The Swedish government is now commissioning key defence and security agencies to establish a national cyber security center (NCSC) after national infrastructure and private companies have been targeted with constant cyber-attacks, including the industrial security group Gunnebo. Read more about thenew national cyber security center to be established in Sweden.
Sweden is the latest Nordic country to bolster its cyber defense in the face of heightened threats. Almost a third of top VPN’s are secretly owned by Chinese companies or owners based in countries with weak or no privacy laws.
The Swedish NCSC will be managed by the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) and the National Defence Radio Establishment, aka Signals Intelligence (Signit) branch of the SAF. Also, Säpo (Säkerhetspolisen), the Swedish national security agency tasked with counter-espionage and counter-terrorism roles which operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, will be included in the formation.
The Swedish NCSC will be managed by the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF) and the National Defence Radio Establishment, aka Signals Intelligence (Signit) branch of the SAF. Photo: ABB
The fourth partner in the NCSC alliance is the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), which also operates under the Ministry of Justice and is charged with protecting Sweden’s critical infrastructure and managing local and national emergency responses.
The Swedish government has allocated SEK440m to meet the NCSC’s projected operational costs in the period 2021 to 2025. NCSC will be crucial in Sweden’s long-term desire to boost its capacity to prevent, identify and deal with the increasing cyber threats that target critical IT infrastructure.
Peter Hultqvist, defense ministry, said that the usage of technology and digitization are increasing and there is a visible proportionate rise in threats and vulnerabilities. Therefore, the National Cyber Security Center is said to provide a security tier for IT networks preventing cyber crooks from disrupting networks and indulging in data thefts.
Peter Hultqvist, defense ministry, said that the usage of technology and digitization are increasing and there is a visible proportionate rise in threats and vulnerabilities. Photo: Wikipedia
The NCSC initiative will strengthen Sweden’s ability to deliver a new layer of security that shields the country from disturbances to its economic competitiveness and prosperity as it moves forward in the digital age.
New National Cyber Security Center To Be Established in Sweden, written by Tor Kjolberg
Norway has stringent tobacco measures to protect its citizens from health risks associated with the substance. But even with these measures, vaping has been growing in popularity over the years and by 2020, 13% of people aged 16 to 74 years vaped regularly as opposed to 9% who smoked regularly in the same age bracket. Learn more about Norwegian regulations on E-cigarettes – insights for vapers.
Over the years, the lawmakers have been amending the legislation, especially on the importation, packaging, selling, advertising, and the use of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, whether to be smoked or vaped.
During the importation, the e cigarette regulation requires the products, whether hardware, vape juice, or accessories to meet the EU level standards as agreed on the directives.
General Vaping Regulations Between 2020 and 2021, regulations on tobacco and nicotine e-cigarettes are expected to change a lot. Before then, the e-cigarette regulation in Norway banned the sale of vape juice containing tobacco and nicotine. As such, the residents had to import their products and use them privately.
The e-cigarette regulation also required the tobacco and nicotine-free vape juices to be sold exclusively to people over the age of 18 years. But according to the lawmakers, this is likely to change.
Once the law is passed, Norway will have nicotine as a legal product. But they will not leave it at this and numerous other guidelines will be upheld and others amended to make this work.
Norway has strict measures on the packaging of tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes. Photo: Screenshot from YouTube
E-Cigarette Importation and Packaging Regulations Norway has strict measures on the packaging of tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes. This should be plain packaging to avoid promoting the products during the process.
During the importation, the e cigarette regulation requires the products, whether hardware, vape juice, or accessories to meet the EU level standards as agreed on the directives. This is expected to come into place by 2021. So, even as you visit the ePuffer website to buy vape juice, devices, and other accessories to sell in Norway, ensure that they meet the EU products before the importation.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the e cigarette regulation in Norway requires sellers to clearly display health warnings on the packing before selling to consumers. This should be a combination of text and messages that are clear for every user to see and be warned.
Why Norway is Strict on Nicotine E-Cigarettes Nicotine is a product derived from tobacco. If you are a vaper, you can tell that most e-juice varieties have traces of nicotine from tobacco, especially if they come with names such as nic salts, tobacco, and the like. Nicotine brings great satisfaction to the users, but the catch is that it is very addictive. The increasing number of e-cigarette users in Norway can be partly linked to the presence of nicotine in vape juice.
