A strong winter storm named Hannes blew over Finland, particularly in western and northernparts on Saturday afternoon leaving thousands of households without power supply, local media reported. Power supply at about 14,000 households in western Finland were disrupted by Saturday afternoon after trees fell on the electricity lines due to the storm, reported national broadcaster Yle. Earlier on Thursday, the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) forecast very strong wind over the country as a well-marked low pressure, created over the southern Bothnian Sea, intensified further. The strongest wind was recorded off the coast of Kaskinen, on Sälgrund island and the wind gusts reached to 33 metres per second. At sea, average wind speeds reached around 25 meters per second. At the same time, wave heights in the southern Bothnian Sea exceeded seven meters. Meanwhile, two aircraft skidded off taxiway after landing at Kittilä Airport in Lapland on Saturday afternoon due to strong wind, said Finavia, the company operates country´s airports. Ski resorts in Lapland were also forced to shut down due to the strong winds. In Sweden, several train and ferry services scheduled for Saturday were also cancelled due to the storm.

• Daily Finland
• 10 saat, 2 dakika

• Yle Uutiset
• 10 saat, 31 dakika

A Saudi-Chinese cultural festival opened this week in Riyadh, capping a year-long initiative aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries through art, technology, and heritage, reported Xinhua. The Common Ground Festival, held at Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) Nonprofit City, marks the finale of the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025. Launched on Wednesday by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the event features traditional handicrafts and contemporary works from both nations. On Thursday, Saudi Deputy Minister of Culture Mai AlRasheed and Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua toured the pavilions, meeting artists and participants. Highlights include a joint art exhibition of paintings and sculptures, as well as a virtual reality experience that takes visitors on an immersive tour of Beijing's Central Axis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site linking 15 major historic landmarks, including imperial gates, the Forbidden City, and ceremonial altars. The festival coincides with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Beijing. Chang said 2025 marked the first cultural year shared by the two countries, beginning with a Chinese New Year market in Riyadh and encompassing more than 60 events that reached millions of people. Both sides are opening new avenues for cooperation through dialogue, artistic exchange, and knowledge sharing, a Ministry of Culture spokesperson, Abdulrahman Almutawa, said. The festival runs through Jan. 6, 2026.

• Daily Finland
• 10 saat, 40 dakika

A Saudi-Chinese cultural festival opened this week in Riyadh, capping a year-long initiative aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries through art, technology, and heritage, reported Xinhua. The Common Ground Festival, held at Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) Nonprofit City, marks the finale of the Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year 2025. Launched on Wednesday by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the event features traditional handicrafts and contemporary works from both nations. On Thursday, Saudi Deputy Minister of Culture Mai AlRasheed and Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua toured the pavilions, meeting artists and participants. Highlights include a joint art exhibition of paintings and sculptures, as well as a virtual reality experience that takes visitors on an immersive tour of Beijing's Central Axis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site linking 15 major historic landmarks, including imperial gates, the Forbidden City, and ceremonial altars. The festival coincides with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Beijing. Chang said 2025 marked the first cultural year shared by the two countries, beginning with a Chinese New Year market in Riyadh and encompassing more than 60 events that reached millions of people. Both sides are opening new avenues for cooperation through dialogue, artistic exchange, and knowledge sharing, a Ministry of Culture spokesperson, Abdulrahman Almutawa, said. The festival runs through Jan. 6, 2026.

• Daily Finland
• 10 saat, 40 dakika

A strong winter storm slammed across the U.S. Northeast and Great Lakes regions from Friday evening to Saturday, dumping snow, crippling holiday travel and leaving tens of thousands out of power, reported Xinhua. As of 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, more than 5,580 flights within, to or out of the United States were delayed and at least 860 were canceled, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. Flight delays and cancellations piled up due to severe weather, with three major airports in the New York metropolitan area among the hardest hit. The Federal Aviation Administration estimated that flights to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport were delayed by an average of about two hours Saturday morning. Winter storm alerts covered areas from New York to Philadelphia, with travelers and residents warned to exercise caution from the storm. The powerful storm came ahead of the busiest travel day of the holiday season, with 2.86 million travelers expected to fly on Sunday, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration. Ahead of the major winter storm, the governors of New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency, urging travelers to monitor weather conditions and road closures and follow safety protocols. In Michigan, more than 30,000 homes and businesses were without power Saturday morning as ice weighed on trees and power lines.

