Historic shift as more men than women get 'the snip'
Finland's battle for gender equality took a step forward last year, when for the first time ever more men were sterilised than women.
News
Reports reveal Turku shipyard's two-tier labour market
Turku shipyard, which is owned by the German firm Meyer, has a two-tier labour market, according to reports from regional authorities seen by Yle. According to the reports some foreign workers are paid lower salaries, and not adequately compensated for overtime.
Winter finally over? Last of the Kilpisjärvi ice expected to melt this week
It might not be the warmest summer on record, but Finland is set to finally see the end of the winter ice on one of its most famous lakes this week. Kilpisjärvi still had about 67 centimetres of ice on 10 June, but that should go in the coming days.
Wednesday's papers: London Finns on brexit, civil war grave mystery, and summer payment delays
Wednesday's newspapers include stories on Finns in London worried about Brexit, a mass grave re-discovered recently dating back to the Civil War, and difficulties for small businesses as customers delay payments over the summer.
Previous stories
Finland to adopt age limit for social media users from 2018
Finland will adopt new age restrictions for setting up social media accounts from 2018. Officials hope the move will help rein in the wild west of social media usage among underage children.
Deportation cancelled after protests at Helsinki Airport
Finnish police abandoned an attempted deportation on Monday after dozens of people turned up at the airport to protest against the removal. Activists say the flight captain also decided to remove the deportee after objections from a passenger.
Pori beach beer among world's dearest
A comparison of beaches across the world has found that Finnish coastal resorts are among the most expensive in the world, especially when it comes to buying a beer.
Finland to deport Turkish Kurds facing prison terms in home country
Finnish immigration authorities plan to deport two Turkish Kurds facing lengthy prison sentences in their home country over charges of engaging in terrorism. Researchers have pointed out that immigration officials used dated information to support their decision to deny asylum to the duo.
Tuesday's papers: New government crisis, home care problems, Estonian booze prices and Selänne's crowning glory
Tuesday's newspapers include stories on wrangling in the government, problems with home care, a jump in alcohol prices in Estonia and hockey legend Teemu Selänne's elevation to the NHL Hall of Fame.
Helsinki police shut down anti-immigration protesters’ camp over security concerns
Helsinki police are evicting anti-immigration demonstrators from their makeshift encampment at Helsinki’s Central Railway Station. Police said that the "Finland First" (Suomi Ensin) protesters were ordered to leave the area by 6.00pm Monday following cases in which passersby were allegedly assaulted by members of the group.
Daily: Former Labour Minister's aide demands funding cuts to immigrant NGOs
A former aide to Labour Minister Jari Lindström says he was only following orders when he called on ministry officials to cut funding to NGOs that assist immigrant children. According to daily Helsingin Sanomat, officials prevented ex-ministerial aide Sakari Puisto from pulling financial support from a total of six NGOs.
Two men held over Espoo pizzeria fire
Police have held two men on suspicion of involvement in a fire at a pizzeria in Espoo on Sunday night. Investigators have not yet revealed how the fire was set, but say they believe it was an act of arson.
Monday's papers: Delayed provincial government, avoiding family fights, and Markkanen's difficult Chicago start
Monday's papers include more on the government's long-running reform of social and health care, the difficulty of coaxing teenagers out of the city for the summer, and Finnish basketball star Lauri Markkanen's baptism of fire in Chicago.
Interior Ministry: No Finnish fires linked to flammable insulation used on Grenfell Tower
The flammable cladding used in the Grenfell Tower has not so far been linked to any fires in Finland, according to the Interior ministry. The insulation material is not banned in Finland, but there are strict rules surrounding its use—and these are due to be tightened next year.
Homicides at 100-year low in Finland
A new report shows that homicides are at a historic low in Finland, continuing a downward trend that began in the mid-1990s. One possible reason is widespread mobile phone ownership, according to one of the authors of the report.