According to health experts, tobacco and nicotine are linked to some health risks such as heart diseases, cancer, and breathing problems. As such, Norway has come up with e cigarette regulation to primarily protect the citizens from these dangers and bring awareness so that anyone can make well-informed decisions.
Norwegian Regulations on E-Cigarettes – Insights for Vapers – Conclusion If you are from Norway, you now know where the stand of the authorities about e cigarette regulation. From the insights, it is easy to make smart decisions. Basically, you will avoid problems with the authorities, and most importantly, take good care of your health.
Norwegian Regulations on E-Cigarettes – Insights for Vapers, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Bailey Merton. Bailey is a prolific health and lifestyle researcher and writer. Having spent over two and a half years of his career writing articles across several niches, he has written over 200 health and lifestyle articles.
After a short acting career, Iranian-Swedish Laleh Pourkarim (born 1983) entered the music industry in 2005 with her debut album “Laleh”, which won several Swedish prices. Read more about the Iranian refugee who became a Scandinavian pop star.
Laleh Poukarim was born in the harbor town of Bandar-e-Anzall on the Caspian Sea in Iran. Her mother, Asefe, was a literary scholar and mathematician and her father, Houshang, a poet, author and journalist whose political involvement forced the family to flee their home country for Azerbajan and later Minsk in the former Soviet Union before Lelah was one year old. The family moved to East Berlin after six years and to Sweden after the fall of the wall when they settled in Hammarkullen in Gothenburg. She spoke a number of languages before she was eight.
Laleh Poukarim was born in the harbor town of Bandar-e-Anzall on the Caspian Sea in Iran. Photo: Wikipedia
At Hvitfeldtska High School she was enrolled in the music program, growing up with classical music, ballet and circus music. She was later interested in punk, reggae and jazz. She also learned to play guitar. She went on to teach herself to play percussion and saxophone.
“Changeability has played a major role in my life,” she says. She became known to the Swedish audiences when she starred as Yasmin in the lauded film “Jalla! Jalla!” (2000) after which she established the jazz band Bejoia.
Her musical breakthrough came with her debut album in 2005, after which she has released seven albums, all produced, written, recorded, engineered and performed by herself. In addition to her parents’ native tongue, Persian, she has sung in both English and Swedish.
In 2011, she participated in a popular Swedish television show and her performances were lauded by both critics and the public. The media was eager to announce that Laleh had been given “a second breakthrough”.
One of the myths surrounding Laleh is that she is shy, determined and tough. She manages her own career and protects herself as best she can. One story is about the tough prodigy from the suburban developments in Gothenburg who came to the record company with a finished demo and her own production company, called “Lost Army”, and said: “Give me a budget, and I’ll produce it all by myself, damn it!”
Her 2012 album, Sjung (Sing), was released across Scandinavia on 25 January 2012
Her 2012 album, Sjung (Sing), was released across Scandinavia on 25 January 2012 to generally positive reviews. Laleh does not just write and produce all her material herself, but she also plays the majority of the instruments on all the recordings. Laleh has often been described as a control freak, and she admits she knows what she’s doing. “I’m totally in control,” she says.
In January 2014, she signed to Island Records and released the Boom EP. In 2016, she released the album Kristaller (Crystals) and in 2019, the album Vänta (Wait!). Laleh’s magical ability to write songs that go straight into the heart simply cannot be underestimated.
Kristaller is a collection of ten songs, five of which were in Swedish and which Laleh defines as “glimpses of something”. If pop stars sing mainly about love, Laleh is an exception from the rule. She has written extensively about death and her 2012 song Some Die Young became an unofficial tribute to those who lost their lives or loved ones during the 2011 terrorist attacks in Norway, after she performed it during the one-year anniversary memorial.
“There is too much rumination today,” she says. “Many trifles and unfinished love griefs. If you write ten songs about someone leaving you, you are spoiled. If I were to write about the same things over and over again, I would be bored. ”
Both Laleh’s parents have passed away – her father in 1994 and her mother just days after the album Colors was released in October 2013. She moved to Los Angeles in 2014 and says, “I’m working in my own studio, like I always have done.”