• Daily Finland
• 10 saat, 46 dakika

A strong winter storm slammed across the U.S. Northeast and Great Lakes regions from Friday evening to Saturday, dumping snow, crippling holiday travel and leaving tens of thousands out of power, reported Xinhua. As of 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, more than 5,580 flights within, to or out of the United States were delayed and at least 860 were canceled, according to flight-tracking service FlightAware. Flight delays and cancellations piled up due to severe weather, with three major airports in the New York metropolitan area among the hardest hit. The Federal Aviation Administration estimated that flights to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport were delayed by an average of about two hours Saturday morning. Winter storm alerts covered areas from New York to Philadelphia, with travelers and residents warned to exercise caution from the storm. The powerful storm came ahead of the busiest travel day of the holiday season, with 2.86 million travelers expected to fly on Sunday, according to data from the Transportation Security Administration. Ahead of the major winter storm, the governors of New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency, urging travelers to monitor weather conditions and road closures and follow safety protocols. In Michigan, more than 30,000 homes and businesses were without power Saturday morning as ice weighed on trees and power lines.

• Daily Finland
• 10 saat, 46 dakika

Two people were injured in a stabbing on Friday evening following a concert by Dutch hip-hop group Broederliefde in Rotterdam, the Netherlands' second-largest city, Rotterdam Police Unit said, reported Xinhua. According to a police statement posted on the social media platform X, the incident occurred as people were leaving the venue. The injured individuals, a 15-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man, were taken to hospital. Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported both men are responsive and their lives are not in danger. No suspects have been arrested, though police believe there was only one perpetrator. Investigations are ongoing.

• Daily Finland
• 10 saat, 53 dakika

Two people were injured in a stabbing on Friday evening following a concert by Dutch hip-hop group Broederliefde in Rotterdam, the Netherlands' second-largest city, Rotterdam Police Unit said, reported Xinhua. According to a police statement posted on the social media platform X, the incident occurred as people were leaving the venue. The injured individuals, a 15-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man, were taken to hospital. Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported both men are responsive and their lives are not in danger. No suspects have been arrested, though police believe there was only one perpetrator. Investigations are ongoing.

• Daily Finland
• 10 saat, 53 dakika

At least one person was killed and 23 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital and its outskirts in the early hours of Saturday, reported Xinhua, quoting local authorities said. Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that 22 people were injured in the missile and drone attack on the city, with 12 of them hospitalized. He added that more than 2,600 residential buildings, 187 kindergartens and 138 schools in Kiev were left without heating following the strikes. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kiev City Military Administration, said that the attack damaged facilities in seven districts of the capital, including at least five apartment buildings. Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK Group, implemented emergency power cuts across Kiev due to the attacks. In the Kiev region, one person was killed and another was injured, regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said. He noted that the strikes targeted critical infrastructure, businesses, shops and residential buildings in six districts of the region.

• Daily Finland
• 11 saat, 1 dakika

At least one person was killed and 23 others were injured in Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital and its outskirts in the early hours of Saturday, reported Xinhua, quoting local authorities said. Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that 22 people were injured in the missile and drone attack on the city, with 12 of them hospitalized. He added that more than 2,600 residential buildings, 187 kindergartens and 138 schools in Kiev were left without heating following the strikes. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kiev City Military Administration, said that the attack damaged facilities in seven districts of the capital, including at least five apartment buildings. Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK Group, implemented emergency power cuts across Kiev due to the attacks. In the Kiev region, one person was killed and another was injured, regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said. He noted that the strikes targeted critical infrastructure, businesses, shops and residential buildings in six districts of the region.

• Daily Finland
• 11 saat, 1 dakika

African and Middle Eastern countries collectively condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland, the self-declared region of Somalia, as an independent state, and reaffirmed support for the eastern African country's unity and territorial integrity, reported Xinhua. Somaliland is an integral, inseparable, and inalienable part of the sovereign territory of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Somalian Prime Minister's Office said in a statement, rejecting Israel's recognition as unlawful. Somalia makes clear that it will not permit the establishment of any foreign military bases or arrangements on its territory that would draw Somalia into proxy conflicts or import regional and international hostilities into this region. Somalia calls on all states and international partners to respect international law, uphold the principles of non-interference and territorial integrity, and act responsibly in the interest of peace, stability and security in the Horn of Africa. In a statement posted on social media X late Friday, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said that Israel's move "constitutes a new example of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu government's unlawful actions aimed at creating instability at both regional and global levels." "This step by Israel, which continues its expansionist policies and spares no effort to prevent the recognition of the State of Palestine, constitutes an open interference in Somalia's internal affairs," Keceli said. He said that decisions regarding the future of Somaliland must reflect the will of all Somalis. In a post on X late Friday, Türkiye's Communications Director Burhanettin Duran described Israel's position as "one of the irresponsible acts" of the Netanyahu government, "which has a dark record of genocide and occupation," saying the move undermines ongoing efforts to ensure peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Friday reaffirmed the kingdom's full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. In a statement, the ministry slammed Israel's announcement as a "flagrant" violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, and an infringement on Somalia's sovereignty. Ministry spokesperson Fouad Majali stressed Jordan's absolute opposition to any attempts to establish parallel entities that could threaten Somalia's unity and territorial integrity. Saudi Arabia rejects the announcement of mutual recognition between Israel and Somaliland, considering it a violation of international law, and fully supports Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Saudi Arabia also reaffirms its support for the legitimate institutions of the Somali state, as well as its commitment to preserving the stability of Somalia and its brotherly people. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) reiterated that Somalia remains a sovereign IGAD member state whose unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity are fully recognized under international law. In a statement issued on Saturday, the East African bloc said that any unilateral recognition of Somaliland runs contrary to the UN Charter, the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and the agreement establishing IGAD. The IGAD reaffirmed its solidarity with the government and people of Somalia, and its commitment to inclusive political processes and regional cooperation in support of lasting peace, stability, and prosperity for Somalia and the wider IGAD region, according to the statement. Israel's recognition of Somaliland is a provocative and unacceptable move, which may undermine regional stability, said Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. Gamal Roshdy, the secretary-general's spokesperson, stressed that any attempt to impose unilateral recognition constitutes an unacceptable interference in Somalia's internal affairs and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens regional and international security and stability.