Drownings and accidents mar Midsummer festivities
Police report that the Midsummer weekend has passed off relatively peacefully, with callouts mainly due to domestic incidents and rowdiness. As of Sunday morning six drownings had been reported, a reduction on the figure from Midsummer 2016.
Activists protest at alleged restrictions on use of Finnish in Sweden
Finnish speakers in Sweden are protesting about what they say is language-based discrimination. The group of activists wrote an op-ed in Dagens Nyheter claiming that use of Finnish in everyday life in Sweden is being hampered by petty rules and official obstruction.
Midsummer mythbusting: Is it really all about sausages, sex and booze?
Finnish Midsummer is a legendary celebration, but is it really all about boozing? Do more people drown at Midsummer? And do people really get more amorous around the summer solstice? We ask the experts about all the big Midsummer stereotypes.
Record-breaking NHL draft sees 6 Finns picked in first round
Finland's young ice hockey players had a good night in Chicago on Friday, with six selected in the first round of the NHL draft. The highest Finnish pick was HIFK defenceman Miro Heiskanen, who went to Dallas Stars with the third pick.
Midsummer festivities off to a quiet start
As of Friday afternoon two people had died during the Midsummer holiday, with traffic slightly busier than expected.
Cool Midsummer underway
This year's Midsummer holiday is taking place in cooler-than-average temperatures, with Lapland some ten degrees cooler than usual. In many places water in lakes and rivers is actually warmer than the temperature on dry land.
Government majority falls again with re-defection
The government led by Juha Sipilä has a smaller majority following the defection of Ritva 'Kike' Elomaa back to the Finns Party, away from the breakaway Blue Reform group that has joined the coalition government. Elomaa had left the Finns Party group last week after the election of hardliner Jussi Halla-aho as leader.
Lauri Markkanen makes Finnish basketball history as 7th pick in NBA draft
Finnish basketball star Lauri Markkanen is to play next season with the Chicago Bulls after he was picked seventh in the NBA draft on Thursday. No Finnish player has ever been picked higher than that in the American league's annual event held to allocate new arrivals to NBA clubs.
A photographic history of Finland - warts and all
Finland is in the middle of its 100th anniversary of independence and various celebrations of the country's cultural history and achievements abound. A new photography exhibit at the National Museum, The Public and the Hidden Finland, takes a look at some less glamorous - but clearly historically-significant - events that have shaped the country during the past century.
"Poverty-stricken" former President Halonen featured in Salvation Army ad
The Salvation Army in Finland has launched a multimedia fundraising campaign with a theme about poverty - and how it could potentially suddenly afflict anyone. The campaign features a striking photograph of a despondent-looking Tarja Halonen (the nation's former President) wearing threadbare clothing, sitting on a granite step, by a graffiti-scribbled concrete wall.
Finnish MPs approve 3 day-per-week postal service in urban areas
Finnish Parliament has approved a change to Finland's Postal Act which will permit the national postal service Posti to reduce mail deliveries to three times per week in some urban areas. Parliament voted 97 -79 to approve the law change on Wednesday.
Midsummer madness: Why 'Juhannus' is Finland's best and worst celebration
Guest contributor Joel Willans takes a look at the fun and frolics around Finnish Midsummer.
Sipilä met Merkel in Berlin, wants to solidify EU defence policy
After meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finland's Prime Minister Juha Sipilä said that EU defence cooperation negotiations must eventually lead to concrete actions. The two leaders met in Berlin on Wednesday and will continue discussions at an EU summit in Brussels on Friday.
Economic upswing boosts households’ holiday spending – by 20 euros
After three consecutive years in which consumers spent decreasing sums on their annual summer holidays, the economic upswing has seen households in Finland increase their vacation spending. According to a survey by Nordea Bank however, the spending boost is a modest 20 euros per household.
