Clear News | Wednesday 8.7.2026

NATO procurement. Helsinki Garden. Berry pickers. Weather forecast.

NATO procurement

First, some news about the economy.

Finland participates in many NATO procurements.

NATO procurements have been announced at a NATO meeting in Turkey.

Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen has signed 14 agreements for Finland.

For example, the Finnish company Patria is developing a tracked vehicle that will be converted from this wheeled vehicle. The EU supports Patria’s work.

Patria also collaborates with the Swedish company Saab.

Finnish explosives company Forcit begins developing sea mines for the Baltic Sea countries.

Finland participates in many NATO procurements.

NATO wants to increase Europe’s own defense capabilities so that Europe is not too dependent on the USA.

Helsinki Garden Hall Project

Now for some news about politics.

The Helsinki Garden Hall project angers the opposition.

A multi-purpose hall is planned for this location next to the ice rink.

Yle has received more information about the preparation of the hall project.

The information indicates that the Ministry of Finance denied state support for the project, citing the risks of the loan and other government projects.

Still, the government granted Helsinki Garden a subsidy of 35 million euros.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo did not say in Parliament that the Ministry of Finance denied state support.

The Helsinki Garden Hall project angers the opposition.

The chairwoman of the SDP parliamentary group Tytti Tuppurainen wants Prime Minister Orpo to explain the matter to Parliament.

Green MP Saara Hyrkkö says that the Prime Minister should resign if he has provided false information to Parliament.

Finally, news about foreign berry pickers.

Berry picker visas

Finland has rejected most of the visa applications of berry pickers.

The reason for the rejection is the many problems with berry picking.

Berry pickers have been exploited. They have had poor conditions and low pay. There may have been human trafficking involved.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that the companies do not comply with the rules or workers’ rights.

That is why Finland has rejected most visa applications from foreign berry pickers.

Finland has received approximately 2,200 applications. Of these, 1,400 applications have already been rejected.

Thursday’s weather

Still a weather forecast.

It will rain in the south on Thursday.

Elsewhere it only rains occasionally.

It is cloudy in the north.

The temperature is between 15 and 20 degrees.