News
Baltic States Officially Cut Energy Ties with Russia, Connect to European Grid
The Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have officially disconnected from Russia’s electricity grid and are now fully linked to the European power system, marking a historic milestone in their energy independence.
The transition, which took place on Sunday, April 7, sees the Baltic nations receiving electricity via Finland, Sweden, and Poland, cutting their last remaining reliance on Russian energy. The shift is being hailed as a major geopolitical and symbolic move, further severing ties with Moscow.
A Historic Break from Russian Influence
The disconnection came after decades of dependence on Russian-supplied electricity, a legacy of their Soviet past. The move aligns the Baltic region more closely with the European Union and strengthens its resilience against potential Russian energy coercion.
“We did it!” Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs declared in a celebratory post on social media platform X.
A special ceremony in Vilnius, Lithuania, was attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the presidents of Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, highlighting the significance of the transition for the region and Europe as a whole.
Step-by-Step Disconnection from Russia
On Saturday evening, power transmission lines between the Baltic states and Russia, including links to Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, were switched off in stages.
- Lithuania was the first to disconnect, marked by a symbolic countdown on a 9-meter-tall clock in central Vilnius.
- Latvia followed shortly after.
- Estonia completed the process a few minutes later.
In recent years, 16 power lines connecting the Baltics to Russia and Belarus had already been dismantled as part of the region’s gradual integration into the European electricity network. New infrastructure, including underwater cables in the Baltic Sea, has been developed to ensure a stable power supply from the EU.
Geopolitical Tensions and Energy Security
The disconnection comes against the backdrop of strained relations between the Baltic states and Russia, particularly following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Baltic nations, all NATO members, have long advocated for reducing dependence on Russian energy to enhance security.
In 2024, the three countries formally notified Moscow and Minsk of their plan to leave the Russian grid, taking precautions to avoid any potential hostile response from Russia or Belarus.
With this latest move, the Baltics have fully integrated into the EU’s energy system, reinforcing their independence and ensuring greater stability in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
News
White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify
News
Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
-
Entertainment1 year agoMeta Acquires Tilda Swinton VR Doc ‘Impulse: Playing With Reality’
-
Business2 years agoSaudi Arabia’s Model for Sustainable Aviation Practices
-
Business2 years agoRecent Developments in Small Business Taxes
-
Home Improvement1 year agoEffective Drain Cleaning: A Key to a Healthy Plumbing System
-
Politics2 years agoWho was Ebrahim Raisi and his status in Iranian Politics?
-
Business1 year agoCarrectly: Revolutionizing Car Care in Chicago
-
Sports1 year agoKeely Hodgkinson Wins Britain’s First Athletics Gold at Paris Olympics in 800m
-
Business1 year agoSaudi Arabia: Foreign Direct Investment Rises by 5.6% in Q1