Poll: Finns Party support up slightly, despite party splintering
Yle's monthly party support poll shows the winners among government's parties in June are the National Coalition Party, which received the support of 21.3 percent of respondents - the party's best results in more than five years. But given the recent interparty - and dramatic - upheaval, the remaining Finns Party members are likely pleased about the support they received.
Thursday's papers: Tragedy in Ekenäs, human smuggling via Facebook, identity theft hits southern Finland
The papers on Thursday reported on the murder of a young woman in southern Finland. One paper examines a human smuggling operation which attracts customers through a Facebook page. Another newspaper reports that police suspect two individuals of identity theft crimes that affected at least 70 people in southern Finland.
Work stoppage called off at state-owned petroleum giant Neste
Shop stewards at state-owned oil company Neste have called off a planned work stoppage to protest government plans to reduce its stake in the firm. The industrial action would have suspended deliveries of fuel for a week starting on Monday.
Finance Ministry bullish on economy, doubles 2017 growth forecast
Finland’s Finance Ministry has doubled its economic forecast for this year to 2.4 percent. During the spring, ministry economists projected that the economy would grow by a relatively modest 1.2 percent.
Midsummer reminders: All you need to know before the holiday weekend
The long Midsummer weekend will bring some changes to business hours for monopoly liquor retailer Alko as well as banks, supermarkets, service stations and post offices. It will also usher in special holiday schedules for public transportation services -- as well as for Yle News.
Summer solstice: Wednesday longest day of the year
Even though the calendar day on which the Midsummer holiday falls is this coming Saturday, actual midsummer - or summer solstice, the day of the year with the most hours of sunlight - is today, Wednesday, June 21.
Wednesday's papers: Tackling terror threats and easing checks on alcohol sales
Terror and threats were two of the main words splashed across Finnish dailies Wednesday. Papers delved into the details of a national security operation to foil a suspected terror attack in Helsinki earlier in the week and provided new insights into the drama. Running a close second in the race for media real estate is a breakthrough agreement among government MPs to loosen restrictions on alcohol sales.
Uniformed police to join Helsinki Pride parade
Police will join Helsinki’s annual pride parade this year at the official invitation of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman. Officers will be looking to prevent hate crimes against sexual minorities.
New Finnish government survives first confidence vote
The reconstituted coalition government led by Prime Minister Juha Sipilä survived its first confidence vote in Parliament Tuesday afternoon. The coalition — which now comprises Sipilä’s Centre Party, the National Coalition Party led by Finance Minister Petteri Orpo and the breakaway Finns Party faction Blue Reform — won the support of 104 MPs, while 85 opposed it.
Track works set to disrupt rail travel over Midsummer
Finland's state railways company VR has announced extensive disruption to services over the Midsummer weekend. Maintenance work around Tampere will disrupt rail travel across the country, with some 366 replacement bus services planned to get rail passengers to their destinations.
Helsinki Court prepares to hear ex-narcotics cop Jari Aarnio's drug trafficking conviction appeal
The latest round in a convoluted case involving Finland’s biggest crime thriller-turned-reality began in the Helsinki Court of Appeal on Tuesday. Former Helsinki drug squad chief Jari Aarnio is appealing against a 10-year prison sentence for drug offences and official misconduct.
Neste workers to down tools, suspend fuel deliveries in protest at government
Shop stewards at Neste oil, a state-owned oil firm, are to suspend deliveries of fuel from Monday 26 June until Sunday 2 July. Unions say the action is to protest against the government's plan to drop the state-owned stake in the company from 50.1 percent to 33.4 percent.
Finland erects concrete barriers against possible terror attack
Finnish police mobilised Monday evening in an operation aimed at heading off a possible terror attack in the capital Helsinki. Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation said it had received information suggesting preparations for a possible strike.
Tuesday's papers: Blue Reform's cold reception, construction merger and euro draw
Tuesday's papers include a welter of stories on Timo Soini's new grouping in parliament, a merger of two giants in the Finnish building trade, and the draw for Finnish football teams playing in European competition this summer.
