Category: Human Interest
Consumer Confidence Grows in Finland; Large Purchases Are Tempting
Expectations of one’s own and Finland’s economy strengthened in July compared to June, according to the latest consumer confidence survey released by Statistics Finland on Monday.
400 New City Bikes Take Over the Streets of Helsinki
Hundreds of new city bikes are going to be available in the city center from the last week of July.
18 New Coronavirus Infections Between Friday and Monday; One New Death
According to the new numbers released on Monday, there are 7,398 confirmed coronavirus infections in Finland.
Railway Company VR Starts Selling Empty Adjacent Seats
An option to purchase an empty adjacent seat is another effort to tackle the coronavirus spread.
Changes to Public Transport in Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo Area in August
HSL will introduce changes to certain routes in an effort to cut operating costs in the downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Finland to Reinstate Travel Restrictions on Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia
The new restrictions will come into effect on Monday, July 27.
Prime Minister Marin to Begin Her Vacation After a ‘Hard Spring’
Prime Minister Sanna Marin (the SDP) is going to begin her vacation on Thursday.
Contactless Card Payments Exceed Payments With PIN Code in Finland
During 2019, for the first time, more contactless payments were made than card payments with a PIN code, according to the Bank of Finland.
55 New Coronavirus Infections in Finland in 7 Days
The new numbers, according to THL, do not reflect a rapid daily increase in infections.
Finnair to Start Flying to Shanghai in July
Finnair has received permission from Chinese authorities to begin operating one weekly flight as of July 23 between Helsinki and Shanghai.
Finland Reaches Many Objectives in EU’s Coronavirus Relief Deal
In negotiations on the European Union’s massive spending package to fight the downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Finland reached many of its objectives.
Finland’s Passport Ranks Fourth Best in the World; Gives Visa-Free Access to 188 Countries
The Henley Passport Index is the original ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
The Hand Grenade That Was Found in Kontti Recycling Center Is Declared Harmless
The hand grenade was found among the recycled items that had arrived for sale.
Explosion Injures Maintenance Worker at Helsinki City Theatre; Police Operation in Pictures
One person was injured in an explosion during maintenance work at the Helsinki City Theatre on Monday afternoon. View pictures of the police operation.
Large Areas of Forest Burn in Kauhajoki
The rescue department located two fire spots. The larger comprised about 44 hectares.
Unsettled Weather Ahead; Temperatures Drop
This week the weather will become cooler. Rains, winds and thunders are ahead for the entire country.
Finland Continues Easing Coronavirus Restrictions: More Travel, More Contact
Finland opens borders for more countries. Recommendations for remote work to be removed as well as the age restriction to avoid physical contact.
Heat Wave Beginning This Week May Break All-Time Temperature Record for June
Sunny weather and temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius or more will prevail in Finland this week.
7,144 Confirmed Coronavirus Infections in Finland
Here are the latest statistics for the coronavirus outbreak.
The Police Stop Mass Brawl; Teenagers Throw Bottles and Rocks, Shoot Firecrackers at the Police
A group of teenagers turned violent against the police who were on a mission to break up a mass brawl at the Hietaniemi beach between the night of Friday and Saturday.
Your Midsummer Memo: Traffic, Weather and Alkos
Here’s our guide to Midsummer.
Monday Was The Summer’s Hottest Day But There’s More to Come for Midsummer
The weather for this week can be described with one word: hot.
Hot Weather Ahead For the Weekend and Beyond
Hot weather is likely in most parts of the country from Friday through Sunday and after that.
Robot Bus Set to Begin Shuttling Today
The driverless bus is set to begin rolling in Helsinki’s Pasila district on Wednesday.
Warm Days Ahead As a High Approaches from the Northwest
Most of the days until Sunday are likely to be sunny and very warm.
Matti Vanhanen to Replace Kulmuni as Finance Minister
Matti Vanhanen is currently the speaker of the parliament. He is also the former prime minister, who served between 2003-2010.
President Niinistö to Begin a Virtual Tour in Municipalities Across Finland
His video tour will begin in Taipalsaari and Tampere on Wednesday, and on Friday he will open a remote connection to Suonenjoki and Seinäjoki.
Rainy Weekend Ahead
The weekend forecast is looking rainy and windy.
The Retaining Wall of the Helsinki Cathedral Covered With Spray-Painted Slogans Against Racism
On Thursday morning, spray-painted slogans against racism greeted the chief sacristan of the Helsinki Cathedral parish.
Over 3,000 People Join the Black Lives Matter Protest in Helsinki; ‘I am So Very Proud of Finland,’ Says Organizer
“I am in shock that so many people attended,” says Andrea Moukoko, one of the organizers.
