Investigation Into Suspected Baby Killings In Oulu Progresses
Finland News
The woman suspected over the deaths of five babies in Oulu has in interrogations continued to deny that she hurt the babies in any way or used any methods to induce labour, insisting that she gave birth to the babies alone.The police on Thursday revealed that some progress has been made in the investigation and that 2005 has been confirmed as the birth year of the first baby.
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Growth Package Is Big Stubb Admits
Finland News
Alexander Stubb (NCP), the Prime Minister-elect, appeared before the press at 6 pm on Thursday to announce that the five ruling parties have reached an agreement on a new government programme.The scope of the debated growth package, which includes tax cuts worth 410 million euros, will be 1.1 billion euros. Elsewhere, the income tax rates for the three lowest income brackets will be adjusted for inflation next year.
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Five Districts To Organise Social And Health Services
Finland News
A parliamentary steering group led by Susanna Huovinen (SDP), the Minister of Health and Social Services, has finally reached an agreement on the outlines of the reform of social welfare and health care services.?This is a historic achievement that benefits especially citizens who have not received the services they need. Patients will no longer be shuffled from one desk to another,? Huovinen assured.
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Bishop Laments Debate Over Same-sex Blessing
Finland News
The joyous moment of a lesbian couple in Punavuori, Helsinki, has stirred quite a dispute within the ranks of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.Helsingin Sanomat on Saturday reported that pastor Toni Fagerholm blessed the same-sex partnership during the Helsinki Pride event, prompting various church spokespersons to publicly emphasise that the service was in fact a prayer, not a blessing.
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YIT Turned A Blind Eye To Bribery Suspect Claims
Finland News
YIT, one of the largest providers of construction services in Finland, is deeply embroiled in an escalating bribery scandal surrounding the Public Works Department of Helsinki (HKR), pre-trial documents obtained by Helsingin Sanomat suggest.The documents contain classified information.
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Five Tips For First-time Homebuyers
Finland News
An interest-subsidised ASP savings account or a savings fund? Pick the right way to get on that property ladder.1. If you are under 31 you can count yourself lucky: the state will lend you a helping hand in saving for your first home. When you put aside 10 per cent of the price of your home on an ASP savings account, the state will guarantee your mortgage. The interest rate on the account is also relatively high with a two-per cent additional interest paid on the sum once the saving target has been reached. An ASP account holder is also exempt from paying tax on the interest, which normally amounts to 30 per cent.
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Two Finnish Women Killed In Afghanistan
Finland News
Two Finnish aid workers were killed in Herat, Afghanistan on Thursday morning. The women were working in Afghanistan as relief workers hired by the Finnish Lutheran Mission. IAM is the Lutheran Mission?s partner charity.The  women had been working in Afghanistan for years and they knew the Herat area well, says Mika Tuovinen, Executive Director at Finnish Lutheran Mission. According to Helsingin Sanomat, the women had lived in Afghanistan since 1998 and were well acquainted with the culture and habits of the country.
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Sanctions To Hit Finnish Exports
Finland News
The sanctions enforced against the Russian financial sector on Thursday will hit Finnish export industries, experts caution.The Permanent Representatives Committee of the European Union on Tuesday agreed to deny Russian state-owned financial institutions ? effectively, the majority of Russian banks ? access to long term financing from European capital markets.
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