Her song “Speaking of Truth” was featured in the E! Channel original scripted series The Royals in March 2015. In 2015, Laleh co-wrote “Stone Cold”, “Yes” and “Father” from Demi Lovato’s fifth studio album, Confident, and two songs for Tori Kelly’s first album Unbreakable Smile. She was also featured on Adam Lambert’s single “Welcome to the Show”. Lambert and Laleh performed live at American Idol.
in late 2016 she toured in Sweden, performing in indoor arenas, including a sold out concert at the Ericsson Globe Arena. Her show included a symphony orchestra.
Her last official concert was in Skellefteå, Sweden in August 2019.
The Iranian Refugee Who Became a Scandinavian Pop Star, written by Tor Kjolberg
The metallurgical workshop in the Russian Arctic city of Monchegorsk closed on 20 March. Shop’s closure will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, and with the shutdown of the smelting shop in the town of Nikel, the emissions in Kola Peninsula in 2021 will be 85% lower compared to 2015. Learn more about air quality in Finnmark, Norway is to become cleaner – because Russia shut down copper plant.
Metallurgical shop in russian Arctic Monchegorsk has been shut down on March 20th, 2021. It was previously a major source of sulphur dioxide emissions in the region, Russian owner Norilsk Nickel said in a press release.
Nornickel was previously a major source of sulphur dioxide emissions in the region. (Press photo)
The environmental impact will be evident next year
Immediately after the shop’s closure, Nornickel will start cleaning up the production facilities and the metallurgical units from the copper-containing materials. This work will last throughout 2021, and the dismantling of production facilities and buildings will start in 2022.
“The results of the company’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact are evident: next year, we expect Kola MMC’s emissions to be 22,000 tonnes per year, of which 8,000-9,000 depending on the season are emissions from the power plant, which also heats homes in Monchegorsk,” said Evgeny Borzenko, General Director of Kola MMC. – We plan to upgrade the power plant in order to reduce emissions from this energy source as well. In the future we will act to reduce the negative environmental impacts: air emissions, discharges into the water bodies, land reclamation, waste management”.
“From the perspective of nature protection, the stopping of SO2 and other pollutants from the Nickel- melting plant will make the nature to recover slowly,” says Paul Eric Aspholm, a researcher at NIBIO Svanhovd or the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomic Research. Photo: Paul E. Aspholm / NIBIO
Some changes in nature are already visible
Paul Eric Aspholm, a researcher at NIBIO Svanhovd or the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomic Research, positively views the situation.
“From the perspective of nature protection, the stopping of SO2 and other pollutants from the Nickel- melting plant will make the nature to recover slowly. Already, there are some changes in the nature as a response to the lowering emissions since the 1990-thies. The process of recovery is slowly but visible through some decades, i.e. horsehair lichens. Further, the common frogs have become more common and the mice (voles) reach higher number of individuals during the maximum of population cycles,” noted the scientist.
Scientists from the Finnish Meteorological Institute also follow the news from Russia. Scientists have learned from the media about the modernization program of the Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel and believe that this is good news.
“In general, this is good news, but only if the new facilities in Monchegorsk are modern from an environmental point of view,» says FMI scientist Pia Anttila.
Changes in Russian industry might improve the environment
«Yes, we followed the news about this reform with great interest. We learned from the media that the Nickel complex, which is closest to the Finnish border, will be closed and activities will be transferred to the Monchegorsk block, located 250 km from the border. In general, this is good news, but only if the new facilities in Monchegorsk are modern from an environmental point of view» noted by FMI scientist Pia Anttila.
She also expressed the hope that these changes in the Russian industry could improve the environment, air quality and the content of heavy metals in the air in the future will decrease compared to the observations of previous years.
The shop’s closure is part of a global strategy aimed at transforming Norilsk Nickel, also known as Nornickel, into an environmentally friendly company. Photo: Nornickel
The shop’s closure is part of a global strategy aimed at transforming Norilsk Nickel, also known as Nornickel, into an environmentally friendly company – or at the very least, limiting its environmental impact.
