Latest News from Helsinki

Stubb and Støre call Putin ahead of Abu Dhabi peace talks

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, to convey messages from Ukraine ahead of planned peace negotiations in Abu Dhabi. The two Nordic leaders initiated the call from Helsinki after consulting Ukraine, according to a statement from the Finnish president’s office. The discussion focused on diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine and preparations for negotiations involving Moscow, Kyiv and Washington.

Published: Tue, 27 Oct 2026 12:45:54 +0200

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Finland proposes cuts to child benefits, pensions and education to reduce debt

Finland's Ministry of Finance has presented around 400 options for cutting public spending and raising taxes, including abolishing child benefits, reducing pensions and restricting healthcare services, as the country prepares for fiscal adjustments of up to €11 billion after next April's parliamentary elections. The proposals cover social security, education, healthcare, public administration and taxation. They will inform negotiations to form the next government.

Published: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:00:03 +0200

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

False DMCA claims leave Helsinki Times and affiliated sites invisible in Google Search for months

By Editorial Staff Helsinki Times Try searching Google for some of Helsinki Times’ in-depth consumer guides and specialized reporting today, and you might come up empty-handed. Where original articles once stood, readers are instead met with a quiet, sterile disclaimer tucked away at the bottom of the search page: “In response to a complaint that we received under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed results from this page.”

Published: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:32:13 +0200

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Lula wins Brazil presidential election as Bolsonaro refuses to accept defeat

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a fourth term in office after defeating right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro in Sunday's presidential election runoff, overturning his first-round defeat in a contest that ended with his opponent refusing to recognise the result. Lula, 80, secured 51.79% of the vote against Bolsonaro's 48.21%, according to Brazil's Superior Electoral Court. The president received 64.26 million votes, compared with 59.83 million for his challenger, a margin of more than 4.4 million.

Published: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:15:44 +0200

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Venezuela opposition leader María Corina Machado returns after 10 months in exile

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado returned to her country on Sunday, after more than 10 months in exile, amid growing demands for presidential elections and questions over the political transition following the abduction of former president Nicolás Maduro by US forces. Machado, 59, announced her return on social media, writing: “I am here. With you.”

Published: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 01:17:49 +0200

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Serbia votes in parliamentary election as student movement challenges Vučić

Serbians voted in parliamentary elections on Sunday, with turnout reaching levels not seen for two decades as a student-led movement sought to end the rule of former president Aleksandar Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). The snap election follows almost two years of protests over corruption and government accountability, with voters choosing between the ruling party and a movement that emerged from demonstrations following a railway station disaster.

Published: Sun, 25 Oct 2026 20:05:57 +0200

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Clocks go back one hour in Finland on Sunday

Finland will switch to winter time in the early hours of Sunday, 25 October, when clocks move back one hour at 4 am. The change will give residents an extra hour overnight as the country returns to Eastern European Time (EET), despite Finland's longstanding support for ending seasonal clock changes. At 4 am on Sunday, clocks will return to 3 am, ending daylight saving time for 2026. Finland will move from Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3) to Eastern European Time (UTC+2).

Published: Sat, 24 Oct 2026 12:20:01 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Nearly 80% of children in Finland use AI, survey finds

Artificial intelligence has become part of everyday life for children and teenagers in Finland, with 78% of 11–17-year-olds using AI tools, according to a nationwide survey. The findings also show that young people increasingly turn to AI for schoolwork, information and personal conversations. The survey, funded by the Finnish Children's Foundation Itla and digital wellbeing organisation Digirauha, found that 71% of pupils in grades four to six already use artificial intelligence.

Published: Sat, 24 Oct 2026 09:29:01 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Strong winds and rain to hit Finland this weekend

Finland is heading into a wetter and windier weekend as Atlantic low-pressure systems move towards Northern Europe, bringing rain and strong gusts across the country. Despite the change, temperatures will remain above seasonal averages, with forecasts suggesting that the arrival of winter might be delayed well into November. The Finnish Meteorological Institute expects cloud cover to increase from Friday, ending a period of dry and sunny autumn weather across much of the country.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:26:44 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Reported assaults reach record level across Finland

Police recorded approximately 36,500 assaults across Finland during the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 10.7 per cent from the same period last year and the highest figure in the history of Statistics Finland's crime records. Assault reports increased in every police district, despite a decline in the total number of offences recorded nationwide. According to preliminary figures published by Statistics Finland on Tuesday, 20 October, police, customs and border guard authorities registered 409,900 offences under the Criminal Code between January and September, representing a decrease of 1.6 per cent year on year.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:30:17 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Bolt and Uber drivers protest low fares in Helsinki

More than 100 Bolt and Uber taxi drivers gathered outside Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium on Thursday, to protest against low fares, rising fuel costs and commissions charged by ride-hailing platforms. Drivers demanded higher payments, lower company fees and the right to reject trips without facing penalties. The demonstration began at around 11 am in the stadium’s car park, where drivers parked their vehicles and gathered to express concerns about their earnings.

