Clear News | Wednesday 21.1.2026

Wärtsilä. Welfare areas. Oulu. Weather forecast.

Russia sanctions and Wärtsilä

First, news about circumventing Russian sanctions.

Russia continues to receive Wärtsilä spare parts for ships.

Spare parts are used in oil tankers, icebreakers and other large vessels.

Because of sanctions, technology cannot be exported to Russia. That’s why Russia is circumventing the sanctions.

First, the spare parts are exported to another country, for example the United Arab Emirates or China.

They are then delivered to Russia through many companies.

Russia continues to receive Wärtsilä spare parts for ships.

Wärtsilä’s General Counsel Nora Steiner-Forsberg says that Wärtsilä itself no longer sells products to Russia.

Wärtsilä does not want parts to be exported to Russia, but it is difficult to prevent the activity.

Wellbeing areas

Now news about the welfare areas.

The number of employees in welfare areas has changed in different ways in different regions, according to a Yle survey.

In some areas, the number of employees has increased, but in many areas, the number of employees has been reduced due to savings.

The welfare areas have been operating for 3 years now.

The number of employees in welfare areas has changed in different ways in different areas.

The number of employees has increased the most in Pirkanmaa. (Correction: The article’s title says Central Finland, but Yle has received a correction that the correct region is Pirkanmaa.)

HUS has laid off the most employees.

Reductions have been made, for example by not extending fixed-term contracts. Nurses have also been laid off.

Due to savings, many service centers and health centers have been closed.

European Capital of Culture Oulu

Finally, cultural news.

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture this year.

The opening ceremony saw many great performances.

Approximately 250,000 people attended the opening weekend events.

President Alexander Stubb gave a speech.

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture together with 39 municipalities.

There are many events in Oulu and the municipalities throughout the year.

This year, the second European Capital of Culture is Trenčín, located in Slovakia.

Thursday’s weather

Still a weather forecast.

The weather on Thursday will be cloudy and breezy.

The sun is shining in places in the east and in Northern Lapland.

It is 2-10 degrees below zero, it is colder in Northern Lapland.