Martin Berg
Air quality in Finnmark to become cleaner – Russia shut down copper plant, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Martin Berg. Martin is a Danish freelance journalist currently based in Oslo. For the past 15 years writing for different newspapers and web publications covering social and environmental issues.
Denmark, Norway and Sweden wish all Daily Scandinavian visitors a Happy 2021 Easter by sharing some of the region’s traditions with you. Happy Easter from Scandinavia!
All the three Scandinavian countries have different unique Easter traditions. Here, we share a few of them with you. Around Easter time People in Scandinavia are starting to wake up from “winter hibernation” and time for celebrating Easter. Although the Easter of 2021 will be somewhat restricted due to the pandemic, most people in Scandinavia will enjoy most of their most beloved Easter traditions.
Many Danes will even take the week days prior to Easter off
DENMARK
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are national holiday (påskeferie in danish). Almost everything is locked down during these days – it’s a really serious celebration. Many Danes will even take the week days prior to Easter off (no wonder they are among the happiest people on Earth).
Many Danish families are heading to the countryside during these holidays to their summerhouses. It is common for Danes to have a “country” home, considered a very private place where guests are welcomed “by invitation” only.
Easter witches
Children dress up as witches and warlocks and go door-to-door asking for candy, the kids give the people something in return. They give for instance each house a decorated willow branch, as thanks for the chocolate gifts they’ve received. These willow branches are believed to bless the owner’s house.
“Gækkebrev” (Fools’ letters)
The tradition is that children are supposed to collect as many eggs as possible. To achieve this, they have been sending “gækkebrev” since the 6th Century. A “gækkebrev” is a homemade letter containing an amusing message that is sent to family and friends. If the recipient guess who the sender is, they get a chocolate Easter egg.
Påskefrokost (Easter lunch)
Påskefrokost is commonly the first event of the season at Danish summerhouses. It is normally a day long meal stretching from lunch to dinner, including plentiful amounts of alcohol. Traditionally, the Easter breakfast consists of herring, liver paté with bacon, fish fillet, smoked salmon, meatballs and rye bread, washed down with påskebryg, a special beer that is launched every year early in March and only available until Easter It is of course accompanied by Danish aquavit.
A traditional Danish dish is “skidne æg” (in English translated into “Dirty Eggs”). It consists of boiled eggs and homemade mustard sauce.
Palm Sunday marks the start of the Easter holidays, and many Norwegians take the whole week, including Easter Monday off, and many spend the Easter in their mountain cabins together with family and friends and enjoy getting a tan (påskesol).
In the mountains they go cross-country skiing, bringing with them chocolate bars (Kvikk-lunsj) and oranges in their backpacks. On average, Norwegians eat four oranges per person during Easter, totaling 20,000. Many Norwegians also grill sausages along the way in the snow. Some people organize informal ski jump or ski race competitions with neighboring cabins, with fun prizes for the winners.
In the evenings, drinking hot chocolate and reading crime novels (“påskekrim”) are popular activities. So are quizzes and table games.
Some prefer an Easter at home to enjoy a so called bypåske (city Easter).
Easter Chicken and eggs
Easter Chickens and eggs are the usual symbols of a Norwegian Easter. The egg symbolizes rebirth and the chicken has been a symbol of fertility since ancient times. Yellow is the most traditional color of a Norwegian Easter. Lush green is also popular as it symbolizes life and growth.
Easter crafts Easter crafts are a usual activity – painting and decorating eggs, making paper baskets and cards, and sewing or knitting Easter ornaments. Yellow candles are very popular and so are yellow flowers such as daffodils and tulips.
Sales of candy increase by 50% during the Easter week in Sweden, and the biggest candy day is Maunday Thursday. On this day, children dress up as witches and “go witching” to neighboring houses, where they exchange their homemade Easter letters with drawings and greetings for candy and small gifts. This Swedish folk tradition states that around this time of year, witches would fly on their broomsticks to dance with the devil at Blåkulla.
