Society
Former and current employees of Abnoy Oy, a private provider of child protection services, have reported widespread safety risks, understaffing, and systemic failures in the company’s residential units in Pirkanmaa, South Ostrobothnia, and Kanta-Häme. Interviews conducted by Yle’s MOT program, along with official documents obtained through information
Society
Helsinki has officially surpassed 700,000 residents, reaching the historic milestone overnight with the birth of a baby at the city’s Women’s Hospital. The child, born to the Lehtola family at 00:03 on 14 August, was welcomed as the 700,000th resident of the Finnish capital. The
Politics
The Latvian Armed Forces issued an air threat warning in Latvian airspace early Friday, urging residents to seek shelter indoors. Helsingin Sanomat and Ilta-Sanomat report that the Latvian military instructed the public via the messaging service X to avoid approaching any low-flying or suspicious objects and to contact
Politics
The Finnish Defence Forces have established a temporary restriction zone for aviation and maritime traffic in the eastern Gulf of Finland, effective from 04:00 on Friday. The measure was announced via the Defence Forces' official X account. According to the Defence Forces, the restriction is a precautionary step
Politics
The Wellbeing Services County of Western Uusimaa has suspended a contested procurement of communications consulting services worth €290,000 after public criticism over its handling and ties to a Member of Parliament. The decision follows reports by Helsingin Sanomat that the county had awarded the contract to a newly established
Politics
President Alexander Stubb has shared his views on Russia, personal preferences, and childhood experiences in an interview with Koululainen, a magazine aimed at schoolchildren. The interview, which features Stubb on the cover of the August issue, includes questions submitted by young readers. Views on Russia and future dialogue Stubb expressed
Politics
The City of Tampere is planning to implement a ban on face coverings in its educational institutions, set to take effect on 1 January 2027. The policy would apply during early childhood education, school days, upper secondary education, and vocational training, as well as during related activities such as excursions.
Politics
Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman (Finns Party) has rejected all appeals submitted by universities regarding his decision to withhold funding for nine social welfare research projects, Helsingin Sanomat (HS) reports. The minister’s decisions, issued contrary to the ministry’s initial proposals, have now been finalized, with
Politics
The Finnish government has unanimously approved a new regulation for STEA grants, ending a weeks-long dispute that had brought the coalition to the brink of crisis. The decision introduces a one-third reduction in funding for social and health sector organizations, totaling €84 million, while prioritizing face-to-face
Economy
Finland is contributing €28.5 million from its development cooperation funds to support the delivery of power plants to Ukraine, as part of efforts to rebuild the country’s war-damaged energy sector. The Finnish technology company Wärtsilä Finland Oy will manufacture the plants in Vaasa, with the total project
Traffic
A Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet will conduct a flyover over Kaivopuisto on Thursday as part of the U.S. Embassy’s Independence Day celebrations. The aircraft is scheduled to pass over the area at 17:45 at an altitude of approximately 300 meters, flying from
Politics
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has intensified its opposition to the governing coalition, with party chair Antti Lindtman launching a series of pointed attacks against the Finns Party and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s National Coalition Party (NCP). The criticism comes as the SDP strategizes ahead of next April’s