Iceland

On May 24, we celebrate the Day of Slavic Writing, World Video Game Day, International Women's Day for Peace and Disarmament, European Day of Parks and World Schizophrenia Awareness Day.

The finalists of Eurovision-2025 have been determined in Basel after two semi-finals. Ukraine has reached the final, where the founding countries and winners of the qualifying rounds will also perform.

Bookmakers predict Sweden's victory at Eurovision 2025. Ukraine has an 11% chance of making the top five, and Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and other countries have also qualified for the final.

13 countries of the Council of Europe have signed the Convention on the Protection of the Legal Profession. Ukraine is absent among them, although it was expected that it would be one of the first to ratify the document.

In the semi-finals and final of Eurovision-2025 in Basel, viewers will see performances by winners of past years, including NEMO, Baby Lasagna and Jerry Heil.

Countries are looking for reliable trading partners in Europe after Trump's trade war. Trust in the EU is growing, with support for membership reaching 74%, the highest level in 40 years.

The Ministry of Defense received a batch of equipment from the IT coalition, funded by Luxembourg and Iceland, worth almost 2 million euros. The delivery included access points, routers, charging stations and telephones.

Ursula von der Leyen stated that the usual perception of the "West" is irrelevant. Europe is the guarantor of Western values, is in demand for the organization of trade and is known for its reliability.

Icelandic whaling company Hvalur has canceled the season due to falling prices in Japan and economic uncertainty. The situation will be reviewed next year.

The mackerel population in the North-East Atlantic is declining rapidly due to overfishing quotas. Experts are calling for alternative seafood options.

Ukraine has signed an updated free trade agreement with the EFTA countries, which opens up new opportunities for business. The agreement includes modern rules of origin for goods and reduces barriers to market access for goods.

Oleksandr Nechytailo became the ambassador to China, and Andriy Melnyk became the representative to the UN. There were also changes in the embassies of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and others.

81-year-old Queen Silvia of Sweden underwent Hallux Valgus surgery. Due to this, all her meetings for the coming weeks have been cancelled, and she will be resting until Easter.

A volcanic eruption has occurred in southwestern Iceland, leading to the evacuation of the nearby town of Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon geothermal resort. The eruption was accompanied by earthquakes.

Representatives of parliaments from 17 EU countries and MEPs arrived in Kyiv. The visit is a symbol of support, solidarity and trust in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian band Ziferblat will perform under number 5 with the song "Bird of Pray" in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025. Along with Ukraine, Iceland, Poland, and other countries will perform in the semi-final.

In Paris, leaders discussed support for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and the creation of "deterrent forces. " Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of maintaining sanctions and the role of the United States in stopping the war.

Keir Starmer announces meetings to plan the military aspects of a peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine. Land, sea, air and reconstruction issues will be discussed.

The United States and Russia are in talks about possible cooperation on resource extraction in the Arctic. Washington sees this as a way to weaken ties between Moscow and Beijing, despite the concerns of NATO allies.

Europe is considering the possibility of appointing a single representative for future negotiations on Ukraine from the EU and allied countries. The issue will be discussed at a special meeting of the European Council on March 6.

The Icelandic government will double its defense support for Ukraine in 2025. The funds will be used to demine territories and equip Ukrainian brigades through a Danish initiative.

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset said that Ukraine's future is inseparable from Europe.

The Government of Iceland has decided to double its defense support for Ukraine in 2025. This was announced by Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir during the Support Ukraine Summit.

On February 16, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Military Journalist, honoring the memory of fallen media professionals. Also today, the world celebrates Whale Day, drawing attention to the conservation of their population.

At a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's defense, the partners announced new military aid packages. Denmark donated an F-16, while other countries are allocating funds for drones, tanks, and air defense systems.

U. S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hagel announced the need to increase NATO defense spending to 5% of GDP. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte supported this initiative, emphasizing the importance of increasing defense production.

In Europe, 100,000 new cases of gonorrhea were reported, up 31% from last year and 300% from 2014. The number of syphilis cases increased by 13% to 40,000.

EU leaders support Denmark's territorial integrity and oppose US plans for Greenland. NATO proposes to increase its military presence in the Arctic region with the participation of its northern allies.

Mark Rutte called Trump's interest in Greenland logical and called for a stronger NATO presence in the far north. Denmark once again reminded that Greenland is not for sale, and most locals are against joining the United States.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the US and EU need to increase military support for Ukraine. Ukraine also seeks to increase investment in the defense industry and build self-sufficiency.