quotation: If you fell down yesterday, stand up today. H.G. Wells

If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.

H.G. Wells (1866-1946) Discuss

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First Womb Transplant Baby

Last month, a woman in Sweden gave birth to the world’s first child born via a transplanted womb. The 36-year-old first-time mother had been born without a uterus and received a donor womb from a 61-year-old, postmenopausal friend. A year after the transplant, doctors implanted an embryo, resulting in a successful pregnancy. The baby was born premature at about 32 weeks, weighing just 3.9 lb (1.8 kg), but both he and his mother are said to be doing well. More… Discuss

News: Norway Best Country for Older People

Norway Best Country for Older People

Growing old is never easy, but for some it is easier than others, and where they live has a lot to do with it. An index evaluating the quality of life of older adults in 96 countries around the globe has ranked Norway the best country in the world for older people, followed closely by Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and Germany. Australia, Western Europe, and North America also rank high on the list. The index weighs factors such as income security, health, personal capability, and whether the elderly live in an “enabling environment.” More… Discuss

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this day in the yesteryear: Treaty of Fredrikshamn Signed (1809)

Treaty of Fredrikshamn Signed (1809)

In the 17th century, Sweden was a major European power and controlled most of the Baltic coast. However, its expansion in the Baltic Sea coastlands antagonized Russia, Denmark-Norway, and Saxony-Poland, which formed an anti-Swedish coalition. The resultant Great Northern War cost Sweden much of its territory and marked the emergence of Russia as a major power. After Russia and Sweden clashed again in the 19th century, the 1809 Treaty of Fredrikshamn forced Sweden to cede all of what country? More… Discuss

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this day in the yesteryear: Anna Lindh, Swedish Politician, Stabbed (2003)

Anna Lindh, Swedish Politician, Stabbed (2003)

Lindh was a Swedish Social Democrat and an important proponent of the European Union. At the time of her murder, she was a prime candidate to become the next leader of the Social Democrats and prime minister of Sweden. On September 10, 2003, she was brutally attacked while shopping in a department store. The assault came just before a Swedish referendum on the Euro, while Lindh was intensely involved in a public campaign for the approval of the currency. When was her murderer caught? More… Discuss

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today’s birthday: Christian III of Denmark and Norway (1503)

Christian III of Denmark and Norway (1503)

Christian III was king of Denmark and Norway from 1534 to 1559. Early in his reign, he allied with Sweden to defeat the German city of Lübeck, which had invaded Denmark in an attempt to reinstate the deposed Christian II. That victory broke the power of the Hanseatic League and made the Danish fleet supreme in northern waters. As ruler, Christian established Lutheranism in Denmark and laid the foundation for the absolutist Danish monarchy of the 17th century. On what holiday did Christian die? More… Discuss

this day in the yesteryear: Sweden Defeated at the Battle of Poltava (1709)

Sweden Defeated at the Battle of Poltava (1709)

During the Great Northern War, neighboring countries sought to break Swedish supremacy in the Baltic area. Its most famous battle is likely the Battle of Poltava, which occurred after Charles XII of Sweden invaded Ukraine and—lacking reinforcements and seeking a stronghold—laid siege to Poltava. When the battle began, 45,000 Russian troops faced just 14,000 Swedish soldiers. The Russian victory effectively ended Sweden’s role as a major power. What did the Russians do with the Swedish prisoners? More… Discuss

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this pressed: Dan Munro – The Healthcare Compass – Forbes (the true face of healthcare for profit)

Dan Munro – The Healthcare Compass – Forbes.

Healthy lives: The U.S. ranks last overall with poor scores on all three indicators of healthy lives — mortality amenable to medical care, infant mortality, and healthy life expectancy at age 60. Overall, France, Sweden, and Switzerland rank highest on healthy lives.

Perhaps the biggest single takeaway was this one:

The most notable way the U.S. differs from other industrialized countries is the absence of universal health insurance coverage. Other nations ensure the accessibility of care through universal health systems and through better ties between patients and the physician practices that serve as their medical homes. The Commonwealth Fund “Mirror, Mirror On The Wall — 2014 Update” 

Unfortunately, many still equate “universal healthcare” with “Government run” or “single payer” healthcare. It isn’t (Universal Coverage Is Not “Single Payer” Healthcare — here).

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health and environment: Recession Responsible for 10,000 Suicides

Recession Responsible for 10,000 Suicides

Researchers are attributing an uptick in suicides in North America and Europe to the recent economic crisis. An analysis of data from 24 European countries, the US, and Canada attributes 10,000 suicides to the recession. It is perhaps not surprising that unemployment, losing one’s home, or being in debt drives some to take their own lives, but it is interesting to note that this is not the case everywhere. Austria, Sweden, and Finland showed no increase in suicides. All three invest in programs that help people return to work, suggesting that there are ways to mitigate the psychological burden brought on by economic troubles. More…

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ARTICLE: AICE HOTELS

Ice Hotels

Ice hotels are temporary buildings made entirely out of snow and sculpted ice. They are built each year in the coldest regions of the world as a way to attract vacationers, who pay for the privilege of spending a night surrounded by ice in near-freezing temperatures, dining on ice tables, drinking from ice glasses, sitting on ice chairs, and sleeping on ice beds. The world’s first ice hotel was built in Sweden in 1990, but it was not originally intended for that purpose. What was it meant for? More… Discuss

