The annual event has been cancelled for a second year in a row, once again due to the Covid situation.

2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Helsinki Conference and the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, which led to an easing of Cold War tensions.

Finland's government rolls out new restrictions aimed at tackling the worsening Covid situation, as final preparations are made to begin vaccinating children aged 5-11.

The government met to hammer out measures to deal with rising case numbers, the vaccine situation and the unknowns surrounding the latest coronavirus variant.

The Leopard 2A4 battle tank weighs more than 55 tonnes.

The defendants were charged with sexually abusing two children in 2007.

The discovery of the two men hiding under the axles of a trailer is unprecedented in Finland, a Border Guard official said.

More patients are currently being treated in Finnish hospitals for the virus than at any other time during the pandemic.

An official from the Justice Ministry said the situation is different from last spring, when the municipal elections were postponed, as many more people are now vaccinated.

The cities of Helsinki and Tampere have seen the highest increase in property prices this year.

Finnish authorities are currently investigating whether two cases of coronavirus detected in Finland last week are the Omicron variant, with confirmation expected in the coming days.

The government will meet on Tuesday to discuss new measures to tackle the worsening Covid-19 situation

Finnish border guards were involved in two Frontex incidents repelling migrants near EU borders, Yle has found.

The university is seeking to save about 14 million euros annually.

The health institute said it will take days to confirm whether or not the new variant has arrived in the country.

The data used for both consumer and business confidence indicators this month were collected before the emergence of the new coronavirus variant Omicron made headlines.

The estimated cost of the project is 24 million euros.

Omicron, the most mutated form of coronavirus detected so far, fuels domestic headlines on Monday.

According to Finnair, the incident did not affect passengers. The fate of Monday's return flight remained unclear.

More travellers are expected to arrive at Helsinki Airport from southern Africa next week.

This weekend launches the second Covid-era Christmas season in many Finnish towns, with holiday markets and Advent church services.

Asko Järvinen, head of infectious diseases at Finland's largest health care provider, says that while the new Omicron variant causes uncertainty, most people should be able to gather for the holidays as usual.

Regional authorities have ordered Vantaa to immediately organise Covid tests for all passengers arriving at Helsinki Airport who have recently been in countries where Omicron has been found. 

The educational level of young people in Finland has deteriorated rapidly, warns the social affairs and health federation.

There are no direct flights between Finland and southern Africa, but passengers can arrive from the region via connecting routes.

Passengers over age 16 will have to show a pass to be served aboard trains as of Sunday.

The committee's report stated that the needs of military national defence do not justify conscription of the entire age group.

Opposition parties had submitted a motion of no confidence in the government over the possible threat of a hybrid operation at Finland's borders.

The B.1.1.529 Covid variant has been found to have an unusually high number of mutations.

Broader use of Covid passes could help restaurants avoid the tightened restrictions.