NordenBladet —This week, more than 70 United States Marines arrived in Estonia for a nearly four-month operation. “This deployment is a fantastic opportunity for the Marines and Sailors from Task Force 61/2’s Mobile Reconnaissance Company (MRC) to train alongside our Estonian Allies, ” said Capt. Brandon Klewicki, MRC Company Commander. “Integrating …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —
There were no items on the agenda for the sitting.
After the sitting, the members of the new Riigikogu continued to form parliamentary friendship groups and associations.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)
Riigikogu Press Service
Maris Meiessaar
Phone: +372 631 6353, +372 5558 3993
E-mail: maris.meiessaar@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The Riigikogu convened for sitting
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —The Chief of Estonian Defence Forces, General Martin Herem, visited Finland this week, where he discussed cooperation between the defence forces with the Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Timo Kivinen. The Chief of Estonian Defence Forces, General Martin Herem, visited Finland this week, where he discussed cooperation between …
Source: Estonian Defence Forces
NordenBladet —
Kallas made a report on the bases for forming a Government already on Tuesday but due to the end of the working hours there was no vote and the questions and answers continued at today’s sitting. Each member of the Riigikogu could ask up to two oral questions in total of the candidate for Prime Minister.
At the vote, 59 members of the Riigikogu supported the authorisation of the candidate for Prime Minister to form a Government and 38 were against. A majority vote was needed for the authorisation.
After the sitting, the members of the new Riigikogu continued to form parliamentary friendship groups and associations.
Photos of the sitting (Author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel. (Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The Riigikogu authorised Kaja Kallas to form a Government
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
In her speech, Kallas pointed out that the Reform Party, Estonia 200, and Social Democrats had prepared a coalition agreement that contained their vision on the most important and the challenges facing Estonia. The candidate for Prime Minister added that the agreement was a compromise and a result of a search for a common ground. “The greatest common ground of the coalition is based on Estonia’s independence, sound public finances, our economic success, and value issues,” Kallas said.
The candidate for Prime Minister pointed out that the document had the face of the war because every analysis soon came to an assessment of the impacts of the war. “The war has changed everything: our economy, our people’s livelihood, and the prices of energy carriers and the availability thereof,” Kallas listed. She added that the war had changed the challenges facing us and in particular the ways in which we were looking for solutions to them. “Last year, our eastern neighbour showed that it was capable of taking the most unpredictable and illogical steps,” Kallas noted. She remarked that all neighbours were in danger.
Kallas emphasised that therefore Estonia’s defence spending had to increase. “Without strengthening our defence capability, we cannot seriously talk about either of the future of our economy or about the kind of Estonia we will be leaving to our children and grandchildren,” Kallas said. “The purpose of increasing our defence spending is not to destroy our enemy, but the purpose is to destroy our enemy’s will to attack us,” Kallas said. She noted that we had to rethink our state budget priorities and it was necessary to return to seeking a balanced state budget.
“This is not going to be simple. This will mean sacrifices for all of us, and I must ask for patience and understanding from all Estonian people. An understanding that we are not doing all this because we like it but because it needs to be done. If we do not put our public finances in order now, it will be very much harder to put them in order in a few years’ time,” Kallas emphasised. She pointed out that the loan burden of the state had doubled in a few years. Borrowing is no longer an alternative in a significantly more expensive credit environment. The national reserves have been spent and the only right way is to take a course towards a balanced state budget.
In Kallas’s words, according to the current calculations, it is necessary both to cut expenses and to increase the incomes of the state. The candidate for Prime Minister said that the coalition was going to do a state budget revision. “We will be reviewing every cost item in order to eliminate unnecessary expenses and to use budget funds as wisely and economically as possible. We will reshape governance and reform the structure of ministries. We will reduce the number of ministers by two. We are not asking only the people to economise. We are seeing that state agencies will also have to make their contribution to this.”
“The political goals of the common Government will be, first, the ensurance of security, second, the sustainability of public finances, third, the carrying out of green reforms, fourth, the reduction of regional disparity, fifth, the reduction of the inequality of incomes and an increase of healthy life years and life expectancy, and sixth, the development of a personal state and high-quality education,” she said. She expressed the conviction that, together, the people would be able to achieve all that.
In Kallas’s words, the new coalition will continue with the transition to Estonian-language education and the organisation of the school network, extending the opportunities to preserve primary schools close to home. She pointed out that that was directly linked to Estonia’s security. “Communicating in a common language and living in a common information space is one of the best ways to ensure our defence capability and will to defend. A divided society is a tempting prey to an aggressor. Unity is a deterrent that makes the aggressor hesitate, fear, and abandon their attack,” Kallas explained.
