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Polaris of Enlightenment

Friday, January 24, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/storm-hans-moving-into-scandinavia-heavy-thunderstorms-and-rain-expected/

The Nordics

Storm “Hans” moving into Scandinavia – Heavy thunderstorms and rain expected

Published 7 August 2023
– By Editorial Staff
A total of 25 443 lightning strikes had been recorded by midnight in Sweden alone.
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Storm ‘Hans’ has hit Scandinavia with heavy rainfall, flooding and thousands of lightning strikes. Both Sweden and Norway have been hit hard, with warnings of potentially dangerous conditions and disruptions to infrastructure.

In Sweden, much of the south of the country has been affected by the storm. Lightning strikes have caused fires in both Stockholm and Sörmland. Ferries to Poland from Skåne have been canceled, and wind-sensitive vehicles are advised to avoid the Öresund Bridge. According to reports, a car is stuck in high water near Malmö, and in Jönköping a road has collapsed due to the rain. Meteorological institute SMHI has issued yellow warnings for rain across much of southern and central Sweden, with red warnings for Västra Götaland, Värmland, Jönköping and Örebro counties.

The rescue services have increased their preparedness for flooding, and SOS Alarm has received many calls about flooding on roads, streets and in basements. “I hope that everyone takes care when they are out and about. Be vigilant, follow the weather forecast and don’t go out unnecessarily”, says Linda Bergquist of the SOS Rescue Service.

 

In Norway, meteorologists are warning of some of the heaviest rains in 25 years. Storm ‘Hans’ is moving towards the region, with much of the mountainous area between Oslo and Trondheim on red alert.

The main threat is potential landslides, especially in Sogn og Fjordane, Møre og Romsdal and southern Trøndelag. Residents are advised to stay at home to avoid expected flooding, unless they live in particularly vulnerable areas that may need to be evacuated.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/finland/finnish-security-service-severed-sea-cables-likely-accidental/

Finland

Finnish security service: Severed sea cables likely accidental

The new cold war

Published yesterday 22:48
– By Editorial Staff
The seized tanker Eagle S.
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Finnish authorities are expected to conclude shortly the preliminary investigation against the tanker Eagle S, accused of causing damage to the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia, as well as to several telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea.

Suspicions were initially directed at the Eagle S, which was alleged to have deliberately dragged its anchor along the seabed, thereby damaging the cables.

Finnish authorities boarded the vessel and started questioning the crew. However, Customs announced that no criminal investigation will be opened against the crew, as they are not deemed to have willfully violated any sanctions.

So far, no other evidence has been presented to suggest that the crew intentionally caused the damage. The National Bureau of Investigation has stated that the active preliminary phase of the investigation will soon be completed, reports Helsingin Sanomat via TT.

Despite this, suspicions of gross sabotage against the Eagle S remain. The ship is still seized, and a Finnish court has rejected the owner’s request to release it.

Lack of evidence

Russia has consistently dismissed Western claims that Russian ships deliberately sabotaged the submarine cables as “baseless”. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova argues that the US-led NATO military pact is creating myths to justify an increased presence in the Baltic Sea and to limit Russian oil exports.

It should be noted that no concrete evidence linking Russia to the incident has been presented to date, according to Helsingin Sanomat, citing five sources familiar with the investigation. The information was also confirmed to Hufvudstadsbladet by a source in the Finnish state administration with insight into the case.

In the meantime, Finland and Estonia continue to work on repairs to the damaged cables. Fingrid, Finland’s national grid operator, has requested a court to seize the Eagle S to secure claims for damages related to Estlink 2.

Meanwhile, NATO has increased its presence in the Baltic Sea region in what it describes as “a precautionary measure against potential threats to critical infrastructure”. The other day, Operation Baltic Sentry was launched to patrol and protect important underwater structures such as gas pipelines and internet cables.

