Economy
The Finnish housing market remained subdued in June, with prices for old share-ownership apartments falling by 3.9 percent nationwide compared to the previous year, according to data from Statistics Finland. The decline in prices did not stimulate market activity, as transaction volumes also dropped significantly. Compared to the
Health
Posti’s repeated delivery failures have caused serious disruptions for at least two healthcare-related cases in Finland, including a Helsinki resident left without vital medical supplies and a private medical clinic facing spoiled lab samples due to delayed transport.
Economy
Finnish consumer confidence in the economy remains subdued, though slightly improved from a year ago, with sharp regional and socio-economic divides shaping perceptions, according to Statistics Finland’s latest data.
Economy
Finnish companies have seen a broad-based improvement in business conditions during the early summer, according to the latest Business Tendency Survey by the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK). The survey, conducted in July, indicates that industrial production has grown widely, while construction output has returned to growth after a
Economy
Colorado potato beetles, a destructive potato pest, have been found in six locations in Eastern and Southeastern Finland this summer, according to the Finnish Food Authority. The beetles have been observed in Lahti, Kouvola, Savonlinna, Luumäki, Ruokolahti, and Joensuu (Yle, MTV Uutiset). The Finnish Food Authority estimates that the beetles
Economy
Finnish construction company YIT has signed an agreement to build a production and maintenance facility for Leopard 2A8 tanks in Kaunas, Lithuania. The project, valued at approximately 30 million euros, will be carried out for UAB Lithuania Defence Services. According to YIT, construction work is set to begin in August,
Politics
Jussi Lindgren, the special advisor on economic policy to Finance Minister Riikka Purra (Finns Party), is one of the government’s most influential behind-the-scenes figures, despite being largely unknown to the public. A former civil servant with a background in economics and engineering, Lindgren has played a key
Economy
Lidl Finland has begun incorporating AI-generated imagery in its promotional leaflets, marking the grocery chain’s adaptation to artificial intelligence in marketing. The images, which include products such as mini watermelons, butter croissants, and coffee packages, are now labeled with an "AI" tag to indicate their digital
Society
A technical disruption in Kela’s online service OmaKela has left some users unable to apply for general housing allowance and general housing benefit. The issue, which began on Saturday morning at 6:45, also prevents the submission of unemployment period notifications, Kela reports on its website. Kela’s technical
Politics
Former Helsinki mayor Jan Vapaavuori sought political backing for the Garden Helsinki arena project from key figures in the National Coalition Party (Kokoomus), including Matias Marttinen, then chair of the party’s parliamentary group, according to correspondence obtained by Iltalehti. The emails, acquired through a freedom of information request from
Politics
The European Union has adopted its 21st sanctions package against Russia, introducing a record number of measures aimed at further weakening Moscow’s ability to sustain its war in Ukraine. The package, finalized on 23 July, includes over 200 new listings targeting individuals, entities, and sectors critical to Russia’s
Economy
Finland’s two leading forest industry companies, UPM and Stora Enso, reported improved second-quarter earnings on Thursday, though sales remained largely unchanged amid persistent market challenges. Stora Enso’s adjusted operating profit rose by 27% year-on-year to 160 million euros, while revenue held steady at 2.42