Prime Minister Beinir Johannesen, who also leads the People’s Party (Fólkaflokkurin), made the remarks after it emerged that none of the party’s three committee chair or vice-chair positions were held by women, Kringvarp Føroya reports.

Of the eight committees in the Faroese parliament—including the government affairs committee and the parliamentary oversight committee—seven men and one woman hold leadership roles. The People’s Party secured three of these positions, all occupied by men.

Elsebeth Mercedis Gunnleygsdóttur, though not a committee chair, serves as the parliament’s second deputy speaker and vice-chair of the finance committee.

The current committee chairs and vice-chairs from the People’s Party are:

• Helgi Abrahamsen (finance committee)

• Jørgen Niclasen (foreign affairs committee)

• Ben Arabo (labour committee)

• Fróði Magnussen (judicial committee and parliamentary oversight committee)

• Grímur Sundstein (welfare committee)

• Súsanna Bertholdsen (culture committee)

• Erhard Joensen (government affairs committee)

Johannesen’s comments come amid broader discussions about gender representation in Faroese political leadership.

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“It’s frustrating,” Loisa admitted. “I’d love to observe them myself, but fortunately, our research team was able to head out early this morning to document the sightings.”

The appearances are highly unusual. Harbour porpoises, of which only around 500 remain in the Baltic, are rarely seen this far north. Their core habitat lies in the shallow waters between Sweden’s Gotland and Poland, making these observations “truly exceptional,” according to Loisa.

If several individuals have traveled to Ostrobothnia, they could represent a significant portion of the entire Baltic population. While the exact reason for their northern migration remains unclear, Loisa suggests food availability may play a role. “Porpoises are opportunistic feeders,” he explained. “They eat whatever small fish are abundant—like the spring herring spawning in river estuaries right now.”

The sightings have drawn widespread public interest, but Loisa urges caution. “People need to keep their distance,” he stressed. “These animals are extremely sensitive to disturbance, especially while feeding or socializing.” He advises boaters to stay at least 100 meters away and asks fishermen to temporarily remove nets from the water to prevent accidental entanglements.

“Every individual counts when a population is this critically endangered,” Loisa said. If a porpoise is found dead in a net, he asks the public to immediately report it to Finland’s Natural Resources Institute (Luke), as researchers lack tissue samples from the Baltic population. “We rely on these reports—no one should withhold this kind of information.”

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The talks will affect Terveystalo’s healthcare services division, which employs around 4,400 people. The negotiations will also examine potential temporary layoffs, particularly targeting administrative roles.

CEO Ville Iho cited an “exceptionally weak” market and demand situation in Finland’s health services sector, compounded by economic pressures on customers, as the reason for controlling costs.

“The market and financial situation of our customers underscores the need to keep our cost levels in check,” Iho said in the company’s release.

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At its meeting on Tuesday, the municipal board will urge the council to approve the purchase of all shares in Kiinteistö Oy Alakylän Vanhustentalot (Alakylä Elderly Housing Ltd) for one euro. The company owns roughly 30 apartments in the Tepasto and Alakylä areas, currently in poor condition according to municipal director Timo Kurula.

The goal is to ensure the apartments remain affordable for long-term renters and to fund necessary renovations. Kurula stated that the buildings require significant repairs, which the current owner cannot finance without external capital or subsidies. As a municipal entity, Kittilä cannot provide loans or guarantees to external companies, making direct ownership the proposed solution.

If approved, the property company would become a municipal subsidiary, allowing Kittilä to control maintenance standards and rental policies. The municipality emphasizes the need to maintain a stock of reasonably priced rental housing amid persistent housing shortages in the region.

The board’s decision follows concerns that privately owned rental properties in Kittilä—popular with tourists—are increasingly shifting to short-term vacation rentals, reducing long-term housing availability for locals.

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The April survey shows 64 percent of women would now vote for the left-green bloc (Centre, Green, Social Democrat, and Left parties), the highest figure since the 2022 election. Among young women aged 18–29, more than two in three back the left-green alliance. Meanwhile, only 43 percent of men say they would vote for the same bloc.

