Vikings

Napping cat may have killed sleeping infant

A sleeping cat is suspected of having inadvertently suffocated a three-month baby to death in northern Sweden.

The child had fallen asleep in a pram which had been left outside covered with a blanket.

When family members went to check on the baby a couple of hours later, they found a cat lying on the infant’s face.

The child, which was not breathing, was then brought to hospital, where it was pronounced dead.
Police investigating the matter do not believe any crime was committed in connection with the baby’s death.
Source: Dagbladet

Pot smoking can damage young brains

Smoking marijuana is more harmful for young people than previously believed, according to a Swedish study.
New research indicates that even very modest use can cause a lot of damage.
For a number of years, cannabis use among Scandinavian’s young people has been declining, but the downward trend in use may be coming to an end.
Unfortunately, there are signs in the most recent studies that this positive trend has been broken. An increased use of cannabis has been reported among both students in grade nine as well as by students in their second year of high school.
Cannabis can bring about the onset of latent psychiatric illnesses and the drug can cause serious psychiatric illnesses on its own.
Several new studies also show that teenagers who only occasionally use marijuana can run into problems.

Vikings were terrorists of their time

One of the world's leading experts on Scandinavian history now believes that the Vikings had motives similar to those of today's terrorists. Professor Robert Ferguson, who emigrated to Norway in 1984, is launching a new theory that Viking raids were a reaction to threats to their identity, culture and beliefs.

Ferguson, perhaps best known for his book The Vikings - A History, has now written a new book entitled The Hammer and the Cross: A New History of the Vikings.

In it, he suggests that people from the north (today's Norway, Denmark and Sweden) already had been living in areas of England (Northumbria), or at least had contact with monks and the local population, long before what's considered the first major Viking raid in 793AD -- the attack on the monastery at Lindisfarne.

What was new was the violence. The raid on Lindisfarne was followed by a wave of attacks on religious settlements throughout the British Isles and Ireland, the Shetlands and Orkney Islands.

One in five Swedish priests refuse to wed same-sex couples

A week has passed since homosexual couples were given the right to tie the knot in church. Yet, 18 percent of priests in the Gothenburg region say they refuse to preside over gay weddings.
Since November 1st, gay couples have been given the blessing to marry in church.
It following a decision by the Synod of the Church of Sweden in October, which also gave priests a right to refuse to partake in same-sex nuptials.

If priests refuse to marry anyone, it's their prerogative, and their loss of revenue. If refused, simply go down the street to the next priest, unless, that is, you are Catholic, then there is little hope for a church that has shunned and orchestrated against reform for centuries.

Bird Flocks Fly South

Our imagination soars as we watch flocks of hundreds of birds cloud the sky on their journey south. Where are they going? How do they know how to get there? How do those tiny animals go all that ways in such a short time? Why do some birds stay all winter while others leave?
I wish I could move like they does. .

Birds migrate south because they run out of food and a warm enough place to live. They fly as far south as they need to in order to find good food and shelter.

Will the New European Pop Icon Invade the United States?

Alexander Rybak (Norway), all time, record breaking First Place winner of “Eurovision -2009” song contest arrives to New York for his only US appearance.

Alexander Rybak (born 1986) will be performing in New York Millennium Theater (1029 Brighton Beach Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235) on November 21, 2009. This will be his first trip to the United States since his triumphant victory in the most prominent and prestigious European song contest.The US tour is organized by NYC based Russian-American Consulting Corporation.

Alexander Rybak’s phenomenal journey began at the tender age of five. His modest family of three had moved from Belarus, USSR and settled near Norway’s capital Oslo. His parents were both professionally trained musicians, and gave their son violin and piano lessons. From the very beginning Alexander studied the great masters, but soon started composing music, playing jazz, popular standards as well as pop hits. His violin took him to places like Russia, Great Britain, United States and China as a member of different orchestras.

