Norway faces backlash over plans to mine the Arctic seafloor
Norway’s plan to allow deep-sea mining in Arctic waters has raised concerns about its potential harm to marine life, including whales and other species that rely on the seafloor ecosystem. In short: Key quote: “You can’t break up the seafloor without risking everything, including species not even yet discovered orContinue Reading
In the Arctic, the Cold War between Russia and NATO is long gone
It is one of the most hostile regions on earth: only a few people live in the ice landscapes of the Arctic. And yet the huge area is strategically important – economically and militarily. Russia and NATO face off in the Arctic. The West has a lot of catching upContinue Reading
Drones for Ukraine donations organizer still owes €32,000
The organizer of a platform intended to raise money for drones for Ukraine has still not repaid outstanding funds as promised last month, and has also been portraying himself as an active raise of donations despite the last round not fully reaching its intended destination. Henri Laupmaa, organizer of theContinue Reading
Estonia allocates over €510,000 in winter aid for Ukraine
Estonia will help internally displaced people (IDPs) prepare for the coming winter in Ukraine after Russia destroyed around 80 percent of the country’s energy infrastructure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave €513,660 to its strategic humanitarian aid partners Mondo and the Estonian Refugee Council which are working in Ukraine. Mondo willContinue Reading
Norway to Increase, Extend Aid to Ukraine
Norway will boost its civilian aid to Ukraine by five billion kroner ($475 million) this year and extend its aid package through 2030, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced on Friday. This extension raises the total aid commitment to 135 billion kroner, up from a previous total of 75 billionContinue Reading
SDP plans no-confidence motion in Tavio over Ukraine alliance withdrawal
Finland’s biggest opposition party plans to seek a vote of no confidence in Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio (Finns) due to his recent decision to withdraw Finland from a gender-equality alliance for the rebuilding of Ukraine. The leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) parliamentary group, TyttiContinue Reading
Norway may be the first nation to mine the Arctic seabed—it could cause ‘irreversible’ damage to the marine ecosystem
Greenpeace on Friday warned Norway that its plans to open up its Arctic seabed to mining would cause “irreversible” damage to the entire marine ecosystem. The Scandinavian country is expected to award the first exploration licences in 2025, and could become one of the first nations in the world toContinue Reading
Estonia planning to strengthen surveillance and early warning systems
In addition to ammunition and new weapons, Estonia will significantly enhance its intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities in the coming years, said Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Reform). From 2025 to 2028, Estonia will invest nearly €6.4 billion in the defense sector. At a government press conferenceContinue Reading
Finland’s Nato HQs will be based in Mikkeli and Finnish Lapland
A long-awaited decision on the location of Nato headquarters in Finland is imminent. According to Yle’s sources, Mikkeli is expected to be announced as the HQ for the Northern European land command unit while the multinational forward land force (FLF) will be based in either Rovaniemi or Sodankylä in FinnishContinue Reading
How much does the membership in NATO cost for Finland?
Finland has recently become a new NATO member. It had been a neutral country for many years and got benefits from its transit position between Europe and Russia. Finnish politicians had been talking about such benefits for many years and Finns felt how convenient and profitable it was to beContinue Reading