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Do you LOVE to sleep long? 7 PROVEN TIPS to prevent oversleeping!

NordenBladet – Did you know that sleeping for too long or more than ten hours has a negative effect on your well-being, concentration and even on your appetite? According to sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo, there has been a lot of talk about the dangers of insufficient sleep, yet we must not forget the dangers of oversleeping.

Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder that disturbs your sleep-wake rhythm. Unbalanced circadian rhythm affects hormones, which in turn determine your energy level.

Although sleep should offer rest, sleeping too long can make you feel even more tired.

When you are tired both mentally and physically, it is difficult to stay focused at work and at school.

According to the sleep expert, research has shown that the mental capacity of those who sleep for too long suffers, including their concentration, mental agility, decision-making and memory.
If you sleep too long, your serotonin or happiness hormone levels will drop, which can lead to depression.

In addition, hypersomnia can be a cause of headaches.

Being in one position for a long time makes your body stiff and causes discomfort.

If you miss your regular breakfast, the resulting dehydration and low blood sugar level can lead to headaches.

Oversleeping makes you tired, thus it becomes more difficult to exercise. Studies have shown that those who sleep for too long are 21% more likely to gain weight.

How to prevent oversleeping?
– Try to go to bed at a certain time.
– Do not spend time in front of the screens, as the blue light will interfere with your sleep.
– Take a relaxing salt bath before going to bed. To maintain your body, we recommend using only natural, clean and high-quality goods of Nordic origin. The hand-made E&S Lavender and Himalayan Pink Halite Bath Salt by the Estonian handicraft cosmetics brand Elisheva & Shoshana is a natural bath supplement that rejuvenates, soothes, moisturizes and invigorates the skin with a wide spectrum of effects. It contains many antioxidants that give an extra shield for the organism and help attain and maintain healthy body mass. Crystal salt contains nearly a hundred valuable natural minerals that strengthen the organism, it regulates the function of sebaceous glands, boosts circulatory function and has an antibacterial effect. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) strengthens the capillary walls, reduces skin irritation, helps tackle dermal shortcomings, has a rejuvenating and naturally calming effect. It positively boosts wellbeing via regulating the stress hormone cortisol levels in blood.


– Drink a soothing herbal tea (e.g. chamomile tea) about an hour before bedtime.
– Avoid magnesium deficiency. Magnesium helps the muscles relax. Magnesium Oil Natural STRONG 31% Body Spray from Elisheva & Shoshana, which offers top-quality natural cosmetics made in Estonia, is a 100% natural health product that relieves muscle tension, muscle cramps and balances the nervous system.

E&S magnesium oil spray is well-absorbed through the skin, within 5-15 seconds it has entered the cells. Ten doses of spray amount to 150-180 mg of the product ( 43-60 % RDA). About 95% of the applied magnesium enters the cells, the absorption through the skin is therefore preferred to oral intake in the form of capsules, powder or pill, also transdermal application of magnesium entails no gastric or intestinal burden. The product can be sprayed onto the tongue, however it does not have a pleasant taste.

Magnesium chloride (MgCl2) can help alleviate the following complaints: depression, anxiety, fatigue, headache, asthma, muscular tensions, painful joints, sleeping problems, spasms, intestinal complaints, accumulation of toxins (detox effect), excess weight, magnesium deficit. Magnesium chloride is an important factor in the elimination of toxic elements and heavy metals and helps recover the minerals balance in the organism, it regulates the cholesterol level and normalizes the values of blood pressure.

– Think about what is good in your life and be grateful for it.
– Try to meditate — it calms you and gives a good night’s sleep.

Featured image: Elisheva & Shoshana – High quality cosmetics from Scandinavia
Source: NordenBladet.ee

13-year-old Estonian violinist Estella Elisheva about concerts in Japan: Now is time to start writing also my own music

NordenBladet – 13-year-old Estonian Jewish School girl, having learned the violin for six years in Saku Music School, now begins to see the fruit of the work done so far. Being nominated the best violinist in her age group in Northwest Estonia, Estella Elisheva performed as a singer in Israel in June, and in August was holding a brand new artist visa with the purpose of giving violin concerts in Japan. Earlier having only performed in Estonia and Scandinavia, the young musician is taking a big step on her career path that motivates her even more to practice and to think of a career in music.

