Tekijä: Amnewsworld

Finland’s opposition parties have issued a rare joint appeal to Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, urging him to open immediate cross-party talks aimed at stabilizing the country’s ailing social and health service system, known as sote. The call came shortly after the government reaffirmed its intention to continue reforms during the current parliamentary term. Orpo confirmed that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is preparing a detailed report on the status of the system, with a formal statement expected at the start of the spring session. “The process will continue into the next term, and parliament will have an opportunity…

Police in Rotterdam have arrested an 18-year-old man from Ridderkerk on suspicion of sexually assaulting several women and girls in both Rotterdam and Ridderkerk. The suspect allegedly targeted victims while riding a scooter, with attacks reported between July and late October. Authorities say the man is believed to have harassed women in his hometown since the end of October, with victims ranging in age from 11 to 24 years old. “Last summer, women were also targeted by a man on a scooter who harassed them in the same area. Police believe this may be the same suspect,” a Rotterdam police…

Three original paintings by beloved television artist Bob Ross sold for a combined $662,000 at a Bonhams auction in Los Angeles, with proceeds directed toward helping U.S. public television stations affected by recent federal funding cuts. The sale marked the first batch of 30 Ross works to go under the hammer in a campaign benefiting PBS stations struggling to cover licensing fees for classic programs. Ross, famed for his gentle voice and “happy little trees,” hosted The Joy of Painting from 1983 to 1994, becoming a cultural icon of calm creativity. The highlight of the auction, a snow-filled landscape titled…

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday extended an existing order blocking the full distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, prolonging uncertainty for millions of low-income Americans even as Congress moves closer to ending the historic government shutdown. The decision maintains a chaotic patchwork across the country with some states having distributed full food aid while others have yet to issue payments. The ruling means the status quo will remain in place for several more days while the justices review pending legal challenges. The impasse stems from the Trump administration’s decision to halt SNAP funding after October, a move…

The U.S. Senate on Monday approved legislation aimed at reopening the federal government, marking a decisive step toward ending the longest shutdown in American history. The measure received bipartisan backing after weeks of political deadlock, clearing the chamber with a 60–40 majority. The breakthrough came as a small group of Democrats agreed to support the deal after mounting pressure from constituents, economic disruptions, and internal divisions within their party. The concession came despite sharp criticism from several Democratic leaders who had insisted Republicans reopen negotiations on extending key health care tax credits set to expire on January 1. Frustrations had…

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy was set to make a statement in the House of Commons as pressure mounted on the century-old institution. Critics are demanding sweeping reforms, while supporters insist the government must shield the BBC from political pressure during one of its most turbulent periods. Outgoing Director-General Tim Davie, who resigned on Sunday amid the fallout, urged staff to defend the corporation’s credibility despite recent missteps. In his internal message, Davie admitted the BBC “made some mistakes that have cost us,” but said he remained “fiercely proud” of the organization and emphasized its enduring mission. “We’ve got to fight…

The United States will not participate in the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa, President Donald Trump announced Friday, intensifying tensions between Washington and Pretoria over claims of discrimination against white farmers. In a statement shared on his social media platform, Trump said no American officials, including Vice President JD Vance who had been slated to attend in his place, would represent the U.S. at the gathering of world leaders. The president described South Africa’s role as host as “a complete disgrace,” citing what he called ongoing “violence, death, and land seizures” targeting Afrikaner communities. The decision marks a dramatic…

Finland’s Tax Administration has revealed widespread tax evasion in the country’s food service sector following a nationwide audit that uncovered €11 million in unpaid taxes from pizza, kebab, and Chinese restaurants. The findings have prompted criminal referrals for more than half of the 373 businesses inspected between early 2023 and autumn 2025. According to officials, 198 restaurants — about 53 percent of those audited — were found to have committed serious financial irregularities, leading to police referrals for possible criminal prosecution. The investigation, part of Finland’s intensified campaign against the grey economy, primarily targeted small and medium-sized establishments offering fast…

Tensions flared across Tanzania on Friday as violent clashes erupted between protesters and security forces in Dar es Salaam following widespread allegations of electoral fraud in Wednesday’s national vote. The unrest, which has now spread to several regions, has forced the government to deploy the military and shut down internet access nationwide. The protests began after the opposition rejected preliminary results from the National Electoral Commission, particularly in semi-autonomous Zanzibar, where incumbent President Hussein Mwinyi was declared the winner with 78.8% of the vote. Opposition parties denounced the tally as “massively rigged,” claiming the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) had…

China has agreed to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually under a new trade arrangement reached between the two nations, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Thursday. Bessent said the agreement will begin with an initial shipment of 12 million metric tons to be completed between now and January 2026. The deal marks a major step in stabilizing trade relations between the world’s two largest economies after months of tension and uncertainty. The announcement followed a high-level meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where both leaders discussed measures to rebuild…