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Lapland Rescue Department strengthens its drone fleet
The Lapland Rescue Department in northern Finland is acquiring three new drones costing around 8,000 euros each to upgrade its equipment, according to the Finnish public broadcaster Yle.
The new drones feature improved weather resistance, more advanced cameras, a thermal imaging camera, and automated search capabilities that allow the crew to focus on analyzing the footage rather than piloting the aircraft.
The drones are used for a wide range of tasks, from smoke detection and fire localization to searching for missing persons. Additionally, they are equipped with useful accessories such as spotlights and loudspeakers to deliver instructions during rescue operations.
As part of a new pilot project, the rescue department will also test a release mechanism that allows drones to drop self-inflating lifebuoys directly to people requiring assistance in the water.
Finnish Defence Forces to participate in the Denmark-led Arctic Endurance 26
The Finnish Defence Forces will participate in the Denmark-led Arctic Endurance 26 -exercise complex in the Arctic region in early autumn.
That is stated in a press release from the Finnish Defence Forces.
The service personnel that will participate are from the Navy and from the Utti Jaeger Regiment.
"Finland maintains an active posture as a NATO member nation, and takes part in strengthening security in the Arctic region together with its Allies. Participation in the exercise complex will develop the Finnish Defence Forces’ interoperability, information exchange, and competence in the Arctic operating environment," the press release states.
Participation in the exercise will offer the Finnish Defence Forces’ special forces an opportunity to develop their capability to operate in a demanding Arctic environment and to strengthen cooperation with international Allies.
Arctic Endurance is one of the enduring exercises included under NATOs Arctic Sentry. This is NATO's enhanced Vigilance Activity for the High North and aims to strengthen the Alliance's posture and presence in the Arctic region.
Finland had its warmest March in history
This year, the average temperature in March was higher than any other month since records began, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
The average temperature throughout the country was 1.1 degrees Celsius, a new record for March, YLE reports. The previous record, 0.0 degrees Celsius, was set in 2007.
The average temperature for the month ranged from +3 in southwestern Finland to -2.5 in northern Lapland.
The heat caused the snow to melt rapidly in almost all of the country.
In Sodankylä in Lapland, the average temperature was the warmest in over a century, namely -0.7 degrees Celsius.
Airbnb record in Northern Norway - turnover of NOK 1.4 billion
In 2025, short-term rentals through Airbnb amounted to nearly NOK 1.4 billion in Tromsø, Lofoten, Bodø and Alta in Northern Norway.
This is an increase of 28 percent from the previous year, according to a new report from Kunnskapsbanken.
Tromsø dominates in the winter season, and singlehandedly accounted for NOK 905 million of the turnover, an increase of 36 percent from the previous year.
Lofoten is undisputedly the largest in the summer season and accounted for NOK 385 million, up from 338 million in 2024.