Thursday, June 5, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Woman and dog found in Norwegian Viking grave

Published 3 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The grave was only about 30 centimeters below the surface, near a garage.
2 minute read

Archaeologists in Norway have uncovered the grave of a woman buried alongside a dog in a Viking-era boat burial. The woman is believed to have been a person of importance, as boat graves were a sign of high status during the Viking Age.

Norwegian hobbyists Stig Rune Johannessen and Nils Arne Solvold were out with their metal detectors about two years ago in a field in southeastern Norway when they discovered two oval brooches – common during the Viking Age – along with bone fragments. When archaeologists later examined the site, they dated the brooches to between 900 and 950 AD. Excavation of the grave began last week, confirming it to be a Viking boat burial.

Although the boat was poorly preserved, archaeologists determined it had been about 5.4 meters long. In the center of the boat were the remains of a woman, and at her feet lay the skeleton of a dog.

Whether it was a pet or served a practical function, we’re not entirely sure yet. But one can imagine that it was an animal of significance to her in life, Anja Roth Niemi, researcher and head of the department of administrative archaeology at the Arctic University Museum of Norway, told the Norwegian state broadcaster NRK.

The woman was buried with a number of grave goods: an iron sickle, a slate whetstone, a possible bronze earring, two disc-shaped beads that may be amber, and what appears to be a weaving sword made from whale bone.

A Unique Find

The grave was just 30 centimeters below the surface, near a garage. It was a so-called flat-ground grave, meaning it lacked a burial mound, which was more typical in Viking times. These types of graves are particularly valuable to researchers because they are often undisturbed.

Flat-ground graves are quite exciting because they often escape notice, as they’re not visible on the surface, Niemi explained.

The next step is to analyze the remains to learn more about the woman’s life, her health, and the society she lived in. Researchers also hope to identify the breed of dog buried with her and determine how it died. However, archaeologists are fairly confident that the woman belonged to the upper ranks of society.

Being buried in a boat alone suggests she was a special person. And the grave goods indicate she held fairly high status – at least locally, and possibly regionally, Niemi said.

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Porn giant may leave France

Published today 7:09
– By Editorial Staff
Pornhub has long been marred by scandal and has long been a platform for abuse material and child pornography.
2 minute read

The Canadian porn conglomerate Aylo, which owns pornographic sites such as Pornhub, RedTube, and YouPorn, has blocked access to its platforms in France.

The decision is a protest against a new French law that requires porn sites to implement age verification to protect minors from inappropriate and harmful content.

The so-called SREN law was passed in 2023 and gives sites until Saturday to implement a functioning age verification system. If the requirements are not met, the French media authority Arcom can decide to block access and impose fines.

Aylo announced that access to its platforms in France will be blocked starting today, Wednesday, and at the same time condemns the French government’s efforts.

I can confirm that Aylo has made the difficult decision to suspend access to its user-uploaded platforms (Pornhub, YouPorn, RedTube) in France. We will be using our platforms to directly address the French public”, commented a spokesperson for Pornhub.

Rabbi and lawyer Solomon Friedman claims he wants to make the porn industry more “ethical”. Photo: facsimile/Valuetainment/X

“Au revoir”

– It’s a matter of putting our values first, and that means communicating directly with the French people to tell them what their government is refusing to tell them, claimed Rabbi Solomon Friedman, partner at Ethical Capital Partners, which owns Aylo, in a brief press release on Tuesday.

He rejected the law, describing it as “ineffective”, “dangerous”, and “potentially privacy-infringing”, and referred to a message that Aylo’s platforms will display to French users starting Wednesday.

However, France’s Minister for Gender Equality, Aurore Bergé, took the porn giant’s complaints very lightly, responding to the announcement by writing “au revoir” (thank you and goodbye) on X, adding that “There will be less violent, degrading and humiliating content accessible to minors in France”.

If Aylo would rather leave France than apply our laws, they are free to do so”, commented Clara Chappaz, France’s deputy minister for artificial intelligence and digital technology.

Investigating four sites

At the same time, EU regulators announced last week that they are investigating four major porn sites, including Pornhub, for suspected violations of EU rules on digital content. The rules require, among other things, that children be protected from pornographic material through effective age verification systems.

The European Commission also states that it has initiated formal proceedings against Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

Aylo has stated that it is aware of the investigation and claims that it is “fully committed” to ensuring the safety of children online.

Pornhub has been the subject of widespread criticism for several years. The site has been accused of allowing videos to be uploaded without sufficient checks on the age, identity or consent of the participants. Several people have testified that videos showing sexual abuse of them, sometimes when they were minors, were posted without their knowledge.

An investigation by The New York Times in 2020 found that the site hosted material that could be classified as child pornography. In the wake of the revelations, payment giants Visa and Mastercard chose to temporarily stop transactions to the platform. Pornhub has since introduced some changes, including restricting uploads to verified accounts and deleting millions of videos.

Much of the criticism remains, however, as many believe Pornhub still lacks sufficient transparency into how material is uploaded and distributed on the platform. In particular, critics point out that there are still no clear systems in place to ensure that all content is consensual and that minors do not appear in the material.