Why Leaves Change Colors

Although I'm a summer person there is something about the smell of the autumn air that even I enjoy. Walking outdoors in the fall, the splendidly colorful leaves adorning the trees are a delight to the eye.

The green color of a tree's leaves is mainly due to chlorophyll pigment. The change in color to red or yellow as autumn approaches is not the result of the leaves' dying, but is rather the result of a series of processes – which differ between the red and yellow autumn leaves. When the green chlorophyll in leaves diminishes, the yellow pigments that already exist become dominant and give their color to the leaves. Red autumn leaves result from a different process: As the chlorophyll diminishes, a red pigment, anthocyanin, which was not previously present, is produced in the leaf. These facts were only recently discovered and led to a surge of research studies attempting to explain why trees expend resources on creating red pigments just as they are about to shed their leaves.

Happy Halloween

Outrage over drunken Swedish pastor's funeral service

A family from Southern Sweden has demanded compensation from the Church of Sweden claiming that the pastor employed to conduct a funeral had consumed a glass too many in the vestry.

The family are demanding 300,000 kronor ($42,600) in compensation for the pastor's unruly behaviour.

A report sent by the family to the Church of Sweden states that the priest was noticeably drunk, wobbly on his feet and was forced to prop himself by clutching on to the altar.

He went on to read a poem that no one in the congregation could understand.

The sozzled pastor was also reported to have been behaving inappropriately with a younger woman in attendance, kissing her hand and hugging her in a manner unsuitable for a man of the cloth.

Look at the brigth side!!!! At least there is a pastor who won't condemn and judge you if you come to church with a hangover.

Winter is around the corner

For us in the northern hemisphere, the cooler mornings mean winter’s right around the corner and I hate winter.
Cold temperatures, snow, wind, and ice will soon return again to Norway.

Church of Sweden says yes to gay marriage

The Synod of the Lutheran Church of Sweden has come down in favour of church weddings for homosexuals.
The decision, which is based on a proposal from the church’s governing board, means that the Church of Sweden will conduct wedding ceremonies for both heterosexual and homosexual couples.
The decision comes just three days after the 30th anniversary of the date when homosexuality stopped being classified as a disease in Sweden.
“It is with great sorry that we receive news that the Church of Sweden’s Synod has today decided to wed same-sex couples that it will be referred to as marriage. This is a step backwards, not only from Christian tradition, but also from all of the major world’s religions views of what marriage is,” write Vicar Fredrik Emanuelson of the Catholic Church and Father Misha Jaksic, coordinator of the family of Orthodox Churches at the Christian Council of Sweden (CCS), in a joint statement.

Well, I think if Jesus was born in the 21st century and living our time, he would have approved Gay marriage as Jesus is a nice guy. Also if St. Peters and all of Jesus appostles were living in our time, they would have approved gay marriage. Jesus for example would have shaved his beard and had a clean hair cut. Jesus would have had a website for example www.jesus.com and he would have propably wore Suits for his presentations and probably own a laptop and use a wicked car for mobility. ...Just Kidding.....

Ready for Halloween?

Horror stories seem to escalate before Halloween. Maybe it’s the anticipation from childhood that the goblins and witches will get us. Maybe it’s from watching all the Friday the 13th gory movies. Maybe it’s the chill in the air as October takes us from autumn to the darkness of winter.

Pokemon cards taken in sandbox knife heist

A nine-year-old girl was robbed at knifepoint by a group of young boys in a sandbox in Partille outside of Gothenburg in western Sweden. The booty: the girl’s collection of Pokemon cards.

Two 10-year-old boys, and an as of yet unidentified playmate, threatened the girl with a knife in their bid to steal her assortment of the popular Japanese cartoon trading cards.

According to police, the boys also kicked the girl and hit her in the face.

A woman witnessed the sandbox attack from her balcony, believing at the time that the boys had simply thrown sand at the girl and pushed her to the ground.