Published: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:22:46 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Helsinki to host 2030 European Athletics Championships

Helsinki has secured the right to host the 2030 European Athletics Championships, defeating Brussels in a vote by European Athletics officials on Thursday. The week-long competition will take place at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in August 2030, bringing the championships back to the Finnish capital for the fourth time. The European Athletics Council selected Helsinki during a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, following a three-year bidding process. The decision involved 17 voting members, who chose between the Finnish and Belgian capitals through an open show of hands.

Published: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:47:35 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Finns Party targets immigrant benefits in €9 billion savings plan

Finland’s Finns Party has announced plans for €9 billion in fiscal adjustments during the next parliamentary term, including cuts to pensions, immigration, healthcare funding and state administration. The proposals would also abolish the Ministry of the Environment and several state agencies. Party leader and Finance Minister Riikka Purra presented the programme on Thursday, arguing that Finland must reduce public spending to meet its debt targets without imposing broad tax increases on workers and businesses.

Published: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:43:06 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

AI-discovered security flaws trigger website shutdowns worldwide

Government websites and online services across Europe and other parts of the world were taken offline on Wednesday, after researchers using artificial intelligence discovered two critical vulnerabilities in PHP, a programming language supporting an estimated 70 per cent of websites whose server-side technology is known. Developers released emergency security patches as cybersecurity agencies warned of attacks against systems that remain unprotected.

Published: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 01:52:09 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Finnish government drops plans for tourist tax

The Finnish government has abandoned plans to introduce a tourist tax after coalition parties failed to agree on a proposed levy of 2–5 per cent on accommodation costs. The decision ends preparations for a tax intended to help municipalities, particularly in Lapland, cover expenses linked to growing visitor numbers. Finance Minister Riikka Purra of the Finns Party announced on Tuesday that the proposal would not reach parliament during the current government's term.

Published: Wed, 21 Oct 2026 20:36:48 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

Stubb calls for Ukraine-Russia-US peace talks as Trump envoy meets Putin

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has called for direct negotiations between Ukraine, Russia and the United States over disputed territories and security guarantees, as US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Wednesday, to discuss proposals for ending the war. Stubb outlined Europe's priorities during a speech at the University of Helsinki, a day after participating in eight hours of discussions in Oslo involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Witkoff and representatives from NATO and the European Union.

Published: Wed, 21 Oct 2026 17:25:03 +0300

Source: https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/?format=feed

HSL raises ticket prices and introduces a fare cap for contactless payments

The Helsinki region's public transport fares will rise by an average of 1.8 percent in early 2027.

Published: Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:56:37 +0200

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Stubb, Støre hold phone call with Putin

Alexander Stubb talked to the Russian leader on Tuesday.

Published: Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:53:38 +0200

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Hesburger's first Italian restaurant opens doors in Matera

With the opening of an Italian outlet, the Finnish fast food chain now operates in 10 different countries across Europe.

Published: Tue, 27 Oct 2026 10:26:20 +0200

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Creepy Cat in the Hat videos reach Finland

AI-generated videos featuring the children's book character the Cat in the Hat are now spreading in Finland.

Published: Tue, 27 Oct 2026 08:51:19 +0200

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Finance ministry proposes abolishing child benefits amid sweeping reform suggestions

The ministry's suggestions will provide a basis for the negotiations when Finland's political parties attempt to form a new government after next April's parliamentary elections.

Published: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 16:20:21 +0200

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

'I'll kill you' — Finnish schools increasingly report threatening behaviour to police

Teachers say threats of violence and rude talk have become more common in recent years.

Published: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:59:17 +0200

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Global snag delays Finnish flu vaccinations

Finland's public health authority, THL, says the problem affects all of Europe as well as other parts of the world.

Published: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:22:02 +0200

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Week starts with blustery weather across Finland

Gusts may reach 20 metres per second over sea areas.