“Every achievement encourages to practice more and give more effort. The performances are a great emotional boost and fill you with energy, they bring you to new contacts and give ideas for planning the future. The more one practices the more one likes music, and skills enable one to play music also after just listening to it, and it becomes more and more easy to play from scores. Not extensively, but step by step I am already writing some of the music myself,” says Estella Elisheva to NordenBladet.ee.

“It has been relatively easy – in the music school there are 3-4 days weekly the best teachers sharing their experience, I have been very fortunate with my violin supervisor Kaari Klesment and solfeggio instructor Urmi Sinisaar, my mom arranges-manages and supports on the media side. Mom is my greatest fan – every day she encourages, acknowledges and inspires me in what I do. My responsibility is to play the instrument and practice. Currently I perform as a solo artist and with an orchestra. But specially for Japan, we summoned a temporary band the violin + Estonian zither (Kannel), to introduce Estonian music abroad. At the moment there is in the repertoire quite a lot of ethnic tradition music and folk music. With the zither-player Sandra Serena we will be performing together in a few concerts also when we return from Japan – these will be relatively minor concerts for selected audience but the program is already scheduled and why not perform together still more. One of the concerts is also taking place in the frame of an event of the Estonian president.”

In Japan you gave several concerts and performed on Estonian Music Day. How would you evaluate the success of the concerts and are you planning to perform in Japan also in the future?
“The concerts went very well. It was rather fascinating for a change to perform in the violin + Estonian zither format, since usually I play solo, with piano accompaniment or with synth. The Estonian zither adds a Nordic mystical touch, the two instruments sound really beautiful together. Japan with its 127 million people is the tenth biggest country populationwise, this is a huge market and the audience is well aware of quality in music. The Northern countries and our culture is thoughtful, exciting and mystical – it is great to perform as well as to listen to our music. It calms, gives strenght. I definitely think of performing in Japan in the future. I hope so.”

You are announcing that so confidently like something has already been agreed on. How does it even happen when you are 13-year-old, performing on the other side of the planet Earth? “Nothing is yet agreed on, but the concerts take place when there is planning and arrangements. My mom who is my manager, deals with the organisational side. I have been notarially permitted to travel alone, I speak four languages (Estella Elisheva speaks fluently besides Estonian also English and Russian language and has been learning the Hebrew language for seven years – ed.), mother concludes agreements with agents who on their turn deal with the events and the advertisements and local arrangements. In Japan the local organiser met us in the airport – hotels, daily schedules, workshops and the performings were planned in detail. This time I was in Japan as an artist of the Harmony Fields, and in the frame of the Japanese Saku town and the Estonian Saku town common project.”

What are the plans as an artist in the future? “As of today, I do not make extensive plans regarding my career. I practice as much as possible, since regarding professional players I am still very green, and now I need to begin with composing, too. I wish to improve myself also as a composer and do my bit in contributing to Estonian music.”

More info on the young violinist Estella Elisheva and her doings can be found on her website: estellaelisheva.com and pictures from the Japan journey can be browsed on her Instagram account @estella.elisheva

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1yR9Qchlgt/



Photo: From the left Shigekazu Yamada, Laura Linnaks, Sandra Sulin, Estella Elisheva, Aivar Surva and Mari Jürjens. (Harmony Fields/ Kazuhiro Kamio)

From Estonian musicians, besides Estella Elisheva and Sandra Serena Sulin on the Japan tour and Estonian Music Day there was also the actress and singer Mari Jürjens (earlier Pokinen), and composer and musician Aivar Surva. Previously, via Harmony Fields there have been many other Estonian artists performing in Japan – for example the folk musician and singer Mari Kalkun and the folkband Trad.Attack!

https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyFields.jp/photos/a.372728596152215/2430410340384020/?type=3&theater


Photo: Estella Elisheva (NordenBladet/Helena-Reet Ennet)

Photo: Sandra Serena Sulin (Estonian zither) and Estella Elisheva (violin). (NordenBladet/Helena-Reet Ennet)

Featured image: Violinist Estella Elisheva (NordenBladet/Helena-Reet Ennet)

Children born in Norway to two immigrant parents constitute 3.4 per cent of the Norwegian population. WHAT happens to immigrant kids as adults?

NordenBladet – Their performance is a bit weaker than that of other children in elementary school, and somewhat fewer students complete upper secondary school. Compared to their parents, the difference is considerable. Many Norwegian-born persons with immigrant backgrounds are also doing far better financially than their parents. Some earn more than other Norwegians.

Children born in Norway to two immigrant parents constitute 3.4 per cent of the Norwegian population today. In 1970, that figure was only 0.06 per cent.

