For 75 years, Finland's expectant mothers have been given a box by the state. It's like a starter kit of clothes, sheets and toys that can even be used as a bed. And some say it helped Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates. Watch this report for more details!

The baby box that changed Finland's future, lowest mortality rate in the world

Finnish Baby Box tradition, a symbol of social security system in Finland

Denmark and Finland have updated their travel advisory for transgender individuals heading to the United States, joining several other European nations that have issued similar warnings in recent weeks following reports of troubling experiences at the US border.
Denmark has advised transgender travellers to contact the US embassy in Copenhagen before setting off, to make sure their travel documents will not cause issues.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-no-longer-safe-for-tourists-uk-germany-issue-travel-warnings-after-woman-detained-like-hannibal-trump-immigration-crackdown-8876514">US no longer safe for tourists? UK, Germany issue travel warnings after woman detained &lsquo;like Hannibal&rsquo;</a>
<h2>'US will recognise only two genders'</h2>
The update follows recent moves by Donald Trump, who has focused on reversing protections for transgender and non-binary people. He has declared that the US will recognise only two genders and has signed executive orders aimed at banning transgender people from the military, restricting their participation in sports, and limiting access to gender-transition care for those under 19.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/planning-a-us-trip-know-your-rights-before-you-land-to-avoid-getting-detained-or-deported-8879888">Planning a US trip? Know your rights before you land to avoid getting detained or deported</a>
<h2>Denmark, Finland, and Germany warn transgender travellers </h2>
Although the Danish foreign ministry did not refer to Trump by name, it pointed out that the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application only allows people to select "male" or "female" for gender. Danish law, on the other hand, allows citizens to choose &ldquo;X&rdquo; as a gender marker.
&ldquo;If your passport has the gender designation X or you have changed gender, it is recommended to contact the US embassy prior to travel for guidance on how to proceed,&rdquo; Denmark&rsquo;s updated travel advisory now states.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-revive-his-travel-ban-43-nations-on-the-chopping-block-including-russia-and-iran-8856103">Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran</a>
Authorities noted that no Danish nationals have been denied entry or held at the US border since Trump&rsquo;s return to office. However, LGBT+ Danmark, a national advocacy group, had asked for a change in guidance.
&ldquo;We are worried that people could be stopped at the airport and refused entry, or that something inappropriate and uncomfortable could happen at the airport,&rdquo; said LGBT+ Danmark spokesperson Susanne Branner Jespersen told local broadcaster.
Germany had already updated its own travel advice earlier this month, warning that those with the gender "X" on their passports or whose gender identity has changed should consult US diplomatic offices before departure.
Finland followed shortly after, updating its travel page to warn that &ldquo;if the applicant&rsquo;s current sex on their passport is different from their sex confirmed at birth, the US authorities may refuse entry.&rdquo; 
Several other European countries have also changed their language around US entry requirements.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-us-president-donald-trump-pay-out-of-his-pocket-to-nasa-astronauts-sunita-williams-and-butch-wilmore-for-staying-overtime-in-space-heres-what-he-said-8879824">Will Trump pay out of his pocket to Sunita Williams for staying overtime in space? Here's what he said</a>
&ldquo;The final decision on whether a person can enter the US lies with the US border authorities,&rdquo; a German foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters.
The UK has also revised its advisory, warning that anyone who fails to follow US entry rules may face detention or arrest.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Denmark has advised transgender travellers to contact the US embassy in Copenhagen before setting off, to make sure their travel documents will not cause issues.

Denmark and Finland have updated their travel advisory for transgender individuals heading to the United States, joining several other European nations that have issued similar warnings in recent weeks following reports of troubling experiences at the US border. Denmark has advised transgender travellers to contact the US embassy in Copenhagen before setting off, to make sure their travel documents will not cause issues. Also read: US no longer safe for tourists? UK, Germany issue travel warnings after woman detained ‘like Hannibal’ 'US will recognise only two genders' The update follows recent moves by Donald Trump, who has focused on reversing protections for transgender and non-binary people. He has declared that the US will recognise only two genders and has signed executive orders aimed at banning transgender people from the military, restricting their participation in sports, and limiting access to gender-transition care for those under 19. Also read: Planning a US trip? Know your rights before you land to avoid getting detained or deported Denmark, Finland, and Germany warn transgender travellers Although the Danish foreign ministry did not refer to Trump by name, it pointed out that the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application only allows people to select "male" or "female" for gender. Danish law, on the other hand, allows citizens to choose “X” as a gender marker. “If your passport has the gender designation X or you have changed gender, it is recommended to contact the US embassy prior to travel for guidance on how to proceed,” Denmark’s updated travel advisory now states. Also read: Trump to revive his travel ban: 43 nations on the chopping block, including Russia and Iran Authorities noted that no Danish nationals have been denied entry or held at the US border since Trump’s return to office. However, LGBT+ Danmark, a national advocacy group, had asked for a change in guidance. “We are worried that people could be stopped at the airport and refused entry, or that something inappropriate and uncomfortable could happen at the airport,” said LGBT+ Danmark spokesperson Susanne Branner Jespersen told local broadcaster. Germany had already updated its own travel advice earlier this month, warning that those with the gender "X" on their passports or whose gender identity has changed should consult US diplomatic offices before departure. Finland followed shortly after, updating its travel page to warn that “if the applicant’s current sex on their passport is different from their sex confirmed at birth, the US authorities may refuse entry.” Several other European countries have also changed their language around US entry requirements. Also read: Will Trump pay out of his pocket to Sunita Williams for staying overtime in space? Here's what he said “The final decision on whether a person can enter the US lies with the US border authorities,” a German foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters. The UK has also revised its advisory, warning that anyone who fails to follow US entry rules may face detention or arrest. (With inputs from agencies)

‘X’ gender? Don’t risk it: Denmark, Finland join list of nations warning transgender tourists heading to US

