Multiple news outlets report that the United States and Finland are nearing a deal to sign a Defence Co-operation Agreement to broaden and deepen military cooperation between the two countries.
Both Yle and Helsingin Sanomat reported that the contract could be ready for signing at the civil servant level as early as this week. It would then pass to the government and president for approval at the political level.
HS writes that its sources say the deal would give America greater flexibility in using Finnish territory than in neighbouring Norway, for instance.
It would also allow the US military to use Congress-mandated funds for the construction of military infrastructure in Finland, and allow US soldiers to arrive at shorter notice for training and exercises in Finland.
Selling scissors
Kauppalehti has a Finnish success story from the world of arts and crafts. Fiskars scissors are currently recommended items for school children in schools all over the United States, and that is raking in the profits for the Finnish firm.
Scissors specially designed for children are a part of every pupil's required equipment, and whereas many schools used to recommend just "scissors", they now prefer to suggest parents buy "Fiskars scissors".
In all, the western Uusimaa-rooted firm is mentioned in some 300,000 checklists for parents across the US.
The company's classic orange-handled scissors are found in most Finnish households, but they are multi-purpose scissors.
"In America consumers have different needs, and it is easier to market products for those needs," Fiskars Head of Design Petteri Masalin told KL. "In Finland scissors are scissors."
Masalin goes on to say that his company is able to sell all kinds of different cutting devices, when a Finn would simply use the same scissors for everything.
Spades are another popular product. But in the US they have to be heavier, said Masalin, as weight is associated with quality in the American consumer's psyche.
”And it has to look good in the back of a pickup truck,” added the designer.
Pasty patrol
Iltalehti picks up on a story that has drawn a lot of comment and reaction on social media. The paper reports that Jarmo Vellonen, an artist in Porvoo, was detained by security at a branch of the Sale retailer for taking pasties from the in-store bakery without using the tongs provided.
He had used his hand. This was too much for the security guard on duty, who apprehended the culprit at the checkout after he had paid for his items.
Vellonen was then marched off by the security guard for interrogation. After thirty minutes the police arrived.
Vellonen said that although they seemed slightly irritated by the whole incident, they suggested he buy all the pasties in the tray.
That's in line with Sale's policy, which states that customers must use the implements provided when purchasing baked goods, and that anyone caught using their hands must pay for all the products in that tray.
Vellonen said the whole incident was embarrassing, especially when he was marched off as if he had stolen something, and should have been handled at the checkout rather than in some back room.
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