It's minus 40C in Sweden and Finland as Nordic cold snap brings winter's coldest temperatures

Sweden prepares for Eurovision amidst fears of protests, cyberattacks and unrest

Security preparations for this year’s Eurovision come as Sweden is considered by police to be a “priority target” for Islamist terrorist groups. Add concerns over planned protests regarding Israel's involvement, cyberattacks and Sweden's NATO membership, and 2024's contest seems overcast by fear.

Watch: Swedish city of Malmo opens new ABBA experience

ABBA World celebrates 50 years since the Swedish foursome won the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit song, Waterloo, in 1974. The exhibition fuses aspects of the supergroup, past and present.

Negotiations on Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution Reach Critical Phase

Negotiations on Global Treaty , to End Plastic Pollution , Reach Critical Phase . 'The Independent' reports that negotiators from around the world have met to discuss what could become a global treaty meant to end plastic pollution. . The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution has begun agreeing on treaty language at their fourth of five scheduled plastics summits. The most ambitious and contentious idea revolves around limiting how much plastic can be manufactured globally. As most plastics are made from fossil fuels and chemicals, oil and gas exporters have strongly objected to the limitations, along with plastic-producing countries and companies. According to Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson with the International Council of Chemical Associations, the treaty also focuses on recycling and reuse. . We want to see the treaty completed. We want to work with the governments on implementing it. The private sector has a role to play, Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson with the International Council of Chemical Associations, via 'The Independent'. 'The Independent' reports that the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty provided scientific evidence on plastic pollution at the negotiations. I heard yesterday that there’s no data on microplastics, which is verifiably false: 21,000 publications on micro and nanoplastics have been published, Bethanie Carney Almroth, an ecotoxicology professor at Sweden's University of Gothenburg who co-leads the coalition, via 'The Independent'. Ecuador's chief negotiator, Walter Schuldt stressed that countries present at the negotiation share a common vision of moving forward in the treaty process. Because at the end of the day, we’re talking about the survival of the future of life, not only of human life but all sorts of life on this planet, Walter Schuldt, Ecuador's chief negotiator, via 'The Independent'

This Day in History: Nuclear Disaster at Chernobyl

This Day in History: , Nuclear Disaster at Chernobyl. April 26, 1986. The disaster at Chernobyl, located about 65 miles from Kiev in the former Soviet Union, is the worst nuclear power plant accident to date. 50 tons of radioactive material was released into the atmosphere after an explosion of the Number 4 reactor, caused by an engineering experiment. The 30,000 residents of the nearby community of Pripyat were evacuated the next day. The Soviet government attempted a cover-up. But two days after the disaster, radiation levels 800 miles away in Sweden were detected at 40% higher than the normal level. 32 people were initially killed in the Chernobyl plant. 5,000 Soviets eventually died from radiation-induced illnesses. Millions of acres of forest and farmland across Northern and Eastern Europe were contaminated. The former residents of Pripyat have never returned

Sweden's parliament makes it easier for young people to change gender

The centre-right governing coalition's two biggest parties supported the legislation, which ultimately passed easily.

Finland and Ukraine sign long-term security agreement

The defence aid package provided to Ukraine by Helsinki is worth 188 million euros

Bullying motive for Finland school shooting that killed 12-year-old boy

The Finnish government declared Wednesday a nationwide day of mourning, ordering state agencies and institutions to lower the national flag to half-mast.

Finland Shooting: Several injured in Finnish Primary School Shooting, suspect arrested | Oneindia

Finnish police have reported multiple injuries resulting from a shooting incident at a primary school in Vantaa, a suburb of Helsinki. The authorities swiftly responded to the situation at Viertola school shortly after 9am local time on Tuesday. #FinlandShooting #ViertolaSchool #VantaaShooting #SchoolViolence #SafetyInSchools #StopGunViolence #PrimarySchoolTragedy #CommunitySupport #EndingViolence #ProtectOurChildren ~PR.152~ED.101~GR.124~HT.96~

Finland: 12-year-old student opens fire at a school in Helsinki, wounding 3

The shooting took place at the Viertola school in Vantaa, a suburb of the Finnish capital, with around 800 students and 90 staff.

5 Easter Traditions From Around the World

5 Easter Traditions , From Around the World. Every culture has its own unique holiday traditions rooted in that region's folklore and history. Here are five popular Easter traditions from different locations around the world. 1. Florence, Italy. The firework-packed cart is paraded through the city and set off by the Archbishop during Easter mass. 2. Sweden and Finland. It is common for children to dress up as witches and beg for chocolate in the streets. 3. Corfu, Greece. The tradition welcomes spring by disposing of old pots so new ones can be used to gather the season's crops. 4. Bessières, France. The tradition is said to have begun when Napoleon passed through the town and ordered the townspeople to make a giant Omelette for his army. 5. Jerusalem, Israel. Some who participate in the walk carry a large cross to symbolize Jesus’ painful journey