Estonia will chair the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) format from January 1, 2026, coordinating the efforts of eight countries. Key priorities include supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on the aggressor.
Since PURL was launched in August, 24 countries have joined it, and the total amount of contributions is $4. 3 billion. This allows for the purchase of American weapons, including missiles for Patriots, and strengthening Ukraine's defense.
On the eve of Christmas, Iceland recorded its highest December temperature ever, reaching +19. 8°C in the town of Seyðisfjörður. This warming is attributed to tropical air masses and the peculiarities of the local landscape.
The draw for the group stage of the 2026/2027 Nations League will take place on February 12, 2026, in Brussels. The Ukrainian national team will compete in League B.
Drones successfully collected blow samples from wild humpback, sperm, and fin whales in northern Norway, for the first time detecting cetacean morbillivirus above the Arctic Circle. This method allows for non-invasive monitoring of marine giants' health, helping to timely identify threats.
The Russian Federation has been recognized as the least peaceful country on the planet, taking last place in the annual Global Peace Index (GPI) report. Ukraine and Sudan also made it into the top three most dangerous states.
Glaciers in the European Alps will reach their fastest melting rate within the next eight years, with over 100 of them disappearing by 2033. This is one of the most obvious manifestations of the climate crisis caused by anthropogenic global warming.
Iceland will be the fifth country not to send participants to Eurovision in Vienna next May. Immediately after the EBU's decision, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia announced their boycott.
The Netherlands, Spain and Ireland will boycott Eurovision 2026 due to Israel's permission to participate. This decision was made after members of the European Broadcasting Union voted for new rules protecting the integrity of the competition.
Great Britain and Norway will sign a defense agreement to create a joint naval fleet to track Russian submarines in the North Atlantic. This partnership is intended to protect critical underwater cables and enhance security in the region.
Starting next year, the Louvre will increase ticket prices for non-EU tourists by 45% to €32. This is expected to generate €15-20 million annually to fund the museum's renovation and modernization.
The sanctions coalition imposed restrictions on over 500 entities in Russia's energy sector, including oil tankers and financial institutions. This led to a decrease in the price of Russian oil and a reduction in its exports, forecasting significant losses for the Russian budget.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held simultaneously in Canada, Mexico, and the USA for the first time, across 16 stadiums, with 48 teams participating. The final will be hosted at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and Ukraine will play in the qualification playoffs.
The heads of the foreign affairs committees of 20 European countries adopted a joint statement on the war in Ukraine. They emphasized that a just peace must be based on international law and respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Researchers have discovered two giant underground zones beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean, reaching 1000 km in height. These structures, formed billions of years ago, are changing our understanding of the planet's internal structure.
Switzerland has allocated almost $12 million to the World Bank fund to support the restoration of the Ukrainian healthcare system. The funds will be directed to a project to expand access to medical services, restore and modernize hospitals, and provide them with modern equipment.
A selection of films about winter adventures that combine intense journeys and the struggle against the elements. These stories are characterized by atmosphere, extreme conditions, and icy challenges.
The Ukrainian national team will face Sweden in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers play-offs. If they win, Ukraine will play in the final against the winner of the Poland – Albania match.
The Guardian reviewed ancient European traditions that help keep people healthy from Iceland to Ukraine. Among them are daily swimming workouts, short daytime naps, and five meals a day.
The number of children and adolescents with mental disorders in Europe has increased by a third in the last 15 years, according to a WHO analysis. Every fourth girl aged 15-19 reports mental health problems.
The head coach of the Ukrainian national team Serhiy Rebrov commented on the victory over Iceland (2:0) in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. He noted the team play and successful substitutions that helped achieve the result.
Ukraine's national team defeated Iceland 2-0 in the final match of the European qualification group stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Goals were scored by Oleksandr Zubkov and Oleksiy Hutsulyak, securing second place for Ukraine in Group D.
The Ukrainian national football team has released its official squad list for the match against Iceland in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The list includes 23 players, among them Matviyenko and Malinovskyi, but Ocheretko and Sudakov are absent due to injuries.
On November 16, the Ukrainian national team will play the final match of the 2026 World Cup qualification in Poland against Iceland at 7:00 PM. Ukraine needs a victory to advance, while Iceland will be satisfied with a draw.
The Finnish Armed Forces will relocate their headquarters to Norfolk, USA, in 2026, falling under NATO's command structure. This decision was announced by Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen, although the move was initially planned for early 2025.
Ukraine national team midfielder Heorhiy Sudakov will not play in the match against Iceland due to an injury. He has left the team's camp for treatment and recovery.
The Ukrainian national football team lost to France with a score of 4:0 in the penultimate round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Now Ukraine needs to defeat Iceland to continue fighting for a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the play-off matches.
Northern and Baltic NATO allies announced on November 13 the funding of a joint PURL package worth $500 million for Ukraine. This package includes military equipment and ammunition from the United States.
Eurostat has published data for the first half of 2025, showing a significant gap in electricity and natural gas prices between European countries. Some countries pay several times more than their neighbors.
Iceland has included the possible collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in its national security strategy. This event could cause a sharp cooling in Europe and have global consequences.