Statistics Norway has released an updated report for which they gathered figures, facts and research on this new population group.

Have the children of immigrants integrated into Norwegian society? Or do they remain outsiders?

Almost 180 000 immigrant children
In 2019, almost 180 000 people in Norway are the children of two immigrant parents.

Most of them are still children and adolescents. Only 14 per cent are older than 25, but this group has now become so large that statistics and research can tell us a great deal about how the integration of immigrants into Norwegian society is going.

Children of two immigrants in Norway who are 25 or older often have parents with backgrounds from Pakistan, Vietnam, Turkey, India, Morocco or Chile.

The children of other large immigrant groups in Norway – Poles, Somalis, Lithuanians, Iraqis and Afghans – are still mostly younger.

School results
Children of immigrants do somewhat worse than children of Norwegian-born parents in primary school. Slightly fewer complete upper secondary education, according to education statistics.

However, the leap in education is still huge for many immigrant children, when compared with their parents’ education. Children with parents from Sri Lanka and Vietnam achieve the top school results, despite the fact that many of these parents have had very little education themselves.

Many choose college prep
Fully 76 per cent of children with two immigrant parents who start upper secondary school choose college preparatory programmes. Among other teens, 64 per cent select that route.

Almost half of the immigrant children in the 25 to 40 year age group now have attained higher education, which is roughly equivalent to the rest of the population.

Among immigrant parents who only have a primary school education, 35 per cent of their children continue their education to university or college level. For the rest of the Norwegian population, the corresponding proportion is only 19 per cent.

Norwegian social scientists who have studied this topic refer to these immigrants and their children as having educational drive.

Children of immigrants from China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and India are especially likely to pursue university or other higher education. Many immigrant children choose majors in economics and administration. Social sciences, law, trades and technical subjects are also common. Teaching careers are about as common for this group as for the rest of the population.

Vietnamese earn well
Statistics Norway’s figures show notable differences in how many children of immigrants from different countries are found in the Norwegian labour market. Statistics Norway considers a person part of the labour force if her or his annual income approaches NOK 200 000 or more.

More Norwegian-born men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 with immigrant parents from Vietnam and India are employed than their Norwegian age peers without an immigrant background.

Today, 25 to 40 year old ethnic Vietnamese individuals born in Norway have a higher income on average than their age peers in the rest of the Norwegian population.

Many children of two immigrant parents have experience what social scientists call a class shift, or social mobility.

Chilean men earn the least
Adults in the same age group with parents from Turkey, Pakistan, Chile and Morocco have fewer people in the work force than their age peers in the non-immigrant population.

Women with Turkish backgrounds are the least linked to Norwegian working life.

In terms of income, Norwegian-born men with backgrounds from Vietnam, India and Pakistan often earn well, and many run their own businesses.

Norwegian-born men with Turkish or Moroccan backgrounds earn significantly less. The lowest wage earners are men with Chilean backgrounds.

Among Norwegian-born women, those with immigrant backgrounds from India and Vietnam earn the most, while women with backgrounds from Turkey and Chile earn the least.

Do both men and women work?
The available data is yielding steadily more information about marriage and cohabitation among the children of immigrants.

The rule among couples with Norwegian-born parents is that both partners tend to be employed. By contrast, Statistics Norway data shows considerable differences among adult children of immigrants in regards to whether both or just one partner works outside the home.

The lowest percentage of 25 to 40 year old couples with two working partners is found among Norwegian-born individuals with backgrounds from Turkey (53 per cent) and Pakistan (59 per cent). The highest percentage is among couples with backgrounds from India (86 per cent) and Vietnam (83 per cent).

Featured image is illustrative (Pexels)

Integration on hold in Norway: Immigrants face revocation of residence status

NordenBladet – “People have felt on solid ground, and now they’re having the rug pulled out from under them,” says researcher Jan-Paul Brekke. The threat of losing their residence permit can be perceived as such a great burden that it affects immigrants’ health and participation in Norwegian society, according to a new report. Most people still end up being allowed to stay in Norway.

Even after many years in Norway, an immigrant with legal residence status may receive notification that she could lose her right to stay.

This was the situation for Amina from Afghanistan, who suddenly received a letter stating that the authorities were considering revoking her residence permit. She was interviewed for the recently published Norwegian research project.

“I thought – are they just going to take my permit away without even asking me? Can they just do that? It was very scary and gave me a sickening feeling,” Amina said.

