The European Commission has found Meta in breach of EU law after concluding that the company failed to prevent children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram, raising concerns over child safety and platform controls. The finding follows a nearly two-year investigation under the Digital Services Act, which requires large platforms to assess and reduce risks to users, including minors. The Commission said Meta did not take sufficient steps to enforce its own minimum age requirement of 13.

A district court in south-west Finland has cleared Anneli Auer and Jens Ihle of all charges linked to alleged sexual and violent offences against children, ending a case that has spanned close to two decades and led to prison sentences later overturned. The Varsinais-Suomi District Court ruled on Wednesday that prosecutors failed to prove any of the 18 alleged offences said to have taken place between 2007 and 2009. The court found that the core evidence, based on statements given by Auer’s...

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has criticised the United States over its handling of the war with Iran, as Washington reviews a new proposal from Tehran aimed at ending the illegal war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal, now under discussion by President Donald Trump’s national security team, seeks a ceasefire and restoration of shipping routes before any talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. US officials said Trump is dissatisfied with the plan.

Police in western Finland have launched an investigation into a suspected fraud case in which criminals obtained bank card details from an elderly man during a home visit and withdrew tens of thousands of euros. The Ostrobothnia Police Department said two men are suspected of taking the victim’s card information in Seinäjoki on 25 April. The suspects then used the data to withdraw up to €30,000 from the victim’s account.

Recent visits by European leaders to Beijing have placed Finland’s relationship with China back into focus, as political and business figures call for closer coordination in trade, climate policy, and technology. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo joined other EU leaders in China amid shifting global trade flows and rising geopolitical strain. Finnish officials frame the visits as part of ongoing engagement rather than a policy break, with emphasis on dialogue at both political and commercial levels.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad as Pakistan tried to revive efforts to end the illegal US-Israeli war against Iran, but Tehran denied that direct talks with US envoys were planned. The White House said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were travelling to Pakistan for talks, while Vice-President JD Vance remained on standby if progress was made. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said no meeting with US officials was scheduled.

A low pressure system moving into Finland this weekend will bring snow, strong winds and disruption across southern and central regions, with authorities warning of poor driving conditions and potential damage. The Finnish Meteorological Institute said the system will arrive from the northwest, with the first cloud bands reaching western parts of the country on Friday. Rain and snow will spread overnight into central areas before intensifying on Saturday.

The European Union has approved a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and adopted a new sanctions package against Russia after oil flows resumed through a key pipeline, ending months of political deadlock. The decision followed the restart of crude oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Hungary and Slovakia. Supplies had been halted since late January after damage caused by Russian strikes, according to Ukrainian officials.

A major technical fault has disrupted multiple public service systems, leaving users unable to access online platforms and remote services since early Thursday. The disruption began during the early hours of 23 April and affects the main website, online accounts and parts of the phone service. The primary website remains offline, with a temporary replacement page in use. Remote transactions through digital channels are not working.

US President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran while maintaining a naval blockade, as negotiations between the two sides remain unresolved about the ending of the illegal US-Israeli war against Iran. The announcement came hours before the truce was due to expire, with Washington stating that the ceasefire will remain in place until Tehran submits a proposal and talks conclude. Trump said the blockade of Iranian ports will continue, a condition that Iranian officials reject a...

Finnish police have expanded a criminal investigation into a major cyber breach at a state IT service provider to include suspected espionage, after new findings on the nature of the data accessed. The National Bureau of Investigation said the case, which began as a suspected aggravated data breach, now also involves suspicion of espionage. The probe relates to an attack on the State Information and Communication Technology Centre Valtori in late January.

Finnish authorities have ordered the immediate suspension of operations at an aesthetic clinic in Espoo after inspectors found unlicensed medicines, improper storage practices and failures in patient care standards. The supervisory authority said it carried out an unannounced inspection at Nordicshape Oy on 8 April alongside the Finnish Medicines Agency and the Safety and Chemicals Agency. The inspection followed a report from Fimea that raised suspicion over the import and use of an unlice...

UNICEF has condemned the killing of two water truck drivers by Israel in Gaza and called for an immediate investigation, warning that the incident disrupts vital aid for hundreds of thousands of people. The agency said the two men, contracted to deliver clean water, were killed by Israeli fire on 17 April at the Mansoura water filling point in northern Gaza. Two others were injured in the same incident during routine operations.

