News
The article is more than 2 years old

Friday's papers: Finland makes global news, OL3 raises hopes and fuel theft

The world's eyes are on Finland following its decision to close the last land route for Russians into the EU.

Matkustusasiakirjojen tarkastusta Vaalimaan raja-asemalla. Ihmisiä jonottamassa passitarkastukseen.
People queuing at the passport checkpoint at Finland's Vaalimaa crossing. Image: Kalle Purhonen / Yle
  • Yle News

News outlets around the world are covering Finland's decision to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian nationals, reports Ilta-Sanomat.

The BBC notes that Finland is the "last of Moscow's EU neighbours to close its border to Russian tourists," while Sky News reports that Finland was banning Russian tourists over fears of endangering international relations.

The New York Times meanwhile writes that banning tourists was a "long-discussed move that closes off the last land route into the European Union for people fleeing the Kremlin's military mobilization effort." According to Euronews, the Finnish government "justified its decision by saying that the continued arrival of Russian tourists in Finland is endangering the country's international relations."

This week's episode of All Points North explores the security considerations following Finland's decision to restrict the entry of Russian tourists. You can listen to the full podcast using the embedded player here, via Yle Areena, on Spotify or via the options found in this article.

What's happening at Finland's border with Russia?
Image: Yle News

Nuclear news

The new Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power reactor has reached maximum output for the first time—1,600 megawatts—reports Helsingin Sanomat.

The reactor is still being trialled, with OL3 scheduled to become fully operational in December, when it will become Finland's fifth and biggest reactor, and is expected to produce around 14 percent of the country's electricity.

The Olkiluoto 3 project—which had initially been due to start full power electricity production in 2009—has been besieged by problems and setbacks, including faulty components, safety tests, and even a lawsuit.

Would you like a summary of the week's top stories sent straight to your email inbox every week? Then sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Fuel theft

With gas prices soaring, Hufvudstadsbladet reports that police are investigating seven instances of thieves stealing large amounts of petrol in western Uusimaa this month.

"We're talking about hundreds—and even thousands—of litres of fuel," Robin Huldén of the Lohja Police told the Swedish-language daily.

In Vihti, robbers removed 5,000 litres of petrol from a warehouse while another case found more than 1,000 litres of fuel oil drained from an excavator.