Finnish-Russian tech journalist covering Nokia, gaming industry, and Finnish innovation
Fatal crash at Räyskälä airfield reveals dangerous knowledge gaps in Finland's vintage aircraft community, where critical maintenance information fails to transfer between warbird owners, prompting global safety recommendations.
Finland's parliament witnessed heated debate as opposition parties attacked the government over creating 80,000 new unemployed instead of promised jobs. Left Alliance filed a no-confidence motion while parties clashed over immigration's role in unemployment. The crisis may force policy reversals by spring 2025.
North Savo District Court cleared a Finnish police officer who accessed 97 personal records off-duty, accepting his work-related justification. The case exposed gaps in Finland's police database oversight and prompted new usage guidelines prohibiting off-duty access.
Finland's new general support system will reduce unemployment benefits for early retirees starting May 2026, creating a double penalty where people face both immediate income cuts and permanently reduced future pensions. Approximately 2,000 people will be affected by means-testing rules that treat early pension income above €311 monthly as grounds for benefit reductions.
Sipoo municipality promotes planning director Eric Roselius to yhdyskuntajohtaja, signaling continuity over disruption as the Helsinki-area municipality manages growth pressure and infrastructure demands.
Finland's Ministry of Social Affairs awarded €131,000 to Moniääniset ry to provide peer support for voice-hearers across eight cities, representing a shift from purely medical approaches to community-based mental health solutions.
Finland's Left Alliance has isolated itself by boycotting a cross-party debt brake agreement signed by all other parliamentary parties. The move jeopardizes its future coalition prospects as even traditional allies question its commitment to fiscal responsibility.
Finnish clothing company Voglia has filed for bankruptcy after 41 years, citing changed market conditions and inability to secure funding for international expansion. The family-owned business employed 13 people and manufactured primarily in Estonia, reflecting broader challenges facing Nordic retail companies amid rising bankruptcies across Sweden and Finland.
Kouvola students are taking part in a national reading challenge that runs through March 8. The program includes daily reading breaks and encourages families to read together using books, texts, or audiobooks.
A large-scale power outage in Oulu triggered cable internet and TV disruptions across multiple neighborhoods. DNA and Oulu Energy worked through the early morning to restore services, with full power returning by 5:24 AM.
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.