The United States got its lowest ranking ever in the World Happiness Report 2025. According to the United Nations-sponsored report published on Thursday (March 20), the US is ranked 24th in the list due to one main reason: the growth in the number of Americans eating their meals alone.&nbsp; Finland ranked first as the world&rsquo;s happiest country for the eighth straight year in the World Happiness Report due to its big lakes and smooth welfare system, which lift people's mood.&nbsp;
For the first time, Mexico ranked 6th, and Costa Rica ranked 10th in the list, coming within the top 10. Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest country of the world due to its humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban's takeover in 2020.
Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-appoints-13-year-old-dj-daniel-as-united-states-secret-service-agent-8795358">Who is DJ Daniel? Trump appoints 13-year-old cancer survivor as United States Secret Service agent.</a>
The United States is positioned in 24th place, its lowest rank since the first report was launched in 2012 when it had recorded its highest showing at number 11.&ldquo;The number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53 per cent over the past two decades,&rdquo; the report said.
It highlighted that shared meal time is connected with well-being. Another reason contributing to America's fall in the rankings was &ldquo;the growth in political polarisation and votes against 'the system'.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>Details of the report</h2>
The report said, &ldquo;The increasing number of people who eat alone is one reason for declining well-being in the United States.&rdquo;
In the year 2023, around one in four Americans surveyed said they ate all their meals alone.
It also observed that the United States was one of few developed countries to see a growth in suicide or substance abuse at a time when those deaths are less in other countries.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-as-trump-pulls-a-chair-for-netanyahu-netizens-ask-whos-president-of-united-states-8693346">Watch: As Trump pulls a chair for Netanyahu, netizens ask 'Who's president of United States?'</a>
The report surveyed people worldwide in 2022-2024, before US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s return to the White House. Among the 10 happiest, Nordic countries shone bright, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden following Finland in the list.
The happiness positions are derived on a three-year average of individuals&rsquo; self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, generosity, freedom, and political corruption.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Discover why the US ranks 24th in the World Happiness Report, with a focus on the rise of Americans eating alone and its impact on national well-being.

The United States got its lowest ranking ever in the World Happiness Report 2025. According to the United Nations-sponsored report published on Thursday (March 20), the US is ranked 24th in the list due to one main reason: the growth in the number of Americans eating their meals alone. Finland ranked first as the world’s happiest country for the eighth straight year in the World Happiness Report due to its big lakes and smooth welfare system, which lift people's mood. For the first time, Mexico ranked 6th, and Costa Rica ranked 10th in the list, coming within the top 10. Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest country of the world due to its humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban's takeover in 2020. Also read |Who is DJ Daniel? Trump appoints 13-year-old cancer survivor as United States Secret Service agent. The United States is positioned in 24th place, its lowest rank since the first report was launched in 2012 when it had recorded its highest showing at number 11.“The number of people dining alone in the United States has increased 53 per cent over the past two decades,” the report said. It highlighted that shared meal time is connected with well-being. Another reason contributing to America's fall in the rankings was “the growth in political polarisation and votes against 'the system'.” Details of the report The report said, “The increasing number of people who eat alone is one reason for declining well-being in the United States.” In the year 2023, around one in four Americans surveyed said they ate all their meals alone. It also observed that the United States was one of few developed countries to see a growth in suicide or substance abuse at a time when those deaths are less in other countries. Also read | Watch: As Trump pulls a chair for Netanyahu, netizens ask 'Who's president of United States?' The report surveyed people worldwide in 2022-2024, before US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Among the 10 happiest, Nordic countries shone bright, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden following Finland in the list. The happiness positions are derived on a three-year average of individuals’ self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, generosity, freedom, and political corruption. (With inputs from agencies)

Why are Americans unhappy? THIS is the reason, according to World Happiness Report

Finland on Thursday (Dec 27) detained a tanker carrying Russian oil as part of an investigation into damage to an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea. The cable, known as Estlink-2, supplies electricity between Finland and Estonia.
According to Finnish customs and the European Commission, the tanker could belong to Russia&rsquo;s so-called &ldquo;shadow fleet&rdquo; of oil tankers, Associated Press news agency reported.
The detained vessel, Eagle S, is registered in the Cook Islands. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said in a statement that the ship&rsquo;s anchor may have caused the cable damage.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-probes-russia-linked-tanker-over-sabotage-of-undersea-power-cable-8568797">Finland probes Russia-linked tanker over 'sabotage' of undersea cable</a>
Robin Lardot, director of the NBI, said, &ldquo;From our side, we are investigating grave sabotage. According to our understanding, an anchor of the vessel that is under investigation has caused the damage.&rdquo;
The ship was reportedly travelling between St. Petersburg, Russia, and Port Said, Egypt, and was flying under the flag of the Cook Islands, according to MarineTraffic, a global ship tracking service.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-accuses-china-of-blocking-probe-of-ship-linked-to-cut-baltic-sea-cables-786274">Sweden accuses China of blocking probe of ship linked to Baltic Sea cables damage</a>
The damage to the Estlink-2 cable was first reported on Wednesday, which led Finnish authorities to launch a full-scale investigation. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo posted about the incident on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the broader threat posed by shadow fleets used by Russia. 
"Our main task is to find effective means to stop the shadow fleet," he said, according to The New York Times. 
"The shadow fleet pumps money into Russia's war fund so that Russia can continue to wage its war in Ukraine against the people of Ukraine, and it has to be stopped," he added.
A spokesperson for the US National Security Council called for stronger international cooperation to protect critical undersea infrastructure, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts.
<h2>'Ready to provide further support': NATO</h2>
NATO Chief Mark Rutte also condemned the attack, saying, &ldquo;NATO stands in solidarity with Allies and condemns any attacks on critical infrastructure. We are following investigations by Estonia and Finland, and we stand ready to provide further support.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-says-ukraines-nato-membership-is-achievable-but-diplomats-need-to-fight-for-it-786058">Zelensky says Ukraine&rsquo;s NATO membership is &lsquo;achievable&rsquo; but diplomats need to fight for it</a>
The use of shadow fleets by Russia to evade Western sanctions has been a growing concern. Many of these vessels, often old and difficult to trace, are used to transport oil and other goods. 
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a Finnish think tank, reported that over half of the 369 tankers exporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products in November belonged to these shadow fleets.
(With inputs from agencies)

According to Finnish customs and the European Union's executive commission, the tanker could belong to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.

