The latest developments regarding U.S. President Donald Trump and his controversial interest in Greenland have captured the attention of Finnish media this Thursday morning.
Helsingin Sanomat reports that Trump has rescinded his earlier threat to impose punitive tariffs on Finland and seven other nations that obstruct his ambitions for a U.S. acquisition of Greenland.
This surprising reversal came after Trump’s discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday. Following their meeting, the President declared that an “understanding had been reached.”
While specifics about this ‘understanding’ remain murky, HS cites a CNN source suggesting it pertains to a revision of the 1951 agreement between the United States and Denmark concerning the defense of Arctic territory.
According to HS, this revision could entail Denmark allowing the U.S. control over certain “small” areas of Greenland, as reported by an insider from the New York Times.
A spokesperson for NATO emphasized that the new agreement under development will extend beyond the U.S. and Denmark, encompassing other countries with interests in the Arctic, including Finland.
Today, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) is set to meet with EU leaders to discuss relations with the U.S., the recent cancellation of the tariff threats, and the tentative agreement regarding Greenland’s future.
As papers strive to unravel the complexities of Trump’s strategies, the tabloid Iltalehti took an unusual approach, consulting children at a Helsinki daycare for their thoughts on sharing.
“If I want something, I ask, ‘May I have it?’” said 6-year-old Grain. “If they refuse, I can’t take it without permission. That doesn’t feel right.”
Indeed, wisdom sometimes comes in small packages.
Are Kids Getting Injured Too Often in Sports?
Continuing the theme of childhood, Ilta-Sanomat revisits a pressing concern in Finnish society: the injury rates among young athletes. The conversation has been reignited by a report from Iltalehti which found that nearly half of Finnish children engaged in regular sports activities have suffered some sort of injury over the past year, many attributed to overexertion.
“Children train intensely four times a week, putting significant strain on their bodies, particularly the lower back,” sports physician Harri Hakkarainen shared with IL. “Many of them lack sufficient leisure time to rest and recover.”
A father from Helsinki, whose three children aged 10 to 12 all play football, voiced concern that children’s athletic commitments in Finland are becoming “too frequent and too strenuous.”
He noted that injuries such as knee and heel problems are common among his children and their teammates. He attributes these issues to a training regimen that overly focuses on repetitive tasks, neglecting the holistic activity that could better develop core strength.
In a broader reflection, he questions whether elementary school children should have to endure such demanding training schedules four to five times a week.
“Does sport really have to be taken so seriously?” he asks.
To Coat or Not to Coat: The Dog Dilemma
In a lighter vein, Tampere’s Aamulehti engages readers with a question that has sparked considerable debate: should dogs wear coats when braving the Finnish winter? This notion has gained traction, with dogs donning everything from overcoats to fleece jackets and waterproof boots becoming an increasingly common sight.
However, making pets wear clothing can be unusual for them, often resulting in canines walking in a manner reminiscent of a Monty Python sketch, Aamulehti quips.
Veterinarian Antti Mikkonen advises that whether to dress a dog largely depends on the animal’s breed. Smaller, short-haired breeds, as well as older dogs, can benefit from warm clothing during winter strolls, he says, as they are at similar risk for hypothermia as humans.
On the other hand, breeds like Huskies and Finnish Lapphunds are naturally equipped for winter and may not require additional clothing.
For those dogs that do benefit from a coat, it’s best to acclimate them to the idea early in their lives, according to poodle owner Miia Rimpiläinen.
“No dog enjoys wearing clothes if they haven’t been taught to appreciate it from a young age,” Rimpiläinen notes.