Current affairs

Backing up talk with action: Dan Steinbock asks what will form brand Finland as we move farther into the 21st century.

It is time to report on how the commitments made at the Baltic Sea Action Summit, held in February 2010 in Helsinki, have progressed so far. The Summit was a tip of an iceberg in the work for the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG) continues the process.

New Heads of Embassies: Similä to United Arab Emirates, Väisto to Romania, Lähdevirta to Vietnam, Makkonen to Ukraine, Heikkinen to Singapore and Lammila to Mexico.

When Turku celebrated the start of its year as European Capital of Culture in mid-January 2011, it was a night to be remembered and the first taste of what is sure to become a year that will never be forgotten.

On Thursday 20 January, the Government decided to propose to the President of the Republic six new appointments. The President of the Republic will appoint the Ambassadors in the presidential session on Friday 21 January.

For all of 2011, Turku enjoys the status of European Capital of Culture, ushering in a schedule of hundreds of unique events that engage audiences and encourage interaction. In Finnish the theme for the year is Turku palaa, which can mean either "Turku is burning" or "Turku returns."

Every day, 1.3 billion people communicate using Nokia's mobile devices. The company's road to success has been paved with much work and many achievements – and some misfortunes as well, writes Eljas Repo, editor-in-chief of Arvopaperi, Finland's leading magazine for stock market investors.

Young Finns were again among the best performers in the assessment of reading, mathematical and scientific literacy in PISA 2009.

Finland is part of a globalising world. We are a Member State of the European Union and are actively involved in numerous international organisations, such as the United Nations. Our economy has also undergone a rapid process of internationalisation. Globalisation has brought economic opportunities, but also an increasing set of challenges.

Season's greetings! What makes Christmas in Finland so unique? It's a mix of time-honoured tradition and modernity – check out thisisFINLAND's Christmas special to see what we mean. It might also have something to do with the fact that the world-famous Santa Claus lives in Finnish Lapland, and thisisFINLAND has answers to all your Santa questions.