THE SO-CALLED 'TEDDY BEAR CHALLENGE', which aims to keeps kids active and entertained during the Covid-19 shutdown that has put a halt to normal life for most children, has found popularity in Finland after the trend began in the US.

ACTIVISTS FROM EXTINCTION REBELLION FINLAND (ELOKAPINA) gathered outside the Hotel Rantapuisto in Vuosaari, Helsinki, earlier today to demonstrate as government ministers met for a climate summit inside the hotel. 

GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS IN GERMANY have projected the Finnish flag and the face of the CEO of Finland's state-owned energy company Fortum, Pekka Lundmark, onto the facade a controversial new coal-fired power plant being partly developed by Fortum in Datteln, Western Germany. 

THE EASTERN UUSIMAA POLICE DEPARTMENT has released handouts of some of the illicit property they seized in the final weeks and months of 2019. Among the items seized include assault rifles, large quantities of amphetamines, and stacks of 50 euro notes. 

The Helsinki metropolitan area was hit by a fierce snowstorm on Tuesday, resulting in the region being blanketed by a thick layer of snow. The storm has led to several power outages and dangerous driving conditions in many parts of the country. 

Police and rescue services have advised people to remain indoors and avoid driving. Forecasts suggest that the storm will remain in Southern and Western Finland till Wednesday, with heavy snowfall and strong winds expected to continue till then.

New Year's Eve in Finland was relatively peaceful and quiet this year. Celebrations were understated in many areas and there were no major incidents reported by the police.

Officials in various regions across the country urged citizens to stay indoors to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Many chose to follow recommendations and brought in the new year quietly at home. As per the police centre in Oulu, for instance, the evening seemed to proceed like a normal Friday night.

AUTHORITIES AT HELSINKI-VANTAA AIRPORT began implementing the government's strict new rules on quarantining on social distancing today, informing all new arrivals that they are required to go into a 14-day quarantine and telling them what they need to do.

HELSINKI'S ICONIC HAVIS AMANDA STATUE has been fenced off by city authorities in an attempt to discourage crowds gathering at the location for traditional May Day (Vappu) celebrations this week, in order to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

THE ICONIC KOLMEN SEPÄN STATUE in central Helsinki has been given a makeover to reflect the unusual times we find ourselves living in, as well as some messages of support for those who are struggling to cope with the new realities brought on by the spread of the Covid-19 virus. 

85,000 REVELLERS GATHERED IN DOWNTOWN HELSINKI TO RING IN THE NEW DECADE last night, with numerous fireworks displays and performances from a number of Finnish artists, including the female pop singer Alma. 

HELSINKI'S AMOS REX GALLERY will open its 'Generation 2020' exhibition tomorrow, featuring work from 80 artists aged between fifteen and twenty-three. The exhibition received over 1600 proposals from young people across Finland and will run until May 2020. 

HELSINKI-VANTAA AIRPORT HAS INSTALLED toilet facilities for canine travellers, joining a handful of other airports around the world that have attempted to provide facilities for the growing number of travelers with pets in recent years. 

FINNISH AUTHORITIES ARE WORKING WITH A COMPANY to provide accommodation for Finns returning from abroad who cannot self-isolate safely, with a number of apartments near Helsinki-Vantaa Airport being repurposed for the task. 

A RESTAURANT IN INARI IN LAPLAND has been voted Finland's 'Restaurant of the Year' by the Finnish Gastronomy Society. Aanaar Ravintola uses local ingredients and Sami cooking to create their dishes and is the first Sami restaurant to receive the accolade. 

HELSINKI UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (HUS) has unveiled prototypes of new emergency hospital facilities designed to meet surging demand should a sudden spike in COVID-19 hospitalization materialize. The new facilities are designed to be quickly constructed in underground car parks around Helsinki. 

RESCUE SERVICES IN LAPPAJÄRVI saved a baby deer from the clutches of a flock of eagles earlier today, after a nearby fisherman. Lappajärvi local Jukka Hanhineva said that he called the fire services after he noticed the deer struggling to stand on the ice as eagles began circling it. 

TWO F-35 FIGHTER JETS were flown by the American weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin to Pirkkala Air Force Base in Finland today, as the company becomes the fourth major defense company to compete for a €10 billion contract from the Finnish Defense Forces.

NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS HAVE OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF in Helsinki, with a special fireworks show organized by the City government at the National Museum of Finland. The Children's Fireworks Show takes place a few hours earlier so that families with young children can ring in the new year together. 

Protestors took to the streets for a peaceful demonstration in support of Russian opposition leaderAlexei Navalny in Helsinki on Sunday. The event was held at the Senate Square. 

Current coronavirus restrictions prohibit public gatherings of over 10 people. Sunday’s demonstration was attended by 60 people; however, protestors split into groups of 4–10, maintaining social distancing while police monitored them from afar. 

FINNISH PM SANNA MARIN has met with her Latvian counterpart, Prime Minister Krišjānis Karinš at a summit at the Prime Minister's official residence at Kesäranta, Helsinki. The two discussed trade, energy policy, bilateral relations, and environmental cooperation among Baltic Sea states.