Tough experience
The letter from the authorities affects two groups. One group includes those who have a residence permit or citizenship that the authorities suspect was granted on a faulty basis – due to fraudulent or inadequate information.

The second group consists of refugees whose country of origin has sufficiently improved conditions, so that authorities consider it safe for the refugees to return.

Jan-Paul Brekke of the Norwegian Institute for Social Research led a project commissioned by the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) to study how the intensified review of residence permits and citizenship is affecting immigrant communities. The report was presented in June.

“It’s a tough experience. These are people who have a residence permit and then lose it. They feel like they’re having the rug pulled out from under them,” Brekke says.

Uncertainty may create health problems
The researchers interviewed 27 immigrants from Afghanistan and Somalia who have been affected in one way or another by the revocation of their right to live in Norway.

Individuals who received the letter don’t know whether they’ll be able to stay in the country or even when they will receive an answer. All they know is that the authorities are reviewing their case, and it’s taking a long time.

Some people find that the uncertainty and waiting time have caused them serious health problems.

One man says that the content of the letter was so stressful for one relative that the relative was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. The researchers have not verified this information.

“Some people receiving this notification are in a fragile situation from before. The uncertainty is undoubtedly contributing to their stress,” says Brekke.

Losing motivation
Immigrants also shared with the researchers that they are losing their motivation to build a future in Norway.

They ask themselves why they should bother to learn the language, work, or send their children to kindergarten if they could be sent home at any time.

Ayaan, a woman in her 30s from Somalia, has had a residence permit for seven years.

“I had the aim of completing primary school … and this has affected my capacity to concentrate … so that’s a pity. I had a dream to get a permanent job, but now I am less motivated to apply for a job … it’s hard. And I had ambitions about getting a driver’s license, but that’s difficult without a residence permit,” she says.

Now she is afraid of losing her permit, even though she hadn’t received a letter from the authorities as of her interview with the researchers.

Norwegian-Somalis with Norwegian citizenship had been citizens for an average of five to ten years when their cases were opened, according to statistics from the UDI from March 2017 to December 2018. Some have been citizens for over 20 years.

Cases involving revocation of citizenship were put on hold pending a political decision as to whether or not these cases should be dealt with by the courts in future.

During this period, about 2,500 Somali cases and 500 Afghan cases of all types were handled. Approximately every fourth case was finalized.

Of these, three out of four cases were dismissed.

The researchers estimate that for half of the Somalis, the processing time is at least 15 months. Most of them are eventually allowed to stay, sometimes even if the authorities conclude that their country of origin has become safe to return to.

“This may be because children have been in Norway for a long time or because we think that girls should not be sent back to Somalia because there is a risk of female genital mutilation,” says Hanne Jendal, director of UDI’s Asylum Department.

Risk of poorer integration
In the meantime, immigrants have lost valuable years as part of Norwegian society, the researchers believe.

“Integration is on hold. The cost for Norway is that we risk poorer integration for those who are affected,” says Brekke.

He believes the authorities must consider these costs against the current practices in regulating immigration.

The UDI has renewed temporary residence permits for people waiting to hear whether they need to leave because their country of origin has become safe, “so they can continue their life here even if they have the threat of cessation hanging over their heads – and I realize that’s a huge burden,” says Jendal.

She points out that reviewing cases for cessation when the situation in the home country has changed is a task the Asylum Department has been given.

Consequences of a strict policy
The process of revoking a residence permit is a result of tightening the asylum policy in the wake of 2015, the year when many refugees came to Norway.

“Now we’re seeing the consequences of a strict policy for those who are affected,” says Brekke.

The immigrants who were interviewed deal with the uncertainty in different ways. Some are trying to continue their everyday lives as normally as possible and just deal with the fear of being deported.

Others give up their long-term dreams for the future and focus on short-term planning.

Some prepare for everything while others are paralyzed and unable to prepare for anything.

Life put on hold
The researchers believe the long processing time is unfortunate.

Waiting for a response from the immigration authorities not only affects the person whose case is up for review. The UDI does not process applications from others in the family while one family member’s case is being considered. Many individuals’ lives are thus put on hold.

“The whole process grinds to a halt for both the individual and the other family members,” Brekke says.

Norwegian-Somalis are the group most affected by the revocation process.

“It’s easy to imagine the anxiety spreading among Somalis in Norway that any one of them could lose their residence permit,” he adds.

