Milrem Robotics signs Estonian defense industry’s biggest deal yet with UAE
Initiating the world’s largest combat robotics program, Estonian defense industry company Milrem Robotics has inked a deal with the Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to supply 20 tracked robotic combat vehicles (RCVs) and 40 THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Milrem Robotics is tasked by the contractContinue Reading
Finland will see first foreign-born presidential spouse
For the first time, the spouse of Finland’s next president will be of foreign origin. The spouses of both the National Coalition Party candidate Alexander Stubb, and his rival Pekka Haavisto (Green/independent) were born abroad. Stubb’s wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb is English and was born in Solihull. Haavisto’s partner Antonio FloresContinue Reading
Missing Russian Data Is Harming Arctic Research at a Critical Time
Russia makes up nearly half the terrestrial Arctic, but global collaboration with researchers there has ground to a halt since the invasion of Ukraine The Arctic is warming at a rate of about two to four times that of the global average. As polar ice caps melt and permafrost thaws,Continue Reading
1,500 Finnish women volunteer for military service
More than 1,500 women have volunteered for military service, the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) stated in a press release after applications for the summer 2024 cohort closed on 15 January. According to the FDF, this is the third highest number of applicants in history. Women have been trained for almostContinue Reading
Norway allocates over $190M for production of ammunition, including for Ukraine
The Norwegian government has allocated NOK 2 billion (over USD 190 million) to increase the production capacity in the Norwegian defence industry, mainly for artillery ammunition, including for the needs of Ukraine. “The war in Ukraine leads to a spur in demand for ammunition. The government will increase the financialContinue Reading
Norway boosts oil, gas drilling, including in Arctic
Norway on Tuesday awarded stakes in 62 offshore oil and gas exploration licences to 24 energy companies, including state-controlled Equinor , boosting the amount of acreage offered as the country seeks to pump for decades to come. The annual award was up from 47 licences a year ago when 25Continue Reading
Unions step up pressure on government over proposed labour market reforms
Two of Finland’s largest trade union federations, SAK and STTK, have announced plans to stage a demonstration against the government’s proposed reform of labour market laws. The protest is scheduled to take place in Helsinki’s Senate Square on Thursday 1 February. The demonstration is a continuation of the campaign byContinue Reading
UK Commando Force Heads to Arctic Norway for NATO Exercise
Elements of the UK Commando Force, including the Royal Marines, Army Commandos, and the Commando Helicopter Force, are gearing up for a mission to northern Norway. This deployment, involving over a thousand Commandos, is a clear demonstration of the UK’s commitment to maintaining security in the High North region. TheseContinue Reading
Zelenskyy coming to Tallinn – and again asking for money
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has started his Baltic tour during which he will also visit Tallinn on Thursday. President Zelenskyy tweeted that he will arrive in Vilnius Wednesday before moving on to Tallinn and Riga, adding that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are reliable friends and principled partners for Ukraine.Continue Reading
Medication significantly cheaper in Sweden than Finland, new study finds
On average, over-the-counter medicines are 37 percent cheaper in Sweden, and prescription medicines are about 11 percent less expensive, according to a new study by consulting firm Copenhagen Economics. The study compared medicines by product category and also took into account the two Nordic countries’ different VAT levels. The largestContinue Reading