Apartments in Helsinki. LEHTIKUVA

Homeownership rates in the European Union (EU) have experienced a notable decline between 2012 and 2020, driven primarily by the decreasing ownership among young adults and low-income groups. This trend has resulted in an increase in the reliance on private rentals among the 20-29 age group, leading to housing insecurity and adequacy issues. A comprehensive report by Eurofound, titled "Unaffordable and Inadequate Housing in Europe," sheds light on the housing problems faced by EU citizens, identifies affected population groups, analyzes relevant policies, and provides policy recommendations to improve the situation.

President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö in Mäntyniemi, Helsinki, Finland on April 6, 2023. LEHTIKUVA

President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö will make an official visit to Brazil on 1–2 June 2023.

The visit will begin on Thursday 1 June with a meeting with President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasília. In their discussions, the Presidents will address as the geopolitical situation, common global challenges, topical regional questions and the bilateral relations between Finland and Brazil.

Ceremony for the accession of Finland to NATO, Brussels 4–5 May. Picture credits: NATO

Finland's recent approval of its application to join NATO's Innovation Fund has opened up exciting possibilities for early-stage startups in the country. As part of this development, Tesi, the state-owned investment company, will invest EUR 35 million in the fund. This move not only provides Finnish startups working on emerging technologies with access to cooperation and financing opportunities but also strengthens Finland's involvement in NATO's central operations and networks.

Finnish Junior Chamber International (JCI) received recognition in various categories at the JCI European Conference, the annual continental gathering of young chamber organizations in Europe. The awards were presented on May 27, 2023, in Bucharest, Romania.

"The shower of awards confirms that we are engaged in impactful activities. We owe this success to every Finnish Junior Chamber member for their outstanding work," exclaimed Taru Mikkonen, the National President of Finland's Junior Chambers.

Economic sanctions, a commonly used tool in international diplomacy, inflict significant economic damage on target countries, with the poorest segments of their populations bearing the brunt of the consequences. Recent studies reveal that sanctions imposed by the United Nations result in an annual decline of 2 percentage points in the growth rate of sanctioned nations. Extrapolated over a decade, this amounts to a staggering 25 percent reduction in per capita economic output.

Signs outside the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on April 5, 2023. LEHTIKUVA

Despite the recent aggressive actions by Russia in Ukraine, many NATO countries are lagging behind in increasing their defense spending. According to a press release by the ifo Institute, the majority of NATO members are falling short of the goal of allocating 2 percent of their economic output to defense expenditures in 2023. This news raises concerns about the collective defense capabilities of the alliance and the commitment of its members to ensuring their own security.

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In a new memorandum released by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, it is proposed that the European Union (EU) can effectively address the ecological crisis, enhance resilience, and create new markets by prioritizing nature in decision-making processes and integrating the circular economy into the EU single market.

The memorandum, titled "Putting Nature at the Heart of the European Green Deal: Building Blocks for the Next European Commission," urges the upcoming Commission, set to take office in late 2024, to continue and update the European Green Deal to tackle the climate crisis and halt biodiversity loss.

When the Green Card agreements with Russia and Belarus expire at the end of May, a motor liability insurance policy needs to be acquired from a local operator after crossing the border. Photo: Mostphotos

Driving to Russia and Belarus from Finland will become significantly more challenging starting in June, as the international Green Card agreements on motor liability insurance expire. Finnish motorists will no longer be able to use their Finnish motor liability insurance policy in Russia and Belarus, and instead, they will be required to obtain a local insurance policy valid in those countries.

Elon Musk on May 12, 2023 said he has chosen top ad executive Linda Yaccarino as CEO of Twitter as he fights to reverse fortunes at the struggling platform he bought for $44 billion last year. (Photo by Angela Weiss and D Dipasupil / various sources / AFP) LEHTIKUVA

Elon Musk, on Friday, named Linda Yaccarino as the new Twitter CEO.

Taking to Twitter, Musk announced the news and wrote, "I am excited to welcome Linda Yaccarino as the new CEO of Twitter! @LindaYacc will focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design & new technology. Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app."

Afghan burqa-clad women walk past a Taliban security personnel along a street in Jalalabad on April 30, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / AFP

The European Census Bureau has reported that over the past month, more than 9,000 Afghan citizens have applied for asylum applications in the EU member states, a record-high number of asylum applications by any single country, according to Khaama Press.

According to the European Census Bureau, asylum interests in the EU member states at the beginning of the current year have increased by 40 per cent compared to last year.

Attendees, in the middle Sami representative Petra Laiti, during the 22nd session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, focusing on "Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health and climate change: a rights-based approach" at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on April 20, 2023. LEHTIKUVA / AFP

Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week:

With the triumph of the right, Finland’s Sámi people face bleak future

This article highlighting the concerns of Finland’s Sámi people following the victory of conservative and far-right parties in the 2023 Finnish elections was published in El País on May 17.

Finnish entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 Käärijä performing during a free concert at the Eurovision Village in Liverpool, Great Britain on May 10, 2023. LEHTIKUVA

The divorce of Finland’s outgoing Prime Minister, Sanna Marin was widely covered by international media this week. Sanna Marin and her husband Markus Raikkonen, who got married in 2020, have decided to end their marriage and filed for divorce.

Marin announced the news on her Instagram account, expressing gratitude for the 19 years they spent together and their shared love for their five-year-old daughter.

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Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week:

Finland went from energy shortage to negative power prices. Here’s how they did it

Russian President Vladimir Putin. LEHTIKUVA / AFP / SPUTNIK / Press service of the governor of the Stavropol Krai region / Tatiana Barybina

UK on Friday announced new sanctions against Russia targeting 86 individuals and entities, including theft of Ukrainian grain, advanced military technology, and remaining revenue sources.

"The UK has today (Friday 19 May) announced a new wave of sanctions against Russia, targeting businesses and individuals connected to Russia's capacity to fund and wage the war," read UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office press release.

Helsinki Pride Parade

Finland ranks sixth in European comparison of LGBTQ+ rights, according to a report by the European umbrella organization ILGA-Europe. The report analyzed the human rights situation for sexual and gender minorities across 49 European countries, comparing their laws and government actions. Finland's position rose significantly from last year's twelfth place, and now fulfills 70% of the criteria necessary to ensure the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.