Conversely, the Tidö coalition (Christian Democrats, Liberals, Moderates, and Sweden Democrats) holds 54 percent support among men but just 35 percent among women—a gap that has widened significantly in recent years.

Per Söderpalm, head of opinion research at Verian, noted that while the rightward shift among young men has slowed since 2022, the Tidö parties now draw their strongest support from men aged 50–64, where backing has grown markedly since late 2022.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recently announced that the Sweden Democrats would join a Tidö-led government if the coalition wins the next election. However, Söderpalm cautioned it is too early to assess whether this move has further alienated female voters, stating that additional polling is needed to track shifts.

The divergence first became pronounced in the 2018 election, initially driven by men shifting right. Since then, the trend has solidified, with women increasingly favouring left-green policies while men—particularly in middle age—anchor the Tidö bloc’s base.

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Last year, the agency received numerous inquiries from people worried that booked trips might be cancelled due to regional tensions. However, interviews with locals revealed persistent interest in travel, with no signs of hesitation.

62 Norður states there is no evidence that uncertainty about the Middle East has deterred Faroese travellers—instead, demand appears to be increasing.

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The recall affects 330 ml bottles with a best-before date of 17 July 2026 and batch number 26083, produced between 13:00 and 13:50. According to Maitomaa, some products in this batch fail to meet shelf-life requirements, with affected items showing “strong sedimentation before use” that can be detected by sensory inspection.

The recalled batch was sold in K- and S-group stores across Finland from early March. Customers who have purchased the product are advised not to consume it.

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Passengers on the route will face extended travel times, with the ferry departing ten minutes earlier than scheduled once all booked vehicles and travellers are onboard. The company advises both foot passengers and drivers to reserve space in advance to avoid being left behind.

Local residents appear unfazed by the change. Gert Eriksen, a Marstal resident, told DR he has no objections to the slower crossings. “We live on an island, so we take things as they come—calmly,” echoed Ingvild Jørgensen, another passenger.

The measure is temporary, pending a stabilisation of oil prices. ÆrøXpressen director Henrik Schlotfeldt estimates the slower speeds will save around 1,000 litres of fuel per week.

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The deputy parliamentary ombudsman has brought charges of dereliction of duty against the detective, alleging failure to conclude preliminary investigations without undue delay. The case follows an ombudsman-initiated review of police handling of sexual offences and domestic violence investigations in the region, which revealed systemic delays.

According to the deputy ombudsman, the delays have been particularly harmful, as many stalled investigations involved suspected crimes against children. The prolonged processes are said to have undermined public trust in authorities and complicated case resolutions, while also causing distress to victims and other parties involved.

The detective in question has denied wrongdoing. Two other senior officers were questioned but will not face charges, while a fourth officer’s case was dismissed due to the statute of limitations expiring. The deputy ombudsman has referred the case to the prosecutor general for formal indictment, with proceedings set to take place in Ostrobothnia District Court.

Earlier reports linked to the investigation revealed that three Ostrobothnia police officers were under suspicion for breaching official duties, with one case already time-barred from prosecution.

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The birthday programme begins with a Te Deum service of thanksgiving at the Royal Palace Chapel at 10:00, followed by a military salute in the Outer Courtyard at 11:00, where children will present flowers to the king. At 12:30, the Swedish Armed Forces will perform a 21-gun salute from Skeppsholmen as the Air Force conducts a flyover. The king will then receive public greetings from Lejonbacken accompanied by choral tributes.

Stockholm City Hall will host a luncheon in the king’s honour at 14:00, while the day concludes with a gala dinner for invited guests at the Royal Palace in the evening.

SVT will broadcast extensive coverage, including a pre-birthday interview with the king on 29 April and live transmissions of the 30 April events, culminating in highlights from the gala dinner and a Tapto military tattoo in the Inner Courtyard.

The celebrations coincide with the king and Queen Silvia’s golden wedding anniversary on 19 June 2026, which will be marked separately on 13 June with a Te Deum service, a procession through Stockholm, concerts, and a private supper at the palace.

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