Voters in Finland were electing a new president Sunday at an unprecedented time for the Nordic nation that is now a NATO member with its eastern border with Russia closed.
NATO's expansion is the exact opposite of what Russia wanted, says Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. He spoke to NPR about its NATO's newest members, and when Ukraine might join them.
Finland's center-right National Coalition Party, headed by Petteri Orpo, eked out a narrow victory over the country's populist party. Sanna Marin's party fell to third place.
All 276 lawmakers present voted in favor of Finland's application. The action lifted the last hurdle in the way of the Nordic country's long-delayed accession into the Western military alliance.
Finland has held the title of world's happiest country for six years running. It wants to teach people how to unlock their "inner Finn" during a four-day masterclass at a lakeside resort in June.
"NATO will become stronger with Finland's membership and thus, I believe, will play an active role in maintaining global security and stability," Turkey's president said Friday.
Asked whether she met with her Finnish counterpart "just because" of their similarities in age and gender, New Zealand's leader questioned whether reporters would ask the same of her male predecessor.
Art works by the American actor and Australian musician are featured in an exhibition of sculptures and ceramics. Both acknowledged being excited and nervous about presenting their art in public.
Calls for Sanna Marin to take a drug test came after leaked videos showed her partying with friends. Marin has said she didn't consume any drugs, but took a test to "clear up any doubts."
The anticipated approval by the 30 NATO allies for Sweden and Finland on Tuesday will send the membership bids of the two nations to the alliance capitals for legislative approvals.
The move came just days after the Nordic country announced it wanted to join NATO and marked a likely end to Finland's nearly 50 years of importing natural gas from Russia.