Helsinki opened the Kruunuvuori Bridge to pedestrians and cyclists on Saturday, marking the first public use of a structure that city leaders say will change daily travel between Laajasalo and the inner city. The opening drew heavy crowds within minutes, with visitors filling the full length of the new crossing as ceremonies began at 2pm. Mayor Daniel Sazonov opened the bridge at the Korkeasaari end by cutting a ribbon after a fanfare, while deputy mayor Johanna Laisaari led the opening fro...

Iran said the Strait of Hormuz has reopened to commercial shipping for the duration of a ceasefire, easing pressure on global energy markets and prompting a drop in oil prices. The announcement came as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon entered into force, with Israeli forces maintaining their illegal occupation in southern Lebanon. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the passage for all commercial vessels was “completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire”, in ...

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight, halting six weeks of fighting that killed more than 2,100 people in Lebanon and displaced over one million. Civilians began returning to damaged towns as world leaders urged all sides to respect the truce and prepare for negotiations. Traffic built along roads linking Beirut to southern Lebanon as families travelled back to their homes. Vehicles lined the coastal highway towards Sidon and Tyre. Many crossed damaged bridg...

Two thirds of Finns say Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government has performed poorly, according to a new party barometer that places the coalition among the weakest rated administrations in three decades. The survey by research company Verian found that 66 percent of respondents believe the government has handled its tasks poorly. Of those, 39 percent described its performance as poor and 27 percent as fairly poor.

Hungary’s prime minister-elect Péter Magyar said he will suspend state media news broadcasts and overhaul press laws after his party secured a large parliamentary majority, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule. Magyar’s Tisza party won a two-thirds majority in Sunday’s election, giving it the power to amend the constitution and dismantle structures built under the previous government. Speaking on state radio, Magyar said public media must serve citizens rather than political interests.

Inflation in Finland rose in March as higher energy prices pushed up consumer costs, while the central bank warned that the illegal US-Israeli war in against Iran is set to increase inflation across the euro area and slow economic growth. Statistics Finland said consumer prices increased by 1.3 per cent year on year in March, up from 0.6 per cent in February. Prices rose by 0.7 per cent compared with the previous month. Electricity, diesel and petrol recorded the largest price increases d...

Young adults in Finland show strong support for national defence while expressing concern about the country’s future security environment, according to a new survey commissioned by the Finnish Defence Forces. The study, conducted by E2 Research, found that 47 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 30 are concerned about Finland’s current security situation and external threats. More than 40 per cent believe people in Finland will live in a less secure world within five years.

A proposal to reduce and clarify the goals of Finland’s basic education curriculum has drawn resistance from politicians, business representatives and municipal leaders, who warn that falling learning results must not lead to lower standards in schools. The debate began after a Ministry of Education and Culture working group proposed fewer and clearer objectives for subjects in basic education. The group said pupils need defined minimum skills in reading, writing and mathematics before they...

Finland has reached a point few countries can match. By late 2025, internet penetration stood at 98.2%, with over 5.5 million users in a population of just over 5.6 million. Mobile connections exceeded the population itself, reaching roughly 160%. The growth of Finland’s digital economy is no longer tied to getting people online. The next phase depends on how effectively that near-universal access translates into productivity, business value, and export potential.

Finnish engineering company Valmet will begin negotiations that may lead to temporary layoffs affecting around 2,400 employees across several sites in Finland. The company said the talks will start on 4 May and cover multiple business areas, including packaging materials and paper, as well as pulp, energy and circular economy operations. Certain support functions and the global supply chain unit are also included. Valmet said the planned measures may involve temporary layoffs of less than...

Consumer confidence in Finland fell again in April, with expectations for both personal finances and the national economy declining amid global uncertainty and rising costs. Statistics Finland reported that the consumer confidence indicator dropped to -12.5 in April, down from -11.5 in March and -10.5 in February. The data shows a steady decline since late 2025. Only 14 per cent of respondents said they expect Finland’s economy to improve over the next year. A total of 47 per cent expect ...