Art as power: The Milan family’s vision to change the world

Eli and her family not only runs one of the world's largest online art schools – they have started a whole movement. The Nordic Times visited her at Milan Art Gallery in Florida.

Published yesterday 19:48
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3 minute read

In Florida, an artistic family has created something that goes far beyond traditional art education. The Milan family not only runs one of the world’s largest online art schools – they have started a whole movement.

It all started with a love that blossomed in high school. Elli and John Milan met as teenagers and continued their art studies together at the Savannah College of Art and Design. After graduating, they sold their work in galleries for over a decade, building up both their technique and their understanding of the forces at work in the art market.

But in 2010, Elli felt a strong inner calling. Together with John, she founded the Milan Art Institute – not just to teach painting techniques, but to spread a vision of art as hope, beauty and social renewal.

From studio to global platform

What began as physical workshops in Georgia and Arizona has grown into a digital platform that reaches artists in 119 countries. Over 44,000 students have taken the institute’s courses, from basic techniques to the comprehensive ‘Mastery Programme’ – a twelve-month course that combines artistic development with business skills.

John Milan, known for his ‘More is More’ philosophy that defies the ideals of minimalism, teaches everything from expressive brushwork to painting on motorcycles and furniture. His surrealist style is characterised by strong colours and humorous elements that demonstrate the boundlessness of art.

Elli works with abstract realism and collage techniques, where layers of oil and acrylic create works that almost glow from within. Her organic forms move between the figurative and the abstract, imbued with a spirituality that makes the viewer dream away.

‘What I really want people to take away when they see my artwork is that they feel like they’re in another world,’ says Elli Milan. ‘I want people to feel empowered and feel that anything is possible and that dreams are worth dreaming.’

The family is now based in Sarasota, Florida, where they run both the Milan Art Studio and the Milan Art Gallery – physical meeting places that complement their digital teaching.

A whole generation of artists

What makes the Milan Art Institute unique is that it really is a family business. All four children – Dimitra, Dafni, Dalia and Constantino – grew up in the studio and became prominent artists themselves.

Dimitra made her breakthrough at the age of 15 with her first solo exhibition and had sold over a million dollars’ worth of art before she turned 16. Her surrealist works featuring animals, flowers and strong female figures are inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Greek mythology and Marc Chagall, among others.

‘I hope that people see beauty when they see my artwork. I hope they see themselves,’ says Dimitra. ‘I want the paintings to be like a door to a new world, a paradise where there are no obstacles, only beauty, hope, adventure, self-confidence and, of course, love.’

Sister Dafni began selling professionally at the age of 13 and works with powerful mixed media pieces that explore freedom and authenticity. Dalia focuses on female strength through bold compositions, while youngest son Constantino combines classical techniques with spirituality in his oil paintings and goldsmith work.

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Success spanning continents

The institute’s influence is clearly visible in the success of its alumni. Ritika Vicari exhibits at international galleries in Dubai. Bojana Jovanović won first prize in a Mastery Contest and subsequently established herself professionally in both the United States and Europe. Casey Wakefield grew from a shop assistant to a full-time artist, while Stephanie Linden now runs her own studio in California.

What began as a family dream has become a global movement. Through podcasts, articles and thousands of video-recorded lessons, the Milan Art Institute reaches artists on every continent. Their message is simple but powerful: art can change both the creator and the viewer.

Malin and Eli Milan. Photo: The Nordic Times

At a time when many are questioning the role of art in society, the Milan family offers an answer that is as practical as it is poetic. Art is not just decoration or expression – it is a force that can transform the world, one person at a time.

For the Milan family, it’s not just about teaching techniques. It’s about inspiring dreams, transforming pain into creativity and ushering in a new era of artistic renewal. A vision that, judging by their global reach, is beginning to become a reality.

 

Malin Sellergren

The Faroe Islands’ grand celebration

The popular national day celebration Ólavsøka brings the Faroese together for a colorful celebration in the capital Tórshavn, a tradition that goes back a thousand years.

Published 1 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
3 minute read

The Faroe Islands consist of 18 small islands, mostly bordered by high mountains and narrow fjords in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland, Norway and Iceland, with a population of around 55 000. Faroese is a unique little Nordic language, descended directly from the Old Norse spoken by the Norse who settled the islands 1200 years ago. Formally part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the islands have been granted considerable autonomy. Fishing is a key part of the trade, with seafood exported to all six continents.

Góða Ólavsøku!

Centuries of relative isolation have resulted in the preservation of long-standing traditions that still characterize life in the Faroe Islands. One strong tradition is the national day celebrated on July 28 and 29, known as Ólavsøka.

The holiday is held in memory of the Norwegian king Olaf Haraldsson II, who died in the Battle of Stiklestad in Norway in 1030 and was later canonized as the patron saint of Norway. In Norway, a similar celebration called Olsok Day is also observed on July 29.

The death of the Norwegian king is believed to have contributed to the Christianization of Norway and thereby also the Faroe Islands, which during the Middle Ages were part of the Kingdom of Norway. The tradition of celebrating Olsok, still observed in Norway, has also lived on in the Faroe Islands and is today the nation’s national day.