But the actual course of events was much more violent, leading the girl’s mother to file a report with the police.

The knife-wielding 10-year-olds and their friend will now be a case for social services.

When they catch the boys, the little girl should be allowed to kick them in the nuts... as well as the boys parents.
Western civilisations lack of responsibility, political correctness for the sake of political correctness, and failed experiment in multiculturalism will destroy it.

King of Norway invites Obama to stay at Royal Palace

Norway’s King Harald V has invited US President Barack Obama to stay at the Royal Palace when he visits Oslo to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in December.

Prize winners usually stay at Oslo’s well-known landmark; the Grand Hotel, but due to security reasons Obama might stay in a more secure spot. The Grand Hotel is located in the center of Karl Johan’s gate across the street from the Parliament building.

If Obama accepts the the King’s invitation, he will be installed in the King Haakon VII suite, which have been used for guests since 1907, when Danish King Frederik VIII first used it. If Firts Lady Michelle Obama accompanies her husband, she is invited to use the Queen Maud suite, with views of the park.

So far, only one thing is certain: President Obama will be received in audience by King Harald V at the Royal Palace in the morning, prior to the Nobel ceremony at the City Hall. The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is traditionally held every year in Oslo on Dec. 10 (at 1 pm), the anniversary of benefactor Alfred Nobel’s death.

National Geographic ranks the Norwegian fjords #1

National Geographic ranks the Norwegian fjords #1 in the “Destinations Rated” scorecard compiled by the National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations.

National Geographic writes:

First Place: The Fjord Region, Norway
Still waters in Norang Fjord, shown in an undated picture, reflect the “well-preserved Norwegian rural life” that helped the region take top honors in the sixth annual “Destinations Rated” scorecard compiled by the National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations.

The center convened an independent panel of 437 experts in fields from historic preservation and sustainable tourism to travel writing and archaeology to assess 133 iconic places around the world.

The panel based its decisions on six criteria: environmental and ecological quality, social and cultural integrity, condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites, aesthetic appeal, quality of tourism management, and outlook for the future. (Read more about the survey method.) The results appear in the November/December 2009 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Norwegians 'most naive' in Europe

A new study suggests that Norwegians are the most trusting, or naive, in Europe. Only 10 percent are considered to be in general "skeptical" of other people, after four out of five questioned said they think most can be relied upon.

The latest results from the European Social Survey, funded by the European Commission, placed 77.2 percent of Norwegians in the "naive" category. Next came the Danes, at 77.1 percent, followed by the Finns at 72.6 percent.

The three Scandinavian countries ranked in the top five of those considered most trusting (Sweden placed fourth at 66.5 percent), while those who are the least trusting of others came from Bulgaria (19.1 percent), Poland and Russia.

The survey questioned residents of 30 countries to measure levels of trust and skepticism. While many Norwegians are often viewed by foreigners as being reserved and somewhat guarded, they don't see themselves as being such.

The levels of trust permeate everyday activities and traditions in Norway. The national trekking association DNT, for example, bases use of their mountain cabins and provisions on the honor system. If you spend the night in a cabin, or eat any of the food provided in the cupboards there, you write it down and leave money for it.

The same system applies to private toll roads. Motorists are expected to stop and voluntarily put money into a box to pay the toll. The chances of being caught and fined for not doing so are low, but most people pay their tolls.

