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Finland removes controversial monument gifted by Soviet Union in 1989

Authorities in Finland ordered the removal on Monday of a monument that the country had received as a gift from the Soviet Union in 1989, reportedly angering Russia, the Anadolu Agency reported.
Finnish public broadcaster Yle said the capital Helsinki will build a new pedestrian walkway at the location of the “World Peace” monument, while the Helsinki Art Museum, which owns the monument, will place it in storage.
A public debate about the necessity of the monument had been reportedly heated in recent months after Russia launched its war against Ukraine.
The controversial monument sparked lively debate back when it was first erected. It was damaged after three students tarred and feathered it in 1991, making it clear that they thought the Soviet statue had no place in Helsinki. There was also a failed attempt to blow up the monument in 2010.

The monument was made public in 1990. The 6.5-meter-tall sculpture depicts figures holding a coroneted globe while clenching their fists.
UN report suggests Russian mercenaries committed massacre in Mali
The Soviet Union was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. It covered an area of over 22,402,200 square kilometres (8,649,500 sq mi), and was the world's largest country
It was a one-party state governed by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, with the city of Moscow serving as its capital as well as that of its largest and most populous republic.
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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