Finland on Thursday (Dec 27) detained a tanker carrying Russian oil as part of an investigation into damage to an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea. The cable, known as Estlink-2, supplies electricity between Finland and Estonia. According to Finnish customs and the European Commission, the tanker could belong to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, Associated Press news agency reported. The detained vessel, Eagle S, is registered in the Cook Islands. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said in a statement that the ship’s anchor may have caused the cable damage. Also read: Finland probes Russia-linked tanker over 'sabotage' of undersea cable Robin Lardot, director of the NBI, said, “From our side, we are investigating grave sabotage. According to our understanding, an anchor of the vessel that is under investigation has caused the damage.” The ship was reportedly travelling between St. Petersburg, Russia, and Port Said, Egypt, and was flying under the flag of the Cook Islands, according to MarineTraffic, a global ship tracking service. Also read: Sweden accuses China of blocking probe of ship linked to Baltic Sea cables damage The damage to the Estlink-2 cable was first reported on Wednesday, which led Finnish authorities to launch a full-scale investigation. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo posted about the incident on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the broader threat posed by shadow fleets used by Russia. "Our main task is to find effective means to stop the shadow fleet," he said, according to The New York Times. "The shadow fleet pumps money into Russia's war fund so that Russia can continue to wage its war in Ukraine against the people of Ukraine, and it has to be stopped," he added. A spokesperson for the US National Security Council called for stronger international cooperation to protect critical undersea infrastructure, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts. 'Ready to provide further support': NATO NATO Chief Mark Rutte also condemned the attack, saying, “NATO stands in solidarity with Allies and condemns any attacks on critical infrastructure. We are following investigations by Estonia and Finland, and we stand ready to provide further support.” Also read: Zelensky says Ukraine’s NATO membership is ‘achievable’ but diplomats need to fight for it The use of shadow fleets by Russia to evade Western sanctions has been a growing concern. Many of these vessels, often old and difficult to trace, are used to transport oil and other goods. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a Finnish think tank, reported that over half of the 369 tankers exporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products in November belonged to these shadow fleets. (With inputs from agencies)

Finland detains Russian oil tanker linked to Baltic sea cable damage; NATO offers 'support'

Finnish authorities said Thursday that they were investigating an oil tanker that sailed from a Russian port over the "sabotage" of a power cable linking Finland and Estonia that was damaged the previous day.
On Christmas Day, the Estlink 2 submarine cable that carries electricity from Finland to Estonia was disconnected from the grid, just over a month after two telecommunications cables were severed in Swedish territorial waters in the Baltic Sea.&nbsp;
Robin Lardot of Finland's National Bureau of Investigation said a probe for "aggravated sabotage" had been opened into the oil tanker Eagle S, which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific.
"The assumption at the moment is that it is a shadow fleet vessel and the cargo was unleaded petrol loaded in a Russian port," said Sami Rakshit, director general of Finnish Customs.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-accuses-china-of-blocking-probe-of-ship-linked-to-cut-baltic-sea-cables-786274">Sweden accuses China of blocking probe of ship linked to Baltic Sea cables damage</a>
The shadow fleet refers to ships that transport Russian crude and oil products that are embargoed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Eagle S was en route to Port Said in Egypt and is still located in the Gulf of Finland, according to the tracking website Marine Traffic.&nbsp;
It was escorted by a Finnish patrol ship toward the coast near Porkkala, around 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Helsinki.
"We have already boarded the vessel, spoken with the crew and gathered evidence," Lardot said.&nbsp;
<h2>'Something strange'&nbsp;</h2>
Police suspect that the oil tanker's anchor might have damaged the power cable.
"Our patrol vessel travelled to the area and could determine visually that the vessel's anchor was missing," Markku Hassinen of the Finnish Border Guard told a news conference.
"So there is a clear reason to suspect something strange happened," he said.
Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called the cable disruption "very serious" at a press conference on Thursday.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/major-escalation-as-russian-warship-accused-of-firing-flare-ammo-at-german-helicopter-781724">Major escalation as Russian warship accused of firing flare ammo at German helicopter</a>
"This is why the decisive and determined action by our authorities today and yesterday with regards to this ship in our territorial waters sends a strong message to other ships: We will intervene," he said.&nbsp;
He did not specifically incriminate Russia, adding that the two countries had not yet had any contact over the incident.
But Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "The damages to critical underwater infrastructure have become so frequent that it's hard to believe they are accidents or just bad maritime manoeuvres."
Dragging an anchor on the seafloor can hardly be considered an accident, Tsahkna added in a statement after talks with his Finnish counterpart on Thursday afternoon.
The EU on Thursday threatened further sanctions against Russian vessels.
"We strongly condemn any deliberate destruction of Europe's critical infrastructure," the European Commission and the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a joint statement.
"The suspected vessel is part of Russia's shadow fleet, which threatens security and the environment, while funding Russia's war budget," they added.
"We will propose further measures, including sanctions, to target this fleet."
<h2>EU tankers blacklist&nbsp;</h2>
EU countries agreed earlier this month to blacklist around 50 more oil tankers from Russia's "shadow fleet", used to circumvent Western sanctions over the Ukraine war.
The move was part of a 15th package of sanctions to be imposed by the 27-nation bloc since Moscow's invasion.
Tensions have mounted around the Baltic since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In September 2022, a series of underwater blasts ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe, the cause of which has yet to be determined.
In October 2023, an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was shut down after it was damaged by the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship.
Early on November 17 this year, the Arelion telecommunications cable running from the Swedish island of Gotland to Lithuania was damaged.
The next day, the C-Lion 1 submarine cable connecting Helsinki and the German port of Rostock was cut south of Sweden's Oland island.
Suspicions concerning the November 17 incident focused on a Chinese-flagged vessel, the Yi Peng 3, which was in the area at the time.&nbsp;
Sweden said Monday that China had denied a request for prosecutors to conduct an investigation on the vessel and that it had left the area.
European officials have said they suspect several of the incidents are sabotage linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has dismissed that claim as "absurd" and "laughable".
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Robin Lardot of Finland's National Bureau of Investigation said a probe for "aggravated sabotage" had been opened into the oil tanker Eagle S. 

