Finland new Prime Minister with the Minister of Education, Finance Minister, and Minister of the Interior (Image: Lehtikuva)

THE LARGELY YOUNG AND FEMALE CABINET of Finland's new government met in Helsinki today, with PM Sanna Marin serving as the youngest sitting prime minister in the world. Joining her cabinet Li Andersson, the Minister of Education since June 2019, Minister of Finance Katri Kulmuni, and Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo. 

Onlookers watch as the White Island volcano erupts earlier today (Image: Lehtikuva)

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, we lead with an image from New Zealand, where a deadly volcano eruption on White Island has claimed several lives. We also have a crane collapse in Antwerp, flooding in Beirut, wildfires in Australia, and a rally in the UK. 

Golden Retriever Nelli does a victory lap after scooping up a Hero Dog Award, given to animals that contribute to saving at least one human life (Image: Lehtikuva)

THE ANNUAL FINNISH KENNEL CLUB AWARDS, which recognizes the actions of lifesaving canines, kicked off at Helsinki's Messukeskus on Saturday afternoon and continues today. Dogs from the coastguard, army, and customs agency were awarded gongs for their services, whilst household pets were recognized for their sometimes lifesaving assistance to humans. 

Members of the far-right 'Blood Honour Nordic Brotherhood' attend a Soldiers of Odin parade in central Helsinki on Friday (Image: Lehtikuva)

ANTIFASCISTS AND ANARCHISTS FACED OFF AGAINST FAR-RIGHT GROUPS in Helsinki during Independence Day commemorations today, with several people being detained by authorities. Members of the extreme anti-immigrant group Soldiers of Odin organised a 150-strong march, whilst the antifascist group "Helsinki Without Nazis" led a 500-strong group of counterprotesters. 

An image of an authentic border point between Finland and Russia (Image: Lehtikuva)

A RUSSIAN CONMAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED for constructing a fake 'border post' and charging thousands of euros to would-be migrants. The individual, who has not been named, promised at least for migrants of South Asian origin that he would smuggle them past the border into Europe for a €10,000 fee. 

Attendees receive glasses of juice at the soiree in Finlandia Hall (Image: Lehtikuva)

JAN VAPAAVUORI, THE MAJOR OF HELSINKI HAS KICKED OFF INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS by hosting a soiree for local fourth-graders at Helsinki's Finlandia Hall. Over 6000 people reportedly attended the party, with pint-sized revelers being treated to food, music, and live entertainment. 

Passersby snap a photo of the fox on Tuesday morning (Image: Lehtikuva)

A WILD FOX WAS SPOTTED at Helsinki's Presidential Palace on Tuesday morning, prompting plenty of lighthearted commentary at a time when government ministers assembled inside the palace were no doubt facing a difficult day. 

Tributes to the victims of last week's terror attack on London Bridge (Image: Lehtikuva)

IN TODAY'S ROUNDUP OF PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, we lead with a tribute to the victims of last week's terror attack in London, where two people were stabbed to death by a terrorist inspired by Al-Qaeda. We also have the aftermath of an airstrike in Syria, typhoon preparations in The Philippines, and flooding in Thailand. 

President Sauli Niinistö at the National Winter War Memorial in Helsinki on Saturday (Image: Lehtikuva)

POLITICIANS AND MILITARY FIGURES gathered at Helsinki's National Winter War Memorial on Kasarmitori today to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Winter War. President Sauli Niinistö led the solemn proceedings alongside the Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen.

Sirpa Paatero at a Parliament Session on 27 November (Image: Lehtikuva)

GOVERNMENT MINISTER SIRPA PAATERO handed in her resignation today, making her the latest casualty in the ongoing fallout over the Posti strike. Her resignation came after it emerged that she had failed to take sufficient action to prevent 700 Posti workers receiving a pay cut.