Finland was ranked as having the fourth-best laws and policies in the world that protect the rights of the LGBT+ community, according to ILGA-Europe advocacy group.The group examined 49 European countries in its 10th index this year. Compared to last year, Finland's ranking went up a notch from fifth, but it still trailed Malta, Belgium and Luxembourg - the top-three ranking nations.According to the rights group, the list's rankings are based on: equality and non-discrimination, family, hate crime and hate speech, legal gender recognition and bodily integrity, civil society space as well as asylum.Chair of Finland's leading LGBT+ rights group, Seta, Sakris Kupila, said he was pleased about Finland's standing."It's because of Finland passing the same-sex marriage law and the maternity act, enabling two mothers to be parents," Kupila explained.ILGA-Europe also applauded the country's ministry of justice for implementing a two-year project focused on mainstreaming equality and … [Read more...] about LGBT+ rights: Finland ranks 4th on European Rainbow Map
Finland
Ice hockey: GB-Finland clash ‘special’ for Kauhanen
PUBLISHED: 09:16 17 May 2019 | UPDATED: 09:16 17 May 2019 Lee Power Former Raiders forward Timo Kauhanen Archant Former Raiders import Timo Kauhanen admits the World Championship clash between his native Finland and Great Britain will be 'special' to watch. Timo Kauhanen in action for Romford Raiders at Rom Valley WayKauhanen scored 86 goals and 165 assists in 132 appearances for Raiders over the course of five seasons, winning the English League Division One South title in 1997 and the EPL Cup in 2002.And he will be tuning in to watch coverage from Slovakia with several former team-mates on Friday (7.15pm), with GB competing in the top division for the first time in a quarter of a century. He said: "It's so great to see team GB there. The game between Finland and GB will be special one to watch since I have some excellent memories from my time in British hockey - especially at Romford. "It will be fantastic for all great British hockey fans for sure. I … [Read more...] about Ice hockey: GB-Finland clash ‘special’ for Kauhanen
Rare seal pushed to brink in Finland
The Saimaa ringed seal is in serious danger of becoming extinct if efforts to protect it are not upgraded, says Metsahallitus, the Finnish state institution concerned with regulating natural resources. The ringed seal population in the Saimaa waterway in the southeast of Finland has been calculated at 260, down from 280 a few years ago, Helsingin Sanomat reports. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently upgraded its classification of the seal to ‘extremely endangered’, and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea has called on the Finnish government to enact more efficient measures to protect the seals. Warmer winters, drowning of seals caught in fishing nets and traps, and the dispersed nature of the seals themselves are the main factors blamed for the species’ lamentable predicament. The seals were once mainly seen as a nuisance, and were hunted just to get rid of them. That attitude has not completely gone away. … [Read more...] about Rare seal pushed to brink in Finland
Finland keen to develop partnership in energy efficiency
By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade Azerbaijan and Finland have a potential to expand their relations, especially the economic cooperation, where both states can benefit from the advantages of each other in the fields of oil cooperation, environmentally friendly technologies and forestry. Paivi Peltokoski, Head of the Unit for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the Foreign Ministry of Finland, told Trend that Finland, one of the leading cleantech nations, is looking to develop innovative partnerships with Azerbaijan in spheres of energy efficiency and circular economy. He said that the two states have excellent relations, and their common history dates back to the turn of the 20th century when a large Finnish community was involved in Azerbaijan’s oil industry. Peltokoski added that along with trade, countries actively cooperate in such areas as cultural activities and education. "For instance, The Finnish Meteorological Institute has just successfully concluded a project on upgrading the … [Read more...] about Finland keen to develop partnership in energy efficiency
Finland’s petrol prices 5th highest in EU
Petrol prices have been steadily going up across the EU and Finnish drivers pay the fifth most in the union, according to a survey by the European Commission. Every week the commission publishes lists of gasoline prices in EU countries, the most recent of which was carried out on 6 May.At the beginning of last week 95-octane petrol was most expensive in the Netherlands, where it cost 1.72 euros per litre. Denmark ranked the second-highest price for petrol, at 1.68 euros, with Greece at 1,65 euros per litre. Just ahead of Finland was Italy, at 1.63 euro per litre.Drivers in Finland paid 1.59 euros but in Sweden gas cost less, at 1.56 euros per litre. The most affordable petrol was found in Bulgaria, where a litre cost 1.11 euros.There are many factors behind the fluctuation of global petroleum prices, but because the price of crude oil is based on the US dollar, changes to global currency values also heavily affect petroleum product prices.Gasoline prices also tend to rise during the … [Read more...] about Finland’s petrol prices 5th highest in EU