Finnish authorities said Thursday that they were investigating an oil tanker that sailed from a Russian port over the "sabotage" of a power cable linking Finland and Estonia that was damaged the previous day. On Christmas Day, the Estlink 2 submarine cable that carries electricity from Finland to Estonia was disconnected from the grid, just over a month after two telecommunications cables were severed in Swedish territorial waters in the Baltic Sea. Robin Lardot of Finland's National Bureau of Investigation said a probe for "aggravated sabotage" had been opened into the oil tanker Eagle S, which flies under the flag of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. "The assumption at the moment is that it is a shadow fleet vessel and the cargo was unleaded petrol loaded in a Russian port," said Sami Rakshit, director general of Finnish Customs. Also read: Sweden accuses China of blocking probe of ship linked to Baltic Sea cables damage The shadow fleet refers to ships that transport Russian crude and oil products that are embargoed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Eagle S was en route to Port Said in Egypt and is still located in the Gulf of Finland, according to the tracking website Marine Traffic. It was escorted by a Finnish patrol ship toward the coast near Porkkala, around 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Helsinki. "We have already boarded the vessel, spoken with the crew and gathered evidence," Lardot said. 'Something strange' Police suspect that the oil tanker's anchor might have damaged the power cable. "Our patrol vessel travelled to the area and could determine visually that the vessel's anchor was missing," Markku Hassinen of the Finnish Border Guard told a news conference. "So there is a clear reason to suspect something strange happened," he said. Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called the cable disruption "very serious" at a press conference on Thursday. Also read: Major escalation as Russian warship accused of firing flare ammo at German helicopter "This is why the decisive and determined action by our authorities today and yesterday with regards to this ship in our territorial waters sends a strong message to other ships: We will intervene," he said. He did not specifically incriminate Russia, adding that the two countries had not yet had any contact over the incident. But Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "The damages to critical underwater infrastructure have become so frequent that it's hard to believe they are accidents or just bad maritime manoeuvres." Dragging an anchor on the seafloor can hardly be considered an accident, Tsahkna added in a statement after talks with his Finnish counterpart on Thursday afternoon. The EU on Thursday threatened further sanctions against Russian vessels. "We strongly condemn any deliberate destruction of Europe's critical infrastructure," the European Commission and the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a joint statement. "The suspected vessel is part of Russia's shadow fleet, which threatens security and the environment, while funding Russia's war budget," they added. "We will propose further measures, including sanctions, to target this fleet." EU tankers blacklist EU countries agreed earlier this month to blacklist around 50 more oil tankers from Russia's "shadow fleet", used to circumvent Western sanctions over the Ukraine war. The move was part of a 15th package of sanctions to be imposed by the 27-nation bloc since Moscow's invasion. Tensions have mounted around the Baltic since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In September 2022, a series of underwater blasts ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines that carried Russian gas to Europe, the cause of which has yet to be determined. In October 2023, an undersea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia was shut down after it was damaged by the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship. Early on November 17 this year, the Arelion telecommunications cable running from the Swedish island of Gotland to Lithuania was damaged. The next day, the C-Lion 1 submarine cable connecting Helsinki and the German port of Rostock was cut south of Sweden's Oland island. Suspicions concerning the November 17 incident focused on a Chinese-flagged vessel, the Yi Peng 3, which was in the area at the time. Sweden said Monday that China had denied a request for prosecutors to conduct an investigation on the vessel and that it had left the area. European officials have said they suspect several of the incidents are sabotage linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has dismissed that claim as "absurd" and "laughable". Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Finland probes Russia-linked tanker over 'sabotage' of undersea cable

The Finnish national grid operator Fingrid reported damage to the underwater electricity cable Estlink 2, connecting Finland and Estonia. Watch this report for more details!

Finland-Estonia undersea power cable damaged; investigation launched into Estlink-2 outage

Finland-Estonia undersea power cable suffers damage

Finland-Estonia Undersea Power Cable Damaged; Investigation Launched Into Estlink-2 Outage

Egyptian authorities said 17 people, including foreigners, were missing after a tourist yacht capsized off the country's Red Sea coast on Monday, with 28 others rescued.

The vessel, which was carrying 31 tourists of various nationalities and a 14-member crew, sent out a distress call at 5:30 am (0330 GMT), said a statement from Egypt's Red Sea governorate.

An AFP tally confirmed that tourists involved in the incident include nationals from Britain, China, Finland, Poland, and Spain.

The "Sea Story" embarked on Sunday on a multi-day diving trip from Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam in the southeast, and had been due to dock on Friday at the town of Hurghada, 200 kilometres (124 miles) north.

Governor Amr Hanafi said that some survivors were rescued by an aircraft, while others were transported to safety aboard a warship.

"Intensive search operations are underway in coordination with the navy and the armed forces," Hanafi added in a statement.

Authorities have not confirmed the nationalities of the tourists.

Beijing's embassy in Egypt said two of its nationals were "in good health" after being "rescued in the cruise ship sinking accident in the Red Sea", Chinese state media reported.

The Finnish foreign ministry confirmed to AFP that one of its nationals is missing.

Polish foreign ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said authorities "have information that two of the tourists may have had Polish citizenship"."That's all we know about them. That's all we can say for now," he told national news agency PAP.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/child-trampled-to-death-on-asylum-seekers-channel-boat-says-french-minister-764805">Also read:&nbsp;Child 'trampled to death' on asylum seekers' Channel crossing boat, says French minister</a>

The Red Sea governor's office did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment about the possible cause of the accident.

According to a manager of a diving resort close to the rescue operation, one surviving crew member said they were "hit by a wave in the middle of the night, throwing the vessel on its side".

Authorities in the Red Sea capital of Hurghada on Sunday shut down marine activities and the city's port due to "bad weather conditions".

