying to the military alliance. "Sweden's accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer, and the whole Alliance more secure. The country first applied to join NATO in May 2022, not long after Russia's war on Ukraine began. This marked a significant change in Sweden's previous policy of military nonalignment which stretches back to the Napoleonic wars.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Ulf Kristersson Organizations: Kallax, NATO, Alliance, Washington , D.C Locations: Lulea, Sweden, Norwegian, Norway, Finland, Swedish, Washington ,, Ukraine

☆ We moved to Finland and aren't sure it's the 'happiest country in the world' — but we have no regrets
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Kovalonoks and Goswami got married in Turku, Finland, in August 2023. We think Finland is a good place to raise childrenMegha: We rent an apartment in Turku, a few kilometers from the city center. Megha: We would like to have a family of our own someday, and we think Finland is a good place to raise children. Courtesy of QpidindiaWe think expats in Finland face unique challengesMegha: Finland has been named the happiest country in the world six times in a row in the World Happiness Report. I think Finland has several things that allow people to be content, such as work-life balance and good healthcare and education.

Persons: —, Kristaps Kovalonoks, Megha Goswami, Megha, wasn't, Kristaps, Kovalonoks, Goswami, Barbara Kaucher, we're, We've, that's, I've Organizations: Service, University of Turku, Business Locations: Finland, Estonian, Latvia, India, Turku, Nordic, Riga

☆ We've traveled to 91 countries and found 3 hidden gems for seasoned travelers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

After visiting all 50 states and 51 national parks, they've traveled to over 91 countries. Hidden gems in Denmark, Latvia, and Greece were their favorite destinations in the world. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Faroe Islands, DenmarkFaroe Islands, Denmark. Faroe Islands, Denmark.

Persons: John, Beverly Martin, they've, —, John Martin, Beverly, dirk moll John, There's, James Bond, Roberto Moiola Beverly, Marcus Lindstrom John, Maremagnum Beverly, Vasilis, Beverly Martin John, Folegandros Organizations: Service, Zeppelin, Beverly Locations: Florida, Denmark, Latvia, Greece, Faroe Islands, Denmark Faroe Islands, Faroe, Iceland, Scotland, Norway, Riga, Latvia Riga, It's, Europe, Beverly, Folegandros, Greece Folegandros, Santorini, There's

☆ He booked a one-way ticket to Thailand the day after finishing high school. Now he’s a top Bangkok chef
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Philipp Meier | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“I’m both a night and morning person,” says the Swedish-born executive head chef of Nordic-Asian fusion restaurant Villa Frantzen, one of only two Nordic restaurants in Thailand’s capital. Courtesy Villa Frantzén Restaurant & Bar“The broad spectrum you gain from exploring cuisines from all over the world is what lends every chef a unique skill set and better fundament for creation. Courtesy Villa Frantzén Restaurant & BarA dish of grilled duck and endive. Courtesy Villa Frantzén Restaurant & Bar“And I can go a long time with few hours of sleep a night. Villa Frantzén – Restaurant & Bar, 7 Soi Yen Akat 3, Chong Nonsi, Bangkok; +66 (0)87 344 8222.

Persons: “, ”, Corneliussen, ” Corneliussen, didn’t, Villa, Copenhagen –, Björn Frantzen, he’s, It’s, Chong Nonsi Organizations: Bangkok CNN, Villa, Nordic, Muay, CNN, Villa Frantzen, Michelin, Frantzen Locations: Bangkok, Swedish, Thailand’s, “, Thailand, Thai, Muay Thai, Sweden, Europe, Bangkok's Sathorn, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Asia, Thai Kingdom, Bangkok’s Sathorn, Bangkok’s

☆ Ego, Putin or Jets? Reasons for Orban’s Stance on Sweden Perplex Many.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

It took 19 months of broken promises and belligerent rhetoric for Hungary to finally ratify Sweden’s entry into NATO. Why all the foot-dragging, many observers wondered, when Hungary was going to approve the Nordic country’s membership of the military alliance anyway? That question has perplexed even members of Hungary’s governing party, Fidesz, according to Peter Ungar, an opposition legislator. He said he had been approached by one Fidesz lawmaker, in the run-up to Monday’s vote in Parliament to accept NATO’s expansion, and asked: “‘What the hell is going on with Sweden?’”That a member of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s governing party would seek an explanation from a rival politician is a measure of how puzzled even allies of the Hungarian leader, never mind his opponents, became over their country delaying NATO’s expansion.

Persons: Peter Ungar, Viktor Orban’s Organizations: NATO, Nordic, Fidesz Locations: Hungary, Sweden

☆ Nordic countries are struggling to fly planes because Russian jamming is screwing with GPS: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Countries bordering Russia in northern Europe are reporting GPS jamming, The Barents Observer said. Russian electronic warfare is believed to be responsible, the report added. AdvertisementRussian electronic warfare appears to be jamming GPS for ships and planes in the far north of Europe. It added that GPS disturbances were reported by airliners and air ambulances flying from Kirkenes and other towns in the far northeast of Norway. AdvertisementPolice and national authorities told the Barents Observer that GPS jamming could impact emergency services.