Autumn

So the season of the fall begins
Down the crossroads in a sleepy little inn
By the fire when the sun goes down

But the night becomes you
And the secrets of the rain

Forever autumn

And the season of the fall begins
Out the nightlands when the thunderstorm sets in
The secrets clear in the cloudy night

But the night becomes you
And the secrets of the ra n they will stay the same
And the time will come soon
With the secrets of the rain and the storm again

Coming closer every day, forever autumn

And the season of the fall begins
Past the pass ngbell past willow s weeping
A ripple forms on the brinks of time

But the night becomes you
And the secrets of the rain, they will stay the same
And the time will come soon
With the secrets of the rain and the storm again

Coming closer every day forever autumn

Lyrics by Lake Of Tears, Sweden

Top group a-ha bid farewell

The world famous Norwegian group a-ha has decided to call it a day and now bids farewell to its fans after the 2010 World Tour, which ends in Oslo in December next year, after three decades of pop history.
In this period, a-ha have enjoyed a fantastic international career, and we quote from their Home Page:

They have produced 9 studio albums with sales in excess of 35 million - 70 million units including singles. They have had 15 top ten singles in the UK alone.

They have received nominations, awards, and made multiple world tours - including the legendary show at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which earned a Guinness World Record for the largest-ever audience attendance at a paid concert - a whopping 196.000 people!

With the current album 'Foot of The Mountain' enjoying both commercial success and critical acclaim, A-ha has decided to call it a day.

As a consequence, A-ha will not be releasing any further albums in the future.

The band would like to thank their fans and everyone who has contributed to their amazing journey, and say:

- We've literally lived the ultimate boy's adventure tale, through a longer, more rewarding career than anyone could hope for.

- Doing this now will give us a chance to get more involved in other meaningful aspects of life, be it humanitarian work, politics, or whatever else - and of course through new constellations in the field of art and music. We are retiring as a band, not as individuals.

- Change is always difficult and it is easy to get set in one's ways. Now it is time to move on.

New ICEBAR to open in Oslo

In November Oslo will get a new tourist attraction when ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL opens its largest Icebar yet in the Norwegian capital.

ICEBAR Oslo will be located in Christian IVs gate in downtown Oslo. Tons of ice has been brought in from the north of Sweden to build the bar. Everything inside the bar is made of this ice: walls, furniture, bar, artwork, glasses and plates. The temperature in the bar will be -5 °C, but guests are given an overcoat to stay warm.

The bar in Oslo will be the third ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL. They have already built Icebars in Tokyo and Copenhagen, which have both become popular attractions. The ICEBAR Oslo project is a joint venture with Thon Hotels in Norway.

The concept
ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL has its outspring in the world’s largest ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi in Sweden. ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL builds on the success of the famous ABSOLUT ICEBAR, established by ICEHOTEL in 1994.

Smile, And The World Smiles With You

You’ve experienced it. You come into the office with a real big smile on your face and suddenly people respond to you with a smile and seem to treat you better.
It’s a well-researched social phenomenon. In fact, just looking at photos of happy-faced people has been shown to make a person’s brain waves go into a happier mode. And seeing a smile can give you more pleasure than money, sex or eating chocolate.

Winter on the mountain

President Obama awarded Nobel Peace Priz

The Nobel Committee’s announcement from Nobelpeaceprize.org:

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

Obama has as President created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts. The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations. Thanks to Obama’s initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.

Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world’s population.

For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world’s leading spokesman. The Committee endorses Obama’s appeal that “Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges.”

This is beyond absurd.. A nobel peace prize to any leader of the land of the free & home of the brave? I guess the comittee have decided to overlook the last fifty years of war waging foriegn policy in the name of oil, anti WMD & communisim. Ridiculous.

Princess' husband kicks up new fuss

Ari Behn, the author and self-styled Bohemian husband of Norway's Princess Martha Louise, has been making headlines again after telling a local magazine that he's unhappy, chronically depressed, starts drinking in the early afternoon and expects to be thrown out of his home.

Behn is due to release a new book next week, which he has described as a political novel about marrying into a European royal family.

But it's his interview in Massiv, a magazine distributed free of charge in Oslo, that's caught the most attention. It hints at trouble with his marriage and has set off criticism from some Norwegians who didn't think he should have subjected Princess Martha Louise to such publicity.

Officials at the Royal Palace haven't commented on his comments, which include the following:

- "In general I'm chronically depressed and it's getting worse."