Improve communication
Since most immigrants end up being allowed to remain in Norway, Brekke wonders whether the authorities have set an unwieldy process in motion with little output at the other end.

“For a lot of people, the long wait is filled with uncertainty – and then nothing changes,” he says.

Brekke acknowledges that the authorities need to have a system to ensure that application information is correct. But, he says, they have to improve the system, make it faster and communicate better so people understand what they’re facing.

“We recognize that there are clearly areas where we need to improve,” says Jendal from UDI.

She says that the UDI takes the report recommendations seriously and is already working on improving the available information. Currently, the Directorate has had three informational meetings for individuals who have been notified that they may have to leave Norway.

She can’t promise that the case processing time will get shorter right away.

“Ideally, we’d like to be able to process these cases faster. But the caseload is enormous, and we have limited resources, which is regrettable,” says Jendal.

She won’t comment on whether she thinks politicians should increase resources to the Directorate in order to do the job faster. The report encourages such an increase.

The researchers also recommend that the authorities commit to deadlines so that immigrants at least know what they can expect during the review of their case and when they will be informed of the outcome.

“We are working hard to be clear with the users about how long they’ll have to wait to get an answer,” Jendal says.

___________________________________
Reference: Jan-Paul Brekke, Simon Roland Birkvad and Marta Bivand Erdal: Losing the Right to Stay. Revocation of immigrant residence permits and citizenship in Norway – Experiences and effects. Department of Social Research, report 2019: 9.


Featured image is illustrative. (Pexels)
Source: forskning.no

Three Islamic State group supporters were sentenced to death by a court in Morocco for murder of Scandinavian tourists

NordenBladet – Three Islamic State group supporters were sentenced to death by a court in Morocco on Thursday over the beheadings of two Scandinavian women on a hiking trip in the High Atlas Mountains.

The defendants had asked God for forgiveness during their final statements at a packed courtroom in Sale, near the capital Rabat, following an 11-week trial of 24 suspects. His expressionless face framed by a beard and a traditional kufi cap, alleged ringleader Abdessamad Ejjoud appealed to God to “forgive” him. The 25-year-old street vendor and underground imam has confessed to orchestrating the attack with two other radicalised Moroccans last December. He and two others admitted to killing 24-year-old Danish student Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and 28-year-old Norwegian Maren Ueland in murders that shocked the North African country. Prosecutors and social media users had called for the death penalty for all three, despite Morocco having a de facto freeze on executions since 1993. Younes Ouaziyad, a 27-year-old carpenter who admitted to beheading one of the tourists, also asked for “God’s forgiveness”. “There is no god but God,” said the third alleged assailant 33-year-old Rachid Afatti, who has admitted to filming the grisly murders on his mobile phone.

Journalists had gathered outside the anti-terrorist court ahead of the ruling. “We expect sentences that match the cruelty of the crime,” lawyer Khaled El Fataoui, speaking for Jespersen’s family, told AFP. Helle Petersen, her mother, in a letter read out in court last week, said: “The most just thing would be to give these beasts the death penalty they deserve.” Ueland’s family had declined to take part in the trial. The prosecution has called for jail terms of between 15 years and life for the 21 other defendants on trial since May 2. The court sentenced Kevin Zoller Guervos, a Spanish-Swiss convert to Islam, to 20 years for joining a “terrorist group”. The only non-Moroccan in the group, Guervos was accused of having taught the main suspects how to use an encrypted messaging service and to use weapons. His lawyer, Saad Sahli, said Guervos had cut all ties with the other suspects “once he knew they had extremist ideas” more than 18 months ago.

All but three of those on trial had said they were supporters of the Islamic State group, according to the prosecution, although IS itself has never claimed responsibility for the murders. The three killers of the women were “bloodthirsty monsters”, the prosecution said, pointing out that an autopsy report had found 23 injuries on Jespersen’s decapitated body and seven on that of Ueland. Ejjoud had confessed at a previous hearing to beheading one of the women and Ouaziyad the other while Afatti filmed. The defence team argued there were “mitigating circumstances on account of their precarious social conditions and psychological disequilibrium”. Coming from modest backgrounds, with a “very low” level of education, the defendants lived for the most part in low-income areas of Marrakesh. The court however ordered the three to pay 2 million dirhams ($200,000) in compensation to Ueland’s parents. Jespersen’s lawyers have accused authorities of failing to monitor the activities of some of the suspects before the murders. But the court rejected the Jespersen family’s request for 10 million dirhams in compensation from the Moroccan state for its “moral responsibility”.