Ministries: Coronavirus Pandemic Continues to Slow Down in Finland
During the last period (May 25–31 2020) no new cases were reported in eight hospital districts.
Flag Day of the Finnish Defence Forces Celebrated Honorably Under COVID-19 Restrictions
The rumble in the sky heard in various parts of the country on Thursday salute the Flag Day of the Finnish Defence Forces.
2,000 People to Join a Black Lives Matter March in Helsinki on Wednesday
In support of the impassioned rallies across the U.S., a Black Lives Matter march is to take place in Helsinki on Wednesday.
PICTURES: Bars and Restaurants Reopen For Business; Some Helsinki Terraces Full
As the government eases restrictions and summer begins, bars in Helsinki welcome people to their sun-lit terraces.
The Police Officers Who Were Injured After an Explosive Went Off Have Been Released From the Hospital
The officers were injured after an explosive went off when they during the call opened the door to the apartment. Later a man, 41, was found dead in the apartment.
Helsinki to Establish a Business ‘Hotspot’ in the Senate Square
The City of Helsinki is preparing to transform the Senate Square into a new commercial meeting space in the summer.
Finnair Prepares for More Layoffs
The layoffs concern all employees in Finland, about 6,100.
Another Coronavirus Contraction in Sipoo; 13 Students Enter Quarantine
13 students are exposed to the virus and have been transferred to home quarantine on Tuesday where they will continue learning through remote connections.
11 Students Transferred to Quarantine in Mäntsälä After Staff Member of the School Contracts Coronavirus
The school has taken measures against the virus by, for example, marking the floors with tape.
Restaurants to Open on June 1; Here Are the Changes to Tackle the Coronavirus Spread
Restaurants and cafeterias are going to be open on June 1. On Tuesday, the government told us about the details.
A Student Contracts Coronavirus in Porvoo After the School Returns to Contact Teaching
A total of 17 students and four teachers have been exposed to the virus and are now in home quarantine.
Rumble in the Sky Over Many Parts of Finland for the Following Weeks
The Finnish Air Force will undertake two live air exercises in the following weeks.
The Government to Return to Work Normally After Negative Coronavirus Test Result
All government ministers switched to remote work yesterday by the decision of Prime Minister Sanna Marin (the SDP) as a precautionary measure.
Two Ministers of the Finnish Government Possibly Exposed to the Coronavirus; The Government Begins Remote Work
The ministers in question have been in the same space with a person who is suspected of being infected with the coronavirus.
The Government to Begin Lifting Restrictions Against the Coronavirus Spread; Full List Included
Here’s a list of the measures to be lifted.
The Police’s Guide to Vappu; All Established May Day Traditions Are Forbidden
The police will be monitoring the restrictions regarding gatherings and food and beverage service establishments in a visible manner on May Day.
Schools to Reopen on May 14; ‘We Shouldn’t Restrict Children’s Civil Rights More Than Necessary’
The government’s decision is based on health authorities’ assessment; the restrictions to tackle the coronavirus spread are going to be lifted on early childhood education and care and those on primary and lower secondary education.
Finland to Receive 100 Asylum Seekers from the Mediterranean Region
According to the Finnish Immigration Service MIGRI, the incomers will mostly be children without a guardian and single-parent families.
VIDEO: Finland’s Largest Virtual Choir Honor War Veterans By Singing Finlandia Hymn
The National Veterans’ Day is honored by a virtual choir, by the state leadership and by the Finnish Defence Forces.
Prime Minister Marin Tests Negative for the Coronavirus
A worker at the prime minister’s official residence was possibly exposed for the coronavirus. As a precautionary measure, Prime Minister Marin was tested.
Staff of Korkeasaari Zoo to Keep Two-Meter Distance to Tigers, Which Could Contract Coronavirus
As a coronavirus precaution, the staff of the Helsinki zoo will now keep their distance to the numerous tigers and monkeys on the island.
Virtual Crowning of Havis Amanda to Mark the Beginning of ‘Vappu’ This Year
“My hope is that, like always, the crowning of Manta could mark the beginning of vappu, while also bringing joy to the vappu at-home celebrations,” says Mayor Jan Vapaavuori of Helsinki.
Worker at Prime Minister’s Residence Possibly Exposed to Coronavirus
As a precautionary measure, Prime Minister Sanna Marin will continue her work using remote access arrangements.
Major Summer Festivals Canceled in Finland
The government has decided to ban public gatherings and events of over 500 people until July 31.