But winds around Marsa Alam had remained favourable until Sunday night, the diving manager told AFP, before calming again by morning.

By Monday afternoon, it became increasingly "unlikely that the 17 missing would be rescued after 12 hours in the water," he said, requesting anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The Marsa Alam area saw at least two similar boat accidents earlier this year, but there were no fatalities.

Watch |&nbsp;Nigeria: At Least 60 Dead As Boat Carrying Mostly Women And Children Capsizes

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The Red Sea coast is a major tourist destination in Egypt, a country of 105 million that is in the grip of a serious economic crisis. Nationally, the tourism sector employs two million people and generates more than 10 per cent of GDP.

Dozens of dive boats crisscross between coral reefs and islands off Egypt's eastern coast every day, where safety regulations are robust but unevenly enforced.

Earlier this month, 30 people were rescued from a sinking dive boat near the Red Sea's Daedalus reef.

In June, two dozen French tourists were evacuated safely before their boat sank in a similar accident.

Last year, three British tourists died when a fire broke out on their yacht, engulfing it in flames.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Egyptian authorities said 17 people, including foreigners, were missing after a tourist yacht capsized off the country's Red Sea coast on Monday, with 28 others rescued.

Egyptian authorities said 17 people, including foreigners, were missing after a tourist yacht capsized off the country's Red Sea coast on Monday, with 28 others rescued. The vessel, which was carrying 31 tourists of various nationalities and a 14-member crew, sent out a distress call at 5:30 am (0330 GMT), said a statement from Egypt's Red Sea governorate. An AFP tally confirmed that tourists involved in the incident include nationals from Britain, China, Finland, Poland, and Spain. The "Sea Story" embarked on Sunday on a multi-day diving trip from Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam in the southeast, and had been due to dock on Friday at the town of Hurghada, 200 kilometres (124 miles) north. Governor Amr Hanafi said that some survivors were rescued by an aircraft, while others were transported to safety aboard a warship. "Intensive search operations are underway in coordination with the navy and the armed forces," Hanafi added in a statement. Authorities have not confirmed the nationalities of the tourists. Beijing's embassy in Egypt said two of its nationals were "in good health" after being "rescued in the cruise ship sinking accident in the Red Sea", Chinese state media reported. The Finnish foreign ministry confirmed to AFP that one of its nationals is missing. Polish foreign ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said authorities "have information that two of the tourists may have had Polish citizenship"."That's all we know about them. That's all we can say for now," he told national news agency PAP. Also read: Child 'trampled to death' on asylum seekers' Channel crossing boat, says French minister The Red Sea governor's office did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment about the possible cause of the accident. According to a manager of a diving resort close to the rescue operation, one surviving crew member said they were "hit by a wave in the middle of the night, throwing the vessel on its side". Authorities in the Red Sea capital of Hurghada on Sunday shut down marine activities and the city's port due to "bad weather conditions". But winds around Marsa Alam had remained favourable until Sunday night, the diving manager told AFP, before calming again by morning. By Monday afternoon, it became increasingly "unlikely that the 17 missing would be rescued after 12 hours in the water," he said, requesting anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. The Marsa Alam area saw at least two similar boat accidents earlier this year, but there were no fatalities. Watch | Nigeria: At Least 60 Dead As Boat Carrying Mostly Women And Children Capsizes × The Red Sea coast is a major tourist destination in Egypt, a country of 105 million that is in the grip of a serious economic crisis. Nationally, the tourism sector employs two million people and generates more than 10 per cent of GDP. Dozens of dive boats crisscross between coral reefs and islands off Egypt's eastern coast every day, where safety regulations are robust but unevenly enforced. Earlier this month, 30 people were rescued from a sinking dive boat near the Red Sea's Daedalus reef. In June, two dozen French tourists were evacuated safely before their boat sank in a similar accident. Last year, three British tourists died when a fire broke out on their yacht, engulfing it in flames. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Tourist yacht capsizes in Egypt's Red Sea, 17 still missing

As fears of a potential conflict with Russia grow, Sweden is distributing leaflets among its citizens with clear instructions on preparing for war and stocking up on essentials like food and water.

As fears of a potential conflict with Russia grow, Sweden is distributing leaflets among its citizens with clear instructions on preparing for war and stocking up on essentials like food and water. Neighbouring Finland has also launched a new website focused on preparedness, while Norway also distributed similar pamphlets advising citizens on how to survive independently for a week in case of war or other emergencies. 'The security situation is serious' Both Sweden and Finland, known for their long-standing neutrality, shifted their policies and joined NATO after the Ukraine war began. “The security situation is serious, and we all need to strengthen our resilience to face various crises and ultimately war,” said Mikael Frisell, director of Sweden’s Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), which is overseeing the distribution of the leaflets. This development follows a decision by the Biden government to allow Ukraine to use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike within Russian territory. In response to the announcement, Donald Trump Jr., the son of the President-elect, wrote on social media, “The military industrial complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives.” Also read: Russia says Biden 'risking start of World War III' with missile permission 'If Crisis or War Comes' Since the Russia-Ukraine war began, Swedish officials have urged citizens to prepare both mentally and practically for the possibility of war. The newly updated booklet, titled 'If Crisis or War Comes,' provides instructions on handling various emergencies, including military conflicts, natural disasters, cyberattacks, and terrorism. This booklet has been issued only five times since World War II, with the last version distributed in 2018. “The global security situation increases the risks that nuclear weapons could be used. In the event of an attack with nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, take cover in the same way as in an air attack,” the booklet states, according to Daily Mail. Also read: 'Dangerous and unacceptable,' UK, EU hit Tehran with tough sanctions The updated version also includes a strong message of resilience: “We will never give up if Sweden is attacked by another country. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false.” Over the next two weeks, 5.2 million copies of the 32-page booklet, featuring illustrations, will be delivered to Swedish households. It is available in Swedish and English in print, with digital versions offered in multiple languages, including Arabic, Farsi, and Ukrainian, to ensure accessibility for all residents. (With inputs from agencies)

‘If War Comes’: Sweden, Finland issue survival guides as threat of WW3 looms

Bright red and green northern lights were seen in the skies over Lapland in northern Finland on Monday (October 7) night. Watch the visuals!

