[ad_1]
STOCKHOLM, Feb 5 (Reuters) – Estonia’s Tax and Customs Board said on Thursday it had allowed the seized Baltic Spirit cargo vessel to leave the port of Muuga after an inspection had not confirmed suspicions it carried contraband.
(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Stine Jacobsen)
Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.
[ad_2]
Reuters
Source link
[ad_1]
Share
As we approach the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24th February, 2026, Chris Price talks to Sensofusion’s Mikko Hyppönen about how drone warfare is evolving…
In the historic “Musta Hevonen” (Black Horse) dining room of Helsinki’s Sea Horse restaurant, a venue that has hosted artists and thinkers since 1933, Mikko Hyppönen, Chief Research Officer of Sensofusion, details the technical and geopolitical realities of a new era of warfare.
Hyppönen, a globally recognized authority on cybersecurity, has shifted much of his focus of late towards drones – in particular, how these devices, which were once seen as important tools for civilian security, have become a vital tool of warfare.
It’s a transition that’s perhaps not all that surprising for a nation sharing a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia.
According to Hyppönen, the conflict in Ukraine has undergone a radical transformation in the last four years. During the initial phase of the invasion, the combat largely mirrored the trench warfare of World War I, characterized by infantry and heavy armour. However, the battlefield rapidly evolved into what is now defined as a “drone war.”
“Today in Ukraine, drones kill more people than all the other weapons combined,” Hyppönen states during his talk in Helsinki. “Rifles, grenades and artillery combined have killed fewer people than drones.”
The escalation began with consumer-grade quadcopters adapted to drop small munitions, but it has since developed into a sophisticated hierarchy of systems. These include long-range reconnaissance wings that provide constant surveillance as well as high-speed “kamikaze” or FPV (First Person View) drones used for precision strikes.
Hyppönen believes this change is permanent: “This is the new reality of warfare. It’s no longer about who has the most tanks, but who can control the lower airspace.”
Sensofusion’s entry into the defence sector was not the company’s original intent. Initially, the firm focused on protecting civilian infrastructure, such as parliament buildings and airports, and preventing the smuggling of contraband into prisons. The pivot to active combat was driven by the immediate needs of the Ukrainian military at the onset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Hyppönen recounts how the company’s founder, Tuomas Rasila, received an urgent inquiry from Ukraine regarding whether their technology could withstand a live battlefield environment. “Tuomas answered that we have no idea, but we’ll come over and we’ll try,” Hyppönen recalls. Within days, the founders packed a van with their drone defence equipment and drove directly into the conflict zone.
“They left two million euros worth of gear in Ukraine on their first trip, and we’ve been operating in Ukraine ever since,” he adds. Currently, more than 100 Sensofusion systems are active in Ukraine, with deployments saving lives by providing early warnings of incoming aerial threats that would otherwise go undetected.
The core of Sensofusion’s defensive capability is its flagship product, Airfence. While popular media often focuses on “hard kill” solutions such as lasers or kinetic interceptors, Hyppönen argued that the most effective defence begins with intelligence and signal analysis.
Airfence is a portable, 10-kilogram unit designed to meet rigorous military standards as well as IP67 certification for water and dust resistance. Unlike traditional radar systems, which are “active” and emit radio waves to detect objects, Airfence is a “passive” system. That’s because, in a modern conflict, broadcasting a signal is hazardous as it allows enemy electronic intelligence (ELINT) units to locate and target the defender.
“Airfence tells you where the drones are without telling the enemy where you are,” Hyppönen explains. “You get a map that tells you there’s a drone at a specific height, going in a specific direction, and it identifies the serial number of the drone.”
Beyond simple detection, the system exploits the communication link between the drone and its operator. “In many cases, it will also tell you where the pilot is. Here’s the drone, here’s the pilot – this is critical information in a battlefield,” Hyppönen adds. By identifying the operator’s location, the system allows for a counter-response that addresses the source of the threat, rather than just the expendable drone itself.
Inevitably, the technical battle is a continuous cycle of measures and countermeasures. Hyppönen highlights two emerging challenges that are complicating drone defence: autonomy and physical tethers.
As electronic warfare (EW) becomes more prevalent, drone operators are moving toward “autonomous” flight, where the drone no longer requires a constant radio link to its pilot. Once a target is identified, the drone’s onboard AI takes over the final approach, making traditional jamming ineffective.
Furthermore, some specialized drones now use fibre-optic cables to communicate, completely bypassing the radio frequency (RF) spectrum.
