Updated with the latest news from the websites of international broadcasters across Europe, including BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands, Radio Prague, Radio Sweden, Swissinfo, Vatican Radio and YLE. 

One in ten kilos of food headed for trash

Some 400 million kilos of edibles get thrown into rubbish bins in Finland every year, which amounts to about 10-15 percent of all food consumed in the country, according to fresh findings by MTT Agrifood Research Finland.

Elop ?disappointed? with Nokia results

Analysts expected weak first quarter results from Nokia, and the figures announced on Thursday caused some gloomy assessments of the company?s fortunes. The company stressed ?urgency? and announced the departure of the executive vice president for sales as it outlined a recovery strategy.

Testing to resume after Knuuttila detention

Testing of samples from Russia?s Luga River is to resume by the beginning of May at the latest, after being suspended following the detention of Finnish researcher Seppo Knuuttila last week. The Luga is the suspected source of phosphorous discharges into the Baltic Sea.

Helsinki artists propose alternative to Guggenheim

The money that would go to a new Guggenheim museum in Helsinki could be put to better use, according to a group of prominent artists who presented their proposal for the renewal of Helsinki City Art Museum on Thursday.

FM: More funding for Afghanistan ops set

Finland's annual contribution in support of Afghanistan is likely to rise to around 30 million euros in 2015. Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja told Yle late Thursday that Finland's participation in the Afghan operation up to 2014 and beyond was laid out in a government report approved by Parliament in March.

Union rejects teacher pay cut plan

The union representing teachers in Finland has threatened the City of Helsinki with both labour action and a court challenge if it goes ahead with plans to cut summer pay for teachers on fixed-term contracts. Part of a new austerity plan, the union says that the cuts are both discriminatory and illegal.

Does zoning favour retail monopolies?

National authorities are examining barriers to competition in the retail trade created by local zoning. Director General Juhani Jokinen of the Finnish Competition Authority sees something strange going on, considering how often close ties between retail businesses and local decision makers are in the news.

Overseas embassy staffers: Pay practice ?discriminatory?

Locally engaged embassy workers at Finnish missions abroad have lodged a complaint with authorities in Finland, citing discriminatory treatment. They say their colleagues, posted from Finland, are more highly paid.

Linux founder up for Millennium Technology Prize

Finnish Linux creator Linus Torvalds and Japanese stem cell pioneer Shinya Yamanaka have been shortlisted for the prestigious Millennium Technology Prize.

Ombudsman slams slow immigration officials, police

Finland?s Deputy Ombudsman has sharply criticised the slow pace at which the Finnish Immigration Authority and Helsinki immigration police process residence permit applications.

Finland escapes billing for internet calls

A plan by the Swedish-Finnish telecoms operator TeliaSonera to bill subscribers for internet phone calls will not be implemented in Finland, a company spokesman said.

Finnish law allows for billing of internet calls

Communications legislation in Finland does not prevent operators from charging for internet-based calls from mobile devices, say communications regulatory officials.

Nokia shares a magnet for small investors

In spite of poor quarterly results announced by mobile phone maker Nokia Thursday, small investors have flocked to snap up shares of the beleaguered company, now affordably valued on the Helsinki Stock Exchange at just under three euros.

President Niinistö applauds Estonian economy

Finnish president Sauli Niinistö has commended Estonian economic policy ahead of an official state visit to Finland?s southern neighbour next week.

Study: Internet addiction shrinks grey matter

Excessive use of the internet can cause the surface layer of the brain to shrink 10 ? 20 percent, according to neurological research gathered by the Swedish public broadcaster SVT.

Finns Party takes aim at corruption

Finland's controversial Finns Party has declared war on corruption, according to chair Timo Soini.

Finnish artist, sculptor Kimmo Kaivanto dies

The Finnish painter and sculptor Kimmo Kaivanto passed away in Helsinki Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 79.

Internet police monitor online rape case discussion

Helsinki?s local internet police team is keeping a close eye on an online discussion concerning a rape case in which two teens with immigrant backgrounds were convicted.

More fickle spring weather ahead

Spring continues to bring fickle weather conditions in Finland. While the mercury is likely to reach 15 degrees Celsius in southern Finland Sunday ? the highest reading this spring ? conditions for the upcoming May Day holiday remain a mystery.