Rare Blood-Red Northern Lights Dazzle Finland

Environmental activists sprayed red paint on Finland's parliament building on Wednesday to protest against the peat industry... They have sparked strong criticism from politicians...

Activists Smear Finland's Parliament In Red

Researchers in Finland are studying the rapidly warming are Baltic Sea as look for clues to help the world's oceans scientists are now trying to unravel links between climate change and coastal ecosystems.

Baltic Sea warming at twice the pace of global oceans: Study; rapidly warming Baltic Sea

Finland said it suspected that a Russian military aircraft had violated Finnish airspace in the Gulf of Finland. The suspected intrusion into Finnish airspace was believed to have occurred Monday morning near the city of Loviisa, located less than 90 kilometres east of the capital Helsinki on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, the Nordic country's Ministry of Defence said in a statement. The incident comes as relations between the neighbouring countries, who share a 1,340-kilometre border, have become increasingly tense after Finland joined NATO last year.

Russian jet suspected of violating Finnish airspace

A book borrowed decades ago has been returned to the Helsinki Library after 84 years.&nbsp;

The book, a Finnish translation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s historical novel Refugees was received by librarian Heini Strand on Monday at the Helsinki Central Library Oodi.

“The due date of the loan was 26 December 1939,” Strand said, adding that she had never received a book so long overdue.

Generally, these kinds of long dues of books happen when the borrower of the book passes away and the book is returned by their relatives decades later.

“People want to do the right thing and return the book that is the library’s property … I think that is lovely,” said Strand.

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The library was unable to find the relationship between the person who happily returned the book and the original borrower.

If you ruffle through the pages of history books, you will find that in November 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Finland, three months after the outbreak of World War II. The invasion ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940.

A likely explanation for the delayed return was that the due date fell a month after the Soviet Union invaded&nbsp;Finland, Strand noted.&nbsp;

“The return of the book might not have been the first thing on the borrower’s mind when the due date approached.”

The&nbsp;Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union (also known as the Russo-Finnish War) lasted until March 1940, when a peace treaty was signed, forcing Finland to make significant land cessions.

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“If the person survived the war, the person probably had other things on their mind than returning the book,” Strand said.

The book by the British author is a historical novel published in 1893 and set in 17th-century France.

According to Strand, the library may make the book, an edition published in 1925, available to the public again since it was received in such good condition.

(With inputs from agencies)

A book borrowed decades ago has been returned to the Helsinki Library after 84 years. The book, a Finnish translation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s historical novel Refugees was received by librarian Heini Strand on Monday at the Helsinki Central Library Oodi.

A book borrowed decades ago has been returned to the Helsinki Library after 84 years. The book, a Finnish translation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s historical novel Refugees was received by librarian Heini Strand on Monday at the Helsinki Central Library Oodi. “The due date of the loan was 26 December 1939,” Strand said, adding that she had never received a book so long overdue. Generally, these kinds of long dues of books happen when the borrower of the book passes away and the book is returned by their relatives decades later. “People want to do the right thing and return the book that is the library’s property … I think that is lovely,” said Strand. Also Read | Sony highlights strong PlayStation user engagement amid slowing PS5 sales The library was unable to find the relationship between the person who happily returned the book and the original borrower. If you ruffle through the pages of history books, you will find that in November 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Finland, three months after the outbreak of World War II. The invasion ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940. A likely explanation for the delayed return was that the due date fell a month after the Soviet Union invaded Finland, Strand noted. “The return of the book might not have been the first thing on the borrower’s mind when the due date approached.” The Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union (also known as the Russo-Finnish War) lasted until March 1940, when a peace treaty was signed, forcing Finland to make significant land cessions. Also Read | CalPERS opposes Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package amid shareholder discontent “If the person survived the war, the person probably had other things on their mind than returning the book,” Strand said. The book by the British author is a historical novel published in 1893 and set in 17th-century France. According to Strand, the library may make the book, an edition published in 1925, available to the public again since it was received in such good condition. (With inputs from agencies)

Book borrowed amid Russo-Finnish war returned to Helsinki Library after 84 years

Finland has been experiencing unusually warm weather this May, prompting the Meteorological Institute to issue a heat warning on Monday.

Temperatures across large parts of the Nordic nation, the north of which lies above the Arctic Circle, are due to surge above 27C (81 F) starting on Tuesday (May 28), the institute said.

"This is probably the first time ever we have issued a heatwave warning in May", Iiris Viljamaa from the Finnish Meteorological Institute told AFP, adding that such alerts were normally issued in June at the earliest.

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Scientists say that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming and that these heatwaves are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense.

"The Finnish climate has always seen changes in weather but now climate change is enhancing these kinds of weather phenomena," meteorologist Leena Laakso told AFP.

Research shows "extreme weather events will increase due to climate change," she said.

According to Laakso, the current temperatures were around 10C above average temperatures for May.&nbsp;

The Finnish warning is aimed at alerting people about increased health risks associated with daytime temperatures reaching 27C.&nbsp;

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Especially the elderly, people with long-term illnesses and disabilities, babies and young children are advised to take shelter from the heat, the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare said in a statement.&nbsp;

"In Finland we are used to cool weather and people start to have some health issues in this kind of weather already", said Viljamaa.

On Monday, temperatures between 24 and 28C were recorded, due to a high pressure system over the country, combined with a warm, dry air mass flowing from the south.&nbsp;

Twelve days in May had already exceeded 25 degrees, Viljamaa said.&nbsp;

The town of Salo in southwestern Finland on Saturday registered the country's highest temperature of the year so far, at 28.8C.&nbsp;

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"Now it seems the really, really hot weather will remain in Finland until the end of the month," Viljamaa said.&nbsp;

After Sunday the weather is expected to start cooling down, bringing much needed rain for nature and fields grappling with drought, Viljamaa added.

Finland has been experiencing unusually warm weather this May, prompting the Meteorological Institute to issue a heat warning on Monday. Temperatures across large parts of the Nordic nation, the north of which lies above the Arctic Circle, are due to surge above 27C (81 F) starting on Tuesday (May 28), the institute said.

