Thieves Target Iker Casillas, Stealing Five Luxury Watches In a surprising twist that has rocked the sports community, Iker Casillas, the legendary former goalkeeper of Real Madrid, fell victim to a daring theft at his home. The 44-year-old football icon reported the loss of five luxury watches, valued at tens of thousands of euros, from his personal collection. According to reports from Spanish media, the plot thickened when authorities identified one of the perpetrators as Casillas’ own housekeeper. It is alleged that she swapped authentic, high-end timepieces for cheap replicas, facilitating the heist right under the former athlete’s nose. Adding…
Author: Finland Review
Waldorf Astoria Opens Its Doors in Helsinki: A New Chapter in Nordic Luxury Helsinki’s hotel scene has welcomed an exciting new addition: the Waldorf Astoria, the first of its kind in the Nordic countries, is now officially open to guests in the historical Kruununhaka district. This luxurious establishment took over the premises of the former Hotel Maria, marking a significant transformation in the area. With 116 rooms—including 32 lavish suites—this luxurious hotel brings a touch of elegance to the Finnish capital. Each suite features private bathrooms and exclusive concierge services, promising an elevated experience for every guest. The building, a…
The photographer behind the award-winning image stumbled upon his remarkable subject in a rare moment of serendipity. A chance encounter with a lynx has led to the recognition of “Paws,” a stunning photograph by Ossi Saarinen, as this year’s top nature photo. The jury could not help but commend the photograph for its boldness, clearly standing apart from the staples of traditional nature photography. In an unexpected twist, Saarinen found himself just meters away from the lynx, caught momentarily off guard by the creature’s proximity. The striking composition focuses solely on the lynx’s robust forelegs and thick, fur-clad paws, elegantly…
The ZES Pilot: A Cargo Ship’s Troubles in Dutch Waters The ZES Pilot, a Finnish-owned cargo ship, finds itself marooned at a port in the Netherlands, a troubling situation that has left its crew facing unpaid wages. The ship’s predicament has been highlighted by reports from Dutch media, detailing the financial strain experienced by its sailors. One crew member, a Finnish-Cameroonian national, disclosed to NRC that he is owed nearly €10,000 in back pay, a staggering amount that underscores the financial woes onboard. Registered to RB Maritime Oy—essentially a small Finnish shipping company based in Southwest Finland and sailing under…
The influx of foreign workers into Finland’s healthcare sector has sharply declined in recent months, a significant shift from previous years that raises concerns over staffing shortages. In the first four months of this year, only 32 foreign applicants, primarily from the Philippines and Sri Lanka, were approved for their initial residence permits to work in health and social care. This is a stark contrast to the same period last year, when over 570 permits were granted, and follows a record-breaking 2022, which saw more than 2,000 foreign healthcare professionals receive work permits. Despite Finland’s ongoing battle with labor shortages…
In a disconcerting trend revealed by Helsingin Sanomat, a surprising number of students at Albert Edelfelt School in Porvoo are struggling to read analogue clocks—skills typically expected of much younger children. Reports indicate that many of these lower secondary students, spanning grades 7 to 9, faced challenges completing time-telling exercises aimed at second graders. Ripsa Heiskanen, a dedicated teacher of math, physics, and chemistry at the school, first grew suspicious when her students repeatedly inquired about how much longer until their next break, despite the presence of analogue wall clocks in every classroom. Determined to gauge her students’ time-reading abilities,…
HIFK Faces Goalless Streak Ahead of Crucial Match In a grim trend for HIFK, the team has gone five consecutive away games without finding the back of the net. Their struggles have intensified the anticipation surrounding tonight’s matchup against SaiPa, marking it as the most compelling game of the evening. Remarkably, HIFK’s last recorded away goal in the League dates back over 17 games. With a goalless streak that echoes through recent matches against teams like K-Espoo (1–0 loss on October 24), Aces (5–0 on October 18), Lynx (3–0 on October 10), KalPa (3–0 on October 4), and JYP (6–0…
Oulu Shines as a Premier Travel Destination for 2026 In an exciting development for Finland, Oulu has been named the only Finnish destination on National Geographic’s prestigious list of the best places to travel in 2026. This endorsement from the renowned American magazine highlights Oulu’s unique blend of culture, nature, and community spirit. The list showcases 24 global destinations, including iconic cities and breathtaking natural locales, such as Brazil’s vibrant Rio de Janeiro and the captivating landscapes of Rwanda’s safaris. Other notable entries include Morocco’s Rabat, Spain’s Basque Country, South Korea’s rugged hiking trails, the picturesque Quebec in Canada, and…
Anni Jämsä Takes on New Role at Yleisradio Anni Jämsä, a familiar face from Warner Bros. Discovery and Sanoma’s sports broadcasts, is embarking on an exciting new chapter in her career. She has been appointed as the new sports editor for Yleisradio’s sports department, where she will also take on presenting duties for various programs, including the well-known Urheiluruutu. This transition feels like a homecoming for Jämsä. “I am extremely happy to embrace such a significant opportunity at the country’s largest sports organization,” she shared, reflecting on her initial steps in the industry. “My first assignments were with Yle during…
Spain: A Top Destination for Finnish Tourists Spain continues to capture the hearts of Finnish travelers, emerging as a vibrant favorite among their destinations. According to Statistics Finland, last year, it secured the position as the third most popular foreign destination for Finns, right behind Sweden and Estonia. However, when gauging overnight stays, Spain takes the gold medal, indicating a deeper commitment to exploration. Recent data from the Spanish tourism promotion center Turespaña reveals that Spain not only topped the chart for overnight visits last year but has maintained its position as the go-to locale for Finnish tourists in early…