Economy
Over two million Finns will receive tax refunds today, with the Tax Administration disbursing a total of 1.1 billion euros. The 3 August payment day is the largest of the year in terms of customer volume, according to the Tax Administration (MTV Uutiset). Refunds will be paid throughout the
Society
A significant security flaw has been discovered in the Kraft brand combination padlocks sold by Tokmanni, raising concerns about their reliability. The €6.49 locks, manufactured in China, can reportedly be opened in seconds without knowing the three-digit code, according to tests conducted by Iltalehti. Security Risk Identified in
Economy
Fuel prices in Finland saw a modest decline in July compared to the previous month, though they remain significantly higher than a year ago due to global market disruptions, according to data from Statistics Finland. The average tax-inclusive price of diesel stood at €2.10 per litre in July,
Economy
A technical disruption in Lidl’s card payment system led to hundreds of customers being charged twice for their purchases over the weekend. The issue, which affected Visa card transactions, occurred during Sunday and Monday, with around 200 cases of overcharging reported (Yle). The disruption was traced to Verifone, the
Politics
The City of Kajaani has approved a €620,000 investment for a new water slide at the Kaukavesi aquatic center, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from locals. While some view the project as a necessary upgrade, others question the high cost, particularly given the initial budget estimate of
Economy
A 65-meter luxury yacht, the Life Saga, has drawn attention at Helsinki’s Katajanokka pier since its arrival on Wednesday evening. The vessel, previously owned by Russian oligarch Gennadi Aivazyan, is now under American ownership, though the current owners’ identities remain undisclosed. The Life Saga was built in Italy
Economy
Finland’s economy showed strong growth in the second quarter of 2024, with seasonally adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) increasing by 0.9 percent compared to the previous quarter, according to preliminary data from Statistics Finland. The working-day adjusted figure also revealed a 2.5 percent rise in GDP
Climate
Humanity has consumed the planet’s renewable natural resources for 2024, marking 30 July as this year’s Earth Overshoot Day. According to calculations by the Global Footprint Network and York University in Toronto, based on UN agency data, current consumption levels would require 1.73 Earths to sustain (Ilta-
Economy
The annual maintenance outage at Fortum’s Loviisa nuclear power plant will commence this Sunday, with Unit 2 scheduled for servicing first, followed by Unit 1. The outages are expected to continue until mid-October, with one reactor unit remaining operational at all times to ensure continuous electricity production (Yle)
Economy
Finland’s electricity transmission system operator Fingrid will disconnect the fiber optic connection running between Finland and Russia at the turn of the year, multiple sources confirm. The decision follows the expiration of a lease agreement for the cable, which was previously used alongside a power line between the two
Economy
A surge in wild berry prices has led to a record-breaking season in Finland, with domestic pickers flocking to forests in unprecedented numbers. Meanwhile, concerns over exploitation, scams, and safety risks have cast a shadow over the industry, particularly for foreign workers and inexperienced foragers.
Crime
A horse entrepreneur in Kontiolahti has reported extensive damage to her hay harvest, with police investigating the incident as suspected criminal damage. Saga Pouta, a national-level western rider who runs a small stable business in Iiksenniitty, discovered on Monday morning that over 120 of her approximately 140 dry hay