The celebration of Ólavsøka thus stretches back about a thousand years, but in its current form, it has been observed since 1920.

A popular festival

Ólavsøka is celebrated with a large public festival lasting two days, during which residents often gather in the capital, Tórshavn. Men, women, and children frequently wear Faroese national costumes, known as føroyski tjóðbúnin, for the celebration. It is the largest summer festival of the year.

The opening ceremony is often described as both colorful and highly traditional. In a procession, athletes from local clubs, politicians, musicians, and riders march through the streets of the city accompanied by a brass band. Outside the parliament building, Ólavsøka is then officially opened with speeches and musical performances.

During these days, the streets of Tórshavn are filled with people of all ages. The joyful atmosphere is palpable as old friends reunite, families spend time together, and strangers meet.

900-year-old tradition

The Faroese Parliament dates back to the 9th century, making it one of the oldest parliaments in the world. In Viking times, for example, it was the highest authority on the islands.

The opening of the Parliament, which takes place on July 29, is a very long tradition that goes back over 900 years. Among other things, it is documented in the Sheep Letter, which is the oldest legal document in the Faroe Islands, dating back to 1298.

The Føroya løgting opens at 11 a.m. when members of parliament, government ministers, priests of the National Church of the Faroe Islands and other public officials walk in procession to Tórshavn Cathedral where a service is held. After the service, the procession goes to the parliament building where there are choral and musical performances.

At the formal opening of Parliament, the Prime Minister (Løgmaður) delivers his annual address to Parliament and the Faroese nation. The opening of Parliament is considered an important part of Ólavsøka and reflects the ancient connection between Parliament and the Church.

Kvaddans and Midnight Singing

During the celebration, there are art exhibitions, concerts, and other cultural highlights in the Faroese spirit. One tradition is the so-called kvaddans, where participants hold hands and dance in a long chain or circle. It is a traditional Faroese dance dating back to the Middle Ages, where participants sing old narrative ballads – kvæði, an old word for song. In Sweden, the dance is known as ballad dance.

The Faroe Islands’ national sport is sea rowing, and the final of the national rowing competition is also held during Ólavsøka, one of the highlights of Faroese sports.

Local specialties such as skerpikjøt (dried mutton) and aquavit as a welcome drink are often served, and restaurants stay open late.

An important part of the celebration is also Midnáttarsangurin, which translates to “the midnight song”. It takes place at midnight between July 28 and 29 in Tórshavn, where Faroese people gather at the town square near the parliament to sing together. Both old and new Faroese songs and ballads are sung, and kvaddans is danced here as well.

WakeUpTV aims to challenge the Nordic establishment media

Published 29 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
According to Oddane, the focus of the TV house will be on news and social programs as well as investigative documentaries and interviews.
3 minute read

The creators behind the WakeUpGlobe channel, the Nordic network WakeUpFriends, and the WakeUpConference announce that they are planning to build a new Nordic television network focused on “truth and awareness”.

The stated goal is extremely ambitious – they say they want to seriously challenge and offer an alternative to the major Nordic TV companies with their millions of viewers.

It’s time to build a new Nordic TV house under the WakeUpTV brand that can seriously challenge the big Nordic commercial and state-owned players, such as SVT, TV4, DR in Denmark, and NRK in Norway”, says founder Michael Oddane in a press release.

With WakeUpTV, we want to take everything to a whole new level, where we will operate in professional TV studios on a par with the major TV houses in an environment where the masses feel at home”, he continues.

According to Oddane, hundreds of millions of people around the world have lost confidence in the narratives broadcast by traditional channels and are instead looking for new alternatives.

We will create truth-focused and life-affirming TV that will both be a force for changing society for the better and help people develop both personally and spiritually”, he says.

“Traditional media obscures and distorts”

The plans began five years ago, and the property where the TV station will be built is located in a scenic area outside Lund. Two large TV studios, control rooms, and offices will be built on the property.

Initially, the TV station will have five permanent employees, and various external presenters will be brought in for different projects. It will launch its own streaming service but will also broadcast much of its content via social media to achieve the widest possible reach.

Our focus will, as always, be on uncovering the truth about what is happening in the world and sharing knowledge about personal and spiritual development. It is quite obvious that traditional media both obscures and distorts the truth, contrary to the mission they claim to have. They seem to operate largely according to the wishes of those in power and have lost their function as the third estate. Even spiritual and personal development seem to fall outside the scope of public service and commercial television, which is highly remarkable”, Oddane continues.

Holistic health and alternative medicine

WakeUpTV will also focus on areas such as holistic health, alternative medicine, and treatments – but not on sports or pure entertainment programs.

There will be news-related and socially oriented programs, investigative documentaries, and interviews. There are also plans for debate programs and talk shows with live audiences and, as I said, a separate section where we will share knowledge about spiritual and personal development together with a large number of Nordic actors. Everything will be packaged with high production values”.

Oddane is now trying to attract investors – both micro-investors and those who are willing to invest larger sums. However, it is currently unclear when the TV station is expected to be ready and start broadcasting programs.

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