-"I don't like staying in the same place too long. Sooner or later I'll be kicked out of the house. It's apparently much worse for them (his wife and children) to have me hanging around the house."

-"What I fear the most is that I won't manage to complete the project I began together with my wife, to raise three wonderful daughters to be independent, wise individuals with critical empathy and a sense of reality that will take them far beyond Akersgata (the street where Norway's main newspaper used to be located.)"

- "I just work harder until lunch, and I can take the day's first drink around 1:30pm ... that's happening more often, unfortunately. It's a bad habit I've picked up."

- When asked whether he's happy, he said: "No. My wife and girls are the finest in the world, but as a husband I'm difficult. Unfortunately. I'm terrible with practical things and it irritates everyone. Also myself."

Behn described himself as "more and more lonely" and "pathologically obstinate." He said he steadily gets himself into trouble and often "lands in compromising situations, idiotic quarrels and I'm almost impossible to live with."
Source: newsinenglish.no

Chess: The majesty of Magnus Carlsen

Should Norway’s Magnus Carlsen maintain the same level of play in the second half of the the Pearl Spring tournament at Nanjing, China he will register one of the greatest performances of all time.

Were he to ease off a little then the tournament will ‘merely’ go down in chess history as the tournament where the 18 year old Norwegian truly stamped his authority at the top level.

Carlsen has won some very strong tournaments but at Nanjing he is already 2 points clear and has a 2.5 point lead over world number one Veselin Topalov.

Carlsen won for the fourth time in five games at Nanjing and he did not merely defeat Teimour Radjabov, he dismissed him in 25 moves.

None of the other players has managed to win a single game and as we saw on Wednesday, the only player to avoid defeat at his hands, Wang Yue, was very fortunate.

Norwegian power plant in Africa

Kasese, Uganda

Norwegian Minister of International Development, is this week opening the first Norwegian hydro power plant in Africa financed by private industry. It is located in Kasese, Western Uganda.

The plant is built using modern Norwegian technology and expertice. It will increase Uganda's total el-production by seven per cent.

This is the first time in history that Norwegian investors build a hydr power plant in Africa. Cooperation between private and public sectors is desicive for development in developing countries. In Africa there is a great need for environmental friendly and renewable energy. I hope for more similar investments.

The new power station is the result of cooperation between the Norwegian energy producer TroenderEnergi and the Norwegian State investment Fund NorFund.

Norway again rated top country to live in

Norway has again been rated as the best country in the world to live in on the United Nations Development Index. Australia is second on the UNDP ranking list, and Iceland third.

All the Nordic countries are found among the top 20 nations on the ranking list. Sweden is 7th, Finland 12th and Denmark 16th. France rejoined the top 10 countries after dropping down for one year, while Luxembourg fell from the top 10. The ranking among the 182 nations is based on life expectancy, level of education, and gross national product (GNP) per inhabitant.

The annual ranking is based largely on average levels of education and income, combined with expected length of lifetime.
Everyone has a different idea of what makes a place good to live in.

I don't like the long winters...I don't like the cold weather...I don't like snow...
But I like the Norwegian summer, the sun shines all of the time whether its day or night...

Amanpour with Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.

Responding to disasters in Asia-Pacific

If you’ve turned on the news in the last few days, you’ll know it’s been a tragic week for many thousands of people in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Samoa.

It all started this weekend, when Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines and left devastating floods in its wake. At least 240 people died and around 1.8 million were affected.

British Red Cross has launched the Philippines Floods Appeal to raise money to support the relief efforts in these countries.

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith to host Nobel concert in Oslo

American rap artist and actor Will Smith and his wife, the actress Jada Pinkett Smith, will co-host this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo.

The Dec. 11 show — a day after the award ceremony — will feature performances by Wyclef Jean, Toby Keith, Donna Summer, Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi as well as Amadou & Mariam, a blues and jazz duet from Mali.

