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Polaris of Enlightenment

Friday, January 24, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/survey-reveals-varied-impact-of-mental-health-problems-on-work-performance/

The Nordics

Survey reveals varied impact of mental health problems on work performance

Published 16 June 2023
– By Editorial Staff
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The new Nordic Health Report 2023, conducted by Kantor Sifo on behalf of the insurance company If, looks at the differences in mental health between Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.

The survey, in which 4,032 people in the Nordic countries participated, revealed a difference between the countries in how mental health affects their work.

In Denmark, mental health was found to affect work more than in other countries, although Danes are generally less stressed than other Nordic citizens. Sweden is lower than both Denmark and Norway in terms of the impact of mental health on work, but as many as four out of ten Swedes say that mental health has at some point had a negative impact on their ability to work, although less then a fifth of them had raised the issue with their manager. The survey also shows that women in particular suffer from stress, which is more evident in Sweden than in other countries.

In Denmark, 21 percent turn to their managers when they experience mental health problems. In Sweden the figure is 18 percent, in Norway 15 percent and in Finland as little as 9 percent. 37 percent of Swedes turn to health care when they feel mentally unwell, while around 46 percent in Norway and Denmark seek care. In Finland, most people, 61%, seek help when they have mental health problems. Overall, one in four do not seek help at all in the Nordic region.

An interesting detail is that in Finland, higher income appears to be associated with lower levels of mental health problems, a relationship not seen in any of the other countries surveyed.

If’s Nordic health strategist Kristina Ström Olsson believes that employers have a responsibility to minimize the risk of mental illness through, among other things, the right procedures and places for support and discussion.

– By having the right procedures in place as an employer and at a managerial level, leaving room for support and discussion, it is possible to prevent mental illness. The employer needs to work systematically with the social and organizational work environment. Then, of course, it is possible to influence some things yourself, by reviewing your life situation both privately and at work, she says.

Of those surveyed, 46% believe that a lack of balance between leisure and working life is the main source of stress.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/finland/finnish-security-service-severed-sea-cables-likely-accidental/

Finland

Finnish security service: Severed sea cables likely accidental

The new cold war

Published yesterday 22:48
– By Editorial Staff
The seized tanker Eagle S.
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Finnish authorities are expected to conclude shortly the preliminary investigation against the tanker Eagle S, accused of causing damage to the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia, as well as to several telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea.

Suspicions were initially directed at the Eagle S, which was alleged to have deliberately dragged its anchor along the seabed, thereby damaging the cables.

Finnish authorities boarded the vessel and started questioning the crew. However, Customs announced that no criminal investigation will be opened against the crew, as they are not deemed to have willfully violated any sanctions.

So far, no other evidence has been presented to suggest that the crew intentionally caused the damage. The National Bureau of Investigation has stated that the active preliminary phase of the investigation will soon be completed, reports Helsingin Sanomat via TT.

Despite this, suspicions of gross sabotage against the Eagle S remain. The ship is still seized, and a Finnish court has rejected the owner’s request to release it.

Lack of evidence

Russia has consistently dismissed Western claims that Russian ships deliberately sabotaged the submarine cables as “baseless”. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova argues that the US-led NATO military pact is creating myths to justify an increased presence in the Baltic Sea and to limit Russian oil exports.

It should be noted that no concrete evidence linking Russia to the incident has been presented to date, according to Helsingin Sanomat, citing five sources familiar with the investigation. The information was also confirmed to Hufvudstadsbladet by a source in the Finnish state administration with insight into the case.

In the meantime, Finland and Estonia continue to work on repairs to the damaged cables. Fingrid, Finland’s national grid operator, has requested a court to seize the Eagle S to secure claims for damages related to Estlink 2.

Meanwhile, NATO has increased its presence in the Baltic Sea region in what it describes as “a precautionary measure against potential threats to critical infrastructure”. The other day, Operation Baltic Sentry was launched to patrol and protect important underwater structures such as gas pipelines and internet cables.