“When there is no radio link, there is nothing to jam,” Hyppönen explains. This evolution necessitates advanced sensor fusion—combining RF detection with optical and acoustic sensors—to ensure comprehensive coverage. Sensofusion is currently developing its software to address these “dark” drones that do not broadcast traditional signatures.
The development of Airfence is a product of Finland’s unique technological landscape. As one of the most digitized countries in Europe, the Nordic country has created an ecosystem characterized by high R&D investment and a “culture of trust.” This environment allows for “deep tech”to move quickly from the laboratory to the field.
Hyppönen points out that Finland’s proximity to Russia necessitates a proactive approach to security. “Finland lives next to a very large and a very unpredictable country. Right now, we are two hours away from the Russian border,” he says. Certainly this geographic reality has focused Finnish innovation on resilience and dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and military purposes.
The Finnish government, through agencies such as Business Finland, supports this innovation by fostering collaboration between private companies and research institutions. This synergy ensures that Finnish companies can develop high-end signal processing and AI capabilities that are world-leading.
While the current focus is understandably heavily weighted toward defence, Hyppönen explains that the drone threat is also a civilian concern. Sensofusion continues to serve customers in the civilian sector, protecting airports and critical infrastructure from disruption. He cites instances where consumer drones have shut down major airport traffic, causing massive economic loss.
“98% of our customers today are military, but the technology remains essential for civilian safety,” Hyppönen adds. Most commercial drones from major manufacturers such as DJI have “no-fly zone” warnings, but these do not physically prevent a drone from entering restricted airspace if the operator chooses to bypass them.
Passive detection systems such as Airfence allow authorities to monitor these incursions without interfering with legitimate communication networks, such as emergency services or airport Wi-Fi.
The briefing at Sea Horse underscored that the era of drone warfare is not a transient phase but a permanent shift in global security. For Sensofusion and Mikko Hyppönen, the objective is to stay ahead of the rapid technological curve.
By leveraging Finnish expertise in software-defined radio and AI, Sensofusion is providing the tools necessary to neutralize a pervasive and lethal threat. As Hyppönen concludes, the mission is much more than just hardware; it is about providing the situational awareness required to protect lives in an increasingly complex aerial environment.
In a world where drones now dominate the front line, the silent, watching eye of Airfence serves as a vital shield for both Finland and its international partners.
Chris Price was talking to Sensofusion’s Mikko Hyppönen as part of an AI Media tour of Finland, which he attended as a guest of Business Finland.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
[ad_2]
Chris Price
Source link
[ad_1]
VILNIUS, Jan 4 (Reuters) – An optical cable belonging to a private company has been damaged in the Baltic Sea, Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina said in a statement on Sunday, adding that the circumstances of the incident were under investigation.
The cable connects Lithuania and Latvia, and it was not immediately clear what had caused the incident, Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre said in a separate statement.
The Baltic Sea region is on high alert after a string of power cable, telecom link and gas pipeline outages since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and the NATO military alliance has boosted its presence with frigates, aircraft and naval drones.
The latest incident is made public five days after Finnish police seized a cargo vessel en route from Russia to Israel on suspicion of sabotaging an undersea telecoms cable running from Helsinki across the Gulf of Finland to Estonia.
(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, editing by Terje Solsvik and Gwladys Fouche)
Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.
[ad_2]
Reuters
Source link
[ad_1]
Canada faces Finland in this U20 hockey matchup at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve.
As the preliminary round of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship reaches its climax, Canada and Finland square off in what could decide the top seed in Group B and shape quarterfinal matchups. Canada enters the contest riding high after a dominant 9-1 victory over Denmark, showcasing a potent blend of depth and scoring punch led by top prospects like Gavin McKenna and Michael Hage, both among the team’s leading point producers. The Canadians have shown glimpses of their offensive explosiveness throughout the tournament, combining skill, speed, and size, and will be looking to carry that momentum into this marquee showdown. A win here not only secures bragging rights but also could provide a more straightforward path through the knockout rounds.
Finland, meanwhile, has carved its own path through the group with disciplined play and strong team balance. The Finns have been impressive on both ends of the ice, including a resounding 8-0 victory over Latvia, and boast multiple contributors in their forward corps as well as steady goaltending from Petteri Rimpinen. Their methodical puck possession and willingness to grind through defensive structure have kept them unbeaten in regulation, making them a dangerous foe capable of upsets if Canada’s top unit isn’t sharp. Historically, this matchup has favored Canada, but Finland’s all-around performance this tournament suggests this New Year’s Eve clash will be competitive and potentially pivotal for momentum heading into the playoff rounds.