Finland has been experiencing unusually warm weather this May, prompting the Meteorological Institute to issue a heat warning on Monday. Temperatures across large parts of the Nordic nation, the north of which lies above the Arctic Circle, are due to surge above 27C (81 F) starting on Tuesday (May 28), the institute said. "This is probably the first time ever we have issued a heatwave warning in May", Iiris Viljamaa from the Finnish Meteorological Institute told AFP, adding that such alerts were normally issued in June at the earliest. Also read: This strange Russian radio signal has been transmitting beeps and buzzes since 1982. Nobody knows why Scientists say that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming and that these heatwaves are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense. "The Finnish climate has always seen changes in weather but now climate change is enhancing these kinds of weather phenomena," meteorologist Leena Laakso told AFP. Research shows "extreme weather events will increase due to climate change," she said. According to Laakso, the current temperatures were around 10C above average temperatures for May. The Finnish warning is aimed at alerting people about increased health risks associated with daytime temperatures reaching 27C. Also read: Here's how NASA is planning to reach Mars from Earth in months Especially the elderly, people with long-term illnesses and disabilities, babies and young children are advised to take shelter from the heat, the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare said in a statement. "In Finland we are used to cool weather and people start to have some health issues in this kind of weather already", said Viljamaa. On Monday, temperatures between 24 and 28C were recorded, due to a high pressure system over the country, combined with a warm, dry air mass flowing from the south. Twelve days in May had already exceeded 25 degrees, Viljamaa said. The town of Salo in southwestern Finland on Saturday registered the country's highest temperature of the year so far, at 28.8C. Also read: Astronomers from China and Ukraine team up on asteroid defense "Now it seems the really, really hot weather will remain in Finland until the end of the month," Viljamaa said. After Sunday the weather is expected to start cooling down, bringing much needed rain for nature and fields grappling with drought, Viljamaa added.

Exceptionally early heatwave hits Finland

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Finland, and Norway, all NATO members bordering Russia, have decided to join forces to build a “drone wall” to protect their borders.

Gravitas: Russia superior war-machinery makes NATO nervous, nations of US-led bloc plan 'drone wall'

Russia's new satellite images show that Russia is relocating its strategic bombers a third of its strategic bombers are being moved to the Olenya Airfield near Finland border.

Russian moves bombers to Olenya airfield

Russian bombers close to Finland border

Is the US preparation for a war against Russia in the Arctic? Of the eight Arctic countries, seven are NATO members, Finland and Sweden being the latest entrants. Reports say America may be building a weapon storage facility in the Arctic. Will the move provoke Russia that has a strategic advantage in the region?

Gravitas: Is US preparing for a war against Russia in the Arctic?

UK defense secretary Grant Shapps has warned NATO countries that do not spend 2% of GDP on defense spending and that they are playing Russian roulette with the West's future. Watch to know more!

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps: We can't play Russian roulette with NATO funds

Finland school shooting: At least one child has died and two others&nbsp;have been wounded in a shooting at a school in the city of Vantaa in Finland on Tuesday (April 2), Finnish police say. It was earlier said that three&nbsp;victims, all of whom were 12 years old, had been injured and that the suspect, who was of the same age, has been detained.&nbsp;

<h2>Finland school shooting</h2>

Police have not released the&nbsp;identities of the children or the condition of the two surviving victims.

The incident happened at the Viertola school in Vantaa, a suburb of Helsinki. According&nbsp;to the local municipality, the school has around 800 students in the first to ninth grades and a staff of about 90 people.

“The immediate danger is over,” the Viertola school’s principal Sari Laasila told Reuters. She declined&nbsp;to comment further on the incident.

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The suspect surrendered in Siltamaki, away from the school without any protest.&nbsp;According to police, the 12-year-old is the only suspect in the shooting.

<h2>Finland school shooting latest update</h2>

A video showing two policemen kneeling at the side of the suspected shooter, who is lying face down on a sidewalk, is making rounds of social media.

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen wrote on X, "The day started in a horrifying way... I can only imagine the pain and worry that many families are experiencing at the moment. The suspected perpetrator has been caught."

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, shocked by the shooting, wrote on X, "My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff."&nbsp;

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Finland school shooting: At least one child has died and two others have been wounded in a shooting at a school in the city of Vantaa in Finland on Tuesday (April 2), Finnish police say.

Finland school shooting: At least one child has died and two others have been wounded in a shooting at a school in the city of Vantaa in Finland on Tuesday (April 2), Finnish police say. It was earlier said that three victims, all of whom were 12 years old, had been injured and that the suspect, who was of the same age, has been detained. Finland school shooting Police have not released the identities of the children or the condition of the two surviving victims. The incident happened at the Viertola school in Vantaa, a suburb of Helsinki. According to the local municipality, the school has around 800 students in the first to ninth grades and a staff of about 90 people. “The immediate danger is over,” the Viertola school’s principal Sari Laasila told Reuters. She declined to comment further on the incident. Also read | US: One killed, four injured in Easter brunch shooting at a Nashville restaurant, gunman at large The suspect surrendered in Siltamaki, away from the school without any protest. According to police, the 12-year-old is the only suspect in the shooting. Finland school shooting latest update A video showing two policemen kneeling at the side of the suspected shooter, who is lying face down on a sidewalk, is making rounds of social media. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen wrote on X, "The day started in a horrifying way... I can only imagine the pain and worry that many families are experiencing at the moment. The suspected perpetrator has been caught." Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, shocked by the shooting, wrote on X, "My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff." More to follow...

One killed, two injured in Finland school shooting near capital; 12-year-old suspect detained

The World Happiness Report has found that youngsters are sadder than older generations in the Western world. Is Gen Z the unhappiest generation?

Gravitas: Are you having a 'quarter-life crisis'?