Easter has become a secular holiday in Sweden and most people celebrate it at home (or at their holiday cottages) with their families and relatives. It is an opportunity to take a break and celebrate the long holiday weekend of the spring with family and friends. Unlike Denmark and Norway, Maunday Thursday is not a holiday.
Easter Fire In West Sweden, there’s an old tradition with the intention to keep the witches away. Many thousand people gather around a large bonfire.
Smörgåsbord A permanent fixture in Swedish culinary celebrations is the “smorgasbord” containing various types of pickled herring, cured salmon and the potato and anchovy gratain “Janssons frestelse” (Jansson’s temptation).
Rolig påsk!
Daily Scandinavian wishes all readers a Happy Easter (Glædelig påske – God påske – Rolig påsk).
Happy Easter from Scandinavia, written by Tor Kjolberg
Many interesting facts related to Scandinavian culture, tradition, and mentality make this region specific. The first similarity you will notice is related to their flags. Their colors are different, but they all contain the Nordic cross and their structures are identical. Learn about the 5 best contemporary Scandinavian writers you should read.
The most entertaining thing about Norway, Denmark, and Sweden is their language similarities. Officially, all these languages are different, but people can easily understand each other.
Because of that, the job of contemporary Scandinavian writers is much easier. They can dedicate their work to three different markets without any need to translate it into a foreign language. However, successful contemporary writers usually do not stop there. Contemporary literature is often translated to English, Spanish, and other languages.
A wide range of options can sometimes be tricky. That is the reason why you should know some of the best contemporary Scandinavian writers. You will make your free time more entertaining and get familiar with Scandinavian culture at the same time. Let’s go!
Fredrik Backman’s latest book, Anxious People, is published in 2020
Fredrik Backman Fredrik Backman is a Swedish contemporary writer that is popular in all parts of the world. He is the author of a New York Times bestselling book under the name A Man Called Ove. Some of his most popular books are also My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She Is Sorry, Us Against You, and others.
His latest book, Anxious People, is published in 2020. The storyline talks about a crime that never took place. The main characters are eight anxious people that meet each other and realize they have many things in common. Their wannabe robber friend disappears, and they are not sure whether organizing a robbery is a smart decision or not. All the characters have some secrets that make the book more entertaining and dramatic.
Arne Dahl’s last book, Hunted, was published last year
Arne Dahl Are you a big fan of contemporary crime books? If the answer is “yes”, Swedish crime author Arne Dahl deserves your attention. His real name is Jan Arnald, and he released a couple of books under his real name. These books are “Maria Och Artur” and “Barbarer”. The first time he used his pen name was when publishing a series of crime novels about imaginary crime investigators under the name “The Intercrime Group”.
His last book, Hunted, was published last year. The storyline describes the life of two investigators that are trying to solve a murder. Thanks to imagination and creativity, Arne Dahl proved once again he is one of the best crime writers in Scandinavia.
However, this writer does not hide his bad habits. The creative methods he uses are not always healthy. For instance, Arne often refuses to sleep because has to finish a chapter. Future writers should not follow his example. Proper sleeping brings different benefits; it can improve their mood, focus, and concentration. All these advantages are important for writing creativity.
Nata Marie’s books all talk about a mix of happiness, beauty, horror, trauma, and other emotions.
Naja Marie Aidt Naja Marie Aidt confirms that creative writing can boost the mental health of a person. Readers will manage to find the origin of their emotions, practice mindfulness, and free their minds of all the negative thoughts.
Danish Naja Marie Aidt lost her son in 2015 in a horrible accident. That is the reason why Naja could not write for many years. However, she somehow realized that writing will help her move forward. Her book “If Death Has Taken Something From You, Give It Back” tells how her family and she managed to cope with the loss.
Nata Marie’s books all talk about a mix of happiness, beauty, horror, trauma, and other emotions. After some reading, you will probably find yourself crying. The author always knows to use the appropriate language to get under your skin.
Angela Baker, the creative writer, editor, and proofreader at GetGoodGrade considers Naja Marie Aidt her idol. “All the stories she writes are personal. She will know how to make you laugh and make you cry at the same time. Even if Naja’s book has 500 pages, you would want to read it more” – Angela said in one of her interviews.
