FINNISH PRIME MINISTER SANNA MARIN met with her Swedish counterpart, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven today, on her first trip to Finland's western neighbour. The two had a private conversation before speaking to the press on the steps of Harpsund Manor, the historical country retreat for Swedish Prime Ministers. 

FINNISH PM SANNA MARIN GAVE A SPEECH to assembled world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on female empowerment and gender equality today, as the organization begins a number of events and initiatives in the run-up to International Women's Day.

THE FINNISH METEOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE (FMI) has reported that parts of Northern and Central Finland have received record amounts of snowfall in recent days, with the greatest amounts of snowfall being recorded at Paljakka and Sodankylä in Lapland.

STRONG WINDS AND SNOWFALL, combined with warmer temperatures that have quickly turned the snow into slush, caused major travel disruptions in the capital region today, with Helsinki-Vantaa Airport cancelling numerous domestic and international flights.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF CENTRAL FINLAND have released a number of images depicting severe animal cruelty, in case that they have uncovered in recent months. The images were released as part of a large-scale awareness campaign about the crime of animal abuse, which the Poliisi say is on the rise.

THE STREETS, SHOPS, AND LIBRARIES OF HELSINKI stood largely empty today as a result of strict social distancing measures put in place by the Finnish government to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which includes a ban on any gathering of more than 10 people. 

TWO SWEDISH MADE SAAB FIGHTER JETS have arrived at Prikkala Air Force Base to compete for a €10 billion contract from the Finnish Defence Ministry. The showcase is the third attempt by a major weapons manufacturer to secure the contract in recent weeks. 

THE ANNUAL FINNISH KENNEL CLUB AWARDS, which recognizes the actions of lifesaving canines, kicked off at Helsinki's Messukeskus on Saturday afternoon and continues today. Dogs from the coastguard, army, and customs agency were awarded gongs for their services, whilst household pets were recognized for their sometimes lifesaving assistance to humans. 

A convoy of around a hundred trucks made its way to the Parliament House in Helsinki today as peat producers protested the government’s programme to cut emissions, which has led to a steady decline in the use of peat as an energy source.   

The programme aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting the use of peat by half by 2030. Peat producers have declared the financial aid package the plan offers to businesses that rely on the fossil fuel to be insufficient and demand that peat be reclassified as a renewable resource.

 Mari Leppänenwas ordained as bishop of the Archdiocese of Turku on Sunday, breaking a 900-year-old tradition by being the first woman appointed to the position.  

The 42-year old is only the third woman to be consecrated as a bishop in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The first,Irja Askola, served as bishop of the Diocese of Helsinki from 2010–2017.

THE SYNAGOGUE OF TURKU has been subjected to anti-Semitic vandalism, with as-yet-unidentified culprits splattering the exterior of the building with red paint overnight. The attack coincides with Holocaust Remembrance Day, during which world leaders and survivors are gathering to remember the millions of Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust.

US AEROSPACE GIANT BOEING has sent three F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets to Pirkkala Air Base near Tampere today, in order to participate in simulated war games to compete for a €10 billion contract from the Finnish Ministry of Defence. This is the last of a series of bids from global defence companies for the contract.

A NUMBER OF VENUES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND EVENTS shuttered their doors today across the Finnish capital, as mounting fears over the spread of the COVID-19 virus continues to cause major disruptions to daily life. 

VETERAN'S DAY COMMEMORATIONS TOOK PLACE across the country today, albeit under vastly different circumstances, owing to social distancing restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This winter provedto be exceptionally cold with temperatures going below -35 in some parts of the country, but the freezing conditions did not deter local art enthusiasts in the capital region, which experienced more snowfall than usual this year.   

Many saw February’s icy landscape as an opportunity to unleash their creative side. A group of amateur artists created what could be the largestsnow artworkever made in Finland on a golf course in Espoo.

A LARGE FIRE HAS ENGULFED a pile of old tires in Pietasaari, in Ostrobothnia. The fire is reportedly over 100 metres long and 20 meters wide, with authorities as yet unsure as to how the blaze started. 

A MURAL BY THE RENOWNED Italian graffiti artist Moneyless has appeared on the side of an apartment building in Espoo,  in anticipation of the upcoming Upeart arts festival. 

A group of localart enthusiasts created an stunning display of intricate geometric patterns spread across the Löfkulla golf course in Espoo last weekend. 

The artwork, measuring 160 metres across, is believed to be the largest of its kind in Finland, and has since received significant attention from international media. 

THE FINNISH GOVERNMENT HAS ISSUED A LONG-AWAITED RECOMMENDATION on the use of face masks in public spaces, with the official recommendation being that face masks should be worn on public transport and other confined spaces where social distancing is not possible.

THE FINNISH GOVERNMENT HAS REVEALED A FULL LIST of countries where residents are free to travel to and from Finland for leisure purposes without any restrictions, effective starting Monday 13th July.