Drowning deaths in Finland rise as July heat draws crowds to water

At least 11 people drowned across Finland over the past weekend, bringing this year’s drowning figures in line with those of 2023, according to the Finnish Swimming Teaching and Lifesaving Federation (FSL). A prolonged period of hot weather has...

Sweden and Finland's membership in NATO: a shift in the balance of power in the Baltic Sea and implications for Russia's Baltic Fleet

The accession of Sweden and Finland to the North Atlantic Alliance represents one of the most significant shifts in European security architecture since the end of the Cold War. Both Nordic countries, traditionally known for their neutrality and...

Finland's credit rating downgraded by Fitch amid rising debt and weak public finances

The new credit rating is the country's lowest in nearly three decades. Open image viewer File photo. Fitch Ratings office. Image: EPA/JUSTIN LANE Credit ratings agency Fitch downgraded Finland's long-term sovereign credit rating on Friday from AA+...

Joint statement on 31 July 2025

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the US condemn the growing number of state threats from Iranian intelligence services in our respective territories.

Finland breaks heat record with 14 consecutive days over 30°C

Finland has recorded 14 straight days of temperatures exceeding 30°C, setting a new national weather record and surpassing the previous mark from 1972, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The threshold was crossed again on Friday in...

Russia is using the campaign to reopen the border with Finland as a tool of influence

Russia uses the campaign to reopen the border between Finland and Russia as a tool of hybrid pressure on the West, experts from the Robert Lansing Institute (RLI) say. According to analysts, behind what is presented in Finland as a humanitarian or...

Inspired by trip to Finland

A Cromwell principal has looked to the top-performing Finnish education system for inspiration as New Zealand schools brace for major reforms. Goldfields School principal Anna Harrison joined a group of 20 educators from New Zealand and Australia...

Finland slams Gaza suffering; Europe leaders welcome Macron's decision

Finland's president calls the suffering in Gaza unacceptable and a "man-made famine." European leaders have largely welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to formally recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, calling...

Finland sees longest period of temperatures above 30C

Finland has broken an over 50-year-old weather record as the country is witnessing the longest period of temperatures above 30C, the Finnish Meteorological Institute has said. As Parikkala in eastern Finland hit 30.3C before midday, this meant...

Finland breaks 50-year-old heat record

Finland has broken an over 50-year-old weather record as the country is witnessing the longest period of temperatures above 30C, the Finnish Meteorological Institute said on Friday. As Parikkala in eastern Finland hit 30.3 degrees Celsius before...

The chaos and tragedy of Hanoi Rocks’ first US tour

Finnish glam-punk pirates Hanoi Rocks were on the verge of a major breakthrough when they released their fifth album, Two Steps From The Move, in 1984. But their first American tour would end in tragedy and mark the beginning of the end of the...

Finland – Meeting between Jean-Noël Barrot and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (July 24, 2025)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot met with his Finnish counterpart, Elina Valtonen, in Paris on July 24. The Ministers welcomed the strengthening of our bilateral relationship. The two Ministers reiterated their commitment...

Finland breaks 50-year heat record with 14 days over 30C

Health professionals extend demo in Finland against Israeli genocide in Gaza

Health for Palestine Finland, an organisation of the health professionals in Finland has extended its demonstration to this week against Israeli genocide in Gaza after holding a series of protests last week. In addition to Helsinki, the...

Record-Breaking WSOPC Tallinn Main Event Final Table Gets Underway

It’s the final day of action at WSOPC Tallinn, and there's still plenty to play for as we crown the biggest winner of the festival in the record-breaking €1,500 Main Event. A massive turnout of 888 entries smashed the €1 million guarantee, and now...

Josh McErlean outlines the keys to success as he braces to tackle Rally Finland challenge

After the opening seven rounds of the campaign – which McErlean is contesting with new co-driver Eoin Treacy – he is currently 12th in the overall standings on 14 points. McErlean’s programme continues at Rally Finland where he is set to make his...

Kenya's Lenkupae Joins Finland’s Vaasan Palloseura on two-year deal

Kenyan international midfielder William “Will” Lenkupae has officially signed a two-year contract with Finnish top-flight club Vaasan Palloseura (VPS), marking a major milestone in his rising career. The deal, which runs through the 2026 season,...

Mixed reactions in Finland over EU-US trade deal

"It has calmed the situation but there's absolutely no reason for celebration," said Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Ville Tavio (Finns). Open image viewer According to Finnish Minister for Development Cooperation and...

Grim weekend in Finland as at least 11 people drown

A recent decline in children's swimming skills is a cause for concern, according to the interior ministry’s rescue services chief. Open image viewer The map shows locations where people are known to have drowned on Friday, Saturday or Sunday....

The most expensive countries in the world to buy an iPhone

It’s hard to remember a time before the iPhone. What began as a sleek curiosity back in the summer of 2007, a 4GB device priced at a then-noteworthy $499, has quietly become an essential for so many, and, let’s face it, something of a global...