Per Petterson’s book, Out Stealing Horses, talks about the 67-year-old man who decides to move to a peaceful area and start a quiet life.
Per Petterson The Norwegian novelist started his journey in 1987 with a collection of short stories. After that, he released his famous books To Siberia (1996) and In the Wake (2002). The second book describes a young man who lost the family in the Scandinavian star ferry disaster. The book is probably based on the real-life of the writer as Petterson lost his parents and younger brother in a disaster as well.
His other book, Out Stealing Horses, talks about the 67-year-old man who decides to move to a peaceful area and start a quiet life. However, after some time, the old man meets his neighbor that wakes up his memories from the period after World War II. Petterson uses beautiful language to describe all the memories and tries to confirm how childhood events can change someone’s life forever.
The book got two rewards – the Bookseller’s Best Book of the Year Award and the Norwegian Critics Prize for Literature. These rewards confirm the book deserves your attention.
In 2011, Merethe Lindstrom’s book Days of the History of Silence won two rewards – Nordic Council’s Literary Prize and the Norwegian Critics’ Award.
Merethe Lindstrom In 1983, 20-year-old Merethe Lindstrom released a collection of short stories and made her first steps in the writing industry. The first reward Merethe got was in 1996 for the book The Stone Collectors. However, that was only the beginning of her successful career.
In 2011, her book Days of the History of Silence won two rewards – Nordic Council’s Literary Prize and the Norwegian Critics’ Award. The storyline of the books describes the life of a couple Simon and Eva, the parents of three grown-up daughters, that spent most of their lives together. Yet, the family is not the only thing that keeps them together. They both have secrets from the past that could not be hidden anymore.
The book talks about nostalgia, silence, and different psychological dilemmas. Eva is a specific female character that even younger generations will admire. She is open-minded, independent, and educated (she is a former teacher). Her attitude and approach make the book even more interesting for reading.
5 Best Contemporary Scandinavian Writers You Should Read – Final Thought Reading a book will relax you, improve your mood, and expand your vocabulary. You only need to find a genre of the book that will make your free time more entertaining. The writers from the list cover different topics and their writing styles are not the same. However, they will surely add a mix of emotions to your everyday routine. It is something we all need!
Dorian Martin
5 Best Contemporary Scandinavian Writers You Should Read, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Dorian Martin. Dorian is a content writer and consultant for educational and technology blogs. Currently, he works with a Trustmypaper research paper writing service providing help to grad students.Throughout his career, he served as a writer and proofreader and worked with experienced copywriters and bloggers.
Two of Europe’s largest lakes, Vänern and Vättern, lie in the heart of southern Sweden. In this area of farmland and forests, painted churches, grand castles and literary hideaways abound. Read more about the great lakes in Sweden.
Two enormous lakes, Vänern and Vättern, dominates the map of Sweden. The larger of the two is Vänern, a vast stretch of water with an area of 5,585 sq km (2,156sq. miles) and the largest lake in Western Europe. Its western shore embraces two provinces, Dalsland and Värmland.
A local feature is the Dalslands Kanal. Photo: Jonas Ingman / Dalslandskanal Väst-Sverige
Dalsland is a province of neat farms and prosperous small towns and villages, with empty roads running through its forests. The greatest attraction here is nature and thus, the most interesting activities are outdoors: namely, camping, hiking and canoeing.
The upland area of Kroppefjällen is a nature reserve, and one of the best ways to explore the region is to hike along the 15km (9-mile) Karl XIIs Väg (Karolinerleden), a historical walking trail; maps can be obtained from the tourist office in Mellerud.
Vänern has a vast stretch of water with an area of 5,585 sq km (2,156sq. miles) and the largest lake in Western Europe. Photo: Linda Skernberg / Visit Sweden
A local feature is the Dalslands Kanal, a network of interconnected lakes and rivers. It was designed by Nils Ericsson and built between 1864 and 1868 to provide better transport for the local ironwork and sawmills. Today, it is popular for sailing and canoeing.
The aqueduct at Håverud, 14km (9 miles) north of Mellerud, is a dramatic piece of engineering. Made of iron and 33 meters (108ft) long, it carries the canal over the rapids of the River Upperud.
