Installation view of “Moomin Original” at Ground Seesaw Seongsu, northern Seoul (Media & Art)

 International news outlets this week highlighted how Finnish citizens have adapted well to social distancing, attributing their positive attitude towards isolation to a culture that values personal space. 

The Finn’s natural propensity for solitude, coupled with the country’s low population density and remote location has aided in its fight against COVID-19. 

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Prisoners are often transported from the Vantaa prison to court in Helsinki with little security to prevent escape.The basic rights of a prisoner prohibit handcuffing during transport. Amendment to the prisoner law, which would enable the chaining of prisoners or prisoners on remand by cable ties or handcuffs during transport, is currently being processed at the Parliament. At the moment, chaining is permitted during transports only if it is suspected that there is a risk of escape or violence.

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The attack at the Charlie Hebdo office has led to discussion on freedom of expression particularly regarding cartoons that are found offensive, which Mika Illman says do not fall under the hate crime category in Finland. This cartoon was made in response to the attacks, and says Publishing Muhammad pictures from the French satirical weekly, Charlie Hebdo, is allowed in Finland, says Doctor of Jurisprudence and former state prosecutor Mika Illman for Sunnuntaisuomalainen. According to him, distributing the pictures would not bear hallmarks of hate crimes. In contrast to other EU countries, Finnish law regarding breaking religious peace is in force. According to the law, shaming a religious community publicly can lead to a verdict for blasphemy.

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According to a new study, the physical activity of children consists mainly of low-efficiency activities, such as sitting, standing or walking.

Anne Soini studied three year olds for her dissertation, and found that they spent only two per cent of their time in the nursery at moderately straining play. Her study showed that only a few of those who took part in her study actively exercise two hours a day, which is the quantitative recommendation of Varhaiskasvatus' (early childhood education's).

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The parliament will see a reshuffling of members in the upcoming elections in April.Twenty MPs seeking re-election are at risk of being voted out, says a new study predicting a large change in the distribution of the Parliament's seats.

Up to one third of the Parliament's members might be replaced as the citizens elect the new MPs in April. Until now, 30 MPs have made public their intentions of leaving their seats free-willingly. Based on a new report, approximately twenty are at risk of not being re-elected.

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Chariman of the Finns Party Timo Soini says his party allows for a range of views and as such the topic of immigration won’t provoke a large conflict amongst members.According to the chairman of the Finns Party Timo Soini, variation in support for a party is normal. In an interview for Lännen Media, Member of the European Parliament Jussi Halla-aho (Finns Party) recently critisised Soini and his party for avoiding immigration issues, which he claims has caused a decline in support of the party. Furthermore, Halla-aho claimed that the party betrays its voters if it doesn't alter its policy visibly.

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According to a poll, a clear majority of Finns think the current amount of regulations is excessive.

A dominant 74 per cent of Finns estimate that Finland has too many restrictive rules, orders and instructions, reveals a poll by Kunnallisalan kehittämissäätiö (The Foundation for Municipal Development) KAKS. Furthermore, 78 per cent estimate that too many things are regulated too meticulously. With regards to the functioning of the society, the amount of regulations was seen as adequate by only 18 per cent of respondents.

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Lunch vouchers are used annually by approximately 600,000 people.Suomen Yrittäjänaiset (The Women Entrepreneurs of Finland) objects to the tax office's plans to discontinue the use of lunch vouchers.

"Discontinuing the use of lunch vouchers would reduce the amount of lunches bought in restaurants, increasing unemployment in the catering business and decreasing tax revenue," the chairperson for Suomen Yrittäjänaiset Seija Estlander states in the organisation's bulletin.

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A guest at Yle's TV programme Ykkösaamu, the Minister of Development and Corporate Governance Sirpa Paatero (SDP) said additional cuts planned by the Committee of State Finance were unbelievable. The budget report on 12 December published by the Committee of State Finance proposed cuts from the development cooperation funds amounting to three million euros. The savings would be used for improving the representation network of the ministry for foreign affairs.

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