“The opportunity to recognize the laureate’s contributions to the world peace movement will be an awe-inspiring experience,” the Smiths said in a joint statement. “We are both humbled and honored to take part in the Nobel Peace Prize Concert this year.”

The winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize is to be announced in Oslo on Oct. 9. The award is always handed out Dec. 10, the anniversary of prize founder Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.

“We’re excited to have Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith join us as hosts for the Nobel Peace Prize Concert,” said Geir Lundestad, secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. “Together they’ve had a global impact on the arts and philanthropy and will be excellent ambassadors for peace.”

Smith, 41, rose to fame in the 1980s as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince and as the star of a popular television comedy show. His many films include “Men in Black” and “Independence Day.”

His wife, 38, is an actress, model and singer-songwriter. Her film career has included roles in the “The Nutty Professor,” “Ali,” and “The Matrix Reloaded.”

Be Happy - eat an apple

Funny advertisement - Evian Roller Babies international version

Hollywood wife lays in to Scandinavian men

The Swedish-born wife of Las Vegas crooner Paul Anka has called Swedish men "tragic" for their "nappy changing" and "equality nonsense". LA housewife Anna Anka argues that she could be a role model for Swedish women to follow.

"In Sweden it is acceptable to let yourself go, as long as you get your man. I feel sorry for Swedish men who marry beautiful women who then quickly become unattractive, dress sloppily and neglect their husband's needs," Anna Anka writes on opinion website Newsmill.

Anna Anka, the 38-year-old wife of 68-year-old former 60s teen idol Paul Anka, is one of the participants of TV3's new reality TV show "Swedish Hollywood wives" (Svenska Hollywoodfruar).

Aside from claiming a "large fee" for taking part in the programme, Anka claims to have generated "a great deal of attention" in Sweden since the show was broadcast.

"It pleases me. Maybe I can be a role model for other Swedish women to follow," she writes.

She continues to direct criticism at Sweden in general, and Swedish men in particular, hailing her adopted home of the USA as a place were "men are men, and women are women".

"Swedish dads are tragic with all their nappy-changing and equality. A real American man panics if he is alone with a child for more than 20 minutes. American dads do not prepare dinner and do not iron, they work and provide for their families."
Anka has courted some attention for comments in the programme in which she confirms that she dutifully performs oral sex for her husband when he wakes in the morning.

"Sexually it is the woman's responsibility to ensure that the man is satisfied, if she does not then she only has herself to blame if he is unfaithful," Anna Anka explains.

What a Cow! It just proves that beauty queens tend to be vacuous in regard to their intellect. Not always true but the stereotype seems too ponderous to ignore. I'm somewhat perplexed by the response though. When will we learn to laugh or just say hmmm when confronted with such nonsense. To pay so much attention to these idiots is to validate their platform. This is how the religious conservative zealots in America managed to gain a foothold.

Trucker flips his rig after masturbating while driving

A German trucker suspected of driving under the influence of drugs crashed his vehicle near Borås in western Sweden on Tuesday. He subsequently admitted to masturbating at the time of the accident.

The trucker, apparently unable to reach a satisfactory climax, then proceeded to continue to pleasure himself while in the midst of a police interrogation, according to the local Borås Tidning newspaper.

"He was masturbating while the police interrogated him," said the police.

"He has admitted that he was not paying full attention at the time of the accident. He was playing with himself instead of focusing on the road."

The truck driver was en route from Gothenburg to Borås at around 4am on Tuesday morning. The truck and trailer flipped over when he rammed his vehicle into the central division on route 40 south of Borås.

The upturned vehicle blocked all traffic towards Gothenburg and one lane was closed in the direction of Borås.

The man remained in the vehicle with his hands apparently still clasped around his own gear stick and was subsequently arrested for reckless driving and driving while under the influence of drugs.

The suspicions against the man have now been extended to sexual molestation.

