Baltic States
Estonia already spending more than 5% on Nato defences as it prepares for possible war with Russia
Nato members are gathering in The Hague for the annual security conference on June 25 where the US is demanding countries increase defence spending to at least 5% of GDP by 2035. Estonia is already there.
Proposed defence spending hike to 5% of GDP exposes divisions among Nato members
Russia hawks in Poland and the Baltic States are firmly behind plan to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, while other members question new target.
Who hold the most gold reserves?
In 2025, gold prices reached unprecedented levels, with spot gold trading at above $3,932 per troy ounce as of May 7th, an increase of over 83% within just a year.
US resists EU and UK push to cut Russian oil price cap at G7 summit
The US is resisting calls from European governments to reduce the G7 price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel, frustrating efforts by the EU and UK to increase financial pressure on Moscow as leaders meet for a G7 in Canada.
Global energy investment to reach a record $3.3 trillion in 2025, but problems with grids remain – IEA
Global energy investment is projected to reach a record $3.3 trillion in 2025, despite continued economic uncertainty and heightened geopolitical risks, according to the International Energy Agency.
40% of Europe already in a drought before summer gets fully underway
As Europe slides into its third disaster season, 40% of the EU is already officially facing a drought before the hottest months of the year arrive. And this year’s droughts are likely to become even worse than previous heatwaves.
Estonia’s Eurovision singer’s Espresso Macchiato teasing Italians goes wild
After finishing third in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Estonian artist Tommy Cash has seen his hit single Espresso Macchiato break into both the Billboard Global 200 chart in the United States and the UK Top 40.
Lithuania hands over probe into American soldiers’ deaths to US authorities
Lithuania handed over the investigation into the deaths of US soldiers at the Pabrade military training area to American authorities, Chief of Defence Raimundas Vaiksnoras said.
COVID is back - a new "NB.1.8.1" strain is spreading across continents
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is back. Reports from health authorities around the world have detected a new highly contagious strain of the virus that has been spreading through Asia and has now reached Russia.
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BLOG: Efforts to tackle methane emissions continue, despite Trump’s regulatory rollback
Momentum behind improved methane monitoring, quantification and mitigation continues to build in the US – even without the same regulatory pressure.
Record temperatures around the world – Statista
A heat wave is sweeping across South Asia, with temperatures having reached 44°C in India’s Jaipur and 50°C in Pakistan’s Shaheed Benazirabad in April, Statista reports.
Russian authorities release Green Admire tanker after seizure near an Estonian port
The Liberian-flagged tanker Green Admire, detained by Russian authorities on May 18 after departing the Estonian port of Sillamae, has been released and is now en route to its original destination, Rotterdam.
Data centre power use expected to increase 20-fold in next five years
The first data centres consumed as much power as 20,000 homes, but the largest today use the same amount of power as100,000 homes, and are on track to burn up 5mn households' worth of power by 2030 – the same amount of power that Japan consumes.
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Brazil poultry sector hit as bird flu prompts global export bans
Brazil, the world's largest poultry exporter, has confirmed its first outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on a commercial farm, triggering immediate import bans from major markets including China and the EU.
Tensions in the Baltic Sea: Russia detains oil tanker that left Estonian port
Russian authorities detained a Greek-owned oil tanker, Green Admire, on May 18 after it departed from Estonia’s Port of Sillamae en route to Rotterdam, and was transiting Russia’s territorial waters along a previously agreed shipping corridor.
EBRD2025: What’s next for the Baltic energy sector after disconnecting from Russia?
Representatives of the energy sectors in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania outlined their plans for the coming years at the EBRD annual meeting in London.
EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty
Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.
Lithuanian activists hand out condoms on Victory Day to prevent 'another Putin' from being born
Activists gave out condoms at the entrance to the Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius, where the city’s Russian community were marking Victory over Fascism Day.
Police issue dire warning after bear spotted in Tallinn, the Estonian capital
The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) issued a public safety warning following the sighting of a bear in the Nomme district of Tallinn on May 8, ERR.ee reported on May 9.
War is a growing concern across Europe – Statista
VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the formal end of World War II in Europe, reports Statista.