This is a great matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
Live stream Canada vs Finland with Fubo: Start your free trial now!
With Fubo, you can watch live television without cable on your phone, TV, or tablet. Fubo carries a wide array of sports and entertainment channels, including local sports packages and top national channels like ABC, FOX, CBS, ESPN, FS1, MTV, Comedy Central, and much more. The best part is you can try it out today for free.
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
[ad_2]
[ad_1]
The Finnish parliament has greenlit the proposed gambling framework changes, paving the way to competitive gaming despite certain opposition to the reforms. This means that the local gaming sector could experience some sweeping changes very soon.
At second reading, the parliament decided to greenlight the proposed gambling reforms, which are set to end Finland’s gambling monopoly. Having secured approval from 94% of parliament members, the new gaming framework is now heading to the Finnish president who will decide its ultimate fate.
Under the new framework, Finland would adopt a competitive gaming model, in line with the majority of European countries. This would be a major change for Finland and a golden opportunity for gaming companies, which will be able to tap into another promising market.
If the president sins the new framework into law, Finland’s competitive market will go live on July 1, 2027. This means that the country will have a year and a half to prepare for the coming of regulated gaming and adapt accordingly.
Under the new framework, the National Police Board will no longer be responsible for regulating gaming. Instead, the responsibilities will be transferred to a newly created National Supervisory Authority.
However, not everyone seems to be on the same page. Due to earlier disagreements surrounding the gambling ad regulations, the current version of the reformed gaming framework envisions significant restriction. Under those, operators will only be allowed to market within their existing channels, limiting the people they reach but also the potential harm they could cause.
Some, however, argued that this will limit the competitiveness of the legal market, potentially leading to weaker channelization.
The previous few weeks also saw lawmakers debate a variety of other issues, such as the legal gambling age, two-factor authentication upon user login, and a potential ban on gambling bonuses.
[ad_2]
Fiona Simmons
Source link
[ad_1]
By Julia Payne and Anastasiia Malenko
JOHANNESBURG/KYIV (Reuters) -European and other Western leaders meeting on the sidelines of a G20 summit scrambled on Saturday to come up with a coordinated response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for Ukraine to accept his peace plan with Russia by Thursday.
The U.S. plan, which endorses key Russian demands, was met with measured criticism in many European capitals, with leaders trying to balance praise for Trump for trying to end the fighting, but also recognising that for Kyiv, some of the terms in his proposal are unpalatable.
On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine faced a choice of either losing its dignity and freedom or Washington’s backing over the peace plan. He appealed to Ukrainians for unity and said he would never betray Ukraine.
EUROPEAN, WESTERN LEADERS MEET TO AGREE RESPONSE
That signal prompted European leaders to rally. At the meeting of the Group of 20 major economies in South Africa, leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland, Ireland, the EU Commission and EU Council met to discuss tactics, sources said.
While the leaders discussed next steps, Ukraine said it would hold talks with high-ranking U.S. officials in Switzerland on ending Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which is now in its fourth year.
“Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace, and representatives of the Ukrainian state will defend the legitimate interests of the Ukrainian people and the foundations of European security,” a statement from the Ukrainian presidency said.
On Friday, Trump threw down the gauntlet to Ukraine, saying Zelenskiy had until Thursday to approve his 28-point plan, which calls on Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits on its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO.
“He’ll have to like it, and if he doesn’t like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting, I guess,” he said. “At some point he’s going to have to accept something he hasn’t accepted.”
Recalling their fractious February meeting with Zelenskiy, Trump added: “You remember right in the Oval Office, not so long ago, I said, ‘You don’t have the cards.’”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said late on Friday that any plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine should preserve Ukrainian sovereignty and be acceptable to both countries but that it was a “fantasy” to think Ukraine could win if the U.S. were to give Kyiv more money or weapons or impose more sanctions on Moscow.
“There is a fantasy that if we just give more money, more weapons, or more sanctions, victory is at hand,” Vance wrote on X.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the plan as being the basis of a resolution to the conflict, but Moscow may object to some proposals in the plan, which requires its forces to pull back from some areas they have captured.
The peril for Zelenskiy was writ large when the Ukrainian president turned to a national address to prepare the population for a tough few days.