The Finnish authorities stress that the investigation into Eagle S is expected to be completed shortly.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/unusually-cold-in-iceland-last-year/

Iceland

Unusually cold in Iceland last year

Published yesterday 11:22
– By Editorial Staff
Snæfellsnes in January 2024.
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2024 was recorded as the coldest year in Iceland in the last 27 years, according to the country’s meteorological office. Temperatures were below average for most of the year.

The national average temperature in Iceland was 0.8°C below the average for the period 1991-2020 last year, Icelandic state broadcaster RUV reports. Winter temperatures were below the national average, and although spring was close to average, April was particularly cold with heavy precipitation and snow in the north-east until the end of the month.

Summer was also unusually cold, with temperatures below normal in all summer months except July. In the fall, November offered an unusual contrast: the first half was very warm, while the second half was significantly colder than average.

According to Veðurstofa Íslands, Iceland’s meteorological office, 2024 was the coldest year since 1998.

The highest temperature of the year, 27.5°C, was recorded at Egilsstaðir Airport in eastern Iceland on July 14. The lowest temperature of the year, -28.6°C, was recorded at Svartárkot in northern Iceland on December 31.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/denmark/light-festival-to-illuminate-copenhagen/

Denmark

Light festival to illuminate Copenhagen

Published 22 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The event runs from January 31 to February 23.
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Copenhagen Light Festival is an annual event that lights up the winter darkness with a spectacular celebration of light art, light design and lighting in central Copenhagen.

More than 50 light installations light up Copenhagen at the beginning of the year, from sculptures and 3D projections to events and light shows. Created by light artists, light designers, students and organizations, the works attract visitors of all ages from all over the world every year.

Visitors can book a guided tour on a canal boat to experience the light installations from the water. For those who prefer something different, there is a “Social Beer Walk”, where you can walk through the light installations while sampling different beers.

The festival also organizes the “Light Run”, a seven-kilometer race through the city where light is the focus. For families, there is a shorter route of three kilometers.

The festival is run by a non-profit organization founded by Tivoli, Stromma, VNR.tv and Louis Poulsen/D Studio Copenhagen. The aim is to use Copenhagen’s unique backdrop to present light art in interaction with the city’s distinctiveness, darkness and aesthetics, interpreting different spaces in new and creative ways.

Most of the light installations are placed along a route in the city center and harbor, but some works are also located in areas outside the city center. To navigate the installations, there are maps and an app to guide visitors.

The festival runs from January 31 to February 23.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-police-300-shootings-last-year/

Sweden

Swedish police: 300 shootings last year

organized crime

Published 21 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
The police see a clear decrease in firearms-related violence.
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According to a report by the Swedish Police Authority, firearm violence in Sweden decreased in 2024 for the second consecutive year. Last year, 296 confirmed shootings took place – which is almost 20% lower than in 2023.

– Our assessment is that the decrease is due to our increased ability to prevent and avert acts of violence, says Johan Olsson, head of the police’s national operations department, Noa.

However, he stresses that “the level of conflict and demand for violence” remains high and that gangs continue to try to use digital environments to recruit new members and people who can commit acts of violence.

According to the police, they have become better at apprehending suspected killers quickly and the number of identified suspects per shooting has also increased.

– This means that today we achieve broader prosecutions and can target more of those involved than before, Olsson continues.

The police authority states that over the past two years, it has developed the ability to collect and analyze information, both in terms of hunting down perpetrators and the actual investigative work afterwards. In addition, it is claimed that the ability to bring together information available in local police areas, criminal investigation of serious crimes, intelligence and international activities has been strengthened.

Relatives still “legitimate” targets

Last year, 44 people were killed in firearm violence compared to 54 in 2023 – while 66 were injured. There has also been a slight decrease in the number of relatives and innocent people injured or killed in shootings and explosions.

– Our view is that the approach that emerged in 2023, where family members are seen as legitimate targets, unfortunately persists, notes Johan Olsson.

The police also note that the suspected perpetrators are getting younger and that the proportion of suspects under 18 has more than doubled since 2019.

Last year, a quarter of all suspected shooters were minors and some of them were also under 15 years old. For fatal shootings in 2024, around a third of the suspects were under 18 and a dozen were under 15.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com