Harsh economic headwinds are sending a chill through the world's happiest country. But after 1,000 days of unemployment, 33-year-old Juho-Pekka Palomaa hasn't let Finland's problems get him down just yet.

Helsinki

Finland remains at the top of the World Happiness Report rankings, despite grappling with nearly 10 percent unemployment and minimal economic growth. The country has faced ongoing economic challenges, including the lingering effects of Nokia's decline and reduced trade due to sanctions on Russia.

Social cohesion, supported by cultural traditions like sauna gatherings, and a robust welfare state are highlighted as key factors in maintaining national happiness. Experts also point to Finland's resilience and collaborative spirit during difficult times as reasons for its continued recognition as the world's happiest country.

Finland clings to happiness crown as economic gloom deepens

Juho Pekka Paloma has brought his lunch to the steps of parliament in Helsinki to draw attention to his thousandth day of unemployment. The 33-year-old is not alone. Finland has one of the worst unemployment rates in Europe at almost 10 percent, and more than double that for young people. In addition to high unemployment, the Bank of Finland is forecasting a shrinking economy with a decrease in growth at 0.1 percent compared to 2024. Its export-related economy still hasn't recovered from the collapse of Nokia after it failed to adapt to the touchscreen phone market in 2014. And its tourism and trade have been hamstrung by sanctions on neighboring Russia for its war in Ukraine. Paloma's unemployment doesn't seem to be isolating him, though. One contributing factor to his feeling of social cohesion is Finland's sauna culture. First of all, sauna is like a place where everyone is so equal, especially if you go to a public swimming pool and everybody is naked. You cannot say based on someone's appearance what they do for a living, who they are, what they do. And Finland still tops the rankings of the World Happiness Report. The rankings take several factors into account, such as benevolence and positive or negative emotions, but also social support, healthy life expectancy, and low perceptions of corruption. And Finland leads in all three. Its healthy welfare state aside, Finland's ability to absorb internal and external shocks is also a factor. To be able to deal collaboratively and constructively in bad times is a great source of happiness. And so, yes, of course, Finland is very high in resilience. Just another reason that Finland seems set to be recognized as the world's happiest country again this year.

President Donald Trump's administration has ramped up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by designating the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. But the entity that the U.S. government alleges is led by Maduro is not a cartel per se.

Caracas

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The head of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, said late on Monday (November 24) that his paramilitaries would immediately enter into a three-month humanitarian truce in its conflict with the country's armed forces.

Khartoum

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the U.S.- and Israeli-backed organization to distribute aid in Gaza, said on Monday (November 24) it was ending its operations after months of criticism over the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians trying to reach GHF hubs.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Darfur

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Chauncey Billups, who was serving as head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers until his suspension, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges related to alleged rigged high-stakes poker games.

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Moscow

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A federal judge has dismissed the criminal cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James on the grounds that Lindsey Halligan, the interim U.S. attorney who secured their indictments, was unlawfully appointed to the role.

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At least 90 people have died in a week of torrential rain, flooding and landslides in south-central Vietnam, authorities said. Popular tourist areas have been heavily hit, with parts of Nha Trang submerged and deadly landslides cutting off roads near Da Lat.

Nha Trang

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The Trump Administration is ramping up pressure on Venezuela as the Air Force conducted a simulated nighttime attack along the country's coast. Charlie D'Agata has the latest.

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Israel killed Ali Tabtabai, the acting chief of staff of militant group Hezbollah, in an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut on Sunday, the Israeli military said.

Beirut

Middle East Conflict

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Madrid

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Al Fashir

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested that former Prince Andrew should testify before the U.S. Congress as part of its ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer did not discuss Andrew’s case directly but said, as a matter of principle, everyone involved should cooperate with the inquiry.

London

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About 50 schoolchildren aged 10–18 who were abducted in Niger state, Nigeria, have escaped, authorities confirmed. They fled individually between Friday and Saturday, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria, which runs the school. Officials continue to track those still missing.

Niger

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Johannesburg

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Belém

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Washington signaled room for negotiation on a 28-point plan to end the Ukraine war, denying claims by some U.S. senators that it is a Russian "wish list," as Kyiv and European allies criticized the proposal ahead of Sunday talks in Geneva.

Geneva

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The United States is set to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, four U.S. officials told Reuters, as the Trump administration steps up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government.

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Premier Li Qiang said Beijing wants to work with Pretoria to safeguard the multilateral trading system.

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U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a once-loyal supporter of Donald Trump who has since become a critic of the president, said she is resigning from Congress in January. Greene's resignation followed a public fallout with Trump over the Epstein files.

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The Coast Guard said it conducted its largest cocaine seizure in history worth an estimated $362 million. Take an inside look as officials offload the nearly 50,000 pounds of drugs.

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Soweto

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Federal police have detained Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro after a Supreme Court judge deemed the far-right firebrand a "high flight risk." The arrest comes just days before Bolsonaro is due to begin a 27-year prison term for leading a botched coup attempt.

Breakdown