Sabastian Sawe set a new world record at the London Marathon, becoming the first athlete to complete an official marathon in under two hours. The Kenyan runner crossed the finish line in 1:59:30 on Sunday, cutting 65 seconds from the previous record and leading a race where multiple runners finished below the earlier mark. Sawe, 30, led the field through the closing stages and increased his pace after 35km.

A majority of Finns view the government led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo as having failed in most policy areas, according to a new survey that shows growing dissatisfaction with its performance. The poll, commissioned by the Foundation for Municipal Development and conducted by Verian, found that respondents rated the government poorly across key sectors including employment, healthcare and the economy.

A parish pastor in western Finland has been charged with sexual offences against children, with three alleged victims identified in a case set to proceed in court. Prosecutors have brought charges against the man, who is in his forties, including three counts of sexual abuse of a minor and three counts linked to breach of duty, according to Helsingin Sanomat. The alleged offences took place during the spring and early summer of 2023. The case involves three complainants. Hearing dates hav...

The government has submitted a proposal to parliament to reform integration services, placing greater responsibility on immigrants to work, learn the language and take part in programmes linked to employment. The reform, presented on Thursday, reshapes the system to focus on labour market entry and introduces new obligations tied to benefits and participation. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said integration must centre on language skills, employment and knowledge of society.

Finland’s government has agreed its final spending framework before the next election, combining cuts to health and social services with housing support, transport projects and higher defence spending. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Finance Minister Riikka Purra said the plan for 2027 to 2030 responds to weak growth, higher fuel costs, war in Europe and rising debt costs. At a press conference in Helsinki on Tuesday, Orpo said the government had little room to act.

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran approaches its deadline with no agreement in place and no confirmation of new talks. US President Donald Trump said he is prepared to resume the illegal military aggression against Iran if negotiations fail before the truce expires. “We’re ready to go,” he told CNBC, adding that he does not want to extend the ceasefire because “we don’t have that much time”. The two-week ceasefire, agreed on 8 April, is due to end on Wednesday.

Finland’s government has entered its final round of budget negotiations with plans to impose new spending cuts, with more than half expected to fall on social and healthcare services. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the talks began in a “serious situation” as ministers gathered in Helsinki to agree on measures worth around €400 million. The negotiations mark the last framework session before the next parliamentary election. Officials confirmed that about €218 million in savings would com...

Finland faces rising exposure to global trade disruption due to heavy reliance on imports from China, with lithium-ion batteries identified as a key point of concern, according to a new report published on Monday. The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy said nearly 38 per cent of Finland’s imports classified as vulnerable came from China in 2024. The study forms part of a wider Nordic comparison examining how supply chains respond to geopolitical shifts and trade barriers.

Helsinki will begin construction of summer streets in Kallio, Sörnäinen and Alppiharju on 20 April, as the city extends pedestrian areas and changes traffic routes across three streets. Work will start around Karhupuisto and move in phases across Porthaninkatu, Fleminginkatu and Vaasankatu. These streets will shift to shared-use zones where pedestrians hold priority and vehicle speed is limited to 20 kilometres per hour. City officials said the scheme builds on a trial launched in 2025, w...

More than four in ten residents in the Helsinki region report feeling unsafe while using public transport, with many changing travel habits or avoiding certain services, according to a new survey commissioned by Helsinki and Espoo. The survey, based on responses from over 1,000 residents, found that 41 percent had experienced safety-related concerns when travelling. The findings point to a direct link between perceived insecurity and reduced use of buses, trains and metro services.

Finland has taken a step towards introducing a citizenship test, with the government submitting a legislative proposal to Parliament as part of broader reforms to tighten the rules for acquiring nationality. The Ministry of the Interior said the test would assess applicants’ knowledge of Finnish society and its core principles. It would become a requirement after legislative changes enter into force at the start of 2027.

Finland is preparing a new phase in its public warning system with the introduction of mobile-based alerts designed to reach people more quickly during emergencies. The Interior Ministry said the upgrade will rely on Cell Broadcast technology, a system that allows authorities to send messages directly to all mobile phones within a specific area without using phone numbers or subscriber lists. The new system will form part of an existing network that already includes radio, television, web...