“Now, Ukraine can face a very difficult choice — either losing dignity or risk losing a major partner,” he said in a speech to the nation. “I will fight 24/7 to ensure that at least two points in the plan are not overlooked – the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians.”
(Writing by Elizabeth Piper, Editing by William Maclean)
Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.
[ad_2]
Reuters
Source link
[ad_1]
HELSINKI (Reuters) -It is vital to use frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraine, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb told reporters in Brussels on Monday.
(Reporting by Essi Lehto, editing by Terje Solsvik)
Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.
[ad_2]
Reuters
Source link
[ad_1]
Ukraine is working with Russia to resume prisoner exchanges that could bring home 1,2000 Ukrainian prisoners, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday.
“We are working to ensure another start to negotiations, so that after all there is a prospect to end this war,” he wrote on X. “We are also counting on the resumption of POW exchanges – many meetings, negotiations, and calls are currently taking place to ensure this.”
Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, said Saturday he held consultations mediated by Turkey and the United Arab Emirates on resuming exchanges.
He said the parties agreed to activate prisoner exchange agreements brokered in Istanbul to release 1,200 Ukrainians. Moscow did not immediately comment.
The Istanbul agreements refer to prisoner-exchange protocols established with Turkish mediation in 2022 that set rules for large, coordinated swaps. Since then, Russia and Ukraine have traded thousands of prisoners, though exchanges have been sporadic.
Umerov said technical consultations would be held soon to finalize procedural and organizational details, expressing hope that returning Ukrainians could “celebrate the New Year and Christmas holidays at home — at the family table and next to their relatives.”
The president of Finland warned Sunday that a ceasefire in Ukraine is unlikely before the spring and urged European allies to keep up support despite a corruption scandal that has engulfed Kyiv.
President Alexander Stubb told the Associated Press that Europe will require “sisu” — a Finnish word meaning endurance, resilience and grit — to get through the winter months as Russia continues its hybrid attacks and information war across the continent.
“I’m not very optimistic about achieving a ceasefire or the beginning of peace negotiations, at least this year,” Stubb said, adding it would be good to “get something going” by March.
As the leader of one of Europe’s smaller countries, but one that shares an 830-mile border with Russia, Stubb is aware of what’s at stake.
Stubb leverages his good relationship with U.S. President Trump — the two men have played golf together and speak regularly — to argue the case for Ukraine.
To bring peace to Ukraine, Stubb said, Mr. Trump and European leaders need to maximize pressure on Russia and on President Vladimir Putin in order to change his strategic thinking. Putin “basically wants to deny the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” aims that have not altered since the war began nearly four years ago, Stubb said.
Energy infrastructure was damaged by Russian drone strikes overnight into Sunday in Ukraine’s Odesa region, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said. A solar power plant was among the damaged sites.
Ukraine is desperately trying to fend off relentless Russian aerial attacks that have brought rolling blackouts across Ukraine on the brink of winter.
Combined missile and drone strikes on the power grid have coincided with Ukraine’s efforts to hold back a Russian battlefield push aimed at capturing the eastern stronghold of Pokrovsk.
Russia fired a total of 176 drones and one missile overnight, Ukraine’s air force said Sunday, adding that Ukrainian forces shot down or neutralized 139 drones.
Ukrainian forces struck a major oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, along with a warehouse storing drones for the elite Rubicon drone unit in the partially Russian-occupied Donetsk region, Ukraine’s general staff said Sunday. Russian officials did not immediately confirm the attacks.
Months of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russian refineries have aimed to deprive Moscow of the oil export revenue it needs to pursue the war.
Russia’s defense ministry said Sunday that its forces shot down 57 Ukrainian drones overnight.
[ad_2]
[ad_1]
By Alison Withers and Stine Jacobsen
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Iceland has designated the potential collapse of a major Atlantic Ocean current system a national security concern and an existential threat, enabling its government to strategize for worst-case scenarios, the country’s climate minister told Reuters.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, current brings warm water from the tropics northward toward the Arctic, and the flow of warm water helps keep Europe’s winters mild.
But as warming temperatures speed the thaw of Arctic ice and cause meltwater from Greenland’s ice sheet to pour into the ocean, scientists warn the cold freshwater could disrupt the current’s flow.
A potential collapse of AMOC could trigger a modern-day ice age, with winter temperatures across Northern Europe plummeting to new cold extremes, bringing far more snow and ice. The AMOC has collapsed in the past – notably before the last Ice Age that ended about 12,000 years ago.