In the freshly released 2024 World Happiness Report,&nbsp;Finland continued&nbsp;to top the list for the seventh straight year. India lagged&nbsp;behind in the list at 126th position.&nbsp;

The United States has dropped out of the list of 20 happiest countries in the world.&nbsp;As per the new data, which has been prepared by Gallup and its partners, the US for the first time in 12 years moved out of the list of top 20 countries.

Now, the United States stands at No. 23, down seven ranks from No. 15&nbsp;last year.&nbsp;

As per the researchers, this is a reflection of how Americans, who are under 30, feel about their lives.&nbsp;

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"In the US, happiness or subjective wellbeing has decreased in all age groups, but especially for young adults," Gallup managing director Ilana Ron Levey said while speaking to CBS News.&nbsp;

"The World Happiness Report and the Gallup/Meta social connectedness data show peak loneliness for younger Americans. It's widely recognized that social support and feelings of loneliness are influential factors in determining overall happiness, and these dynamics differ across various age groups. The quality of interpersonal relationships may impact the well-being of younger and older individuals in distinct ways," she said.&nbsp;

Along with the US, the United Kingdom also dropped in ranking from the list of the world's happiest countries.&nbsp;

Britain slid from the 20th position and was ranked below Lithuania and Czechia.

<h2>Finland remains the happiest, Afghanistan ranks at the bottom</h2>

Finland, which is home to 5.5 million people, continued to remain the happiest country for seven consecutive years.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan once again was ranked at the bottom of the World Happiness Report.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;London world's most exposed city to air pollution from aviation: Study

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/london-worlds-most-exposed-city-to-air-pollution-from-aviation-study-694667/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Iceland took the third place, while&nbsp;Sweden, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia were among the top 10 countries.&nbsp;

<img alt="index" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="957021f3-363e-4a56-8623-8be871fd5aea" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_7.png" />

"In the top 10 countries, only the Netherlands and Australia have populations over 15 million. In the whole of the top 20, only Canada and the UK have populations over 30 million," the report said.&nbsp;

<h2>How is the happiest country determined?</h2>

The World Happiness Report was prepared using the data collected by the Gallup World Poll which measured the average life evaluations of the individuals collected across three years from 2021 to 2023.

Six key factors using which the data was analysed by the experts are GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, generosity and perception of corruption.&nbsp;

“These factors help to explain the differences across nations, while the rankings themselves are based only on the answers people give when asked to rate their own lives,” as per a statement released by the World Happiness Report.

The data collected for the six factors was collected by the World Bank, the World Health Organisation and the Gallup World Poll.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the freshly released 2024 World Happiness Report, Finland continued to top the list for the seventh straight year. India lagged behind in the list at 126th position.

In the freshly released 2024 World Happiness Report, Finland continued to top the list for the seventh straight year. India lagged behind in the list at 126th position. The United States has dropped out of the list of 20 happiest countries in the world. As per the new data, which has been prepared by Gallup and its partners, the US for the first time in 12 years moved out of the list of top 20 countries. Now, the United States stands at No. 23, down seven ranks from No. 15 last year. As per the researchers, this is a reflection of how Americans, who are under 30, feel about their lives. Also Read: Only these seven countries meet WHO air quality standard: Reports "In the US, happiness or subjective wellbeing has decreased in all age groups, but especially for young adults," Gallup managing director Ilana Ron Levey said while speaking to CBS News. "The World Happiness Report and the Gallup/Meta social connectedness data show peak loneliness for younger Americans. It's widely recognized that social support and feelings of loneliness are influential factors in determining overall happiness, and these dynamics differ across various age groups. The quality of interpersonal relationships may impact the well-being of younger and older individuals in distinct ways," she said. Along with the US, the United Kingdom also dropped in ranking from the list of the world's happiest countries. Britain slid from the 20th position and was ranked below Lithuania and Czechia. Finland remains the happiest, Afghanistan ranks at the bottom Finland, which is home to 5.5 million people, continued to remain the happiest country for seven consecutive years. Meanwhile, Afghanistan once again was ranked at the bottom of the World Happiness Report. Watch: London world's most exposed city to air pollution from aviation: Study Iceland took the third place, while Sweden, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia were among the top 10 countries. "In the top 10 countries, only the Netherlands and Australia have populations over 15 million. In the whole of the top 20, only Canada and the UK have populations over 30 million," the report said. How is the happiest country determined? The World Happiness Report was prepared using the data collected by the Gallup World Poll which measured the average life evaluations of the individuals collected across three years from 2021 to 2023. Six key factors using which the data was analysed by the experts are GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, generosity and perception of corruption. “These factors help to explain the differences across nations, while the rankings themselves are based only on the answers people give when asked to rate their own lives,” as per a statement released by the World Happiness Report. The data collected for the six factors was collected by the World Bank, the World Health Organisation and the Gallup World Poll. (With inputs from agencies)

World's happiest countries: Finland wears the crown for seventh time, India at 126th position

The World Happiness Report 2024 is out. Once again Finland has topped the list. This has happened for the seventh time in a row. How accurate is the happiness index?

Gravitas | World Happiness Report: Is it all sunshine & rainbows in Finland?

Finland once again tops the World Happiness Report. The country is topping the list for the seventh year in a row.

World Happiness Report: Finland remains the world's happiest country for the seventh year in a row

The 2024 World Happiness Report is out, and for the seventh year in a row, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world.

World Happiness Report: US, Germany out of top 20 due to unhappy youth

Germany is hosting a massive military exercise which is the largest such for German land forces since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The drills are part of the multinational exercises and the US Army will lead the drills that focus on Readiness and interoperability between NATO and also its key partners. Watch to know more!

NATO holds military drills in Germany, multinational exercise 'Allied Spirit 2024' kicks off

NATO has begun an extensive military exercise across its newly enlarged Nordic territories spanning Norway, Sweden and Finland. The NATO is holding one of the biggest military drills that it has held with over 90,000 troops from several of its member nations. The newly expanded 32 Nation military Alliance is preparing for the possibility of War. This is the biggest military exercise since the end of the Cold War, sending a message to Russia that the North Atlantic members are ready to defend each other. Watch to know more!

NATO allies join forces in 'Steadfast Defender 2024,' biggest military drill since cold war

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