Finland
Nations announce squads for Lahti cross-country World Cup
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Norway, Finland and France have revealed their teams for the upcoming Cross-Country Skiing World Cup in Lahti, Finland. The event features sprint races on March 7 and individual distance events on March 8. Norway's squad is led by Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo, while Finland fields a large home contingent including stars like Iivo Niskanen and Krista Pärmäkoski.
Finland's Supreme Court has convicted parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola of insulting a group based on sexual orientation over a 2004 church pamphlet. In a 3-2 decision, the court ordered the removal of specific statements from the pamphlet and imposed fines on the pair and the publishing foundation. Räsänen plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
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Finland's government proposes lifting the current ban on nuclear weapons on Finnish territory as soon as possible to strengthen the country's security as a NATO member. Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen emphasizes that the change applies only to military defense and does not involve plans to station nuclear weapons in the country. In Sweden, a survey shows that a majority of parliamentary parties support contributing to European nuclear deterrence.
Adam Jiricek scored with 1:21 left in overtime to secure a 2-1 win for Czechia over Finland in a Group B game at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. The victory came on the tournament's fourth day in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Matej Kubiesa had given Czechia the lead earlier on a power play.
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A Santa Claus officially recognized by Finland's Santa Claus Foundation appeared at Chubu Centrair International Airport on December 2. Dressed in red with a long white beard, he greeted passengers with Christmas wishes, waving and posing for photos while shaking hands. Around 140 families interacted with Santa during the visit.