As thousands of dead fish neared the banks of Oder River in Western Poland, the local residents realised an ecological disaster was heading towards the Baltic sea.

WION Climate Tracker | Dead fish hints at ecological disaster in Baltic Sea

A Mystery spill has been reported in the Baltic sea. Swedish coast guards have mapped the spill using planes. Samples were sent to a lab to know the cause.

Mystery spill in the Baltic sea: Swedish coast guards map spill using planes

A probe was launched into possible gross negligence that resulted in a Danish and a British boat colliding in the Baltic sea.

Danish, British boats collide in Baltic sea | One dead, One missing after collision

One of two Danish crew members missing from a capsized barge has been found dead in the hull after an overnight collision with a British cargo vessel in a busy Baltic Sea route off Sweden.

One crew member found dead after Danish, British ships collide in Baltic

<p>At least two people are missing after two cargo ships collided Monday in the Baltic Sea between the Danish island of Bornholm and the southern Swedish city of Ystad.</p>

<p>One ship was registered in Denmark, and the other was British.</p>

<p>Maritime authorities in Sweden report that a Danish-registered ship, the Karin Hoej, has capsized and is upside down. Two people were aboard, and they are still missing, according to the Danish Defense's Joint Operations Centre (JOC).</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-39-910-tonne-ship-splits-in-two-and-spills-oil-off-japans-coast-405004">Watch: 39, 910-tonne ship splits in two and spills oil off Japan's coast</a></strong></p>

<p>The Scot Carrier, a British-registered ship, was functional and its crew was safe.</p>

<p>The Swedish Maritime Administration has confirmed that the early morning collision between two cargo ships south of Sweden has left two people missing.</p>

<p>"Shortly after half past 3 am (0230GMT), we received an alert through our sea and flight rescue central that two freight vessels have collided between Ystad and Bornholm," Carl-Johan Linde, head of press at the Swedish Maritime Administration, told AFP, adding that a rescue operation was underway to find two people that fell into the water.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tanker-collision-spilt-400-tonnes-of-oil-off-china-coast-authorities-381499">Tanker collision spilt 400 tonnes of oil off China coast: Authorities</a></strong></p>

<p>"I can confirm an accident has happened, but I do not know the circumstances," Soren Hoj, managing director of the shipping company Rederiet Hoj, which owns the Karin Hoej.</p>

<p>According to him, two people were onboard the vessel, which was heading from Sodertalje in Sweden to Nykobing Falster in southern Denmark.</p>

<p>"A major rescue operation is taking place," Hoj said.</p>

<p>Denmark is assisting Swedish authorities in the rescue operation. From Bornholm, a rescue boat has been dispatched, and a helicopter has been dispatched from Denmark.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-spills-off-chinas-qingdao-port-after-ship-collision-380789">Oil spills off China's Qingdao port after ship collision</a></strong></p>

<p>Civilian vessels were also helping with the search and rescue operations in the vicinity.</p>

<p>There was fog in the area around 3.30 am at the time of the accident, according to a spokesperson for the Danish Meteorological Institute.</p>

<p>The accident occurred in Swedish territorial waters, with the two ships sailing in the same direction when they came into contact, according to the Danish JOC.</p>

<p>Swedish news agency TT cited a Swedish coastguard spokesman as saying one of the vessels was 90 metres long and the other was 55 metres.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


At least two people are missing after two cargo ships collided Monday in the Baltic Sea between the Danish island of Bornholm and the southern Swedish city of Ystad.

At least two people are missing after two cargo ships collided Monday in the Baltic Sea between the Danish island of Bornholm and the southern Swedish city of Ystad. One ship was registered in Denmark, and the other was British. Maritime authorities in Sweden report that a Danish-registered ship, the Karin Hoej, has capsized and is upside down. Two people were aboard, and they are still missing, according to the Danish Defense's Joint Operations Centre (JOC). Also read | Watch: 39, 910-tonne ship splits in two and spills oil off Japan's coast The Scot Carrier, a British-registered ship, was functional and its crew was safe. The Swedish Maritime Administration has confirmed that the early morning collision between two cargo ships south of Sweden has left two people missing. "Shortly after half past 3 am (0230GMT), we received an alert through our sea and flight rescue central that two freight vessels have collided between Ystad and Bornholm," Carl-Johan Linde, head of press at the Swedish Maritime Administration, told AFP, adding that a rescue operation was underway to find two people that fell into the water. Also read | Tanker collision spilt 400 tonnes of oil off China coast: Authorities "I can confirm an accident has happened, but I do not know the circumstances," Soren Hoj, managing director of the shipping company Rederiet Hoj, which owns the Karin Hoej. According to him, two people were onboard the vessel, which was heading from Sodertalje in Sweden to Nykobing Falster in southern Denmark. "A major rescue operation is taking place," Hoj said. Denmark is assisting Swedish authorities in the rescue operation. From Bornholm, a rescue boat has been dispatched, and a helicopter has been dispatched from Denmark. Also read | Oil spills off China's Qingdao port after ship collision Civilian vessels were also helping with the search and rescue operations in the vicinity. There was fog in the area around 3.30 am at the time of the accident, according to a spokesperson for the Danish Meteorological Institute. The accident occurred in Swedish territorial waters, with the two ships sailing in the same direction when they came into contact, according to the Danish JOC. Swedish news agency TT cited a Swedish coastguard spokesman as saying one of the vessels was 90 metres long and the other was 55 metres. (With inputs from agencies)

