| TODAY |
Published 21.12.2009. Next update on Tuesday 22.12., c. 13.00 (GMT + 2)
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HOME
Poll: Majority oppose cutting Presidential powers in foreign policy
A clear majority of Finns are opposed to cutting the powers of the Finnish President in foreign policy matters. According to a poll commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat, 55 per cent of Finns do not want to weaken Presidential powers any further. The survey found considerable variation according to the political affiliations of the respondents. The issue of Presidential powers, especially in foreign policy, has been a major bone of contention recently between President Tarja Halonen and the government.
HOME
Agriculture Minister promises improvements at pig farms
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sirkka-Liisa Anttila promised on Friday that improvements will be implemented in conditions at Finnish pig farms. According to Anttila, the state will start providing investment subsidies for the establishment of new pig farms, as well as incentives for improvements at existing facilities. A furore over conditions at pig farms arose over a week ago when an animal rights organisation released photographs and videos of pigs being kept in squalid conditions.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Autumn fall in interest margins on housing loans peters out
The interest margins on housing loans, which had tumbled from the record levels of last summer, now seem to have ground to a halt at around 0.8 to 0.9 per cent. Phone interviews among Finnish banks conducted by Helsingin Sanomat indicated that the margin of the day at most banks is below 1.0%, while none of the banks promised to drop the margin to less than 0.8% - at least not publicly. As a result of the financial crisis, the interest margins continued to rise in the course of the spring and summer, reaching a record high, the highest in many years. Only a few banks granted new loans at an interest margin of less than 1.0%. The prospects now are that the level will be set as much by demand within the housing market as by the ease with which the banks themselves can secure funds.
HOME
 Centre Party wants greater involvement of parties in preparation of MP bribery law
HOME
Cost of refurbishment of House of Parliament doubles, schedule longer than originally expected
HOME
OECD report criticises Finland for inefficient treatment of mental illness
METRO
Heavy snowfall delays flights and causes problems on road and rail in Southern Finland
PEOPLE
More than 50,000 Finns "don't do Christmas"
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| THIS WEEK |
Updated 15.12. Next update on Tuesday 22.12. at c. 17:00 (GMT +2)
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CULTURE
Finnish Lapland in the grip of cinema fever
“Lapland is a landscape of adversity. it is like Finnish self-esteem”, says film director Dome Karukoski. Several films are in production in Finnish Lapland at the moment, and the travel industry plans to get all of the benefit from it that it can.
HOME
COMMENTARY: Christmas break gives Centre Party figures time to consider Party leadership issue
HOME
COMMENTARY: Civics as a cure for social indifference
METRO
Helsinki midwives voice concerns over language issues with increasing number of foreign-born mothers
METRO
It's going to get cold - Are you ready for it?
CULTURE
Kristina Från Duvemåla moves to Helsinki
CULTURE
Independently-financed Finnish film gets cinema distribution
CONSUMER
Those wanting an organic ham on their Christmas table had better get a move on
PEOPLE
No socialist paradise for Finnish defector family
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