Children and young people with foreign backgrounds in Finland report weaker health, wellbeing and safety than their peers, while showing stronger attitudes towards school, according to a new national survey. The findings come from the 2025 School Health Promotion Study by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), which examined pupils from primary school to upper secondary level across the country.

Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the war against Iran was close to an end and that a new round of talks with Tehran could take place in Islamabad within days, even as the United States kept a naval blockade on Iranian ports, Israel pressed on with attacks in Lebanon, and fresh polling pointed to anger inside Israel over the ceasefire. The US president told Fox News that the conflict was “close to over” and told the New York Post that “something could be happening over the next two days” in...

Radioactive fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster remains detectable in mushrooms across Finland, although levels have declined over time, according to a new nationwide study by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. The findings are based on a large dataset collected with the help of mushroom pickers, who submitted 875 samples during the 2025 harvesting season. The samples covered 187 municipalities and included 60 different species.

Helsinki has suspended employment subsidies and launched legal steps to recover funds after reports linked a city-backed association to recruitment of children for a Russian camp in occupied Crimea. Mayor Daniel Sazonov said the city would act to reclaim more than €45,000 paid to the Sun Ray association after findings first reported by Helsingin Sanomat and Iltalehti. The payments covered wage support and additional city funding granted in 2024 and 2025.

Finnish lift maker Kone has agreed to acquire German rival TK Elevator in a €29.4bn transaction, marking the largest corporate deal in Finland and set to reshape the global lift industry. Kone said the agreement will combine two of the world’s main lift and escalator groups, creating the largest operator in the sector by revenue and service base. The combined company would generate about €20.5bn in annual revenue and employ more than 100,000 people across more than 100 countries.

The profile of housing benefit recipients in Finland changed in 2025 after students moved to a separate support system, leaving unemployed and low-income households as the main beneficiaries. Data from Kela shows that 240,400 households received general housing benefit in December 2025, a drop of 141,600 or 37 per cent from the previous year. The decline followed a reform in August that moved most students from general housing benefit to a student housing supplement.

Meyer Turku has secured an order to build two new large cruise ships for Royal Caribbean Group, extending production at the Finnish shipyard into the next decade and reinforcing the outlook for the country’s maritime industry. Royal Caribbean confirmed plans to commission the sixth and seventh vessels in its Icon class, with delivery scheduled for 2029 and 2030. The agreement forms part of a long-term partnership between the cruise operator and the Turku yard.

An investigation into a fatal daycare accident in Vantaa has identified a preventable safety risk linked to wall-mounted beds, with authorities urging stricter procedures across early education settings. The Finnish Safety Investigation Authority said a two-year-old child died after becoming trapped between a raised cabinet bed and a wall at Kelokuusen daycare on 24 March. The child sustained injuries during a rest period and later died in hospital.

A gunman armed with firearms and knives forced a security response at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, sending President Donald Trump and senior officials from the ballroom as shots rang out. The incident took place at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening, where about 2,600 guests had gathered for the annual event. Law enforcement officials said the suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, travelled from California and entered the hotel as a guest.

Residents in Gaza have cast ballots in a municipal election for the first time in more than 20 years, with voting held in the central city of Deir el-Balah amid ongoing Israeli strikes and political division. Polling began early on Saturday as part of wider Palestinian local elections that also took place across the occupied West Bank. Deir el-Balah is the only city in Gaza included in the vote, with around 70,000 eligible voters.

US President Donald Trump has extended a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon by three weeks after talks at the White House, while the illegal US-Israeli war against Iran shows no sign of resolution and global risks rise. The announcement followed a meeting in Washington between US officials and envoys from Israel and Lebanon. Trump said the talks “went very well” and added that leaders from both countries may visit the White House in the coming weeks.

The number of people speaking domestic languages has dropped below five million, according to preliminary population data released on Thursday by Statistics Finland, driven by demographic trends and changes in population records. Figures show that 4,999,717 residents spoke Finnish, Swedish or Sámi at the end of March, accounting for 88 per cent of the total population. The number fell by 6,772 during the first months of the year. The figure had remained above five million since 1992 and rea...

The UK has approved a law that will ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, marking a shift in public health policy aimed at ending smoking among future generations. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill cleared both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and now awaits royal assent. Once enacted, the measure will introduce a permanent restriction on tobacco sales to those currently aged 17 or younger. Ministers said the policy seeks to reduce addiction and long-term he...