British orienteering team cross Russian border, down beers, get detained by border guards
A team of four British men who competed in last weekend’s Jukolan viesti orienteering competition were held by Finnish border guards after they illegally crossed the border into Russia on Sunday. The men apparently could not resist the temptation to cross the frontier for a few quick beers.
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Finns Party breakaway group to be named Blue Reform
The breakaway group of Finns Party MPs briefly known as the New Alternative have registered as an association known as Blue Reform. The move takes the group one step closer to becoming a bona fide political party.
Interior Ministry official urges municipalities to take in refugee minors
Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Päivi Nerg has expressed concern about the fate of some unaccompanied minors who have been granted asylum in Finland. Roughly 100 children and youths are still living at reception centres and awaiting placements in Finnish municipalities.
Monday's papers: VR's ticketless conductors, Latvian libations, lake recovery, grating grans
Monday's newspaper coverage has a distinctly downtime summer feel, with dailies focusing on puzzling changes to domestic rail travel, Latvia emerging as a new travel destination for booze buffs, brighter prospects for lakeside holidaymakers and the often-inevitable clashes that occur between parents and grandparents.
World's first and only Moomin museum opens in Tampere
The exhibition boasts classic pieces by Moomin creator Tove Jansson, and rare gems on display for the first time.
Midsummer weather forecast predicts chilly solstice weekend
The Finnish Meteorological Institute predicts temperatures will hover between 10–15 degrees.
New Green Party chair strives to lead party towards premiership
Newly-elected leader of the Green League Touko Aalto called for more dialogue between the government and opposition parties, especially regarding the upcoming health and social care reform.
OECD: Universal basic income might increase poverty and inequality
A report by the economic organisation revealed that in countries with strong social support systems, basic income would actually increase the number of the number of people in lower income brackets and under the poverty line.
Touko Aalto named new leader of Greens
MP Touko Aalto was voted the new leader of the Green League. In a bizarre twist of events, vote counters realized one box containing 400 votes had been left in Helsinki, and was hastily transported to the party convention in Tampere.
National park Hossa offers a breathtaking glimpse into Finland's prehistoric past
Finland has declared a new national park in Hossa in northeast Finland. The area is thousands of years old with rock paintings and tar pits silently telling previously hidden tales about Finns and their relationship with nature.
Mannerheim's historic saloon car opens up
The private train carriage that Finnish Marshal and President C.G. Mannerheim used for years in the 1940s has only been open to the public on one day a year. Now guests can dine in the very spot where Mannerheim himself used to – if they've got the money. A Mannerheim-themed meal - for up to four guests - costs some 1,000 euros.
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Midsummer madness: Why 'Juhannus' is Finland's best and worst celebration
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Midsummer madness: Why 'Juhannus' is Finland's best and worst celebration
Guest contributor Joel Willans takes a look at the fun and frolics around Finnish Midsummer.
Finnish govt implodes: Centre, NCP say deal off with Finns Party
Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipilä of the Centre Party and Finance Minister Petteri Orpo, who heads the National Coalition Party, have announced that there is no common ground for cooperation with the Finns Party under newly-minted leader Jussi Halla-aho.
Finland erects concrete barriers against possible terror attack
Finnish police mobilised Monday evening in an operation aimed at heading off a possible terror attack in the capital Helsinki. Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation said it had received information suggesting preparations for a possible strike.
Finland endures coldest May in nearly half a century
As many people resident in Finland already know, May was an exceptionally cold month. According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute FMI, the last time May daytime temperatures were this low was in 1969.
British orienteering team cross Russian border, down beers, get detained by border guards
A team of four British men who competed in last weekend’s Jukolan viesti orienteering competition were held by Finnish border guards after they illegally crossed the border into Russia on Sunday. The men apparently could not resist the temptation to cross the frontier for a few quick beers.
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