Peacekeeping equipment leaves for UN Lebanon mission

A ship bearing vehicles and equipment for Finnish participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), left the port of Rauma in south west Finland early this morning.

Egypt goes to the polls to elect a new president

Egyptians will go to the polls on Wednesday to pick a president from 12 candidates vying to replace deposed leader Hosni Mubarak.

The top ...»

Pope: We share by adoption the sonship of Christ

Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday continued his series on prayer in the letters of Saint Paul. Speaking to tens of thousands of people gathered in St. ...»

Egyptians vote in Presidential Election

Egyptians began voting freely Wednesday for the first time to pick their president in a wide open election. The poll pits Islamists against men who ...»

Holy See: Catholic Church key provider of healthcare

The Holy See on Wednesday advocated for affordable, universal health coverage at the 65^th World Health Assembly in Geneva. However, the ...»

"Our" Father...

Monsignor Peter Fleetwood says he once got irritated by a priest, who when he celebrated Mass invited the faithful to pray the Lord's Prayer - the ...»

Pope: Fatherhood crisis hurts our understanding of God

Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday continued his series on prayer in the letters of Saint Paul. Speaking to tens of thousands of people gathered in St. ...»

Italy: Anniversary of Falcone killing marked

Italian President Georgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Mario Monti today marked the 20th anniversary of the murder of anti Mafia prosecutor Giovanni ...»

Italy: Anniversary of Falcone killing marked

Italian President Georgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Mario Monti on Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the murder of anti Mafia prosecutor ...»

Women and Migration: U.S. Embassy sponsors discussion

Rome: The United States’ embassy to the Holy See will sponsor the second in a series of Town Hall conversations on Migration Thursday May 24 ...»

Caritas Jordan: 100,000+ Syrian refugees

Some 115,000 Syrians have fled fighting in their country to seek shelter in neighbouring Jordan and more are arriving every day. The Hashemite ...»

Strike Action From April 1st

Updated: 11:03 am

It's been confirmed that there will be a strike in Sweden?s retail industry over Easter.

The strike will begin on April 1st. 5,000 workers in 79 shops and warehouses will go on strike. Shops that will be shut over Easter include H&M, Kapp-Ahl, Lindex, Ikea, Ica, Willys, Åhléns och Hemköp.

Malmö Restaurant Rocked By Explosion

A well known restaurant and nightclub in the southern Swedish city of Malmö was rocked by a large explosion in the early hours of Monday morning with nearby buildings also suffering damage from the blast.

Noone was hurt in the explosion which happened at the Hipp restaurant and nightclub at 2am and could be heard across the city.

Heavy Cost of School Fires

The cost of a shockingly high number of school fires in Sweden last year has been put at a billion kronor.

There were 457 school fires in the country in 2009 with around half of that number started deliberately.

American Health Campaigner Wins Water Prize

An American public health campaigner has been awarded the 2010 Stockholm Water Prize.

Dr Rita Colwell, who's 76, was awarded the prize on Monday for what the Stockholm International Water Institute said was her pioneering research on the prevention of waterborne infectious diseases such as cholera, which has helped protect the health and lives of millions.

Abuse Against Imported Thai Wives

Over 500 Thai women who have come to Sweden to live with a Swedish man, have sought shelter from an abusive relationship, according to ROKS, the national organisation for women's and girls shelters in Sweden.

Christine Demsteader meets two women who have fought to bring these issues out in the open. To listen to the report, click below.

Dutch football's financial goals

Netherlands football clubs hope to weather uncertain times

Restoring Hitchcock's silent classics

Restoring the film-maker's nine silent films

Sicily honours anti-Mafia victim

State funeral for anti-Mafia campaigner, 60 years on

VIDEO: The troubled genius of James Brown

The life and times of James Brown, Godfather of Soul

The city that loves to grumble

The beautiful European city where moaning is a way of life

Profile: Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau

The shadowy man behind Nigeria's Islamist militants

How hard do you work?

How hard do you work? Compare yourself with others

VIDEO: One-minute World News

Watch the latest news summary from BBC World News. International news updated 24 hours a day.

AUDIO: 'Ronald Reagan's blood' for sale?

Radio 5 live asked the director of the Reagan Foundation about the sale of a vial of blood taken from President Reagan.

VIDEO: Skydiver lands in cardboard boxes

A stuntman is thought to have become the first person to jump out of a helicopter and land safely without deploying a parachute.