The Great Lakes in Sweden, written by Tor Kjolberg
Norway’s oil fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, has bought shares in more than 53 Turkish companies with investments totaling around $800 million up to the end of 2020, according to official figures from Norway’s Norges Bank Investment Management. Read more about Norway’s Sovereign Fund with massive investments in Turkey.
The Government Pension Fund of Norway has invested more than US$1 trillion in assets. It holds a massive market influence globally because it owns 1.5% of the world’s listed shares. It operates under ethical guidelines set by the country’s parliament.
Norway’s oil fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, bought shares in six Turkish energy companies with investments totaling around $117 million up to the end of 2019, according to official figures from Norway’s Norges Bank Investment Management.
The fund also holds the largest single stake (4.01%) in Turkey’s first automotive manufacturer, Türk Traktor, while its biggest investment overall was in Akbank with $73.4 million for a 1.51 percent ownership.
Norway’s fund has also the largest ownership share in one of the biggest Turkish software companies Logo with a 5.05 percent stake.
Norway’s fund has also the largest ownership share in one of the biggest Turkish software companies Logo
The Scandinavian country’s fund also invested in a variety of sectors in Turkey, including communication services, glass and chemicals production, furniture and food and drinks companies.
Norway is Europe’s largest oil producer and the world’s third-largest natural gas exporter after Russia and Qatar.
By the end of 2020, the fund’s market value was 11,028 billion kroner.
By the end of 2020, the fund returned 10.9 percent, or 1.07 trillion kroner ($126 billion).
The fund’s largest fixed-income holdings are in U.S. government bonds.
It owns stakes in more than 9,000 companies globally, with its biggest holdings in tech giants Microsoft Corp. and Apple Inc, followed by Switzerland’s Nestle SA, Google parent firm Alphabet Inc and Amazon Inc.
The fund also holds the largest single stake (4.01%) in Turkey’s first automotive manufacturer, Türk Traktor
The Norwegian government can spend only 3 percent of the fund’s total interest income per year, which is the expected real return on the fund, according to Norges Bank Investment Management, which was delegated by the country’s parliament as the fund manager.
Norway’s Sovereign Fund With Massive Investments in Turkey, written by Tor Kjolberg
Although January is known to be the coldest month across Scandinavia, a distinct nip in the air can be felt all the way into April and beyond in some areas. Regardless of where you live in the world, keeping your house warm during the colder months cannot only be costly, but potentially harmful to the environment as well. Read more aboutEco-friendly ways to heat your Scandinavian home.
Heating systems, and especially those that rely on fossil fuels to operate, can impact the environment in a number of ways, including contributing to global warming. Unvented combustion heating systems such as charcoal furnaces and kerosene heaters are the biggest culprits as far as generating indoor air pollution is concerned. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to keep your Scandinavian home comfortably warm in an eco-friendly manner.
Norwegians love their firewood and wood stoves. Out of 2.5 million dwellings in Norway, 1.2 million use firewood for heating. (Norwegian “kosefyring” translates roughly into “firing with wood for the purpose of relaxation and pleasure”.) Photo: NTNU.
Invest in a geothermal heating system Geothermal heating remains one of the most efficient and eco-friendly ways to heat a home in Scandinavia. These systems, which utilize the earth’s natural and limitless heat, are particularly popular in Sweden. The hot water and steam that can be found underneath the earth’s surface can power a heating system in the same way traditional fuels such as oil and gas can. Although geothermal systems are considered to be quite a large investment, they typically pay for themselves within eight years, while also adding a substantial amount of resale value to a home.
If you have a furnace, make sure it’s well-maintained Although gas furnaces are not quite as popular in Scandinavia as they are in the USA, for instance, they are still being utilized as an eco-friendly home heating method. Furnaces that make use of natural gas are by far more environmentally-friendly than their electric or oil counterparts. In order for a gas furnace to remain in tip-top shape and not have a negative impact on indoor air quality and the environment as a whole, it has to undergo regular maintenance and swift repairs when needed. Some of the most common issues to look out for include faulty blower motors and hot surface ignitors. If your furnace continues to give problems despite all major parts seemingly functioning well, you might have to have a closer look at your furnace control board.