Finally, Kallas said that the Estonian people had always managed and had been extremely successful. She pointed out that we could achieve anything we wanted because we were a headstrong, stubborn, hardworking, and successful people. “We have both reason and heart. We are able to help those in need and at the same time to organize the life of our country in such a way that our descendants will also be happy and proud to live here,” Kallas said.
The candidate for Prime Minister replied to numerous questions of members of the Riigikogu. Due to the end of the working hours of the sitting, the discussion will continue at the sitting starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
At the sitting, Auditor General Janar Holm took his oath of office.
After the sitting, the new Riigikogu began to form parliamentary friendship groups and associations of the members of the Riigikogu.
Photos of the sitting (Author: Erik Peinar, Chancellery of the Riigikogu)
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
The video recording of the sitting will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)
Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
Phone: +372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
E-mail: merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: Kaja Kallas presented to the Riigikogu a report on the bases for forming a Government
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
The President of the Republic Alar Karis opened the first sitting and also made a speech.
Karis presented his recommendations to the new Riigikogu. “Over the next four years, decisions will have to be taken in this chamber in order to adapt to the life-changing events we are currently experiencing,” the President said.
“The country’s electors have granted each of you a mandate to represent them. At the same time, the Constitution states that members of parliament are not bound by their mandate. What does this mean? It means that it behoves each and every one of you to represent the nation as a whole. You must take all of the concerns raised during the election into consideration. It is easy to list them in general terms: security; the economy; the cost of living; the climate; protection of nature; education; the ability of local governments to cope. And there are many others which may not spring to mind immediately but which are no less important – such as the development of technology and young people’s mental health, both of which I have spoken about and will continue to do so,” the President said.
“It has been said that politics is the art of the possible. However, we must be more ambitious than that: politics is also the art of doing that, which is initially deemed impossible. Estonia has reached a point where our aim is not merely to catch up to others on the path ahead of us, but to find new paths to go down. Indeed, this is something we have no choice but to do. In a situation where the state’s debt burden threatens to grow, our objective cannot be limited to making savings where we can. Our target must be to find opportunities for development that boost efficiency and allow us to achieve more in future than we are capable of achieving today,” Karis emphasised.
Then the members of the Riigikogu took their oath of office. The eldest member of the Riigikogu Enn Eesmaa read out the text of the oath.
After the members of the Riigikogu began to perform their duties, the election of the Board of the Riigikogu was held, which was organised by the National Electoral Committee. Until the election of the President of the Riigikogu, the Chairman of the National Electoral Committee Oliver Kask chaired the sitting.
Member of the Riigikogu Marek Reinaas nominated Lauri Hussar as a candidate for the President of the Riigikogu, and Member of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas nominated Martin Helme.
101 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 59 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Lauri Hussar, and 20 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Martin Helme. 22 ballot papers were invalid.
After the election, Hussar thanked the members of the Riigikogu and wished everyone success.
Member of the Riigikogu Erkki Keldo nominated Toomas Kivimägi as a candidate for a Vice-President, Member of the Riigikogu Tanel Kiik nominated Jüri Ratas and Siim Pohlak nominated Martin Helme.
101 members of the Riigikogu took part in the secret ballot. 56 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Toomas Kivimägi, 27 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Jüri Ratas and 17 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of Martin Helme. One ballot paper was invalid. Thus, Toomas Kivimägi was elected as the First Vice-President of the Riigikogu, and Jüri Ratas was elected as the Second Vice-President.
After the election of the Board of the Riigikogu, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced the resignation of the Government according to the Constitution.
At the festive opening sitting of the new Riigikogu, the Estonian National Male Choir sang, conducted by Mikk Üleoja.
The sitting ended at 6.56 p.m.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
Photos of the opening sitting:
Video recordings of the sittings of the Riigikogu can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/riigikogu.
(Please note that the recording will be uploaded with a delay.)
Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal, +372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The 15th Riigikogu held its opening sitting
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet —
The first sitting of the 15th Riigikogu will be opened by President Alar Karis. After the President’s speech, the members of the Riigikogu will take the oath of office. The oath of office will be read out by the oldest member of the Riigikogu, and after that all members of the Riigikogu will sign the text of the oath.
Elections of the President and the Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu will also be held during the first sitting. First, the President of the Riigikogu will be elected by secret ballot, and after that, two Vice-Presidents. After the elections of the Board, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will present a statement on the resignation of the Government of the Republic.
The opening sitting of the new composition can be followed on the Riigikogu web page and YouTube channel. TV channel ETV2 will make a live broadcast of the sitting.