Published: Mon, 26 Oct 2026 08:46:39 +0200

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Video: This week in Finland, 23 October 2026

An increasing number of people in Finland are turning to food aid, the government shelved plans for a tourist tax, and Helsinki secured a major athletics event.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:05:20 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Yle price comparison: Finland's food prices lower than Sweden, Estonia

A Lidl grocery basket was cheaper in Helsinki than in Tallinn or Stockholm.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:48:12 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Hundreds of taxi drivers stage protest in Helsinki

Taxi drivers say fares have been falling for years, while rising operating costs leave them struggling to earn enough to make a living.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:39:01 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Pellet found in deceased person's estate was Soviet-era enriched uranium, police say

Authorities received a call about someone finding the radioactive material in 2024.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:52:10 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Two Finnish firms progress satellite plans for Ukraine

Ukraine is urgently seeking alternatives to Elon Musk's Starlink internet service which recently capped its connection speed in the country.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 11:03:19 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Clocks fall back this weekend, despite Finland's opposition

The European Parliament voted in favour of ending seasonal time changes in 2019, but the practice continues.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:43:57 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Video: Millions fall in puppy love with Finland's slow-TV livestream

The latest season of Yle's Pentulive (Puppy live) is attracting attention from around the world.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:25:23 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Finland getting wet but mild weekend weather

A precipitation front is expected to approach from the southwest on Friday evening, bringing the first showers to southern and western parts of the country.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:08:19 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Helsinki confirmed as host of 2030 European athletics championships

The decision means that Helsinki will host the championships for a record-breaking fourth time, having previously hosted in 1971, 1994 and 2012.

Published: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:46:46 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Finns Party unveils €8b cuts list, spares small pensions

The Finns Party has presented its wish list for the next four years.

Published: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:37:51 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

Best chance for peace in Ukraine yet, but for grim reasons, says Russia expert

As PM Petteri Orpo arrives in Kyiv, Russia expert Mark Galeotti says Europe is losing patience.

Published: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:34:57 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

PM Petteri Orpo in Ukraine to show Finland's 'strong support'

Orpo is meeting with Ukraine's political leadership in Kyiv.

Published: Thu, 22 Oct 2026 10:25:24 +0300

Source: https://feeds.yle.fi/uutiset/v1/recent.rss?publisherIds=YLE_NEWS

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: ‘Lapin sota’ Is the Best Finnish War Film to Date

Aku Louhimies’ ‘Lapin sota’ (‘Lapland War’) is a deeply moving Finnish war film about the devastation wrought in northern Finland, with striking cinematography, unforgettable performances and haunting music.

Published: Fri, 23 Oct 2026 04:55:00 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: ‘Pirjo i Sverige ‘Takes Poker-Faced Comedy on a Royal Detour

'Pirjo i Sverige' review: Pirjo Heikkilä takes her deadpan Finnish comedy to Sweden in a warm, wildly funny search for royal connections.

Published: Fri, 09 Oct 2026 07:30:00 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: Jeremy Allen White and Mikey Madison Give ‘The Social Reckoning’ Its Soul

In this 'The Social Reckoning' review, Aaron Sorkin’s sharp social-media drama gets standout performances from Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White.

Published: Fri, 09 Oct 2026 07:01:00 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: ‘Tony’; Two Tonys Reach for the Man Beneath the Myth

Matt Johnson’s 'Tony' review: Anthony Bourdain’s wild pre-fame years come alive through a killer soundtrack, sharp performances and kitchen chaos.

Published: Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:01:00 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: Tom Cruise Finds His Inarritu, but ‘Digger’ Never Fully Strikes Oil

'Digger' review: Tom Cruise and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu team up for an ambitious but uneven environmental satire filled with excess, absurdity and Cruise bravado.

Published: Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:05:00 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: ‘Red Beast’ Roars from Finland’s Shadows

'Punainen peto' ('Red Beast') review: Veera W. Vilo and Antti-Jussi Marjamäki’s Finnish historical drama explores Eetu Salin’s life, political legacy and inner demons.

Published: Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:14:00 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: ‘Good Boy’; Stay! There’s Nothing Good Out There

'Good Boy' review: Ben Leonberg’s horror debut follows Indy, a dog who senses evil spirits around his dying master. A dark film with one genuine star.

Published: Sun, 27 Sep 2026 06:25:56 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: ‘Everybody Digs Bill Evans’; A Life in Blue Notes

'Everybody Digs Bill Evans review': Anders Danielsen Lie stars in Grant Gee’s moving biographical film about American jazz legend Bill Evans, grief and addiction.

Published: Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:43:48 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: ‘Heart of the Beast’ Is a Five-Star Tearjerker

'Heart of the Beast' review: David Ayer’s moving survival adventure stars Brad Pitt as a retired special forces officer and Odin, his heroic German Shepherd with a prosthetic leg.

Published: Fri, 25 Sep 2026 07:05:00 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

TONY ÖHBERG’S CUT: ‘Paper Tiger’ Has a Starry Cast and Very Little Bite

‘Paper Tiger’ review: Adam Driver, Miles Teller and Scarlett Johansson lead James Gray’s crime drama, but familiar tropes and a sluggish pace leave the film feeling underwhelming.

