Finnish-Russian tech journalist covering Nokia, gaming industry, and Finnish innovation
Three veteran CEOs at major Finnish car importers have been dismissed amid a prolonged slump in new vehicle sales. The leadership shake-up affects companies representing brands like Hyundai, Nissan, Renault, and Stellantis marques.
A Helsinki court ruled Sörkka Prison unlawfully dismissed a fitness instructor. The prison's allegations, from a pilates group to unauthorized visitors, largely crumbled under judicial scrutiny due to unclear internal rules.
Finland trains its first conscripts in antipersonnel mine use after leaving the Ottawa Treaty. Soldiers on the ground call the weapons a necessary and effective defensive tool. This marks a major shift in Finland's defense posture and training.
MP Hanna Räsänen lost a Centre Party deputy chair role to Eerikki Viljanen by drawing lots—the third time in three years their tie was broken by chance. The repeated lottery reveals a unique, stable rivalry within the party's ranks.
Finland's 565 MW Meri-Pori coal plant sits idle despite high electricity prices, reserved only for emergencies by state authorities. CEO Janne Känkänen explains it can't be used for price spikes, highlighting a policy dilemma between market relief and security. Future negotiations will decide its role amid energy volatility.
Residents of Veikkola, Finland, are launching a campaign to separate from Kirkkonummi municipality. Fueled by decades of neglect and the killing of a key rail project, they're considering merging with Espoo or Vihdi—or even declaring independence. This local fight highlights broader tensions over infrastructure and representation in growing regions.
Helsinki plans to standardize school schedules, potentially cutting music class hours in half for specialized students and limiting foreign language options. Education director Satu Järvenkallas says all pupils will get equal weighted teaching, but teachers warn of eroded excellence. The city will consult parents before a spring decision.
A record €16 million lottery win in Naantali, Finland, has local officials hopeful for an economic boost. The anonymous winner's spending could benefit the small city's services and businesses, while the story also highlights the serious issue of gambling addiction.
Finland's top legal watchdogs, the Chancellor of Justice and Parliamentary Ombudsman, have sharply criticized the government's proposed military intelligence law. They warn it expands surveillance powers while undermining constitutional protections for private communications. The draft now faces significant revisions due to these high-level objections.
A dispute over 3D-printed car parts in Finland pits repair shop innovation against strict vehicle regulations, creating an insurance liability puzzle. Major insurer LähiTapiola takes a cautious wait-and-see approach, placing responsibility on industry experts to set standards. The case becomes a crucial test for Finland's ability to integrate new tech into old frameworks.
Former MP Pertti Hemmilä is poised to return to Finland's Parliament after the first substitute candidate declined. The 70-year-old confirmed he would accept the seat, pending formal approval by Parliament, marking a potential comeback after losing his seat in 2015.
The Finnish tech city of Oulu has launched its year as a European Capital of Culture. The program mixes tech hub identity with unique events like electronic sauna concerts and air guitar. It aims to fuse the city's strong engineering community with creative arts.
Finland has released the seized ship Fitburg after a cable damage probe, but one crew member remains imprisoned. The case highlights risks to submarine cables vital for Finland's tech sector, from Helsinki startups to gaming giants. Read our analysis on the legal and industry implications.
Finland releases the MV Fitburg, suspected of severing a vital data cable, after completing evidence collection. One crew member remains jailed as prosecutors pursue serious sabotage charges. The case highlights the physical fragility of the digital infrastructure powering the Nordic tech economy.
A flaw in Finland's healthcare reform funding model, where inconsistent diagnostic recording created huge financial imbalances, has been exposed. One region gained €10M from an 'oxygen bottle' data error, while others lost tens of millions. The government's investigation may be too little, too late.
Oulu, Finland's northern tech powerhouse, has been named the 2026 European Capital of Culture. The city plans to blend its high-tech heritage with eclectic Nordic arts, from sauna soundscapes to the Air Guitar World Championships. This marks a strategic shift to attract global talent and redefine its international image.
A Finnish man used an excavator to steal 9 tons of power cable, selling it in a €50,000 scheme that ended at state-owned Fortum. The case exposes vulnerabilities in critical national infrastructure and the scrap metal supply chain.
Finland's technology sector shows resilience with Q3 growth for major companies and startups. Nokia and gaming firms like Supercell report stable performance while Helsinki's innovation hubs attract continued investment. The sector faces challenges from global economic pressures but maintains its specialized position in telecommunications and mobile gaming.
Audi's Finnish importer stuns the market with a five-year warranty for all new cars, doubling standard coverage. This strategic move targets EV adoption fears and a slow sales period, putting direct pressure on German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
A Finnish court upheld a 22-month prison sentence for a man who ran over a security guard while stealing a PlayStation 5. The case reveals the legal nuances of intent in violent robberies and the real dangers faced by retail workers.
A major technical glitch during Finland's live Lotto broadcast showed millions of viewers incorrect winning numbers, triggering a crisis of confidence in the state gaming monopoly. Veikkaus scrambles to explain the failure was in TV graphics, not the secured draw itself.
Finnish police used undercover sting operations to bust a drug ring operating from Airbnb apartments in Jyväskylä. The case reveals how criminals exploit short-term rentals and encrypted apps like Telegram, signaling a new front in digital-age crime fighting.
The Finnish city of Riihimäki is updating its ambitious municipal strategy, which famously aims to make it "the most beautiful and courageous in the solar system." The lighter-touch review reflects satisfaction with the current direction but allows for new input from residents and city staff.
A fatal stabbing outside a 24-hour Helsinki karaoke bar has neighboring businesses in revolt, describing months of chaos and safety threats. The tragedy forces a city-wide debate on nightlife regulation and public safety.