Radio | News week in plain Finnish | Sunday 18.1.2026

Greenland. Iran. Social security of immigrants. Functional capacity of Finns. Kaamos

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Greenland and Trump’s tariff threat

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Protests against US threats took place in Greenland and Denmark on Saturday. Photo: Alessandro Rampazzo / AFP

Initially, the topic is Greenland.

The US has made new threats in an attempt to gain control of the island of Greenland.

The US is threatening many European countries with new import tariffs starting in early February. President Trump says the tariffs will remain in place until the US is allowed to buy Greenland.

The threat affects 8 European countries, including Finland.

Greenland is a self-governing territory and part of Denmark. Denmark and Greenland have both said that Greenland is not for sale.

Iranian protests

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The supreme power in Iran is held by the religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was not elected. Photo: Iran Picture Agency / AOP

Then we’ll talk about the protests in Iran.

Thousands of people have died in protests in Iran.

The death toll is at least 3,500, says the Norwegian-based human rights group IHR. In addition, at least 18,000 people have been imprisoned.

However, Iran has cut off its connections with the rest of the world, so it is difficult to get information about what is really happening in the country.

Social security for immigrants

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At the job search club in Vantaa, Nagny Iyamu applies for a job and Saku Kujala assists her. Photo: Mårten Lampén / Yle

Now domestic news about the government’s new legislative project.

The government plans to cut social security for immigrants based on language skills.

The government proposes that unemployed immigrants receive either integration support or general support, depending on how long they have lived and worked in Finland. Integration support is 80 euros less than general support.

If an immigrant knows Finnish or Swedish well enough, he or she will be paid a language supplement. In that case, the integration allowance is equal to the general allowance.

The ability of Finns to function

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Many countries are considering banning social media for children and young people. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also supports a ban on social media for those under 15. Photo: Sanni Isomäki / Yle

Then the topic is the poor health of the Finns.

The functional capacity of Finns has weakened, according to a new study by the UKK Institute.

People are carrying more weight and are moving and sleeping less than before.

Finland’s new goal is to improve people’s functional capacity.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo proposes that the use of social media be banned for those under the age of 15. This would leave children and young people more time for exercise and other hobbies.

Darkness

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The Kaamos ended on Saturday in Nuorgam. Photo: Anni-Saara Paltto / Yle

Finally, we would like to say that the darkness has ended in the northernmost village in Finland.

In Nuorgam, Utsjoki, the sun rose today, Sunday, for the first time in almost 2 months. The day was one hour and 17 minutes long.