Finland’s soft drink market faces a major reshuffle after a new agreement will transfer production of Pepsi products to Carlsberg, while the future of Coca-Cola manufacturing remains unresolved. Carlsberg said it will take over production, sales and distribution of PepsiCo beverages in Finland, Denmark and the Baltic states from 2029. The move ends a long partnership between PepsiCo and Hartwall, which has produced the drinks in Finland since 1999.

Finland’s unusually sunny and mild run is about to give way to a colder, more unsettled pattern, with forecasters warning that rain, sleet and even snow could return to parts of the country, including the south. According to Foreca the shift is expected to become more pronounced from midweek, with stronger northwest winds, falling temperatures and a risk of hazardous driving conditions. A high-pressure system has kept much of Finland dry and bright for several days, helping temperatures cli...

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the north-east coast of Japan on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings across several prefectures and forcing authorities to order evacuations along the Pacific shoreline. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the quake hit at 4:52pm local time in waters off Sanriku at a depth of 10km. The tremor registered an upper 5 on the national seismic intensity scale, strong enough to disrupt movement and damage structures.

Iran restored military control over the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, reversing a brief reopening and asserting control over the traffic as tensions resulting from the illegal US-Israeli aggression intensify. Tehran announced the move hours after confirming limited passage for commercial vessels, citing what it called continued US “piracy” through a naval blockade of Iranian ports. Shipping data and maritime agencies reported confusion across the waterway, with vessels turning back and ot...

Finland’s government has proposed raising fees for elderly care and cutting social welfare spending as part of a plan to save €100 million, with legislation now sent for consultation. The proposal includes higher charges for long-term care, the end of existing rehabilitation work schemes, and a reduction in administrative duties for social workers. Social Affairs and Health Minister Wille Rydman said the changes form part of a wider reform aimed at balancing public finances.

Finland has begun drafting legislation to allow municipalities to introduce a tax on tourists, as the government seeks new ways to raise revenue from travel and offset local costs linked to the sector. The Ministry of Finance confirmed it has started legal preparations for a model that would give municipalities the option to charge visitors staying in paid accommodation. The measure would apply to both domestic and foreign travellers. Finance Minister Riikka Purra said the aim was to crea...

Pope Leo XIV criticised global leaders for fuelling wars and exploiting religion as he delivered a message of peace in Cameroon, days after renewed attacks from US President Donald Trump. Speaking in the city of Bamenda, at the centre of a long-running separatist conflict, the pope said the world was “being ravaged by a handful of tyrants” and called for a shift away from violence and economic exploitation. Leo addressed a gathering at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, where religious leaders fro...

Helsinki’s main stock index rose to its highest level in more than 25 years on Tuesday as investors responded to signs of easing tensions between the United States and Iran. The OMXH general index closed at 13,463.83 points, up about 0.5 percent on the day. The level marked its highest closing figure since 2000, according to local market data. The rise followed a broader trend across global markets, where investors reacted to reports that Washington and Tehran could return to negotiations.

The global economy faces slower growth and rising inflation as the US-Israeli war against Iran disrupts energy supplies and increases uncertainty, the International Monetary Fund said in its latest World Economic Outlook. The IMF now expects global output to grow by 3.1 per cent in 2026, down from an earlier forecast of 3.3 per cent issued before the conflict began at the end of February. Growth is projected at 3.2 per cent in 2027, assuming the conflict remains limited in scope and duratio...

Finnish startups entered 2026 with their weakest assessment of financial conditions since records began, as confidence fell across business performance, hiring plans and the wider economy. Data from the latest Startup Barometer showed the balance score for companies’ own financial situation dropped to 9.9 among members of the Finnish Startup Community, down from 14.8 in the previous quarter. Across the broader startup ecosystem, included for the first time, the figure stood at 4.8.

Finland’s Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Monday, with talks focused on the war against Iran, Ukraine and transatlantic security. Valtonen said after the meeting that the priority in the Middle East is to maintain the ceasefire between the United States and Iran and move towards a peace agreement. She also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the need to secure freedom of navigation in the area.