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Nordic countries to jointly buy unmanned aircraft

Nordic countries to jointly buy unmanned aircraft

Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark prepared joint procurements of unmanned aircraft systems and related technologies and the Technical Arrangement in this regard was signed in Helsinki on Wednesday, Ministry of Defence in a press release. In addition to actual procurements, cooperation will also be intensified in the fields of research and development, training and exchange of information. As separate procurements the four countries will also launch Nordic procurement of micro-sized drones within the framework of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency partnership, and a Nordic procurement of mini-sized drones within the framework agreements of the Danish Ministry of Defence. The Technical Arrangement and the Implementation Agreements were signed by Nordic armaments directors. “We will facilitate multinational operations in the Nordic region by enhancing cooperation in the field of unmanned aircraft systems. We will also intensify Nordic cooperation to support Ukraine,” said Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen in the press release. Growing common procurement volumes enable the industry to increase its production capacity, and reduce the countries' national procurement costs, said the Minister.

US Marine to train with Finnish Nyland Brigade in Nov-Dec

US Marine to train with Finnish Nyland Brigade in Nov-Dec

A detachment from the United States Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Rotational Force - Europe, led by Combat Logistics Battalion 6, are arriving to Finland and will train together with Nyland Brigade until the end of December, said Finnish Defence Forces in a press release on Wednesday. The detachment will have a strength of around 350 Marines by the beginning of November and will be stationed in Nyland Brigade. Nyland brigade has a long experience of international co-operation and has a high competence in providing host nation support for foreign troops and are glad to welcome the United States Marine Corps back. Preparations started for the autumns main event Exercise Freezing Winds 25, that will take place at the end of November and beginning of December. “Regular and systematic presence and training are extremely beneficial for the brigade and the maritime defence overall. Our co-operation enhances interoperability and demonstrates the ability to defend the Baltic Sea region. The ability to adjust readiness rapidly and flexibly will remain important for maritime defence in future,” said Nyland Brigades Commander, Captain (N) Mikko Laakkonen. The robust security relationship between the U.S. and Finland – through exercises, exchanges, investments, and planning – enhances both nations readiness to address future security challenges. The U.S. Marine Corps is committed to enabling Finlands defence capabilities and enhancing to regional security and NATO. Because of the leadership of Nordic allies, like Finland, the Marine Corps is capable of seamless integration across the Arctic and Baltic littorals and can rapidly deploy to establish operations anywhere in the world.

Finnair flight cancellations likely to continue until end of Oct

Finnair flight cancellations likely to continue until end of Oct

The national flag carrier Finnair on Wednesday said that some individual flight cancellations may still occur until the full A321 fleet is back in use by end of this month. To support its passengers' travel plans, Finnair has leased two aircraft with crew to operate part of its network, said the airline in a press release. Passengers may also experience overbookings or changes in the operating airline. Finnair will contact affected passengers directly if there are any changes to their flights. The airline is replacing about 1,700 seat covers in eight A321 aircraft, and six of the planes will be back in service within a week. All eight aircraft are expected to be back in operation by the end of the month. Finnair temporarily suspended operations of these aircraft on 13 October, after having been informed by the manufacturer of the original seat covers that the impact of washing on the fire protection of the seat covers had not been verified in the required manner. The affected seat covers were manufactured by Finnair partner, based on specifications provided by the original seat manufacturer. The covers have been washed in accordance with the information received from the original seat manufacturer. As a result of the situation, Finnair has had to cancel about 70 flights since 13 October, affecting the travel plans of around 11,000 passengers. “We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience and disruption this has caused to our customers. The safe operation of our flights is the foundation of everything we do. Once we received information that the impact of washing on the fire protection of the seat covers had not been verified in the required manner, it was clear that the aircraft had to remain on the ground until the issue was resolved,” said Pekka Korhonen, Senior Vice-President Technical Operations of Finnair. New seat covers are now being installed to allow the aircraft to return to service. The first aircraft has already resumed operations. Finnair still has been suffering from the seat cover cleaning issue and failed to restore normalcy in its flight operation. It cancelled 20 flights on October 13, 20 flights on October 14andeights more flights on October 15.