“It is a direct threat to our national resilience and security,” Iceland Climate Minister Johann Pall Johannsson said by email. “(This) is the first time a specific climate-related phenomenon has been formally brought before the National Security Council as a potential existential threat.”
Elevation of the issue means Iceland’s ministries will be on alert and coordinating a response, Johannsson said. The government is assessing what further research and policies are needed, with work underway on a disaster preparedness policy.
Risks being evaluated span a range of areas, from energy and food security to infrastructure and international transportation.
An Atlantic current collapse could have consequences far beyond Northern Europe. It could potentially destabilize longtime rainfall patterns relied upon by subsistence farmers across Africa, India and South America, according to scientists.
It could also contribute to faster warming in Antarctica, where sea ice surrounding the southernmost continent as well as ice sheets atop it are already under threat from climate change.
Scientists have warned that the world is underestimating the threat that an AMOC collapse could become inevitable within the next couple of decades as global temperatures keep climbing.
The Nordic Council of Ministers funded a “Nordic Tipping Week” workshop in October with 60 experts assessing how societies might be impacted. They are finalizing recommendations from the meeting, organizers said.
“There is tons of research on the likelihood of when exactly things are going to happen,” said Aleksi Nummelin, a physical oceanographer at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. “There is much less on what is the actual societal impact.”
On Monday, scientists from more than 30 universities and international organizations sounded an alarm about the accelerated thawing of Earth’s glaciers, ice sheets and other frozen spaces.
Other climate ministries and meteorological offices across Northern Europe told Reuters they are funding more research while weighing possible risks in their climate adaptation plans.
Ireland’s weather service said its scientists briefed the country’s prime minister last year and a parliamentary committee last month. Norway’s environment ministry said it was “seeking to deepen our understanding of the issue through new research” before determining whether to classify AMOC as a security risk.
Britain said it was following scientific reports that suggested an abrupt collapse was unlikely during this century, while directing more than 81 million pounds into research to understand when the Earth’s climate systems might be pushed to a point of no return.
“The science is evolving quite rapidly and time is running out to do anything about it because the tipping point may well be quite close,” said oceanographer and climatologist Stefan Rahmstorf from Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
Iceland is not taking any chances, as the pace of warming speeds up and greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.
“Sea ice could affect marine transport; extreme weather could severely affect our capabilities to maintain any agriculture and fisheries, which are central to our economy and food systems,” Johannsson said.
“We cannot afford to wait for definitive, long-term research before acting.”
(Reporting by Ali Withers and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen; Editing by Katy Daigle and David Gregorio)
Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.
[ad_2]
Reuters
Source link
[ad_1]
VILNIUS (Reuters) -Lithuania is in talks with German defence conglomerate Rheinmetall for a second investment project, a Lithuanian presidential advisor said on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, writing by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Terje Solsvik)
Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.
[ad_2]
Reuters
Source link
[ad_1]
By Andrew Gray, Supantha Mukherjee and Max HunderBRUSSELS/STOCKHOLM/KYIV (Reuters) -Just hours after some 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace…
[ad_2]
Reuters
Source link
[ad_1]
HELSINKI (Reuters) -A Finnish district court ruled on Friday that Finland does not have jurisdiction to prosecute the captain and two officers of the Eagle S oil tanker, who were accused of breaking undersea power and internet cables in the Baltic Sea.
(Reporting by Elviira Luoma, editing by Essi Lehto and Terje Solsvik)
Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.
[ad_2]
Reuters
Source link
[ad_1]
A brewing integrity crisis in Finland’s top floorball league threatens to undermine the sport’s reputation after an extensive investigation uncovered widespread betting violations among players and officials. The Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (SUEK) confirmed that around 100 individuals are under investigation for allegedly placing bets on F-League matches by abusing inside information.
The probe began around December after integrity bodies flagged suspicious betting patterns following a Finland–Norway World Championship match. The investigation swiftly uncovered gambling violations on an unprecedented scale, involving players, coaches, and other team personnel across the league. It is yet unclear whether the suspects were part of an organized ring.
Veikkaus, the state-run gambling monopoly of Finland, has suspended all betting activities surrounding men’s floorball competitions, including those of the F-League, Finnish Cup, international match betting, and Inssi-divari. Mikko Lahti, Veikkaus’s VP of security and risk management, was stunned by the scope of the violations, which only grew as the investigation progressed.
We systematically went through all teams, players, and officials. When we compiled all the information, the situation and the extent of the mess became clear.