• Daily Finland
• 11 saat, 11 dakika

Israeli forces tightened restrictions on Palestinian villages in the West Bank on Saturday following a reported shooting, while Gaza health authorities updated the death toll in the enclave from the ongoing conflict to over 71,000, reported Xinhua. In the central West Bank, Israeli forces closed the entrances to several villages near Ramallah, including Ni'lin, Bil'in and Kharbatha Bani Harith, after gunfire was reported near a military checkpoint, Palestinian security sources said, adding that the closures disrupted movement for residents of 13 villages. The Israeli army initially said a Palestinian opened fire near the Hashmonaim checkpoint and fled, but later said the incident was related to "hunting activity." Israeli forces continue operations to locate the individual and confiscate the weapon, it said. In the northern West Bank, Israeli troops maintained a tight siege on the town of Qabatiya for a second day. Qabatiya's Mayor Ahmed Zakarneh said Israeli forces have closed entrances, imposed a curfew, damaged infrastructure and raided homes. The Israeli operation followed a stabbing-ramming attack in northern Israel on Friday that killed two people and injured a third. According to local police and the Israeli military, the incident was a "rolling terror attack" that began in Beit Shean, a northern Israeli city near the West Bank's northern border, and ended in Maonot Junction near the northern city of Afula, where the attacker, a Palestinian "who had infiltrated into Israeli territory" several days ago, was "neutralized." Hebrew media reports said the attacker came from Qabatiya. According to Palestinian statistics, more than 1,080 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since Oct. 7, 2023. Meanwhile, Gaza health authorities said Saturday that the Palestinian death toll from the Hamas-Israel conflict has reached 71,266, with 171,219 wounded since October 2023. They added that 414 Palestinians have been killed and 1,142 wounded since the latest ceasefire began on Oct. 10. Palestinian sources also reported Israeli air, artillery and naval bombardments across Gaza in recent hours, though no new casualties were immediately reported. The Israeli military has not commented on these attacks.

• Daily Finland
• 11 saat, 28 dakika

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday stopped over in the city of Halifax, Canada, and met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney before flying to Florida to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump for talks aimed at ending the Ukraine crisis, reported Xinhua. Carney and Zelensky held a bilateral meeting to discuss the latest developments in ongoing peace talks, and Carney affirmed Canada's "full support" for Ukraine, according to a statement on the official website of the prime minister. According to local media, Zelensky is set to discuss a 20-point peace plan with Trump, likely at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday. "In the coming days, much can be accomplished both bilaterally between Ukraine and the United States, as well as with our Coalition of the Willing partners," Zelensky was quoted as saying by CBC News. "It is critical that we jointly and constructively bolster Ukraine's ability to protect life, reinforce our front-line positions and enhance the effectiveness of the negotiation process. Right now, it is Russia that is dragging its feet and trying to waste time," he said. Zelensky's Canadian visit came after he spoke with Carney by phone on Friday. According to a readout of the call from the prime minister's official website, Carney commended "Zelensky for his continued efforts to secure a just and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine, and the courage of the Ukrainian people as they face another winter of Russian aggression."

• Daily Finland
• 11 saat, 39 dakika

Kanadan joukkue syyllistyi epäurheilijamaiseen toimintaan niin alkuverryttelyssä kuin ottelun jo ratkettua.

• Yle Uutiset
• 11 saat, 45 dakika

Kanadan joukkue syyllistyi epäurheilijamaiseen toimintaan niin alkuverryttelyssä kuin ottelun jo ratkettua.

• Yle Uutiset
• 11 saat, 45 dakika

• Iltalehti
• 11 saat, 48 dakika