Vieraslaji hämmästyttää Virossa – metsästäjät liikkeellä

Vieraslaji hämmästyttää Virossa – metsästäjät liikkeellä

Pärnussa on havaittu japaninpeura, kertoo Viron Yleisradioyhtiö ERR. Japaninpeura nähtiin Võisten kylässä, Häädemeesten kunnassa. Virossa japaninpeura on vieraslaji, joten sen kohtaloksi koitunee lopettaminen, ellei eläin suuntaa takaisin rajan yli Latviaan. Viron viranomaiset ovat myöntäneet luvan kyseisen japaninpeuran kaatoon, sillä se voi pahimmassa tapauksessa vaarantaa ekosysteemejä, elinympäristöjä tai muita lajeja sekä aiheuttaa haittaa taloudellisesti. Paikallisesta metsästysseurasta […]

ICJ rules Israel obliged to allow Gaza aid passage

ICJ rules Israel obliged to allow Gaza aid passage

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirmed on Wednesday that Israel is obligated to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including assistance provided by United Nations agencies, reported Xinhua. "The State of Israel, as an occupying Power, is required to fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law," the court said in its legally non-binding advisory opinion requested by the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The court stated that Israel "is under an obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes under Article 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention," as the population of Gaza "has been inadequately supplied." The judges urged Israel "to ensure that the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has the essential supplies of daily life, including food, water, clothing, bedding, shelter, fuel, medical supplies and services." "The occupying power may not invoke reasons of security to suspend all humanitarian activities in occupied territory," the court said. Israel is obliged "to facilitate by all means at its disposal relief schemes... including relief provided by the United Nations and its entities, in particular the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), other international organizations and third States, and not to impede such relief." The court also said that Israel must "respect and protect all relief and medical personnel and facilities," and prohibit "the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare." The advisory opinion stems from a December 2024 request by the UNGA, which asked the world court to clarify Israel's duties as an occupying power under international law and its responsibilities in ensuring unhindered humanitarian access and supporting the operations of the UN and other humanitarian actors in the Palestinian territories. Public hearings on the case were held from April 28 to May 2, 2025, during which 39 states, the UN, and regional organizations - including the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union - presented oral statements.

35 killed after gasoline tanker explosion in Nigeria

35 killed after gasoline tanker explosion in Nigeria

At least 35 people were killed and 46 others injured after a gasoline-laden tanker crashed and exploded in Niger State, central Nigeria, local authorities said Tuesday, reported Xinhua. The explosion occurred as some residents attempted to scoop petrol from the overturned tanker at Essa village in Niger's Katcha local government area, said Aishatu Sa'adu, sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, who confirmed the incident to reporters late Tuesday. Preliminary police investigation showed the crash was a lone incident "caused by a loss of control by the tanker driver," Sa'adu said, adding that many victims sustained severe burns. In a statement issued Tuesday night, Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago described the tragedy as "worrisome, unfortunate and pathetic," calling it "yet another painful and difficult moment for the people and the state government."

Louvre Museum reopens 3 days after jewelry theft

Louvre Museum reopens 3 days after jewelry theft

The Louvre Museum reopened to visitors on Wednesday morning, three days after a jewelry theft that caused extensive losses, reported Xinhua. The museum said the Apollo Gallery, where Sunday's theft occurred, remains closed. Meanwhile, jewelry stolen from the museum is estimated to be worth nearly 90 million euros, Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said Tuesday. "The damage has been estimated by the Louvre curator at 88 million euros, an extremely spectacular amount that has no equivalent and cannot be compared with the historical loss," Beccuau told RTL radio. Eight pieces of the French crown jewels kept at the Louvre were stolen on Sunday by four burglars who remain at large. About 100 investigators have been mobilized to track down the suspects and recover the stolen works. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that "everything" is being done "everywhere" to bring the thieves to justice under the coordination of the Paris prosecutor's office.

Germany sees lowest wine harvest in 15 years

Germany sees lowest wine harvest in 15 years

Germany has recorded its smallest wine harvest in 15 years, the final estimate released on Tuesday from the German Wine Institute (DWI) showed, reported dpa. This year's harvest is expected to yield 7.3 million industry-standard hectolitres of grape must – even less than estimated about a week ago. Grape must is the freshly crushed juice used in the first stage of making wine. A hectolitre is equal to 100 litres. The last time winemakers in Germany's 13 wine-growing regions produced a smaller harvest was in 2010, with 7.1 million hectolitres, DWI spokesman Ernst Büscher said in Bodenheim in the west German wine-growing state of Rhineland-Palatinate. This year's yield is projected to be 7 percent lower than the previous year and 16% below the 10-year average of 8.7 million hectolitres. Recently, the Federal Statistical Office had estimated a yield of around 8.2 million hectolitres for this year based on preliminary data. Significant losses in top wine-growing regions The sharp decline is primarily attributed to significantly lower yields in Germany's four largest wine-growing regions: Rhine Hesse, Palatinate, Baden and Württemberg, Büscher explained. "Smaller grape berries, below-average must yields and, above all, intensive grape selection following heavy rainfall in mid-September have led to an estimated 23% drop in harvests in Rhine Hesse alone, or nearly 600,000 hectolitres compared to the 10-year average," he said.