Rachid Afatti (left), Ouziad Younes (centre), alleged mastermind Ejjoud Abdessamad (right) and Abdelrahim el-Khayali (not pictured) allegedly camped out in the High Atlas Mountains two days before the murders. Picture: Morocco Police

Read alos:
‘Mastermind’ of backpacker beheadings arrested: Abdessamad Ejjoud, Rachid Afatti and Younes Ouaziyad are three of the prime suspects in the murder of two Scandinavian hikers Maren Ueland and Louisa Vesterager Jespersen

Norway hesitates over Iran response

NordenBladet – The Norwegian government is still thinking over a request from the US for a military contribution towards boosting security in the waters off Iran. It won’t be easy for Norway to say “no,” but skepticism is running high and resistance is likely in Parliament.

Norway’s foreign and defense ministers recently confirmed the initial request from the US, where the Trump Administration is caught in a major conflict with the Iranian government. Recent attacks on oil tankers, including two controlled by Norwegian shipping interests, have heightened tensions in the area and involved Norway more directly.

Defense Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen confirmed in a carefully worded statement, which also has been recited by Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide, that the Norwegian government had “received a request from the US about a contribution to a means of strengthening security for shipping in the Straits of Hormuz.” Both went on to state that the Norwegian government is “positive to the US’ initiative,” but quickly added that there’s a “need for more information before we make an evaluation of any Norwegian contribution.”

Bakke-Jensen noted that there initially was no concrete information about what such a “mechanism for strengthening security for shipping” through Hormuz would entail. His statement, issued shortly after the NATO ministerial summit in Brussels two week ago, added that it was “therefore too early to say anything” about a Norwegian contribution, “but we will discuss this more closely with the US and other allies when there’s more clarity around the framework for a possible cooperation.”

US wants military escort coalition
Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) cited news bureau Reuters in reporting this week that the US is now proposing formation of a military coalition that would escort tankers through Hormuz. It still wasn’t clear whether any of the hard-pressed Norwegian Navy’s vessels will be sent to the highly strategic area around the Persian Gulf. The loss of one of Norway’s five frigates after a collision with a Norwegian tanker last fall has strained Norway’s naval defense capacity. Norway has also just committed one of its remaining four frigates, a submarine and fighter jets to the new NATO Readiness Initiative (NRI) that also was proposed by the US and aimed to boost NATO’s preparedness for any attack on a member nation.

Tensions, meanwhile, have continued to rise after the US blamed Iran for the recent attacks on commercial tankers and Iran responded by shooting down an American drone. The US wants to secure the important straits through which nearly a third of the world’s oil is transported.

With the Trump Administration known for going its own way, Bakke-Jensen noted that it was “positive” that the US was “taking the initiative” for a new international cooperation. He also noted that since Norway is a major maritime nation known for its large shipping industry, “we depend on free and secure navigation. We’re worried about the situation in the Gulf, and the consequences we have seen for shipping. It has rammed us directly.”

Foreign Minister Søreide has also said several times in recent weeks that she is “extremely worried” about the rising tensions between the US and Iran and the military escalation in the Gulf that’s already taking place after the US itself has sent naval vessels to the area.

Took part in earlier coalitions
Norway has contributed on earlier occasions to international coalitions aimed at securing maritime operations in international waters. In 2009, for example, Norway sent one of its then-new frigates to take part in anti-piracy efforts off Somalia. Now her US counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, has said he hopes at least 20 countries including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will take part in a new coalition at Hormuz.

NATO is also concerned about the conflict between Iran and Trump, who quickly and controversially pulled the US out of the international agreement over Iran’s nuclear program. Norway, along with its major European allies and Russia, had supported the agreement and contributed to it, still does, and was not happy when the Trump Administration reversed former US President Barack Obama’s support for the Iran Nuclear Deal and slapped new economic sanctions on Iran.

The Norwegian defense department reported that Iran was not an “official theme” at the recent ministerial meeting, but stated that it was “natural” that the “tense situation” in the Gulf was discussed. NATO has urged restraint among all involved, and wants NATO members to “avoid any further escalation” even as the US wants NATO allies to contribute to security.

Explore Estonian Culture

NordenBladet – Estonia has a rich cultural heritage of folk song and dance, colourful handicrafts, wooden saunas and rustic food. Experience the traditional and modern sides of Estonian culture first hand at these markets, workshops, museums and festivals.

