Babies now need passports
As of Tuesday, Finnish children travelling abroad are required to have their own passports.
In some cases, minor children used to be included in parents' travel documents. New EU regulations, however, require individual identification. Officials say that the changes are aimed at improving the safety of small children while travelling abroad.
Up until August 2006, Finnish authorities included children in parents’ 10-year passports. Guardians may continue using these travel documents through expiration, though new passports are necessary for their children.
In 2006 Finland introduced biometric passports, which included a microchip storing a digital facial image. Three years later, fingerprint scans were added to the personal data stored on these chips. Fingerprints will, however, not be taken from kids under the age of 12.
Latest in: News
Itella chops 180 management jobs
The state mail delivery and logistics company launched retrenchment talks in mid-April with the aim of cutting 350 jobs.
Researcher: Bullying should be nipped in the bud
Research shows that small children don’t have an inherent tendency to bully their peers, but learn the practice from others.
Met man: Monster tornado also possible in Finland
A meteorologist and storm chaser says that the kind of tornado that recently killed dozens of people in Oklahoma in the USA, is also possible in Finland. Finland suffered extensive destruction in a series of massive twisters that struck in 1932.
Workers' tax badge rule sees flood of registrations
In an effort to combat illegal labour practices, Finland’s tax authorities introduced a requirement for workers in the construction industry to register by way of individual tax numbers to be displayed on a badge. Authorities say that thousands of new workers are emerging as a result, with tax badges being assigned to carpenters, security guards and even cooks on the same construction site.
Lottery lands toilet tissue company in the can
Finland’s Consumer Ombudsman has taken the manufacturer of the well-known Lotus brand of toilet tissue to court for aggressive marketing. The company has offered consumers who buy its toilet paper a chance to win a 100,000-euro jackpot prize. However the chances of actually winning are paper-thin: just one in 2.4 billion.
Tax badges may be introduced for cleaners, too
This spring, tax badges became obligatory for builders -- and cleaning staff could be next.
Talvivaara mine stains river orange
The mine has been involved in a string of environmental mishaps -- and PR fiascos -- for more than six months.
Moomin ceramics tempt shoplifters
Police say that housewares depicting the denizens of Moominvalley are in high demand -- including among thieves.
Finland ranks mid-table in EU beach cleanliness
Finland ranks among the EU’s top 10 countries when it comes to purity of bathing waters – but just barely.
April unemployment at 8.8%
The unemployment rate in Finland declined slightly in April to 8.8%, down from March, but still higher than a year previously.