Two cargo ships collide in Baltic sea, rescue crews search for two missing people

<p>EU and NATO leaders on Sunday vowed to counter "hybrid threats" on visits to Lithuania and Latvia dominated by the Belarus migrant crisis and Russia's military build-up near Ukraine.</p>

<p>NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also repeated his call on Russia to "de-escalate" its military build-up on the border with Ukraine and warned of "consequences" if it used force.</p>

<p>The visit by Stoltenberg and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen comes ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Latvia this week.</p>

<p>Stoltenberg and von der Leyen both accused Belarus of orchestrating the migrant crisis on its border as a "hybrid" threat against the European Union -- a charge that the regime has denied.</p>

<p>A hybrid threat is a security challenge combining traditional military means and non-military tactics such as disinformation.</p>

<p>"To respond to such events, it is important that the European Union and NATO work hand in hand," von der Leyen said at a joint news conference with Stoltenberg and Lithuanian leaders in Vilnius.</p>

<p>Stoltenberg said: "We discussed how we could step up our joint work between NATO and the EU".</p>

<p>- Russian actions 'very concerning' -</p>

<p>Von der Leyen also said the EU had decided to triple to 200 million euros ($226 million) its funding for border management in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland for 2021 and 2022.</p>

<p>She said the money would go on patrol vehicles and electronic surveillance, including drones.</p>

<p>Thousands of migrants -- mostly from the Middle East -- have crossed or tried to cross the Belarus border in recent months into the eastern members of the EU and NATO: Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.</p>

<p>Referring to the situation on the Belarus border, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that "if the security situation gets even worse, we do not rule out consultations under NATO's Article 4".</p>

<p>Under the article in NATO's founding treaty, any member can convene a meeting of the alliance to consult when it feels its security threatened.</p>

<p>Poland has also said it may invoke this article.</p>

<p>The two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers starting in Latvia on Tuesday is also expected to address Russia's military build-up near Ukraine.</p>

<p>Stoltenberg said the "unusual" build-up of tanks, artillery, drones and thousands of combat-ready troops was "very concerning for many reasons", also "because it is unprovoked and unexplained".</p>

<p>"The message to Russia is that they should de-escalate, reduce tensions and be transparent" he said, adding that "if they decide to use force, then of course, there will be consequences".</p>

<p>"We stand ready to defend all our allies and we will continue to provide our partner Ukraine with political and practical support," he said.</p>


EU and NATO leaders on Sunday vowed to counter "hybrid threats" on visits to Lithuania and Latvia dominated by the Belarus migrant crisis and Russia's military build-up near Ukraine.

EU and NATO leaders on Sunday vowed to counter "hybrid threats" on visits to Lithuania and Latvia dominated by the Belarus migrant crisis and Russia's military build-up near Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also repeated his call on Russia to "de-escalate" its military build-up on the border with Ukraine and warned of "consequences" if it used force. The visit by Stoltenberg and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen comes ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Latvia this week. Stoltenberg and von der Leyen both accused Belarus of orchestrating the migrant crisis on its border as a "hybrid" threat against the European Union -- a charge that the regime has denied. A hybrid threat is a security challenge combining traditional military means and non-military tactics such as disinformation. "To respond to such events, it is important that the European Union and NATO work hand in hand," von der Leyen said at a joint news conference with Stoltenberg and Lithuanian leaders in Vilnius. Stoltenberg said: "We discussed how we could step up our joint work between NATO and the EU". - Russian actions 'very concerning' - Von der Leyen also said the EU had decided to triple to 200 million euros ($226 million) its funding for border management in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland for 2021 and 2022. She said the money would go on patrol vehicles and electronic surveillance, including drones. Thousands of migrants -- mostly from the Middle East -- have crossed or tried to cross the Belarus border in recent months into the eastern members of the EU and NATO: Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Referring to the situation on the Belarus border, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that "if the security situation gets even worse, we do not rule out consultations under NATO's Article 4". Under the article in NATO's founding treaty, any member can convene a meeting of the alliance to consult when it feels its security threatened. Poland has also said it may invoke this article. The two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers starting in Latvia on Tuesday is also expected to address Russia's military build-up near Ukraine. Stoltenberg said the "unusual" build-up of tanks, artillery, drones and thousands of combat-ready troops was "very concerning for many reasons", also "because it is unprovoked and unexplained". "The message to Russia is that they should de-escalate, reduce tensions and be transparent" he said, adding that "if they decide to use force, then of course, there will be consequences". "We stand ready to defend all our allies and we will continue to provide our partner Ukraine with political and practical support," he said.