15 minutes after the end of the opening sitting (at around 5.15 p.m.), the President and Vice-Presidents of the Riigikogu will give a press conference. The press conference will be held in Otto Strandman Conference Room of Toompea Castle (next to the White Hall), and it will be live streamed online.
After the press conference, the new Board of the Riigikogu will meet for its first sitting, where it is planned to register the parliamentary groups and adopt the agenda for the first working week.
Riigikogu Press Service
Karin Kangro
+372 631 6356, +372 520 0323
karin.kangro@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: New composition of the Riigikogu convenes for opening sitting
Source: Parliament of Estonia
NordenBladet – Are you planning your next travel adventure? Before you decide what type of trip to embark on, it’s important to know what kind of traveler you are. Some people love the idea of backpacking through rugged terrain with only the bare essentials while others prefer to have all the creature comforts of home. So, answer these questions to find out if you are a comfort traveler or a backpacker at heart.
What type of accommodations do you prefer?
A. Five-star hotels with all the amenities.
B. Hostels or camping in the great outdoors.
If you chose A, you are probably a comfort traveler who likes to be pampered with luxurious accommodations. If you chose B, you are likely a backpacker who doesn’t mind roughing it to experience the great outdoors.
How do you like to travel?
A. Private transportation or organized tours.
B. Public transportation or hitchhiking.
If you chose A, you are likely a comfort traveler who likes to have all the details taken care of for them. If you chose B, you are probably a backpacker who enjoys the freedom of exploring on their own.
What do you like to pack?
A. Everything you need and more, just in case.
B. Only the bare essentials to travel light.
If you chose A, you are likely a comfort traveler who wants to be prepared for any situation. If you chose B, you are probably a backpacker who doesn’t want to be weighed down by unnecessary items.
What do you like to do during your travels?
A. Relax by the pool or beach and indulge in spa treatments.
B. Explore local culture and participate in adventure activities.
If you chose A, you are probably a comfort traveler who enjoys taking it easy and indulging in relaxation. If you chose B, you are likely a backpacker who seeks out new experiences and adventure.
How do you plan your itinerary?
A. With a detailed plan, leaving nothing to chance.
B. With a loose plan, leaving plenty of room for spontaneity.
If you chose A, you are likely a comfort traveler who wants everything to be organized and planned in advance. If you chose B, you are probably a backpacker who enjoys the freedom of going with the flow.
So, are you a comfort traveler or a backpacker at heart? There is no right or wrong answer, and it’s perfectly okay to be either one. It all comes down to personal preference and what makes you happy. Once you have figured out your travel style, you can plan your next adventure accordingly and have the time of your life.
Photo: Unsplash
NordenBladet – When it comes to feeling good, many people tend to focus on their appearance. While there are many aspects of our physical appearance that we can control, one area that is often overlooked is the scalp and hair. Believe it or not, feeling good can actually start with a clean scalp and hair. If you want to improve your overall well-being, you may want to consider trying Elisheva & Shoshana’s Aloe Vera+ Deep Cleansing Detox Scalp Treatment Shampoo.
A clean scalp can make a big difference in how you feel. When your scalp is clean and healthy, your hair looks and feels better. This can boost your confidence and help you feel more comfortable in your own skin. Additionally, a clean scalp can help prevent problems like dandruff, itchiness, and oily hair.
Elisheva & Shoshana’s Aloe Vera+ Deep Cleansing Detox Scalp Treatment Shampoo is specifically designed to clean and detoxify your scalp. This unique formula is enriched with aloe vera, which has been used for centuries to soothe and moisturize the skin. Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help keep your scalp healthy and free from irritation.
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E&S “Deep cleansing Detox scalp care shampoo with Aloe” helps keep the scalp clean longer and renders the hair strong, shiny and healthy! It contains more than 75% 100%organic components and the product can be used by all age groups, incl. children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Featured image: Feeling good starts with a clean scalp and hair – improve your overall well-being with Elisheva & Shoshana’s detox shampoo! (Unsplash)
NordenBladet – I’ll continue where the last blog ended, that was 15th of February. Were it a vlog, then it would be great to start it with a musical piece – an Estonian folk tune: „Time goes by but the happiness doesn’t go away” (“Aeg läheb aga õnn ei kao”) .. hahaa 😀
On 15th of February 2023 me and Allan went to see Paolo Genovese’s spectacle „Strangers”.
