| TODAY |
Updated 3.2.2012. Next update on Monday 6.2, c. 13:00 (GMT+2)
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Pekka Haavisto triples presidential election budget
Green League candidate Pekka Haavisto has received massive amounts of donations from supporters in the second round of Finland’s presidential elections. By Thursday evening Haavisto’s campaign budget had brown to more than EUR 710,000 – nearly three times higher than the EUR 250,000 reported for the first round. The second-round budget of National Coalition Party candidate Sauli Niinistö is more than a million euros. Meanwhile, a fresh poll indicates that Niinistö has a comfortable lead among voters voicing an opinion. However, 23% of respondents did not give a preference.
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Cash-strapped police putting lower priority on petty criminals
Police officers around Finland say that state budget cuts are making it harder to enforce laws and to protect people from crime. At the same time occupational safety has weakened, income has declined, and work motivation among Finland’s police forces has shrunk. Reduced resources have made it more difficult for police to respond to emergency calls and to investigate crimes. More than 200 police officers responded to an e-mail questionnaire sent to them by Helsingin Sanomat on the impact of spending cuts on the everyday work of the police.
METRO
Accidents galore and massive delays in Helsinki public transport as snow and ice compound the chilly conditions
More snow and a continuation of the intense cold of recent days are bringing serious problems for transport, both public and private, in Southern Finland. In Uusimaa the driving conditions are extremely treacherous in parts, as driving powdery snow reduces visibility and road surfaces are very slick. All railed traffic in the capital is having difficulties. Numerous commuter and long-distance train departures have been cancelled, the Helsinki Metro is suffering from problems with automatic doors and brakes, meaning that trains are not keeping to their normal timetables, and trams are unable to operate on their normal routes. Bus companies have exhorted drivers to throw away the schedules and drive very carefully. There have been pile-ups involving several vehicles on Kehä I (the Inner Ring Road), Kehä III (the Outer Ring), and Hämeenlinnanväylä. Hospitals in the region have raised their levels of readiness in anticipation of injuries.
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 Sarvamaa, not Penttilä to replace Ville Itälä in European Parliament
HOME
Demand for personal bodyguards is growing in Finland
METRO
Tuula Haatainen leaves Helsinki to become next deputy CEO of the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities
FOREIGN
Finnish soldiers again under fire in Afghanistan
CULTURE
Kone Foundation grants EUR 6 million for language programme
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Kesko Corporation considers setting up logistics centre in Estonia
SPORT
The cold weather limit for Saturday’s “Winter Classic” open-air ice hockey match has been set at -20°C
SPORT
Fans pleased with news of ownership change at Espoo Blues ice hockey team
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| THIS WEEK |
Updated 31.1.2012. Our next weeklies update will be on Tuesday 7.2.2012, c.17:00 (GMT+2)
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HOME
Presidential election seen to brighten Finland’s image abroad
As the decisive second round of Finland’s presidential elections approaches, the two finalists in the race - National Coalition Party candidate Sauli Niinistö and Pekka Haavisto of the Green League - are making efforts to reach out to undecided voters beyond the political base of their respective parties. When Helsingin Sanomat asked Niinistö and Haavisto to pick their top priorities from among a list of issues, Haavisto chose peace mediation in crises, free trade, and export promotion. Niinistö picked export promotion, fighting climate change, and promoting human rights.
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Niinistö’s wife: Livelier than most people think
HOME
Haavisto’s partner: Antonio Flores – irresistible charmer
HOME
Florida Finns say Finnish elections look “soft”
HOME
Haavisto masks vs. Niinistö cutouts
HOME
Breaking the ice: Urho will soon go on station in the Gulf of Finland
METRO
Condemned Espoo City Hall may yet be given a new lease of life
FOREIGN
A 3,500-metre peak in the Caucasus mountain range in Russia might be named “Helsinki” after the Finnish capital
FOREIGN
NEWS ANALYSIS: Phosphorus flows – information doesn’t
CULTURE
NEWS ANALYSIS: Period pieces clean the table at Jussi movie gala
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Pirated versions of Angry Birds merchandise spread around the world
PEOPLE
Jaana Husu-Kallio, the new Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has set her sights on improved organic food production in Finland
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