NEWS DIGEST
Finland Proposes Legal Changes to Allow Nuclear Weapons Transit for NATO Defense in Rare Cases
While the amendments would allow for the handling of nuclear explosives in Finland under exceptional military defense circumstances, such actions would remain prohibited otherwise.
President Stubb to Strengthen Ties with India on Landmark 2026 State Visit Beginning Today
President Alexander Stubb is scheduled to visit India from March 4 to 7, 2026, representing an important move toward enhancing bilateral relations.
Fire Kills Five in Vantaa Apartment Building, Baby Survives; Man in His 70s Arrested
An elderly man is suspected of intentionally starting a fire in his apartment. The fire spread throughout the building and claimed the lives of five people on Tuesday morning in Vantaa. A baby survived.
Finland to Ban Non-Biometric Russian Passports from June 2026, With Limited Exceptions and Transition Period
Finland will stop accepting non-biometric Russian passports from June 1, with a few exceptions.
Customs Seize Record Amounts of Narcotics and Weapons in 2025 Amid Surge in Designer Drugs and Tobacco Smuggling
In the past year, Finnish Customs reported a decrease in narcotics offences but recorded record-high seizures of drugs, medicines, weapons and cigarettes.
MORE CURRENT NEWS
Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen Win UMK 2026 with ‘Liekinheitin’; Set to Represent Finland at Eurovision
Internationally acclaimed violinist Linda Lampenius and pop star Pete Parkkonen won Finland’s UMK 2026 with their song “Liekinheitin (Flamethrower) at the Nokia Arena in Tampere on Saturday night.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to Visit Rome for Diplomatic Talks, Business Forum and Arctic Policy Speech
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (NCP) is scheduled to visit Rome from March 2 to 3 to enhance diplomatic and economic relations between Finland and Italy.
Suspected Homicide in Espoo: Police Respond to a Violent Incident, Suspect Apprehended
While responding to a violent incident at a private residence in Rastaspuisto, Espoo, on the night between Friday and Saturday, the police found a victim dead.
Tram and Car Collide on Mannerheimintie on Friday Evening
A tram and a passenger car collided on Mannerheimintie in Etu-Töölö on Friday evening, prompting emergency response and temporary changes to tram routes.
Foodora Leaves Finland on Friday; Refunds for Unused Coupons Detailed
It’s the last call for unused coupons. Foodora is ending its operations in Finland, with Friday marking its final day.
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Politics
Swedish Activists Vandalize Finland’s Parliament Building; Finnish Elokapina Shares the Responsibility
Swedish and Finnish activists with fire extinguishers and red paint defaced the Finnish Parliament Building on Wednesday.
The Suspected School Shooter in Vantaa Planned His Attack, According to the Police; One Victim Killed, Two Girls Fight for Life
The events leading up to Tuesday’s school shooting in Viertola have begun to unfold. Here’s what we know so far.
Labor Unions Extend Strikes to Three Weeks; A Deeper Look at the ‘Political War’ in the World’s Happiest Country
Finland ranks as the happiest country in the world for the seventh year in a row. At the same time, trade unions and the government have reached a stalemate and companies have no choice but to leave their workers without pay.
GALLERY: The Inauguration of President Alexander Stubb
Alexander Stubb was inaugurated as Finland’s 13th president, marking the beginning of a new era and bringing to an end the tenure of President Sauli Niinistö.
We Know This: Alexander Stubb is the Next Finnish President, Here’s What You May Not Know
We followed the presidential race of Alexander Stubb (NCP) up to the point where he was facing the runner-up, Pekka Haavisto (Greens), and then, during the final hours it became clear that Stubb may win.
Music
Macy Gray Sings Finns Into a Frenzy in Helsinki
Macy Gray, the Grammy-winning, soul, jazz and R&B singer, entertained a big room full of people at Kulttuuritalo in Helsinki. Before the show, she talked to Finland Today about her approach to music.
Porvoo Jazz Festival Is a Treat to the Senses: Peela Paves the Way with the Best Jazz Gig of the Early Spring
The Helsinki-based sextet consists of younger players that have indulged in the jazz realm with more passion than some of their older contemporary peers.
In the Footsteps of Jean Sibelius
What is it like to be a classical musician in Finland? Paulina Bouzas aims to find out.
GALLERY: Finest Finnish Jazz Artists Charm Crowd in Pori on Hot Summer Day
We joined the final day of an intimate Pori Jazz event at the beautiful Kirjurinluoto Park. Here are the highlights.
Finland’s Blind Channel Qualifies for Eurovision 2021 Final
Finland’s Blind Channel qualifies for the grand final of Eurovision song contest 2021 held on Saturday in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Films
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Film Review: Year’s Best Film by Far
Here’s our review with a hundred percent score.
GALLERY: Finnish Filmmakers and Actors Dress Up for the Red Carpet at the Jussi Film Awards; ‘Compartment no. 6’ Wins in Eight Categories
Finland Today attended the Finnish film awards. View the gallery and check out the winners.
‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Film Review: An Enjoyable Marvel Blockbuster with a Strong Female Lead
Here’s our review.
‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ Film Review: Mikkelsen’s Monstrous Grindelwald is a Pale Reflection to Depp’s Charisma; The Film Still Manages to Be Fantastic
Here’s our review.
‘Ambulance’ Film Review: Michael Bay’s Epic Chase is a Masterclass in Action Filmmaking
Here’s our five-star review.
Business
Merger Between Altia and Arcus Aims to Create Leading Wine and Spirits Brand in the Nordics
The two companies join forces to reach new markets.
Konecranes Planning to Lay Off 55 People in Finland; Temporary Layoffs Concern 700
Konecranes is planning to lay off workers in Hyvinkää and Hämeenlinna.
Finnish Oil Refinery Giant Neste to Cut 470 Jobs
Neste Oyj is planning to shut down its refinery operations in Naantali. In addition, their Porvoo refinery would focus on co-processing renewable and circular raw materials.
Finnish Exports Decreased by Nearly 14 Percent in July
The Finnish Customs’ preliminary statistics reveal a decline in Finland’s international trade in goods.
Major Interruptions in Nordea’s and OP’s Banking Services During the Weekend
This weekend banking services of Nordea and OP will have interruptions when their IT systems will be maintained.
Helsinki
Oodi Central Library Turns Five
Central Library Oodi opened its doors for the first time on December 5, 2018, the eve of Finland’s Independence Day.
POLICE: Victim of Shooting Near Kamppi Cinema in Helsinki Survives
A shooting took place near a cinema in Helsinki’s Kamppi district late on Monday evening. Here’s what we know so far.
WATCH: Man in Wheelchair Stands Up to Attack; Protesters Against Neo-Nazis Clash With National-Minded Marchers on Independence Day
Protesters against neo-Nazis did their best to stop a nationalistic torchlight procession.
Protest Disrupts Ecumenical Jubilee Service of Heads of State on Finland’s 106th Independence Day; View the Gallery
Finland celebrates its 106th Independence Day. Here is what has happened so far.
A Large Free Parking Lot Becomes a Paid Parking Lot Near the Center of Helsinki
The conversion of parking spaces into paid spaces is based on the City of Helsinki’s policy to convert all long-term free parking spaces in and around the city center into paid spaces.