The German trucker, who is in his thirties, has admitted all of the charges directed against him.

Well! That will teach a lot of drivers not to play with loaded gun or dangerous weapons. hehehe....

Royal visit to Hungary

Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will on Sept. 22 be present at the opening of Pennon, Telenor’s division in Hungary.

In Budapest Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Prince and Crown Princess will first be present at the opening of Pannon House, where Crown Prince Haakon will make the opening speech.

Pannon is one of Hungary’s leading mobile operators. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Telenor Group of Norway, Pannon was established in 1994 and by the end of Q4 2008, Pannon had 3.731 million active subscriptions and a market share of 33.9%.

They will in addition also visit two other projects in Budapest.

Source: Norway Post/NRK/Aftenposten

Visit by a kitten in my garden

President Obama congratulates Prime Minster Stoltenberg

President Barack Obama today congratulated Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg on the renewal of Stoltenberg’s mandate as Prime Minister and his party’s success in Norway’s recent elections, writes the Norwegian Government on their website.

The American President wrote:

“Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

Please accept my warmest congratulations on the renewal of your mandate as Prime Minister and your party’s success in Norway’s recent elections. I look forward to continuing to work with you to advance our shared agenda to promote freedom and prosperity around the world.

The United States greatly values its rich and deep relationship with the government and the people of Norway. I especially appreciate Norway’s efforts to support peace and stability in Afghanistan and Norway’s efforts to help resolve conflicts around the world.

I wish you and your government every success. You can count on my friendship and that of the American people.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Source: Government.no

Summer in Modum municipality, Norway

Modum is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hallingdal. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Vikersund. The municipality of Modum was established on 1 January 1838

The area has a long tradition of skiing with several famous skiers. Modum is home to one of the largest ski jumping hills in the world, Vikersundbakken. The hill record, established in 2004 is an amazing jump of 219 metres (720 ft).

Source: Wikipedia

I am living in this beautiful area..

Kebony - a replacement for tropical hardwoods

The Norwegian company Kebony is now offering a replacement which could cut the demand for unsustainably logged tropical hardwoods, namely softwood made more durable through a chemical process.

One of the reasons tropical forests are being cut down so rapidly is demand for the hardwoods, such as teak, that tend to be denser and more durable than softwoods.

The Norwegian company has now developed an environmentally friendly way of making softwood harder and more durable.

The Economist describes the process: Kebony stops wood from rotting by placing in a vat containing a substance called furfuryl alcohol, which is made from the waste left over when sugarcane is processed. The vat is then pressurised, forcing the liquid into the wood. Next the wood is dried and heated to 110ºC. The heat transforms the liquid into a resin, which makes the cell walls of the wood thicker and stronger.

The products are completely recyclable, environmentally friendly and create woods that are actually harder than most tropical hardwoods. Treated Canadian maple, for example, is harder than tropical merbau and jatoba. The strengthened softwoods can be used in everything from window frames to spas to garden furniture. Treated maple is also being adopted for decking on yachts.

The initial cost is similar to that of teak, but the maple is more durable and easier to keep clean, and it does not need to receive further treatments.

Source: The Norway Post

Global mobile-browser Opera enters next generation

Opera Software today released Opera Mini 5 beta, the newest update to the world’s most popular Web browser for mobile phones. Opera Mini has mobilized the Web by making it easy to use and available for people everywhere.

In this fifth-generation version, Opera Mini is staying true to the company’s promise of a superior Web experience on any device. Introducing a new, sleek look and feel, Speed Dial bookmarks and tabs — together with Opera’s renowned speed — make this new version of Opera Mini the easiest-to-use Web browser on a phone.

Simply direct your phone’s existing Web browser to m.opera.com/next and download the Opera Mini 5 beta free of charge.

Opera started in 1994 as a research project inside Norway’s largest telecom company, Telenor. Within a year, it branched out into an independent development company named Opera Software ASA.

Source: Norway.com