Mikko Lahti, Veikkaus VP of security and risk management
Lahti confirmed that Veikkaus has already frozen several betting accounts linked to the investigation. However, he refused to disclose the total amount of suspicious wagers or the size of the largest single payout. Lahti noted that some secrecy remained necessary due to the ongoing investigation and added that additional information would become public when appropriate.
SUEK reports its investigation is roughly three-quarters complete, with new leads still emerging. Direct evidence of match-fixing has proven elusive in early data, so investigators continue to examine whether suspects tampered with game outcomes. While Lahti admitted the probe has not yet uncovered evidence of match fixing, the use of insider information for betting remains a serious breach.
The Finnish Floorball Federation and the F-League have confirmed that they will open disciplinary proceedings against implicated individuals once SUEK delivers its findings. Sanctions may range from suspensions to fines or even life bans, depending on the seriousness of the offense. Criminal complaints for particularly egregious cases are also a possibility.
Investigative work is still ongoing. We want to be certain before we make any decisions about possible betting options.
Mikko Lahti, Veikkaus VP of security and risk management
The scandal comes just before the new season of the men’s F-League launches September 10, casting a shadow over the sport. Players and clubs will seek to regain the trust of their fans and sponsors. With wagering suspended indefinitely, it remains uncertain how SUEK’s revelations will affect what many regard as one of Finland’s most popular community-oriented sports.
[ad_2]
Deyan Dimitrov
Source link
[ad_1]
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has accused neighbouring Finland of pursuing a course of war against Russia – and has renewed claims for reparations for World War II.
“After joining NATO, Helsinki is pursuing a course of confrontation in preparation for war with Russia under the pretext of defence measures and is apparently preparing a bridgehead for an attack on us,” Medvedev, who is still influential as deputy head of the National Security Council, wrote in a column for the state news agency TASS.
Medvedev complained that staff structures for army units were being created in Lapland “in the immediate vicinity of the Russian border.”
It was clear who these structures were directed against, as NATO had declared Russia an enemy, he wrote. The column itself is entitled: “Finland’s new doctrine: Stupidity, lies, ingratitude.”
The Finns’ security endeavours following the Russian invasion of Ukraine are perceived as ungrateful in Moscow. Finland, which was neutral for decades after World War II, joined NATO together with Sweden as a reaction to the start of the Ukraine war.
Medvedev now sees this as an opportunity to renew old demands for reparations, claiming that the new Finnish policy tramples on old agreements.
Moscow is therefore no longer bound by the peace treaty of 1947, which limited Soviet reparation claims to $300 million: Medvedev argued the damage actually caused by Finland during World War II amounted to 20 trillion roubles ($244 billion), he claimed.
Finland took part in the war against the Soviet Union alongside Hitler’s Germany in 1941. The Finns saw this as a continuation of the Winter War launched by the Soviet Union in 1939, in which Moscow annexed large areas of Finland.
To this day, the 1939 Winter War following the Hitler-Stalin Pact is just as rarely discussed in Russian historiography as the annexation of the Baltic States carried out by Moscow at the time.
In this context, Medvedev wrote that Finland was just as responsible for World War II as Germany.
[ad_2]
[ad_1]
GENEVA (AP) — The air force of NATO member Finland is still flying swastikas on some flags, but is moving to remove them mostly because of the awkwardness it creates with its Western allies.
The history of the Finnish air force’s use of the swastika, which since the 20th century has largely been associated with Nazi tyranny and hate groups, is more complex than at first appearance. It is an ancient symbol and Finland’s air force began using it many years before the birth of Nazi Germany.
Change has been underway for years. A swastika logo was quietly pulled off the Air Force Command’s unit emblem a few years ago. But swastikas have remained on some Finnish air force flags, raising eyebrows among NATO allies, tourists and other foreigners who spot them at military events.
“We could have continued with this flag, but sometimes awkward situations can arise with foreign visitors. It may be wise to live with the times, Col. Tomi Böhm, the new head of Karelia Air Wing air defense force, was quoted as saying in a report Thursday by the public broadcaster YLE.
A bad look for a new NATO member
The Defense Forces, in an email to The Associated Press on Friday, said a plan to renew the air force unit flags was launched in 2023, the year Finland joined NATO, but said it was not linked to joining the alliance. The aim, it said, was “to update the symbolism and emblems of the flags to better reflect the current identity of the Air Force.”
It referred to an article in daily Helsingin Sanomat on Friday, which said the reason for the removal was a perception that the swastika has been an “embarrassing symbol in international contexts.”