EU, NATO vow action against hybrid threats on Baltic visit

<p>NASA's Landsat 8 satellite has captured mesmerising images of&nbsp;phytoplanktons,&nbsp;the base component of the marine food chain.</p>

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<p>Microscopic ocean plants called&nbsp;phytoplankton&nbsp;gobble up CO2 and drag it to the bottom of the ocean when they die.</p>

<p>Their colony size is limited by a lack of natural iron, but experiments have shown that sowing the ocean with iron sulphate powder creates large blooms.</p>

<p>Plankton include microscopic plants and animals, fish larvae, bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that drift in the oceans.</p>

<p>By removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converting it into organic carbon via photosynthesis, plankton provide a buffer against the increased carbon dioxide being generated by the burning of fossil fuels.</p>

<p>New research led by NASA researchers has found populations of the microscopic marine plants, phytoplankton, have decreased in the Northern Hemisphere.</p>

<p>An analysis using a NASA model in combination with ocean satellite data between 1998 and 2012, showed a 1 per cent&nbsp;decrease of phytoplankton per year.</p>


NASA's Landsat 8 satellite has captured mesmerising images of phytoplanktons, the base component of the marine food chain. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) Microscopic ocean plants called phytoplankton gobble up CO2 and drag it to the bottom of the ocean when they die.

NASA's Landsat 8 satellite has captured mesmerising images of phytoplanktons, the base component of the marine food chain. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA (@nasa) Microscopic ocean plants called phytoplankton gobble up CO2 and drag it to the bottom of the ocean when they die. Their colony size is limited by a lack of natural iron, but experiments have shown that sowing the ocean with iron sulphate powder creates large blooms. Plankton include microscopic plants and animals, fish larvae, bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that drift in the oceans. By removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converting it into organic carbon via photosynthesis, plankton provide a buffer against the increased carbon dioxide being generated by the burning of fossil fuels. New research led by NASA researchers has found populations of the microscopic marine plants, phytoplankton, have decreased in the Northern Hemisphere. An analysis using a NASA model in combination with ocean satellite data between 1998 and 2012, showed a 1 per cent decrease of phytoplankton per year.

'Summer is in full bloom': NASA shares satellite images of phytoplanktons

<p>According to reports, Russia on Friday scrambled a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-scrambles-jets-as-chinese-russian-aircraft-enter-airspace-351595"><strong>MiG-31</strong></a> fighter jet to trail a US military plane over the Barents sea.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-tense-standoff-after-chinese-jets-breach-malaysian-airspace-389087/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The Russian military said the US military plane was <strong>P-8A Poseidon</strong> aircraft, reports claimed. The US plane reportedly flew back from the Russian border.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident comes barely days after the Russian defence ministry had said that a <strong>Su-27 fighter</strong> jet was scrambled to escort a US <strong>B-52H bomber </strong>over the Baltic Sea. The Russian defence ministry said it had identified an "air target and prevented the violation of the Russian state border".</p>

<p>In April, Russia had said it had intercepted an <strong>RC-135</strong> reconnaissance aircraft which was accompanied by a MiG-31 aircraft.</p>

<p>Amid tension with the West over Belarus, the Russian defence ministry had announced a joint military drill with Belarusian forces in the summer named <strong>Zapad-2021</strong>. Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said "massive use of aviation is planned" during the exercise.</p>

<p>With tensions escalating with <strong>NATO</strong>, the Russian defence minister said Russian forces will deploy around 20 new military formations and units near its border with the West by the end of the year.</p>

<p>Russian officials earlier had asked for closer monitoring of NATO's sea <strong>Breeze 2021 </strong>exercise involving <strong>Ukrain</strong>e. The Sea Breeze 2021 exercise is scheduled to take place between June 28 to July 10.</p>

<p>Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich at a meeting in Vienna had said attempts to militarise Ukraine and flood the country with weapons would "encourage hotheads in Kiev to step up military activities in the country’s east."<br />
&nbsp;</p>


According to reports, Russia on Friday scrambled a MiG-31 fighter jet to trail a US military plane over the Barents sea. Watch: The Russian military said the US military plane was P-8A Poseidon aircraft, reports claimed.

