Finland's lawmakers vote to leave land mine treaty as Nordic country boosts defenses against Russia
HELSINKI: Finland's parliament voted overwhelmingly to pull out of a major international treaty on antipersonnel land mines Thursday as the Nordic country seeks to boost its defences against an increasingly assertive Russia next door.
Finland shares a 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) land border with Russia and joined Nato in 2023. Finland says land mines could be used to defend its vast and rugged terrain in the event of an attack. Finnish lawmakers voted 157-18 to move forward on a government proposal to leave the Ottawa convention.
The Nordics and Baltics have been sounding the alarm on a potential Russian incursion since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Analysts say Ukraine is among the countries that are the most affected by land mines and discarded explosives, as a result of Russia's ongoing war.
The Ottawa convention was signed in 1997, and went into force in 1999. Nearly three dozen countries have not acceded to it, including some key current and past producers and users of land mines such as the United States, China, India, South Korea and Russia.
In a report released last year by Landmine Monitor, the international watchdog said land mines were still actively being used in 2023 and 2024 by Russia, Myanmar, Iran and North Korea.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Cardiologists: 1 Teaspoon of This Before Bed Melts Belly Fat Like Crazy
Hollywood News | USA
Click Here
Undo
In the Baltics, lawmakers in Latvia and Lithuania earlier this year voted to exit the treaty.
Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the international committee of the red cross, said civilians will pay the price if more countries leave the treaty.
"The global consensus that once made anti-personnel mines a symbol of inhumanity is starting to fracture," Spoljaric said in a news release earlier this week. "This is not just a legal retreat on paper-it risks endangering countless lives and reversing decades of hard-fought humanitarian progress."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Turkey Foreign Minister Hosts Hamas Leadership For Talks On Gaza Ceasefire, Humanitarian Situation
'Will Cross That Bridge When...' Jaishankar Responds to 500% US Tariff Threat Over Russia Bill External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed growing concerns over Senator Lindsey Graham's proposed U.S. sanctions bill, which threatens a 500% tariff on countries importing Russian oil. With over 80 Senate co-sponsors, the bill may become veto-proof. Jaishankar confirmed India's embassy and ambassador are in active contact with Graham, and emphasized India's energy and security interests. He clarified that India will deal with the situation 'if and when it comes.' The proposed bill has sparked global concern, with potential carve-outs for Ukraine-supporting nations. As India continues energy imports from Russia, this development could test India-US ties. Stay tuned for key updates on this unfolding diplomatic flashpoint.#jaishankar #indiausrelations #russiaoil #lindseygrahambill #indiandiplomacy #modigovernment #usindia #energysecurity #russiaukrainewar #geopolitics #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews 9.8K views | 1 hour ago
The Hindu
29 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Cena on filming their action comedy ‘Heads of State'
In a world of bulletproof protagonists and high-stakes diplomacy, Heads of State finds its sweet spot — somewhere between action comedy and genre disruption. Directed by Ilya Naishuller, the film presents an unusual premise: a buddy comedy set against the backdrop of a fraying NATO alliance. Two clashing world leaders — the embattled UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) and the newly elected President of the United States Will Derringer (John Cena) — find themselves under threat from a terrorist organisation. The only person who can save them is the sharp-witted and steel-spined MI6 operative Noel Bisset (Priyanka Chopra Jonas). From Quantico to Citadel, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is no stranger to high-octane, femme-forward face-offs. In a conversation with The Hindu Weekend in London, the actor describes her character in Heads of State as 'the muscle of the film.' 'I think it was fun for me that the film was intentionally written like that,' says Priyanka. 'My character is surrounded by these men and still holds her own. It makes me really proud to be at a point in my life where I have always fought to have agency in characters — and to actually be at a point in entertainment where that's important to the filmmaker. That took a lot of conversations. I'm really proud to be here, and to be part of a film where, from the producers to the actors to the director, this was always the North Star for my character.' That shift — from fighting for inclusion to influencing the terms of inclusion — has taken nearly a decade of perseverance. 