Photo: Mostphotos, Viktor Koldunov

A recently released report by the OTI (Accident Investigation Board) delves into the impact of seatbelt use, or lack thereof, on fatal accidents. Between 2017 and 2021, 198 drivers and passengers in motor vehicle accidents lost their lives due to not wearing a seatbelt. According to assessments by traffic accident investigation boards, seatbelt usage could have saved 114 lives, and many others could have sustained less severe injuries had seatbelts been worn.

Chairpersons Markku Jalonen of Local and County Government Employers (KT), Maria Löfgren of Akava, Jarkko Eloranta of SAK and Antti Palola of STTK listened attentively as Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) briefed the media on the takeaways of his discussions with labour market organisations in Kesäranta, Helsinki, on Wednesday, 27 September 2023. Orpo announced the launch of a tripartite effort to reform the pension system to create cost savings of roughly one billion euros. (Markku Ulander – Lehtikuva)

THE GOVERNMENT of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) is eager to reform the pension system to create around one billion euros in cost savings.

Orpo on Wednesday revealed at a press conference that the details of the reform will be discussed at tripartite meetings with employer and employee organisations, with the objective of finalising the reform in January 2025.

The city's official Christmas tree has been erected on Senate Square since the 1930s. Photo: Helsinki KTK Ltd.

The city of Helsinki is on the hunt for the perfect Christmas trees to grace two of its most beloved locations – Senaatintori Square and the front of Hakaniemi Market Hall. Continuing a cherished tradition, Helsinki is inviting residents in the metropolitan area to contribute a tree from their own property, fostering a sense of community and shared festive spirit.

The ideal tree should be of venerable age, robust health, with lush foliage, and sturdy branches.

LEHTIKUVA

Socioeconomic disadvantage in neighborhoods may compromise the dietary quality of young children and increase the risk of childhood obesity, according to a doctoral thesis conducted at the University of Turku's Faculty of Medicine. This research sheds light on individual, parenting, and environmental factors related to children's eating habits.

Childhood obesity is on the rise worldwide, starting as early as infancy. Harmful dietary habits leading to obesity often begin to develop during early childhood.

The Callboats test drive in Laajasalo. Photo: Jussi Knuuttila, Forum Virium Helsinki

Autonomous electric water transport could be the answer to improving accessibility, achieving carbon neutrality, and addressing a shortage of skippers in the Helsinki archipelago. However, current legislation is a barrier to the operation of remotely controlled boats.

Over the years, Forum Virium Helsinki, the innovation agency of the City of Helsinki, has accelerated various business ideas through its rapid innovation experiments.

Students at the Kaisa House, the Helsinki University main library, in Helsinki, Finland. LEHTIKUVA

In a bid to fortify internal security measures and ensure the compliance of international students with their residence permits, the Finnish Immigration Service has implemented an innovative system of automatic post-decision monitoring for student residence permits. Commencing from September 28, 2023, this new process will scrutinize whether students continue to fulfill the requirements for the residence permit initially granted to them.

Thawed palsas mound in Inari 2023.

A recent temperature analysis focused on the Lapland regions of Norway, Sweden, and Finland has revealed that, with current climate measures in place, Lapland could warm by 2–3 degrees from the present state within the next 50 years, equating to 4–5 degrees compared to pre-industrial times.

This increase in temperature is set to have significant and far-reaching impacts on the region's nature and livelihoods.

Young depressed man. LEHTIKUVA

Pori Club house, a crucial support center for individuals dealing with mental health challenges, faces the possibility of closing its doors as early as October due to the lack of a partnership agreement with the Satakunta well-being region. Additionally, the well-being regions of Central Uusimaa and Kainuu are considering cuts to the funding of Club houses.

Club houses are inclusive communities formed by individuals with mental health challenges and trained staff.

A wooden trail across a landscape characterised by autumn colours in Malla Nature Reserve in Finnish Lapland in September 2021. The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) has warned that the region’s nature could change significantly and partly irrevocably as a result of rising temperatures. (Roni Rekomaa – Lehtikuva)

NATURE is changing rapidly and partly irreversibly in Finnish Lapland, according to the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke).

Syke on Wednesday reported that temperatures in the region will rise by two to three degrees from the current level and four to five degrees from pre-industrial levels in the next 50 years if countries follow through on their existing climate commitments but take no further action.

While the availability of services for domestic violence survivors has increased, statistics indicate that domestic violence is not decreasing in Finland. To effectively combat domestic violence, Finland should invest in helping those who use violence.

The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters in Finland also assists those who use violence in breaking free from abusive behavior.

Alko, the Finnish government-owned alcoholic beverage retail company, has implemented its biannual price adjustments this fall, with prices seeing a modest increase of 0.4 percent on average. Some products will experience price hikes, while others will see reductions. Additionally, the proposed government tax increase is expected to impact Alko product prices starting from the beginning of 2024. Alko aims to maintain transparency in its pricing structure.

Lumber was loaded onto a trailer at a wood storage in Helsinki in August 2021. Finland is seeking to achieve a recycling rate of 70 per cent for construction and demolition waste by 2027, after postponing the target by seven years due to lack of progress between 2018 and 2021, reports YLE. (Markku Ulander – Lehtikuva)

FINLAND has pushed back its goal of achieving a recycling rate of 70 per cent for construction and demolition waste from 2020 to 2027, after seeing only a three-percentage-point increase to 57 per cent between 2018 and 2021, reports YLE.

The goal was adopted under the waste framework directive of the EU.

Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso (PS) spoke to reporters in the Parliament House in Helsinki on 13 September 2023. Juuso on Tuesday told YLE that Finnish social and health care services are not funded as well and are, in many regards, not as good as in other parts of the EU. (Roni Rekomaa – Lehtikuva)

FINNISH social and health care services are not as well funded and are, in many respects, not as good as in other parts of the EU, Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso (PS) viewed on YLE A-studio on Tuesday.

“It’s a known fact that the costs of well-being services counties will increase during this and next electoral term, and it’s been calculated that [the increase] will be at least three billion euros this electoral term,” she stated on the topical affairs show.

In honor of Meatless October's tenth anniversary, three cow sculptures have appeared at Rautatientori, challenging the public to engage in a conversation about the environmental impact of dairy production. Flora Plant B+tter, a leading plant-based butter brand, aims to draw attention to the effects of dairy farming on our planet.

Meatless October has gained significant attention in recent years for shedding light on the environmental impact of the meat industry and prompting consumers to reconsider their dietary habits.