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY: INGVAR KAMPRAD (1926)

Ingvar Kamprad (1926)

As a boy, Kamprad showed a knack for business by buying matches in bulk and reselling them individually for profit. He grew up to establish home furnishing retail chain IKEA in 1943. In 1956, he debuted flat-boxed furniture, a revolutionary decision that enabled his company to bypass warehousing with in-store inventory and allowed customers to transport products easily. The first two letters of the acronym IKEA comes from Kamprad’s initials, I.K. What do the letters E and A stand for? More…Discuss

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TODAY’S BIRTHDAY: ZARAH LEANDER (1907)

Zarah Leander (1907)

Leander was a Swedish actress and singer. As a contracted performer with Germany‘s principal film studio, Leander made a number of successful films that contributed to the Third Reich‘s propaganda. Though Leander did not take part in official Nazi party functions, her association with Nazism caused her to be shunned in Sweden after the war. She resumed acting but never regained the popularity she had enjoyed before. Why did Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels dub her an “Enemy of Germany”? More… Discuss

 

WORD: BAREFACED

barefaced 

Definition:	(adjective) With no effort to conceal.
Synonyms:	bald
Usage:	They attacked him in various ways—with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all. Discuss

 

Great Compositions/Performances: Valentina Lisitsa: Live from Sweden: Dress rehearsal Rachmaninoff Concerto #2 (NORRKÖPINGS SYMFONIORKESTER – Michael Francis conducting)

English: Pianist Valentina Lisitsa during an interview in Leiden, Netherlands Deutsch: Pianistin Valentina Lisitsa während eines Interviews in Leiden, Holland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

***Great Compositions/Performances:
     Valentina Lisitsa: Live from Sweden: Dress rehearsal Rachmaninoff Concerto #2 (NORRKÖPINGS SYMFONIORKESTER – Michael Francis conducting)

 

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SÀMI NATIONAL HOLIDAY

The Sàmi people are indigenous to the arctic area of theNordic countries. February 6 is recognized as Sàmi National Holiday in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. This day is full of activities that celebrate the Sàmi culture. First celebrated in 1993, it has become a popular event and a time for the indigenous Sàmi people to celebrate their cultural identity. More…Discuss

 

NEWS: STUDY TIES CORPORAL PUNISHMENT TO BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN KIDS

Study Ties Corporal Punishment to Behavior Problems in Kids

Corporal punishment has fallen out of favor in much of the industrialized world, as scientific evidence regarding the negative psychological effects of such disciplinary measures has mounted. There are those, however, who believe that physical punishment is less harmful or even beneficial in cultures where it is still deemed acceptable. To study this, researchers went to Tanzania, where corporal punishment by parents and teachers remains the norm. Nearly all of the children they interviewed had experienced physical punishment, and this was correlated with increased incidence of externalizing problems like aggression, hyperactivity, and reduced empathy.More… Discuss

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TODAY’S HOLIDAY: ST. KNUT’S DAY

St. Knut’s Day

The feast day of King Canute (or Knut), who ruled Denmark, England, and Norway in the 11th century, marks the end of the Yuletide season in Sweden. Rather than letting the holidays fade quietly, Swedish families throughout the country hold parties to celebrate the final lighting (and subsequent dismantling) of the Christmas tree. After letting the children eat the cookies and candies used to decorate the tree, and after packing the ornaments away in their boxes, it is customary to hurl the tree through an open window. More…

 

BEDŘICH SMETANA – VLTAVA

Bedřich Smetana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  

“Smetana” redirects here. For other uses, see Smetana (disambiguation).

Portrait of Bedřich Smetana

Bedřich Smetana (Czech pronunciation: [ˈbɛdr̝ɪx ˈsmɛtana] ( listen); 2 March 1824 – 12 May 1884) was a Czech composer who pioneered the development of a musical style which became closely identified with his country’s aspirations to independent statehood. He is thus widely regarded in his homeland as the father of Czech music. Internationally he is best known for his opera The Bartered Bride, for the symphonic cycle Má vlast (“My Fatherland”), which portrays the history, legends and landscape of the composer’s native land, and for his First String Quartet From My Life.

Valentina in Norrköping – drinking coffee, talking pianos, playing Rachmaninoff…

Short video report about my concert last week with Norrköping Symphony Orchestra . We do more Rachmaninoff this season eith them – #2 and #3 with a run-out in Stockholm. The schedule here :http://www.norrkopingssymfoniorkester…

 

Today’s Birthday: Ansgar (801 CE)

Ansgar (801 CE)

The patron saint of Scandinavia, Ansgar was a missionary and the first archbishop of Hamburg. He was sent by Louis I to help King Harald Christianize Denmark and King Bjorn Christianize Sweden. He initiated a mission to all Scandinavians and Slavs and was appointed archbishop of Hamburg in 832. When Sweden and Denmark returned to paganism by 845, Ansgar thwarted the pagan rebellion. He was recognized as a saint soon after his death. Ansgar is often called the Apostle of what? More… Discuss