International

Finland // Alexander Stubb and Pekka Haavisto face off in the second round of the presidential election

Two seasoned politicians face off in Finland's presidential election on Sunday, with the president's role having gained importance in light of the country's NATO membership and rising tensions with neighboring Russia, AFP reports.

Some 4.3 million voters will have to choose between former conservative Prime Minister Alexander Stubb and ex-Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, a Green Party MP running as an independent.

The changing geopolitical landscape in Europe will be the main concern for the new head of state, who -- while having limited powers compared to the prime minister -- leads the country's foreign policy together with the government and also acts as supreme commander of Finland's armed forces.

Relations between Moscow and Helsinki deteriorated following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting Finland to drop decades of military nonalignment and join NATO in April 2023.

Russia, with whom Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer border, swiftly warned of "countermeasures."

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National afforestation campaign started in the Republic of Moldova
Social

National afforestation campaign started in the Republic of Moldova

This year's afforestation campaign started today. Thus, more than 26 million saplings will be planted on an area of 4000 hectares in 160 localities in the country. For those who want to join the planting campaign, you must access the agency's website, moldsilva.gov.md and the "Participate in autumn 2024 plantings" section.

Over 200,000 saplings planted as part of the "Forest Generation" campaign
Social

Over 200,000 saplings planted as part of the "Forest Generation" campaign

The afforestation campaign started today in the village of Mălăiesti, Orhei district. More than 600 government employees, Moldsilva workers, and volunteers participated in planting trees. Throughout the day, over 200,000 saplings, including red oak, maple, ash, and acacia, were planted on over 40 hectares. This initiative is part of the national "Forest Generation" campaign, launched in 2023, which aims to rehabilitate degraded forest areas and create new forests by 2032. The goal is to increase the afforestation rate from the current 12% to 15%.

Next steps in the Republic of Moldova's accession process to the EU were discussed by Anca Dragu and Jānis Mažeiks
Political

Next steps in the Republic of Moldova's accession process to the EU were discussed by Anca Dragu and Jānis Mažeiks

The governor of the National Bank of Romania, Anca Dragu, met with Jānis Mažeiks, the head of the Deleation of the European Union in Chișinău, to review the main recommendations from this year's EU Enlargement Report regarding Moldova. They focused on actions needed to meet the EU accession criteria.