'Ten years of pounding the pavement,' she recalls, reflecting on her transition into global entertainment. 'To be cast in roles with agency, versus being a diversity check — like 'cast the Indian woman' — that's a big deal. This movie was written like that from the start, and that makes me love it even more,' she says. Director Ilya Naishuller, known for his outlandish action-comedies such as Hardcore Henry and Nobody, calls Heads of State his most creatively fulfilling project to date. He says that although he was familiar with Priyanka's work in both Hollywood and Bollywood, he was struck by her commitment on set. 'She's not one of those actors who leaves once their scenes are done — she hangs around, wanting to observe and understand the process. We're similar in that sense — two outsiders (he is a Russian film director) wanting to make it big in America,' says Ilya. WWE legend John Cena has successfully transitioned into the second act of his career — from wrestler to action star to a somewhat chaotic American President. Unpacking the many layers of his character, John reflects on the fine balance between its contradictions. Talking about his role, John says, 'The chaos magnet? Maybe that's his stubbornness. The reluctant diplomat? That's a search for admiration. The movie star? That comes from thriving in an environment that values performance over policy. I think you can take your character's traits as written on the page and then figure out the 'why.' Why are they the way they are?' The genre-blending film is also a career pivot for John, who has played everything from a peacekeeper in The Suicide Squad to a villain in the Fast and Furious franchise, and a soldier in The Wall. 'You're comparing apples to apples, in that they're both entertainment,' he says. 'But this is a family-friendly action comedy — not an R-rated, dark superhero movie. The only real similarity is that they're both made to entertain.' Though he confesses that a complex wrestling move is tougher than delivering a comedic monologue on screen, he adds with a grin — 'Whether it's a back body drop or a funny line — only one gets edited. The stunt happens live. That's the harder one to pull off.' Bringing her signature self-deprecating charm, Priyanka matches John beat for beat, saying, 'I want you to believe I do it for real, and that I'm that strong.' She then mock-confesses, 'Okay, fine — when I'm busting through a door? The stunt team pulls it off the hinges.' Priyanka will be playing avenger once again, in Frank E. Flowers' swashbuckling action drama The Bluff, followed by S.S. Rajamouli's SSMB29, which marks her return to Indian cinema. In the real world, she has busted down doors — and claimed her seat at the table. Reflecting on her journey from seeking access to becoming a central part of the narrative, she says, 'As a girl, and as an Indian actor from outside America, wanting to be a part of Hollywood or global entertainment is a dream many share around the world. To actually get a seat at that table takes a lot of work. I feel very grateful to be here — and I want to create space for others, even as I continue seeking opportunities for my own community.' Heads of State is currently streaming on Prime Video.
India.com
29 minutes ago
- India.com
Will Have To Cross That Bridge: Jaishankar On USs 500% Tariff On Russian Oil Imports
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that India has officially expressed its concerns to US Senator Lindsey Graham regarding a proposed bill that could impose a 500 per cent tariff on the import of Russian oil. Reacting to US plans to impose 500% Tariffs on the import of Russian Oil, EAM said, "Regarding Senator Lindsey Graham's bill, any development which is happening in the US Congress is of interest to us if it impacts our interest or could impact our interest. So we have been in touch with Senator Lindsey Graham. The embassy, ambassador have been in touch." While addressing a press conference, he highligitd that India's concerns and interests on energy, security have been made conversant to Graham. "We'll then have to cross that bridge when we come to it, if we come to it," he added. Graham's sanctions bill on Russia would impose a 500 per cent tariff on imports from any nation that purchases Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products, The Hill reported. The bill has over 80 co-sponsors in the Senate, potentially making it veto-proof. After the war erupted between Russia and Ukraine, the US and Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow. However, India has continued to purchase oil from Russian.