Finland, which shares a long border with Russia, joined NATO in April 2023 over concerns related to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Teivo Teivanen, a professor of world politics at the University of Helsinki, said the flags in question were introduced in the 1950s and today are flown by four Air Force units.
The Air Force and the Finnish public generally had for years insisted the swastikas used in Finland’s air force “have nothing to do with the Nazi swastika,” said Teivanen, who this month had a book published whose Finnish title translates as “History of the Swastika.”
But now, following Finland’s integration with NATO, policymakers have decided “there’s now a need to get more integrated with the forces of countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and France — countries where the swastika is clearly a negative symbol,” he said.
Teivanen said that in 2021, German air force units bowed out of a final ceremony following exercises at a military base in Finland’s Lapland region after learning that the Finnish swastikas would be on display.
A symbol used for more than a century
Finland’s air force adopted the swastika emblem in 1918 soon after country gained its independence after more than a century of Imperial Russia rule.
Count Eric von Rosen of neighboring Sweden donated Finland’s first military plane in 1918, which bore his personal symbol, the swastika.
The Finnish air force soon after adopted a blue swastika on a white background as the national insignia on all its planes from 1918 to 1945. After the war, the imagery remained for decades on some Air Force unit flags and decorations as well as on the insignia of the Air Force Academy.
But that doesn’t mean there is no Nazi connection at all.
Von Rosen, an upper-class explorer and ethnographer, was the brother-in-law of Hermann Goering, a decorated World War I German fighter pilot who became an early Nazi Party member. Goering went on to lead Germany’s Luftwaffe during World War II under Hitler.
The Finnish air force stressed that its use of the symbol had no connection to Nazi Germany, although Finland entered into a reluctant alliance with the Third Reich during World War II.
New flags — featuring an eagle — will be published when the work has been completed and the flags are introduced into use for events like parades and local ceremonies, the Defense Forces said, without saying when that would happen.
“The traditional Von Rosen swastika emblem, in use since 1918, has already been removed from most other Air Force emblems during earlier reforms, so its removal from the unit flags is a logical continuation of this work,” the emailed statement said.
[ad_2]
[ad_1]
A study titled “The Impact of Gambling Advertising Online: A Longitudinal Study on Exposure and Harm” surveyed 1,530 Finnish adults aged 18 to 75 between 2021 and 2024 and found that online gambling advertisements are linked to increased problem gambling and financial harm.
The study used the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) to assess the extent of gambling-related harm among participants. According to the study, approximately 75% of respondents reported seeing online gambling advertisements in the past 18 months, with over 80% of men encountering such marketing. Those who gamble on offshore platforms were found to be more frequently exposed to online gambling ads and tended to experience more severe gambling-related issues.
It was also found that exposure to online gambling advertising significantly increases the likelihood of individuals facing debt enforcement, with offshore gamblers particularly at risk. The study also revealed that problem gambling is more common among younger adults, especially those aged 18–24 and 25–34, who scored five or higher on the PGSI. In contrast, only 2% of participants aged 65 to 75 were classified as problem gamblers.
The study also notes that the rising prevalence of gambling-related harm is becoming an increasing concern, with recent research indicating that many individuals face financial difficulties, addiction, and psychological distress due to gambling. Gambling remains a common leisure activity, as according to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, 46.2% of adults and 17.9% of adolescents worldwide had gambled in the past year. Among adults, 8.7% were identified as engaging in risky gambling, and 1.41% met the criteria for problematic gambling. However, the level of harm varies depending on the type of gambling, with some forms posing greater risks than others.
According to the study, frequent gambling, especially monthly activity on offshore platforms, was linked to increased exposure to online gambling advertisements. This underscores the unregulated nature of offshore gambling, where players are subjected to advertising that falls outside the scope of domestic oversight.
The authors of the study argue that existing regulations have had only a “limited impact” on offshore gambling operators, even though these sites present a greater risk to gamblers. It recommends that policy measures should involve tighter restrictions on gambling advertising and increased investment in prevention and treatment services to address gambling-related harm more effectively. Additionally, the authors challenge the claim made by gambling operators that strict regulations diminish the appeal of regulated gambling services and push players toward unregulated or black-market alternatives.
[ad_2]
Stefan Velikov
Source link
[ad_1]
In 2005, the Italian Prime Minister, Berlusconi, insulted Finnish cuisine and joked that Finns ate “marinated reindeer.” In 2008, Finland won an international pizza contest, beating Italy. The name of the winning pizza was “Pizza Berlusconi,” which was made from smoked reindeer.
