Photographers in Helsinki

Finland’s Turku Archipelago Seeks a ‘Scent Sniffer’ to Document Its Aromas

Reporting style, Informative: Mostly factual reporting, though it includes promotional claims and colorful descriptions of the campaign.

Visit Turku Archipelago is recruiting a perfumer, or “nose,” to spend five to seven days in the Finnish archipelago in May or June 2027 documenting its natural and everyday aromas. The selected candidate will receive €2,000 gross, plus travel, accommodation and a vacation compensation, and will create promotional photos and videos before submitting an honest report. Applicants must apply by October 26 and post a video describing the smell of an object; formal perfumery training is not required. The tourism office says the campaign aims to present the region as a distinctive destination and explore new visitor experiences, while its claim that the archipelago is the world’s best-smelling destination has not yet been scientifically tested.

The Nokia 9000 Communicator, the First Smartphone in History, Turns 30

Reporting style, Informative: Predominantly factual and historical, with some promotional and evaluative descriptions of technological innovation.

Nokia's 9000 Communicator, launched on 15 August 1996, is commemorated as an early smartphone pioneer. Designed as a foldable executive device, it combined a mobile phone with a keyboard, monochrome display, fax, email, internet access and office applications, despite its high price and substantial weight. The device strengthened Nokia's reputation for innovation and preceded the company's rise to global mobile-phone leadership. Apple's 2007 iPhone later transformed the industry through touchscreens and app ecosystems, while Nokia failed to adapt and ultimately sold its handset business to Microsoft in 2014.

Finland asks Google to suspend construction of its data centers

Reporting style, Factual: Factual news report presenting the agency's action and Google's response without overt editorial judgment.

A Finnish government agency ordered Google to suspend preparatory work on data centers planned in Muhos and Kajaani by October 23, pending an environmental impact assessment. The agency is investigating whether Tuike Finland, which represents Google, cleared more than 300 hectares of forest in Muhos without the required assessment. The projects are part of Google's planned €13 billion investment in Finland, its largest single investment in Europe. Google spokesperson Sondre Ronander acknowledged that the company had fallen short of its standards and said it would review the agency's findings and follow its recommendations.

After Finland’s decision, Zakharova issues threats: it will only make Russia’s task easier

Reporting style, Factual: Factual news report presenting official statements and background without advocating a position.

Political context, Centre: Straight news coverage that reports Russian criticism and the security initiative’s stated arrangements without endorsing either side.

Russia condemned France’s plan to extend its nuclear deterrence cooperation to European partners, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova calling it irresponsible and warning that French nuclear-capable aircraft closer to Russia would make it easier for Russian forces to strike. Finland has joined the initiative, which allows participating countries to take part in exercises and potentially host French nuclear-armed aircraft temporarily, while France retains control of its arsenal and the decision to use it. Finland is the tenth participant; Estonia is discussing whether to join.

Ministers are allowed to look tired

Reporting style, Interpretive: An explicit opinion column arguing that independent photojournalism is essential and criticizing reliance on images selected by politicians and institutions.

Political context, Centre: Focuses on media independence and political accountability rather than endorsing a partisan position.

The threatened closure of STT’s news and photo service could leave Finnish newsrooms with fewer resources to document ordinary political life. The column argues that independent photographers must be paid not only to cover major events but also to observe routine activity, while images supplied by government offices and political parties are selected to serve their interests. Past efforts to suppress unflattering photographs illustrate the risks of allowing those in power to decide what the public sees. Although STT’s profitable communications arm may survive, the author warns that relying on self-selected images could leave future records of government looking conspicuously well-rested.

Editorial Work Needs More Inefficiency

Reporting style, Interpretive: An argument-driven column advocating for more time-consuming, on-the-ground reporting and criticizing efficiency pressures in newsrooms.

Firsthand reporting in South Sudan shows how travel, waiting, and informal conversations can reveal context that a planned interview or desk-based story would miss. The writer argues that reporting’s purpose is to discover information not already known to a newsroom, yet efficiency pressures and limited staffing eliminate this time-intensive work. Although media leaders say AI could free journalists to pursue original reporting, the piece says that promise is hollow unless news organizations protect the resources and time needed to go into the field.

MarSenses, Mallorca – Joy and Flavors Responsibly

Reporting style, Interpretive: Highly positive, personal and promotional hotel review based on the author's hosted visit.

A hosted review presents MarSenses Puerto Pollensa Hotel & Spa in Port de Pollença as a bright, adults-only base near the beach, offering spacious apartments, strong breakfast and restaurant options, and easy access to Pollença, Alcúdia and the Serra de Tramuntana. The article also visits MarSenses Natura Olea on Mallorca's east coast, highlighting its lush surroundings and restaurant led by chef Javier Meñaca, which reinterprets Balearic flavors using ingredients partly sourced from the chain's own farm. MarSenses is portrayed as emphasizing sustainable resource use, accessibility, inclusion, employee wellbeing and support for local communities. Its warm workplace culture and 2026 Great Place to Work recognition are presented as factors contributing to the positive guest experience.

Find in the Swiss Alps: the Belle Époque train offers luxury ambience without the luxury price

Reporting style, Informative: Mostly factual travel information with minimal subjective language

A scenic Belle Époque–style train runs between Montreux and Zweisimmen using 1930s‑inspired carriages with wood paneling, ornate lighting, and plush seating. The two‑hour journey offers lake and mountain views, passing villages and popular stops such as car‑free Gstaad. Tickets are significantly cheaper than typical luxury trains, with second‑class fares slightly above 30 euros and first‑class just over 60 euros, plus a small seat reservation fee. The route operates year‑round twice daily, and travel is included with Swiss Travel Pass and Eurail passes.

The Ominous Underbelly of Finland’s Pioneering Nuclear-Waste Repository

Reporting style, Informative: Primarily fact-based investigative reporting, though it emphasizes scientific criticisms and risks surrounding the repository.

Finland is constructing Onkalo, the world’s first planned permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel, 450 metres beneath the granite of Olkiluoto. Posiva’s KBS-3 system uses copper canisters, bentonite clay and bedrock to isolate radioactive waste for up to a million years. Scientists and environmental groups challenge the safety assumptions, warning that corrosion, cracks, groundwater, earthquakes and future permafrost could cause canister failure much sooner than projected. Finnish regulators continue to demand evidence on corrosion, bentonite performance and geological risks. The project gained unusually strong local support in Eurajoki through economic benefits, existing nuclear infrastructure and trust in Finnish institutions, but its long-term success remains uncertain and its model may not be readily transferable to other countries.

Women Entrepreneurs Breaking Gender Stereotypes in the Gaming Industry

Mariina Hallikainen, CEO of Colossal Order, shares her journey from joining a boys' crafts class to leading a game development studio known for the mass transit simulation game Cities in Motion and its upcoming release, Cities: Skylines. Hallikainen emphasizes the importance of consumer engagement and her ability to work with a tight budget. Elina Arponen, founder of Tribe Studios, discusses her venture into creating multiplayer learning and entertainment simulation games with social storylines, such as Dramagame. Both entrepreneurs highlight the challenges they faced and the importance of breaking gender stereotypes to bring diverse talent into various fields.