Persons: —, Dagens Næringsliv, Joakim Paasikivi, Trond Eirik Nilsen Organizations: Barents Observer, West, Service, Norwegian Communication Authority, Russia, The Telegraph, Business, NATO, Swedish Defense University, Swedish, SVT, Advertisement Police, Finnmark Police Locations: Russia, Europe, Russian, Norway, Finland, Ukraine, Kirkenes, Finnmark, Poland, Baltic, Kaliningrad

☆ Hungary’s Parliament Approves Sweden’s NATO Bid After Stalling
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Hungary’s Parliament voted on Monday to approve Sweden as a new member of NATO, allowing the Nordic country to clear a final hurdle that had blocked its membership and held up efforts by the military alliance to isolate Russia over its war in Ukraine. The measure passed after a vote of 188 for and only 6 against in the 199-member Parliament, which is dominated by legislators from the governing Fidesz party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. On Friday, after his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, made a visit to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, Mr. Orban declared the end of a monthslong spat with Sweden over its membership of NATO. Hungary had been stalling for 19 months on ratifying Sweden’s admission, a delay that had puzzled and exasperated the United States and other members of the alliance, raising questions about Hungary’s reliability as a member of the alliance.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Ulf Kristersson, Orban Organizations: NATO, Nordic, Fidesz Locations: Sweden, Russia, Ukraine, Budapest, Hungary, United States

☆ Sweden clears final hurdle in bid to join NATO after Hungary approves accession
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Joshua Berlinger | Stephanie Halasz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Of the 194 members of parliament who voted, just six rejected Sweden’s accession. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that Sweden will join the alliance now that all allies have approved Sweden’s bid to join. As NATO states, Finland and Sweden will enjoy the protection granted under Article 5 of the treaty that established the alliance – which states that an attack on one member is considered an attack against all. While most NATO members quickly approved Finland and Sweden’s applications, Hungary and Turkey held out for some time. Video Ad Feedback Turkish parliament approves Sweden's NATO membership bid 01:05 - Source: CNNShortly after the Turkish vote, Orban told NATO chief Stoltenberg that his government would also support Swedish membership.

Persons: CNN —, Vladimir Putin, Ulf Kristersson, Viktor Orban, Sweden’s, ” Kristersson, Jens Stoltenberg, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Orban, Stoltenberg, Putin, Luke McGee, Lauren Kent Organizations: CNN, NATO, Stockholm, Swedish, Gripen, “, United, Russia, Ukraine, Union, EU, Sweden’s, Budapest, Kyiv Locations: Budapest, Hungary, Swedish, “ Sweden, Sweden, United States, Atlantic Treaty, Eastern Europe, Russia’s, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Stockholm, EU, Europe, Israel

☆ Orban Gives Green Light to Sweden’s NATO Bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Andrew Higgins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary on Friday declared an end to a monthslong spat with Sweden over the expansion of NATO, saying that a visit by his Swedish counterpart had rebuilt trust and paved the way for the Hungarian Parliament to vote on Monday to ratify the Nordic nation’s membership in the alliance. “We are ready to fight for each other, to give our lives for each other,” Mr. Orban said at a joint news conference in Budapest, the Hungarian capital, with the visiting Swedish leader, Ulf Kristersson. Hungary has been the last holdout in endorsing Sweden’s NATO membership. The sudden warming of relations between the two countries followed a decision by Sweden to provide Hungary with four Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets in addition to the 14 its air force already uses, and a promise that Saab, the maker of the warplanes, will open an artificial intelligence research center in Hungary. Hungary had been stalling for 19 months on ratifying Sweden’s admission to NATO, a delay that had puzzled and exasperated the United States and other members of the military alliance.

Persons: Viktor Orban of Hungary, Mr, Orban, Ulf Kristersson Organizations: Friday, NATO, Swedish, Nordic, Gripen, Saab Locations: Sweden, Budapest, Swedish, Hungary, United States

☆ Marine Corps artists brave combat and harsh conditions to sketch troops in action
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Lauren Frias | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Combat artists captured Marines braving the cold as they practiced defending NATO's northern flank. Over 20,000 troops are participating in a military exercise in Norway known as Nordic Response 24. The exercise is part of NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024, the alliance's largest wargame since the Cold War. AdvertisementCombat artists in Norway captured Marines braving frigid temperatures and snow during military exercises known as Nordic Response 24. Nordic Response is part of NATO's Steadfast Defender 2024, the alliance's largest military exercise since the Cold War.

Persons: — Organizations: Marines, Service, NATO, Kremlin Locations: Norway, Russia, Ukraine

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