The Finnish authorities stress that the investigation into Eagle S is expected to be completed shortly.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/unusually-cold-in-iceland-last-year/

Iceland

Unusually cold in Iceland last year

Published yesterday 11:22
– By Editorial Staff
Snæfellsnes in January 2024.
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2024 was recorded as the coldest year in Iceland in the last 27 years, according to the country’s meteorological office. Temperatures were below average for most of the year.

The national average temperature in Iceland was 0.8°C below the average for the period 1991-2020 last year, Icelandic state broadcaster RUV reports. Winter temperatures were below the national average, and although spring was close to average, April was particularly cold with heavy precipitation and snow in the north-east until the end of the month.

Summer was also unusually cold, with temperatures below normal in all summer months except July. In the fall, November offered an unusual contrast: the first half was very warm, while the second half was significantly colder than average.

According to Veðurstofa Íslands, Iceland’s meteorological office, 2024 was the coldest year since 1998.

The highest temperature of the year, 27.5°C, was recorded at Egilsstaðir Airport in eastern Iceland on July 14. The lowest temperature of the year, -28.6°C, was recorded at Svartárkot in northern Iceland on December 31.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/denmark/light-festival-to-illuminate-copenhagen/

Denmark

Light festival to illuminate Copenhagen

Published 22 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The event runs from January 31 to February 23.
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Copenhagen Light Festival is an annual event that lights up the winter darkness with a spectacular celebration of light art, light design and lighting in central Copenhagen.

More than 50 light installations light up Copenhagen at the beginning of the year, from sculptures and 3D projections to events and light shows. Created by light artists, light designers, students and organizations, the works attract visitors of all ages from all over the world every year.

Visitors can book a guided tour on a canal boat to experience the light installations from the water. For those who prefer something different, there is a “Social Beer Walk”, where you can walk through the light installations while sampling different beers.

The festival also organizes the “Light Run”, a seven-kilometer race through the city where light is the focus. For families, there is a shorter route of three kilometers.

The festival is run by a non-profit organization founded by Tivoli, Stromma, VNR.tv and Louis Poulsen/D Studio Copenhagen. The aim is to use Copenhagen’s unique backdrop to present light art in interaction with the city’s distinctiveness, darkness and aesthetics, interpreting different spaces in new and creative ways.

Most of the light installations are placed along a route in the city center and harbor, but some works are also located in areas outside the city center. To navigate the installations, there are maps and an app to guide visitors.

The festival runs from January 31 to February 23.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-police-300-shootings-last-year/

Sweden

Swedish police: 300 shootings last year

organized crime

Published 21 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The police see a clear decrease in firearms-related violence.
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According to a report by the Swedish Police Authority, firearm violence in Sweden decreased in 2024 for the second consecutive year. Last year, 296 confirmed shootings took place – which is almost 20% lower than in 2023.

– Our assessment is that the decrease is due to our increased ability to prevent and avert acts of violence, says Johan Olsson, head of the police’s national operations department, Noa.

However, he stresses that “the level of conflict and demand for violence” remains high and that gangs continue to try to use digital environments to recruit new members and people who can commit acts of violence.

According to the police, they have become better at apprehending suspected killers quickly and the number of identified suspects per shooting has also increased.

– This means that today we achieve broader prosecutions and can target more of those involved than before, Olsson continues.

The police authority states that over the past two years, it has developed the ability to collect and analyze information, both in terms of hunting down perpetrators and the actual investigative work afterwards. In addition, it is claimed that the ability to bring together information available in local police areas, criminal investigation of serious crimes, intelligence and international activities has been strengthened.

Relatives still “legitimate” targets

Last year, 44 people were killed in firearm violence compared to 54 in 2023 – while 66 were injured. There has also been a slight decrease in the number of relatives and innocent people injured or killed in shootings and explosions.

– Our view is that the approach that emerged in 2023, where family members are seen as legitimate targets, unfortunately persists, notes Johan Olsson.

The police also note that the suspected perpetrators are getting younger and that the proportion of suspects under 18 has more than doubled since 2019.

Last year, a quarter of all suspected shooters were minors and some of them were also under 15 years old. For fatal shootings in 2024, around a third of the suspects were under 18 and a dozen were under 15.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com