Poro, formerly known as the Berlusconi, is Kotipizza’s product name for a pizza with smoked reindeer, tomato sauce, cheese, chanterelle mushrooms and red onion. [source]
[ad_2]
[ad_1]
A group of environmental and rights organisations said Thursday that they were suing the Finnish government for violating the country’s climate legislation by not taking adequate action to hit climate targets.
The six organisations noted in a statement that Finland in 2022 had adopted “one of the strongest net zero climate targets among industrialised nations, committing to become climate neutral by 2035 and reach net negative emissions thereafter.”
In their lawsuit filed to Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court, the groups argue that the “lack of adequate climate action” by Finland’s right-wing government is violating the country’s Climate Act.
“Our government is failing to enact solutions, cancelling agreed actions and refusing to revise Finland’s outdated climate plan for land use and forestry”, Greenpeace Senior Policy Advisor Kaisa Kosonen said.
“This constitutes a violation of the Climate Act, so it’s our duty as NGOs to take legal action”, she said.
According to the organisations, Finland is not on track to meet its emission reduction targets, primarily as a result of excessive logging and a lack of efforts to curb emissions from the agricultural and transport sectors.
The groups said the case builds on an earlier ruling by a Finnish court and a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) which found that Switzerland violated the human rights of a group of elderly women by not doing enough to combat global warming.
“Governments’ inaction on climate change endangers the realisation of many human rights, such as the rights to life and health and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment”, Elina Mikola, climate and environment advisor at Amnesty Finland, said.
The lawsuit was filed August 2 by the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, Greenpeace Norden, Amnesty International Finland, Grandparents for Climate, the Finnish Nature League and the Finnish Sami Youth.
Finland’s first climate trial ended last year with the Supreme Administrative Court eventually dismissing a complaint against the Finnish state over insufficient climate action.
[ad_2]
AFP
Source link
[ad_1]
According to local consultant Jari Vähänen, Veikkaus, the Finnish government-owned betting agency holding a monopoly in the country, could gain an important competitive advantage over licensed operators.
This could occur in 2027, the year that will mark the legalization of the online gambling market in Finland.
Finnish Gambling Consultants (FGC) partner Vähänen implied the government should therefore sell off its ownership of the monopoly.
Originally, the government set out its plans to end the current monopoly by the end of 2026.
As the Ministry of Finance is getting ready to form a new regulator that would supervise the market, Vähänen thinks the dual operator-authority role would generate a “high risk of conflict of interest.”
He added the matter has also been flagged by the country’s chancellor of justice as well as the competition and consumer authority as part of their proposal responses.
Once the draft regulations aimed at legalizing online gambling were made public in June, the Ministry of the Interior inferred the possibility of selling off its stake in the monopoly, explaining that “the state would have the opportunity to give up part of its ownership” provided “this was considered justified in the future” as a means of boosting shareholder value.
Vähänen thinks Veikkaus’ legacy player database and tech stack would provide it with an unfair advantage against competing licensed online operators.
The respective competitors will be legally allowed to move into licensed gambling markets in the country in 2027.
According to the fresh regulations, Veikkaus will be split into distinct operating units.
The units will feature the monopoly arm, business-to-business operation Fennica Gaming, as well as a licensed online gaming business.
At the same time, the monopoly will maintain exclusivity over a series of games in exchange for an annual fee for exclusivity rights.
The list will include lottery, toto games, a form of sports betting based on lottery, scratchcards, and slot machines.
As for the online business sector, the way it will be separated from the monopoly operations remains uncertain.
According to Vähänen, who spent seven years at Veikkaus between 2013 and 2020, Veikkaus’ estimated customer base is currently worth hundreds of millions of euros.
Vähänen asked for a clear policy on whether Veikkaus’s customers will be transferred to its licensed business, adding that by establishing an in-house technology business, Veikkaus could enjoy yet another competitive edge via omnichannel marketing opportunities across online and retail and slot players.
The consultant made it clear that the monopoly should not be allowed to offer the same games as the online licensed business while advising against Veikkaus’ monopoly over pool-based horse betting and digital instant win games.
Finally, the filing does not want a ban on bonusing and affiliates, arguing it would interfere with the channelization rates.
Vähänen wishes affiliate activity to be “significantly cleaner” compared to the current situation which he defined as completely unregulated.
[ad_2]
Melanie Porter
Source link