Historical traditions
Estonia has had its own distinct culture for thousands of years. In medieval times, the streets of Tallinn were buzzing with merchants, conducting trade to the far corners of Europe. Check out the Bastion Passages and Tallinn City Museum to see how life in old Tallinn was. Rakvere, Kuressaare and Narva also have fortresses the whole family will love. For an even more ancient tradition, visit a wood sauna like at Saunaküla (Sauna Village), where you can cleanse your body and mind like Estonians have for centuries.

Expressive song and dance
Estonia has one of the largest known repertoires of folk songs in the world. They demonstrate the poetic and age-old beauty of the Estonian language and are often accompanied by dances. The Tallinn Song Festival is the ultimate place to hear Estonian folk choirs, but is held only once very five years. Check out the Song and Dance Celebration 2019 or any of the annual song and dance festivals taking place all over Estonia. Another example of Estonian folklore is Kalevipoeg, Estonia’s national epic, which tells the story of a young man who battles foes and becomes King of Estonia. Visit to the Kalevipoeg Museum to learn about the tale and its connections to real places in Estonia.

Hands-on handicrafts
The Estonian aesthetic is vibrant, yet earthy and practical and can be seen in all kinds of crafts, from woodwork to textiles. Estonian national clothes are made of a striped, woven wool and colour combinations are indicative of the county, while baskets To try making your own creations, attend a workshop at the Estonian Open Air Museum or Avinurme ‘Way Of Life’ Centre. At the Maarja Magdalena Guild in Pärnu you can attend workshops or buy pieces from local artists. The Estonian Applied Art and Design Museum showcases modern items from Estonian designers where traditional influence is apparent.

Featured image: Hand made ceramic soap holder made by Estonian journalist, painter and ceramic Helena-Reet Ennet (ElishevaShoshana.com)
Source: VisitEstonia.com

Eco-friendly Scandinavian blogger praises the dandelion, widely spread in the Nordic countries, for its great might

NordenBladet – During the weekend the weather was wonderful and since dandelions have already opened their beautiful yellow blossoms I decided to go and gather them. The dandelion is a herb with might and I gather them every year, reveals Helena-Reet Ennet in her ElishevaShoshana.com handicraft and lifestyle blog.

I use dandelions in meals of salad (roots, leaves, stems, blossoms) and I collect and dry the buds to prepare from them tasty herbal tea during the winter. Besides, I prepare soap from the extract and dried herbs of dandelions.

Our E&S handmade Goat milk and Dandelion soap is a madly popular hit product, especially among people with sensitive skin. Read about the product HERE. I gather dandelions from the clean fields of Estonia and Sweden, away from urban pollution, the majority stems from my own land. I like to know that the herb has been collected from clean and pure nature, from the non-polluted land.

I am completely anti-insect repellent. The dandelion nurtures and pampers the skin and besides it is also a helpful against parasites. Therefore it is efficient as antiseptic agent – the hands become clean with the help of nature! Vitamins A, B6, B12 and E that are found in goat milk have shown great results in the rejuvenation of skin cells and the treatment of acne.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxWxnSVnWwG/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxWyzT6nayG/

Photos: ElishevaShoshana.com/Helena-Reet Ennet
Source: NordenBladet.fi

12-YEAR-OLD Estonian violinist Estella Elisheva gives two concerts in Japan

NordenBladet – The sixth grade pupil of Tallinn Jewish School, studying violin as her specialty in Saku Music School, Estella Elisheva (12) gives two violin concerts in Japan. For several occasions having been selected as Estonia’s best junior violinist, Estella Elisheva will be travelling to Japan in August.

“Being a delegate to represent Estonia in Japan is a major honor for me,” says the girl to NordenBladet.ee and continues that the repertoire will be selected from Estonian authors’ work together with her supervisor. Especially for the Japan tour, a folklore band of two girls will be summoned. Estella Elisheva (violin) and Sandra Sulin (Estonian zither). The project is funded by the local municipality in Japan.


Estella Elisheva (Foto: NordenBladet/ Helena-Reet Ennet)

Sandra (vasakul) ja Estella Elisheva (Foto: NordenBladet/ Helena-Reet Ennet)


Sandra kandlega (vasakul) ja viiuldaja Estella Elisheva (Foto: NordenBladet/ Helena-Reet Ennet)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwpGdkcB3V4/

Source: Ohmygossip.ee

58 QUOTES to Inspire Success in Your Life and Business

NordenBladet – What is success? There are many definitions, but there’s one thing all the greats agree on: Success only comes by persevering despite failure. Here are 58 quotes to inspire you to succeed in the face of failures, setbacks, and barriers.

