Russia has temporarily suspended operations at seven railway border crossings with Finland, Estonia and Latvia, effective from July 1, according to a government decree issued a day earlier. The order, published on June 30, directs Russia’s Foreign Ministry to formally notify Finland, Estonia and Latvia of the decision to halt the movement of people, vehicles, […]
Finland
Finland ranked as happiest country in the world
Heavy social media use contributes to a stark decline in well-being among young people, with the effects particularly worrying in teenage girls in English-speaking countries and Western Europe, according to the World Happiness Report 2026 published Thursday. The annual report, published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, also found that Finland […]
Pakistan among countries losing Finnish embassies in 2026
Finland has announced it will close its embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar next year due to operational and strategic reasons. The Finnish Foreign Ministry said these missions will shut in 2026 as part of a broader diplomatic review. The closures follow changes in local political situations and limited trade relations with these countries. According […]
Trump Suggests NATO Should Expel Spain Over Defense Spending Dispute
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Thursday proposed that NATO consider expelling Spain from the alliance over its failure to meet new defense spending targets agreed upon earlier this year. During a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stub at the White House, Trump said that Spain’s refusal to commit to spending 5% of its […]
Tragedy in Finland: Five killed in helicopter collision near Eura airport
A mid-air collision between two helicopters claimed five lives on Saturday near Eura Airport in southwestern Finland, according to Finnish police. The incident occurred shortly after noon near the town of Kauttua. Authorities said the helicopters collided over a wooded area, and wreckage was scattered approximately 700 meters from the Ohikulkutie road. Emergency services rushed […]
Pakistan and Finland strengthen ties in green finance and technology
Pakistan and Finland are expanding economic cooperation in investment, IT, renewables, and green finance. Experts believe Finland’s expertise in smart technologies and sustainable energy can help Pakistan address its energy deficit. Joint ventures in solar panels, lithium batteries, and artificial intelligence could boost bilateral trade and industrial collaboration. Finland’s strong background in energy efficiency and […]
Turkey’s Erdogan urges Swedish PM to end support to ‘terror’ groups: presidency
Istanbul: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Saturday urged Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson to take “concrete steps” to end financial and political support for “terrorist” groups, the presidency said. Erdogan told Andersson in a phone call that “Sweden’s political, financial and weapon support to terrorist organisations must end,” it said. Turkey has threatened to block Sweden […]
Finland, Sweden hand in applications to join NATO
Finland and Sweden on Wednesday handed in their bids to join the US-led alliance NATO, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine up-ended decades of military non-alignment. “The applications you have made today are an historic step. Allies will now consider the next steps on your path to NATO,” NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said, after receiving the bids from […]
China says Finland’s application to NATO brings ‘new factor’ in ties
BEIJING: Referring to Finland, China on Monday urged nations seeking to join NATO to “follow the principle of security indivisibility.” “China hopes all parties will follow the principle of security indivisibility and build a sustainable regional security architecture,” said Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry. “Finland’s application to NATO will bring new factor to […]
Turkey opposes NATO membership for Finland, Sweden
Istanbul: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said Turkey did not have a “positive opinion” on Finland and Sweden joining NATO and accused Scandinavian countries of harbouring outlawed Kurdish militants. “We do not have a positive opinion. Scandinavian countries are like a guesthouse for terror organisations,” Erdogan told journalists after Friday prayers in Istanbul. Erdogan […]