Published: Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:09:54 +0000

Source: https://finlandtoday.fi/feed/

Helsinki Christmas Markets 2026: Tuomaan Markkinat and Other Festive Stops

Helsinki's oldest outdoor Christmas market returns to Senate Square from 27 November to 22 December 2026. Here is how to time your visit, what to buy, and where to find glögi and something warm to eat.

Published: Tue, 27 Oct 2026 07:22:39 +0000

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed

Pikkujoulu Explained: How Finns Celebrate Before Christmas and How Visitors Can Join

From mid-November, Helsinki's restaurants fill with office teams, student societies and friend groups raising glasses of glögi at their pikkujoulu. Here's what the 'little Christmas' party involves, what lands on the table, and how to book your own seat.

Published: Mon, 19 Oct 2026 07:34:43 +0100

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed

Helsinki in November: A Survival Guide to the Dark Month

November is Helsinki's darkest, quietest month, and you can enjoy it. Here is how to spend the short days on museums near the Central Station, café stops in Töölö and Kallio, and a few habits locals use to get through the long evenings.

Published: Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:04:44 +0100

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed

BIKE24 ja Suomen pyöräilymarkkinat

Suomalaiset pyöräilijät toimivat ainutlaatuisessa ympäristössä, jossa vaihtelevat vuodenajat, pitkät välimatkat ja monipuoliset maastot asettavat erityisiä vaatimuksia varusteille. Talvella liikutaan jäisillä kaupunkikaduilla, kun taas kesällä suunnataan metsäpoluille ja sorateille. Tällaisessa ympäristössä yksi pyörä ei useinkaan riitä kaikkiin tarpeisiin. Erityisesti gravel-pyörät ovat kasvattaneet suosiotaan monikäyttöisyytensä ansiosta.

Published: Thu, 14 May 2026 12:34:15 +0100

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed

Helsingin yöelämä ja rahapelit: miten matkailija voi asettaa selkeän kulutusrajan

Helsinki tarjoaa matkailijoille monipuolisen yöelämän. Kaupungissa on baareja, klubeja ja myös rahapelaamiseen liittyviä vaihtoehtoja, jotka kiinnostavat monia vierailijoita. Ilta voi alkaa rauhallisesti, mutta rahan kulutus kasvaa usein huomaamatta. Siksi selkeä kulutusraja auttaa pitämään illan hallinnassa ja loman miellyttävänä.

Published: Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:20:48 +0000

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed

Digital entertainment in today's world

Digital entertainment has become a central part of modern lifestyles both in Finland and internationally. People are increasingly looking online for ways to relax, gain new experiences and escape from everyday routines. Online content, interactive platforms and digital services offer almost unlimited options for different age groups and interests.

Published: Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:47:45 +0000

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed

8 Helsinki Landmarks with Secret Histories and Untold Details

Helsinki’s most famous landmarks are photographed by millions each year, yet many visitors pass by without noticing the surprising stories tucked behind their façades. While researching for this piece, we also explored HelsinkiTipps.de, an independent German travel blog that enjoys uncovering quirky angles of the city.

Published: Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:56:07 +0000

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed

The Future of iGaming in Finland: Monopoly Changes and the Rise of Online Platforms

Finland has long been known for its tight regulation of gambling, particularly through its state-run monopoly, Veikkaus. However, recent developments in both legal frameworks and consumer demand have signaled a shift in how Finland's gambling sector will evolve in the coming years. The rise of online platforms and changes in monopoly regulations are set to transform the Finnish iGaming landscape, presenting new opportunities and challenges for both players and operators. As the digital age continues to shape the global gambling market, Finland's embrace of these shifts will determine the future of its iGaming industry.

Published: Wed, 29 Oct 2025 08:17:09 +0000

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed

Best Beaches and Swimming Spots in Helsinki for Summer 2025

Credit: https://theicebath.com.au/ Summer in Helsinki offers a refreshing escape with its beautiful beaches and inviting swimming spots, perfect for soaking up the sun and enjoying the cool Baltic waters. For those who prefer pools, historic outdoor swimming stadiums and modern sea pools provide year-round options. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Helsinki’s best beaches and swimming areas promise memorable summer experiences filled with fun and relaxation.

Published: Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:32:52 +0100

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed

Ensitreffi-ideat Helsingissä alle 30 eurolla

Treffit ja etenkin ensitreffit voivat olla hyvinkin jännittävä kokemus. Vaikka budjetti ei olisi suuri, voit silti tehdä vaikutuksen ilman suuria kuluja. Helsingistä löytyy paljon kivaa tekemistä alle 30 eurolla.

Published: Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:51:15 +0100

Source: https://helsinki.com/blog/feed