The terrorism case in the small town of Kankaanpää in the region of Satakunta, originally involved five suspected members of a neo-Nazi group. On 10 January, Deputy Prosecutor General Jukka Rappe charged two of the suspects with crimes committed with terrorist intent. The case marks the first time charges haveContinue Reading
Former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has joined the newly established International Task Force on Security and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, aimed at bolstering the country’s security position. The high-profile task force held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, hosted by the Office of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Besides Marin,Continue Reading
For the first time, the spouse of Finland’s next president will be of foreign origin. The spouses of both the National Coalition Party candidate Alexander Stubb, and his rival Pekka Haavisto (Green/independent) were born abroad. Stubb’s wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb is English and was born in Solihull. Haavisto’s partner Antonio FloresContinue Reading
More than 1,500 women have volunteered for military service, the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) stated in a press release after applications for the summer 2024 cohort closed on 15 January. According to the FDF, this is the third highest number of applicants in history. Women have been trained for almostContinue Reading
Two of Finland’s largest trade union federations, SAK and STTK, have announced plans to stage a demonstration against the government’s proposed reform of labour market laws. The protest is scheduled to take place in Helsinki’s Senate Square on Thursday 1 February. The demonstration is a continuation of the campaign byContinue Reading
On average, over-the-counter medicines are 37 percent cheaper in Sweden, and prescription medicines are about 11 percent less expensive, according to a new study by consulting firm Copenhagen Economics. The study compared medicines by product category and also took into account the two Nordic countries’ different VAT levels. The largestContinue Reading
Finland gets a new president in 2024, after 12 years with Sauli Niinistö as head of state. He can’t run again, so there are a number of contenders to replace him. This article provides some essential information about the race. What’s at stake? The job has changed a lot sinceContinue Reading
The will of conscripts to defend Finland is at its highest in nearly 10 years, according to a feedback survey conducted by the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) among conscripts who were discharged in December. On a scale of 1 to 5, conscripts rated their willingness to defend Finland with anContinue Reading
Last June, the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) contracted the purchase of 91 of Patria’s 6×6 armoured vehicles. That deal included an option for an additional 70, of which the FDF Logistic Command is now ordering 40. Patria’s 6×6 armoured vehicles are manufactured in Hämeenlinna. “The future looks good,” Jussi Järvinen,Continue Reading
It is cold all across Finland, but especially in the far northwest of Finnish Lapland where a temperature of -44.3 degrees Celsius was recorded just after 2 am Friday at Enontekiö. The Finnish Meteological Institute noted Thursday that temperatures below -42C have been recorded only three times this century. “WeContinue Reading