For the first time I visited Drama Theatre’s 5th floor theatre hall where the stage is in the middle and the audience is seated on the sides. The play was brilliant and the actors were top notch (Mait Malmsten, Britta Soll, Jüri Tiidus, Marta Laan, Markus Luik, Harriet Toompere, Tiit Sukk, Amanda Hermiine Künnapas). It was an amazing evening! By the way, I also liked that the play was in one act. I really like plays that lack a break since I somehow feel sorry for the half an hour time lost during the breaks that many plays have.
22nd of February – as always, a celebration at our home. I like such self-made „our things” and „our traditions”, since it enhances bonding and increases happiness! Yesterday I just watched film director Peter Chelsom’s movie „Hector and the Search for Happiness” that is based on Francois Lelord’s bestseller and where the main character, the eccentric London psychiatrist is played by Simon Pegg. The motto of this movie is that it is an obligation to be happy! It is worth repeating to yourself – IT IS AN OBLIGATION TO BE HAPPY!!! 🙂
Allan brought me roses and tulips and I made wraps with Bruschetta along with whipped cream cake. The Bruschetta from the store appeared to be so good that I took pictures of the ingredients so that I’d be able to make it at home following the recipe:
Bruschetta recipe:
Tomatoes 63%, Taggiasca olives 12%, olive oil 12%, sun-dried tomatoes 7%, capers 3%, basil, garlic, red chili pepper, salt, seasoning
On the 23rd of February we had guests, Inge Pitsner and Einar Ellermaa, coming over. Jesus, how great it was to see them after such a long time! Since they are journalists, authors and publishers, we did not run dry of topics to talk about. I got the book they authored, „Baruto“, as a present, it talks about the journey of Kaido Höövelson becoming the top sumo wrestler in Japan. The very next day I read the book in one sitting – it was very exciting and fully inspiring. Many times there was a tear in my eye and I started to love Kaido after reading this book. I recommend it!
The book ended with an especially beautiful idea:
„I will live the rest of my life so that in this life I will become yokozuna!
What else could I point out from the second part of February? There has been lots of reading, browsing the internet (I am searching real estate for us in Spain), and watching movies. I started building a new design for the NordenBladet.com site and planned the renovation of our bathroom. I have also done a lot of sewing and the 24th of February marked one year of active trading and keeping an eye on the stock market.
Sewing – I got the threads, ribbons, fabrics and applications, etc that I ordered from Aliexpress… These are now enough for several lifetimes! Let’s say I got carried away. But the more materials there are the more creative one can be when doing handicraft and it is super fun!
For example I like to add details to the things I have.. I added white flounces to this blouse…
Then I pimped a simple monotonous home dress that previously resembled a long shirt. I added patched flounces, laces, and the result was a very beautiful dress! I now wear it almost every day, I like it that much! In the pictures the model is Ivanka but since she is so thin then the character of the dress is not fully revealed.. the dress needs more mature female volume 😀 hahaaa…
About investment and the stock market.
Okay so, where to begin … icccccc…
The past year on the stock market has been complicated but very exciting. I have taken proper losses…
In my mind I have been buying from the bottom but in reality buying expensive and selling cheaply (using double margin) – this is not the way to become rich. You get rid of the existing cash that you didn’t invest in the “bottoms”, you get losses from reducing and/or eliminating positions, you get pointless interests, in conclusion …you get properly screwed. I also turned over my entire crypto position with 50% loss.
It reminds me of an interview that Kristjan Liivamägi gave to Äripäev Radio, where he talked about the early years of his investing career. This was exactly like a page from my investment diary. Hahaaa, all the same mistakes have been made, even repeatedly, because I didn’t learn the first time I made the mistakes.
What were my main mistakes?
1. I didn’t use the stop. For example I entertained in my hands for half a year the COIN shares that were bought around 180 EUR until I finally sold them around 50 EUR. Sweet Jesus!
2. I was partly also inadequately informed. For example I didn’t know that an LHV share is stripped of the guarantee once the value sinks below 3 EUR. In my case the Uniper example: I bought the share last year for 5 EUR, again entertained them in my hands and then the price sank to 2.85 at some point.
So what did I learn?
1. While the „study costs” got properly covered then the current year on the stock market made me a bit more conservative and calm.
2. Extra to the daily trading I also glance at the long term dividend shares.
3. I got assured that the stock market is interesting and keeps me excited. Taking into account all that has previously been said, I can admit that I am satisfied with the case I currently have. Trading on the bear market is complicated, I still lack the skills to do that (yet) but daily trading is what I like. Never have I ever done selling short yet, I cannot do it, but in the current market situation this should be the priority skill.. Hahaa.. I have not dealt with options since I do not fully understand them. Nevertheless, trading comes out just right, but I often violate the STOP ORDER. Helena-Reet, use the stop order! 😀
That’s all for today, hugs!