Government to Discuss Lifting Restrictions and Whether to Ban Summer Festivals
Today, the government is to make preliminary plans for lifting restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. However, summer festivals could be banned.
141 People Have Died to the Coronavirus; 77 in Helsinki
The number of deaths has risen significantly because the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District has released statistics of the fatalities in its nursing homes.
3,868 Confirmed Coronavirus Infections in Finland
The number of infections has grown by 85, since our last update on Sunday.
Prime Minister Marin Talks About the Need to Further Strengthen Multilateral Cooperation with WHO
Prime Minister Sanna Marin (the SDP) and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization WHO talked on the phone of the international virus situation.
3,489 Confirmed Coronavirus Infections in Finland; 82 Dead
The number of infections has grown by 120, since our last update on Thursday.
Finland to Increase Funding for the World Health Organization
In the Finnish government’s point of view: “The WHO is leading the global effort to prepare for and respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
GALLERY: Wet Snow Covers Helsinki
Many parts of Finland were covered in snow on Thursday morning.
The Government: Uusimaa Border to Reopen Today
According to the government, when the restrictions of movement to and from the Uusimaa region came into effect on March 28, the coronavirus infections were spreading more rapidly in the Uusimaa region than in the rest of the country.
Coronavirus Infections Among Somali Community on the Rise in Helsinki
The rate of infections among Helsinki’s Somali-speaking community has quickly begun to rise.
Finnair to Establish a Joint Venture With a Chinese Airliner
For both airliners, the joint venture is another step to deepen their cooperation that began last year.
PM Marin: Uusimaa Border Likely to Reopen in 10 Days; Police to Increase Supervision at Checkpoints for Easter
The Uusimaa lockdown will likely be lifted on April 19. The police recommend staying home for Easter.
2,605 Confirmed Coronavirus Infections in Finland; 42 Dead
The number of infections has grown by 118, since our last update on Wednesday morning.
Finland Receives 2.2 Million Face Masks That Are Unsuitable for Hospital Use
After the Technical Research Center of Finland VTT analyzed the masks they concluded that the material is not suitable for hospital use; “it doesn’t meet the European standards.”
2,308 Confirmed Coronavirus Infections in Finland
The number of infections has grown by 132, since our last update on Monday morning.
Coronavirus Pandemic Closes All Restaurants, Cafes and Bars on Friday
They will remain closed to customers until May 31, 2020.
1,446 Confirmed Coronavirus Infections in Finland; 17 Dead
Included is a comprehensive list of the recent measures to tackle the spreading of the coronavirus.
Finland is the Happiest Country in the World for the Third Time in a Row
Finland is the happiest country in the world for the third time in a row, reveals the 2020 World Happiness Report.
VIDEO: 105 Candles Are Lit to the Sound of Church Bells to Commemorate the End of Winter War
The ringing of the bells in all of Finland’s Lutheran, Orthodox and Catholic churches at 10:55-11:00 on Friday commemorated the exact moment when the war ended.
#IamSuomiToo Campaign Launches Petition for Better Access to Mental Health Care for All Finnish Residents
The petition hopes to raise awareness about unequitable access to mental health care affecting foreign residents.
Finnish Heavyweight Boxer Robert Helenius Knocks Down His Polish Opponent Kownacki in the Fourth; Helenius Earns a Shot at the Title
Robert Helenius, 36, wins the most important fight of his career in Brooklyn, New York.
Finnish Heavyweight Boxer Helenius Faces Polish Kownacki in Brooklyn Tonight; Winner Nears a Title Shot
“I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe in myself anymore.”
Moomin Creator Tove Jansson to Get a Flag Day in August
“On this flag day we can celebrate Tove Jansson’s profound impact on Finnish art and literature, while also celebrating great Finnish works of art more widely.”
Prime Minister Sanna Marin to Visit New York For United Nations Women’s Day Event
Prime Minister Marin will also give an open lecture at Columbia University entitled “The Climate Sustainable Welfare Society: Is it the Model of the Future?”
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Helsinki: We Appreciate That Finland Is Not Part of a Military Union
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (the Green League) and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, met for their first official talks today at the House of the Estates in Helsinki.
Pekka Lundmark is the New President and CEO Of Nokia; Rajeev Suri to Step Down
Lundmark is currently the president and CEO of Fortum, a Finnish energy company based in Espoo, where he was considered a very successful leader.
Employment Experiment Involving Immigrants Shows Promising Results
The experiment involved combining language and vocational skills training with on-the-job learning and support for employment.
‘Richard Jewell’ Film Review: Clint Eastwood Continues His Exploration of Real-Life Heroism
Not all heroes wear capes, nor always get the credit they deserve.