1. “Rich people have an action mentality… while average people have a lottery mentality.”

— Helena-Reet Ennet

2. “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.”

— Herman Melville

3. “The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same.”

— Colin R. Davis

4. “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”

— Henry David Thoreau

5. “Let no one discourage your ambitious attitude. Be your own motivation, be passionate and bold!”

— Estella Elisheva

6. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.”

–John D. Rockefeller

7. “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”

— Thomas Jefferson

8. “There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.”

— Ray Goforth

9. “Remember, the wealthy focus on earning! In the minds of millionaires, leverage is everything.”

— Helena-Reet Ennet

10. “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.”

— Albert Einstein

11. “Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”

— Winston Churchill

12. “Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion.”

— Tony Hsieh

13. “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

— Winston Churchill

14. “I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.”

— G. K. Chesterton

15. “Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really: Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, so go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success.”

— Thomas J. Watson

16. “If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.”

– Jim Rohn

17. “The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.”

— Anonymous

18. “Do one thing every day that scares you.”

— Anonymous

19. “All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.”

— Michael John Bobak

20. “People who succeed have momentum. The more they succeed, the more they want to succeed, and the more they find a way to succeed. Similarly, when someone is failing, the tendency is to get on a downward spiral that can even become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

— Tony Robbins

21. “Don’t let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning.”

— Robert Kiyosaki

22. “If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.”

— Steve Jobs

23. “The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.”

— Barack Obama

24. “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

25. “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

— Helen Keller

26. “Happiness is a mindset as quality is a result of excellence, best ingredients and high standards . When you mix happiness with high quality you’ ll create a unique formula of success, healthy lifestyle and ultimate satisfaction!”

— Ivanka Shoshana

27. “The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.”

— Bruce Lee

28. “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

— Colin Powell

29. “Creativity is critical to financial success! The rich know their most valuable asset is their ability to think, and because they use their mental powers so often, they become very good at it. Build your thinking muscles by pushing yourself every day to solve new problems that are directly related to amassing wealth.”

— Helena-Reet Ennet

30. “If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

— Jim Rohn

31. “I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure–It is: Try to please everybody.”

— Herbert Bayard Swope

32. “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

— Albert Schweitzer

33. “Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life; it’s about what you inspire others to do.”

— Unknown

34. “Fall seven times and stand up eight.”

— Japanese Proverb

35. “Some people dream of success while others wake up and work.”

— Unknown

36. “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

— Walt Disney

37. “The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.”

— Unknown

38. “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that other throw at him.”

— David Brinkley

39. “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”

— Bill Cosby

40. “In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can.”

— Nikos Kazantzakis

41. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

— Thomas Edison

42. “Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember–the only taste of success some people get is to take a bite out of you.”

— Zig Ziglar

43. “The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well.”

— John D. Rockefeller Jr.

44. “You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job, and not be paid for it.”

— Oprah Winfrey

45. “There is a powerful driving force inside every human being that, once unleashed, can make any vision, dream, or desire a reality.”

— Anthony Robbins

46. “The secret to success is to know something nobody else knows.”

— Aristotle Onassis

47. “I failed my way to success.”

— Thomas Edison

48. “I never dreamed about success, I worked for it.”

— Estee Lauder

49. “It´s not about the ideas. It´s about making the ideas HAPPEN! Follow your dreams!”

Estella Elisheva

50. “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

— Vidal Sassoon

51. “Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.”

— Charles F. Kettering

52. “Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.”

— Chris Grosser

53. “I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come indirectly through accident, except the phonograph. No, when I have fully decided that a result is worth getting, I go about it, and make trial after trial, until it comes.”

— Thomas Edison

54. “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

— Walt Disney

55. “Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier; wish you were better.”

— Jim Rohn

56. “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.”

— Conrad Hilton

57. “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

— Winston S. Churchill

58. “When becoming a billionaire is your priority number one then what would be your priority number two? Correct, there is none! You must understand one thing – there is no such thing in the world as a free lunch – as few as 0,0000272% of the world population are billionaires and this mean you would need to sacrifice something.”

— Helena-Reet Ennet

What’s your favorite success quote?

Featured image: 12-year old enrepreneur, violinist and Scandinavian teen influencer Estella Elisheva (NordenBladet)