Solar heating is always a winner Over the past decade, the use of solar power has grown exponentially in Scandinavia. This is no surprise, considering that solar heating is believed to be the most eco-friendly heating solution available at present. Although a solar heating installation does require an upfront investment, it is generally not as expensive as it is believed to be, and also serves as a virtually-free heat source for life. Solar heating systems all require a solar panel installation, which is both easy and quick to complete. A homeowner does have to decide on a type of heating system though, as this will determine what further installations are required.
There are a number of ways to do heat your Scandinavian home without having a negative impact on the environment. Photo: Sigmund / Unsplash
During the cold Scandinavian winters, it is essential to keep your house warm. Luckily, there are a number of ways to do this without having a negative impact on the environment.
Karoline Gore
Eco-Friendly Ways To Heat Your Scandinavian Home, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Karoline Gore. Karoline is a freelance writer from Stoke on Trent in the UK who left the corporate grind when she started a family and has never looked back. She enjoys contributing to a range of online publications on the topics that are important to her.
In the middle of Scandinavia and the charming Swedish countryside you will find Dalarna. The amazing region is the birthplace of the world famous Dala horse and midsummer traditions. The region is often referred to as “Sweden in miniature”. If you want to experience comfort and luxurious nature experiences in a marvelous Swedish winter landscape, you should experience Dalarnas newest (and first!) high end accommodation, the Fryksås Chalet.
The Fryksås Chalet is an old rustic log house that has been transformed into a place of divine comfort with elegance and style. The big, open fireplace that is the heart of the chalet invites guests to spend hours in front of it. Maybe dreaming of some of the amazing outdoor experiences in the untouched wilderness that can be found just around the corner? Visitors may also indulge themselves in a long sauna session, or practice stargazing while relaxing in the comfortable outdoor hot tub.
Relaxing in hot tub. Still photo
The chalet has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sauna, indoor & outdoor bath and a nice social kitchen where private chef dinners may be enjoyed. It also offers a meditation & yoga room and big veranda facing the south with a beautiful lake view.
Dalarna is also known for being one of Sweden’s most important regions when it comes to culture, food and outdoor activities.
Great experiences all year round
Dalarna is offering great experiences all year around and from next winter it is possible to take part of them with great service at Dalarnas newest (and first!) high end accommodation.
The chalet is found in a beautiful old village that continues to tell stories of a bygone era and the people who lived here. Take part of the history and soak in the traditional red cottages, tranquil nature, deep forests and cool lakes the surrounding area has to offer.
Exclusive add-ons
The days can be filled with eco-friendly activities such as traditional horse-drawn sleigh rides through village, dog sled rides in serene nature or outdoor cooking & dining. Try carving a Dala horse or more adventurous activities like Nordic skiing tracks, snowshoe trekking and downhill skiing. A private guided tour in the nearby predator reserve park or a private meeting and a Swedish fika with Santa Claus are also possible add-ons. At the end of the day a private chef will serve a dinner made with local delicacies, prepared to perfection.
The Fryksås Chalet is the number one choice for couples looking for a relaxing getaway or families that want to spend quality time together. In addition to The Fryksås Chalet guests can also book the “The log chalet” which is a smaller chalet on the same property that can be added for bigger or multi-generation families.
Bookable for next winter season
This experience is bookable now for next winter with the first arrival date on the 1th of December 2021.
The Dalarna landscape is one of mountains, waterfalls and rivers, deep forests with woodland lakes and open rolling farmland. Perfect country for hiking, skiing, cycling, skating, canoeing and other outdoor adventures. Much of the popular imagery of Sweden, culturally and geographically, is from Dalarna; a pretty red-painted cottage, people in brightly-colored folk costumes dance and swirl in celebration of Midsummer and -of course the Dala horse. All very Swedish. All very Dalarna.
Luxurious Nature Experiences in a Marvelous Swedish Winter Landscape, is based on a press release from Visit Dalarna. Visit Dalarna is the Regional Tourism Organization for Dalarna. Our mission is to develop, market and sell the region Dalarna nationally and internationally.
