LEHTIKUVA

According to a UNICEF study, comprehensive social security is a crucial tool for protecting children from poverty. "The proposed social security cuts by the current government will have serious consequences for children's well-being," warns Sanna Koskinen, UNICEF Finland's special expert.

Finland ranks only 14th out of 39 countries in UNICEF's Report Card study, which compares child poverty situations in EU and OECD countries.

LEHTIKUVA

Finnish Customs has uncovered a significant criminal operation involving the circumvention of European Union sanctions against Russia, involving over three million euros. This case, which is one of the most extensive of its kind, involves two Finnish companies suspected of illegally exporting EU-sanctioned products, including electronics, drones, and defence materiel, to Russia.

Krista Kiuru (foreground) and Mia Laiho from the Parliament’s Social Affairs and Health Committee outside the committee’s conference room in the Parliament House in Helsinki on Friday, 1 December 2023. The committee yesterday finalised its statements on the government’s social security cuts, after a reportedly chaotic, emotional and acrimonious series of meetings. (Antti Aimo-Koivisto – Lehtikuva)

THE SOCIAL AFFAIRS and Health Committee of the Finnish parliament has finalised its statements on government proposals to cut unemployment and other social security benefits, tells deputy chairperson Mia Laiho (NCP).

“It took a lot of effort, but we moved forward in a constructive and collaborative way,” Laiho stated to YLE on Monday.

Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson (SFP) reacted at a news conference concerning the results of the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) in Helsinki on Tuesday, 5 December 2023. Henriksson pointed out that the results show a decline in learning outcomes virtually across the OECD, suggesting that the special circumstances brought about by the coronavirus pandemic are partly to blame. (Antti Aimo-Koivisto – Lehtikuva)

THE PISA RESULTS of Finnish youth have deteriorated across the three core subjects examined in the international assessment: science, reading and mathematics.

The Ministry of Education and Culture on Tuesday revealed that Finnish 15-year-olds saw their mean score in mathematical literacy – the main focus of the latest assessment – decline by 23 points from 2018 to 484 points, 12 points higher than the mean score of pupils across the OECD.

Palestinians mourn the death of loved ones following Israeli bombardment in the southern Gaza Strip on December 5, 2023, as several bodies lie outside a hospital in Khan Yunis, amid continuing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas. LEHTIKUVA / AFP

Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, has issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing crisis in Gaza, describing the situation as one of the worst assaults on a civilian population in recent times. Egeland's statement sheds light on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region, marked by escalating civilian casualties, including many children.

The crisis has led to the displacement of nearly the entire population of the Gaza Strip, totaling 1.9 million people.

A snap purse with coins and banknotes on a newspaper. Establishing a separate, flat tax rate for capital income has widened income inequalities in Finland, reveals a study conducted by VATT Institute for Economic Research. (Jussi Nukari – Lehtikuva)

INCOME DISPARITY in Finland rose to a new, permanently higher level in the wake of the recession of the early 1990s, according to a study published in late November by VATT Institute for Economic Research.

The study reveals that the highest-income percentile doubled its share of income between early 1990s and early 2000s – from 2.8 per cent in 1990 to 6.1 per cent in 2004. The share dropped to five per cent by 2019.

Two people are sitting next to each other on a bus. There are empty seats in the background. Photo: HSL

Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) has introduced a new feature in its online journey planner that displays real-time bus occupancy information. Initially, this service is available for the newest buses equipped with counting devices, covering over 400 buses. The number is expected to increase gradually, and based on the success of this initiative, HSL may extend the service to other modes of public transportation.

Research Table Being Manufactured at Lojer Oy's Factory in Sastamala. LEHTIKUVA

The Finnish Research Infrastructure Committee under the Research Council of Finland has announced a significant investment in the nation's scientific capabilities. Over €29 million has been allocated to enhance and develop national and international research infrastructures. This funding, split among eleven projects, marks the first set of decisions from the FIRI 2023 call for research infrastructure applications.

Christmas gingerbread cookies. Photo: Deborah Lee Soltesz

Overindulging during Christmas or other special occasions, followed by the need for dieting, can be signs of an unhealthy food relationship. Mari Aalto, a nutrition therapist at Terveystalo, encourages permissive eating every day of the year.

According to Mari Aalto, a nutrition therapist, one of the most concerning aspects from both a physical and mental perspective is when people restrain themselves from Christmas treats until the holiday itself.

Helsinki is set to host the annual Dog Fair, organized by the Finnish Kennel Club, on December 16-17, 2023, at the Exhibition and Convention Centre. This event is a must-visit for dog lovers, offering a chance to explore various dog breeds, witness dog shows, and learn about dog-related hobbies. Special awards will be presented to Hero and Service Dogs, and there will be dedicated activities for children and young attendees.

Bankruptcy Clearance Sale Notice in a Window in Helsinki. LEHTIKUVA

Finland has experienced an unprecedented number of business bankruptcies in the 48th week of 2023, with 85 companies being declared insolvent. This figure is the highest weekly total since Finland's Asiakastieto Oy began its weekly bankruptcy tracking in 2019.

According to Jaakko Nors, a product owner at Asiakastieto who specializes in bankruptcy data, by the end of this year, over 2,700 companies are projected to have filed for bankruptcy.

Man typing on his laptop. Photo: Matt Moloney

Finnish citizens have lost millions of euros this year in various scams. At the same time, banks have been successful in combating scams more than ever. Scammers continually develop new methods and increasingly use social manipulation. For Nordea, insights from other Nordic countries provide an opportunity to effectively prepare for new types of scams.

Various scams have exploded in numbers this year. Simultaneously, Finnish banks have been more successful in thwarting scams.

A COVID-19 patient at the Seinäjoki hospital. LEHTIKUVA

In 2022, Finland witnessed a significant increase in mortality rates, primarily due to COVID-19. The disease accounted for nearly 7% of all deaths, claiming 4,349 lives. This marked a 7.7% rise in overall mortality compared to 2021, with a total of 63,200 deaths recorded last year, over 5,500 more than the previous year.

While COVID-19 was a major factor, other causes contributed to the increase.

Workers in an office. LEHTIKUVA

A recent study by the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce’s Forecasting Chamber (Ennakointikamari) has revealed a significant drop in labor demand in Uusimaa, outpacing the national trend in Finland. In September 2023, approximately 17,600 new job openings were reported in Uusimaa, marking a nearly 47% decrease compared to the same period in 2022. This decline is more pronounced than the overall Finnish decrease of 36% in new job vacancies.

Valio factory in Helsinki. LEHTIKUVA

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) is recommending that the Market Court imposes a €900,000 penalty on Valio Oy. Valio failed to comply with the commitment it made during the acquisition of Heino Wholesale to safeguard price information of competing manufacturers.

In 2021, KKV conditionally approved the acquisition in which Valio acquired Heino Wholesale, a foodservice wholesale business.