Clear News | Wednesday 23.6.2026

STEA grants. Batteries in the airplane. Paimio sanatorium. Weather.

Controversy over STEA funding

First, domestic politics.

The Government is re-preparing the criteria for distributing grants to social and health sector organisations, said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

The issue became a major controversy when Wille Rydman, the Minister of Social Affairs and Health of the Finns’ Party, presented new criteria for granting the grants. Rydman did not discuss the issue with his government partners. Rydman wanted to reduce funding, especially from sexual minority and immigrant organizations.

The government partner RKP does not accept Rydman’s criteria for grants.

The government is preparing to redistribute the so-called STEA grants. However, the government has jointly agreed to cut one third of the grants.

Batteries in an airplane

Now about transporting batteries on an airplane.

The new rule states that a passenger is allowed to take a maximum of 2 power banks on board. They must be packed in hand luggage.

Around 35,000 power banks are removed from airline passengers every year. They are removed from bags that are going into the cargo hold.

The numbers are increasing, especially now in the summer and during Christmas.

Finavia says that lithium batteries pose a risk if the battery is damaged, short-circuited, overheats or catches fire.

Therefore, you are allowed to take a maximum of 2 power supplies on board the aircraft and only in hand luggage. The power supply may not be used during the flight.

Paimio sanatorium awakens to new life

Finally, a new life for architecture.

The Paimio sanatorium in Southwest Finland will be converted into a spa hotel and congress center.

The famous architect couple Alvar and Aino Aalto designed a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients. The main building was completed in 1933.

The Paimio Sanatorium is part of the Aaltos’ extensive architecture. The sanatorium is awaiting inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Paimio spa hotel and congress center will be completed perhaps in 2030.

The renovation will cost approximately 40 million euros.

Weather

Still a weather forecast.

The weather will be changeable on Thursday.

It may rain a little in most parts of Finland.

Temperatures are starting to slowly rise.

In the south, temperatures can exceed 20 degrees.