Winter's freeze is giving way to spring warmth, which means Finland's electricity market is undergoing its own seasonal thaw, according to Ilta-Sanomat.

Spot electricity prices have declined markedly over the spring. In March, average spot prices fell to 3.49 cents per kilowatt-hour, down from 17.22 cents in February.

At the same time, fixed-term contracts have proven stickier. Three-month agreements are now available from around 7.39 cents per kilowatt-hour.

According to the Finnish Energy Authority's price-comparison service, the most competitive fixed deals are now offered by Aalto Energia and Hehku Energia.

Addressing cancer costs

A letter to the editor of Helsingin Sanomat by a leading Finnish cancer researcher revisits a sensitive issue in Finland's cancer care — the cost of medicines and the reluctance to address it.

Cancer therapies are expensive. A recent Yle report found that Finland uses new cancer drugs significantly less than many of its European peers.

Juha Klefström argued that one solution is for Finland to reposition itself in the pharmaceutical value chain. This means moving from buyer to producer by expanding the country's role as a producer of early-stage drug candidates emerging from academic research.

Meatball surprise

What began as an April Fool's joke at Swedish furniture retailer IKEA has become a reality.

By June, Finnish consumers are set to encounter a lollipop inspired by the firm's meatballs served with lingonberries, reports Hufvudstadbladet.

Ingka Group has partnered with Chupa Chups to launch a lollipop inspired by the retailer's signature pairing of meatballs and lingonberries.

According to IKEA, the treat is vegan.