According to reports, Russia on Friday scrambled a MiG-31 fighter jet to trail a US military plane over the Barents sea. Watch: The Russian military said the US military plane was P-8A Poseidon aircraft, reports claimed. The US plane reportedly flew back from the Russian border. The incident comes barely days after the Russian defence ministry had said that a Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to escort a US B-52H bomber over the Baltic Sea. The Russian defence ministry said it had identified an "air target and prevented the violation of the Russian state border". In April, Russia had said it had intercepted an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft which was accompanied by a MiG-31 aircraft. Amid tension with the West over Belarus, the Russian defence ministry had announced a joint military drill with Belarusian forces in the summer named Zapad-2021. Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said "massive use of aviation is planned" during the exercise. With tensions escalating with NATO, the Russian defence minister said Russian forces will deploy around 20 new military formations and units near its border with the West by the end of the year. Russian officials earlier had asked for closer monitoring of NATO's sea Breeze 2021 exercise involving Ukraine. The Sea Breeze 2021 exercise is scheduled to take place between June 28 to July 10. Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich at a meeting in Vienna had said attempts to militarise Ukraine and flood the country with weapons would "encourage hotheads in Kiev to step up military activities in the country’s east."

Russia scrambles MiG-31 interceptor jet to accompany US military plane over Barents sea

<p>The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed as absurd suggestions from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) that a Russian carrier battle group (CBG)&nbsp;in the Mediterranean would join the bombardment of Syria&#39;s Aleppo, the RIA Novosti&nbsp;reported on Thursday.</p>

<p>RIA cited the Rusian ministry as saying NATO had no reason to worry about the CBG&nbsp;and that the Russian air force had not flown any bombing runs in Aleppo for nine days.</p>

<p>NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg warned on Tuesday that the ships, headed for Syria, could be used to target civilians in the besieged city of Aleppo and to launch more air strikes.</p>

<p>Andrei Kelin, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official, told RIA Stoltenberg&#39;s statement was unhelpful.</p>

<p>&quot;The concerns are not based on anything as our planes have not come near Aleppo for nine days. Our battle group is in the Mediterranean. Our ships have always had a presence there,&quot; said Kelin.</p>

<p>&quot;Why make some spurious suggestions and then make some political recommendations based on them? It is of course absurd.&quot;</p>

<p>The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has questioned Russia&#39;s statements about a moratorium on bombing Aleppo, saying the city has been hit by strikes since a lull in fighting ended on Saturday.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>NATO&#39;s military response</strong></p>

<p>NATO&#39;s secretary-general announced on Wednesday, October 26, that the alliance would strengthen its presence in the Black Sea, as several nations confirmed they would contribute to a Romanian-led multinational brigade there.</p>

<p>Britain said it would send fighter jets to Romania next year and the United States promised troops, tanks and artillery to Poland in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation&#39;s biggest military build-up on Russia&#39;s borders since the Cold War.</p>

<p>Germany, Canada and other NATO allies also pledged forces at a defence ministers&#39;&nbsp;meeting in Brussels on the same day as two Russian warships armed with cruise missiles entered the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Denmark, underscoring East-West tensions.</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


Several NATO nations confirmed they would contribute to a Romanian-led multinational brigade near the Black Sea

The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed as absurd suggestions from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) that a Russian carrier battle group (CBG) in the Mediterranean would join the bombardment of Syria's Aleppo, the RIA Novosti reported on Thursday. RIA cited the Rusian ministry as saying NATO had no reason to worry about the CBG and that the Russian air force had not flown any bombing runs in Aleppo for nine days. NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg warned on Tuesday that the ships, headed for Syria, could be used to target civilians in the besieged city of Aleppo and to launch more air strikes. Andrei Kelin, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official, told RIA Stoltenberg's statement was unhelpful. "The concerns are not based on anything as our planes have not come near Aleppo for nine days. Our battle group is in the Mediterranean. Our ships have always had a presence there," said Kelin. "Why make some spurious suggestions and then make some political recommendations based on them? It is of course absurd." The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has questioned Russia's statements about a moratorium on bombing Aleppo, saying the city has been hit by strikes since a lull in fighting ended on Saturday. NATO's military response NATO's secretary-general announced on Wednesday, October 26, that the alliance would strengthen its presence in the Black Sea, as several nations confirmed they would contribute to a Romanian-led multinational brigade there. Britain said it would send fighter jets to Romania next year and the United States promised troops, tanks and artillery to Poland in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. Germany, Canada and other NATO allies also pledged forces at a defence ministers' meeting in Brussels on the same day as two Russian warships armed with cruise missiles entered the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Denmark, underscoring East-West tensions. (Reuters)

Russia sends battle group to Mediterranean, NATO beefs up military deployment on Russian border

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