State company sends Norwegian aid money to tax havens – Aftenposten

Two billion of the institution’s investments in poor countries through companies registered in tax havens. In all Norfund had invested 9.6 billion by the end of 2013.

institution is the state company for business investment in poor countries.

In a new report written by the organization European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad) says that 46 of Norfund 165 investments in poor countries through tax havens. This is also shown in tables in Norfund annual report for 2013.

– Justifying secrecy

– The institution has even pointed to the use of tax havens as detrimental to the development of poor countries. By institution itself invests through funds in tax havens, they help to legitimize secrecy. It is therefore not consistent between goals and practices in institution, says Secretary General Mona Thowsen in the Norwegian part of the organization Publish What You Pay.

Adm. Director Kjell Roland institution is amazed that organizations have spent much time and money to finish what he calls “a crusade” against public financing institutions that institution.

– This is characterized by suspicion and innuendo, but little facts. The campaign they lead is more harmful than helpful for poor countries because it is primarily directed at those who have a mandate to invest for development, he said.

Mauritius and the Caribbean

Largely secrecy is an important characteristic of tax havens. The organization Tax Justice Network has developed a benchmark that tries to measure and rank the various tax havens. Eurodad based on this measure in its report.

The scale is called the Financial Secrecy Index. Countries are evaluated by 15 indicators for secrecy. The figures show:

22 of the 46 investment institution carries through tax havens occurs via archipelago Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Measured by the degree of secrecy is only eight of 82 countries that provide less insight than Mauritius. Four to seven investment goes through the US state of Delaware and the countries of Panama, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg. These are somewhat more open than Mauritius, but much more closed than for example the Nordic countries.

Further to poor countries

Assistance funds are first invested in companies and funds that belong in tax havens . These invest money ahead in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Thowsen in Publish What You Pay in Norway works to keep money away from tax havens.

– What economic reasons Norfund to invest via countries with a high degree of secrecy? she asks.

– It may well be necessary to use these countries to invest with other similar funds, and that Norwegian state enterprise must the institution be open about everything?

– This is about developing countries lose billions each year because of tax evasion through tax havens. It seems counterproductive when institutions to promote development using schemes that hinder development, she said.

– Reduce the risk

Roland Norfund answer Thowsen questions.

– For us this is about reducing risk. In many African countries the judicial system unpredictable and next impenetrable. The risk on the ground is always there, but by going through third countries can risk in relation to our local and international co-investors moved to countries with good legal systems. It makes it possible to pursue violations of agreements on the standards to be followed at work and in local communities.

– What makes Mauritius better than any other country you could invested through?

– Mauritius has for many years been the gate into the eastern and southern Africa for investors. The country uses the English legal system. Without going through a third country that Mauritius could we not made investments with equity in the least developed countries.

– What signal do you send out by 46 of the investments done through tax havens?

– We strive to avoid using such third nor organize ourselves so close investment as possible. Greater transparency in international finance is important. We can only cheer on OECD and others who contribute to international agreements that create greater transparency. But we must have the same rules as other Norwegian investors we will succeed as a minority investor, says Roland.

Published : 30.nov. 2014 6:38 p.m.

This means Facebook – VG

Now you get more control over the information and which ads hit you.

1. January introduces Facebook several changes to its terms of use and guidelines. The purpose of the changes, according to the website will be making it easier for users to know how Facebook collects and uses information.

To get the new update behaves.

Controlled information

– Facebook has received feedback that there is too much information to take in the guidelines. Therefore they make it easier for members to be aware of how Facebook can check information and can make informed choices, says Facebooks spokesperson Nordic Frida Löwengren.

In addition, users gain better control over ads they see when they are online social media, according Facebooks own write about the update.

But the top of a yellow field with small print print Facebook that:

“By using the services our after 1 January 2015, you agree to our updated terms and guidelines for data and cookies, and you also agree to see improved ads based on apps and websites you use. “

– Do not be fooled

According to the company made changes to enable users to gain better control over their own information, and understand how Facebook works. Director of Inspectorate Bjorn Erik Thon warns against exaggerating the positive consequences of policies.

– It is positive that Facebook gives users more control over their information flow. But we must not let ourselves be fooled, for although we can control much even there the more we do not have control over, says Thon VG.

He points including how Facebook collects information about members even when they are offline service – and of non-members.

– Many people are well aware that it collected information when uploading a picture to Facebook, where it is logged time, which place and when image file was created. Fewer are well aware that once you have logged out of Facebook, then continue the monitoring, he said.

– Improves service

In Facebooks guidelines are inter alia, that the company uses cookies when you log off, partly in order to “generate insights about the people who interact with our services and the sites of our advertisers and partners.”

Facebook also uses cookies if you do not have an account, but have visited facebook.com.

– The aim was has and will always be to create a service that is best for those who use Facebook, Löwengren.

New Norwegian suppliers Maersk order – Tech Magazine

In October ordered Maersk Supply Service six power plugs of any AHTS with SALT 200 design.

The 95 meter long and 25 meter wide vessels of approximately 4,500 dwt must have a traction (bollard pull) of at least 230 tonnes. Progress will be diesel-electric hybrid with 23,000 horsepower.

Read also: Claiming this is copying Norwegian skiteknologi

Ripple

Kleven stated that there would be many Norwegian subcontractors on the project, who will thus have major repercussions. Even when the company shall choose, it becomes much Norwegian equipment.

When Tech Magazine spoke with the CEO of Maersk Supply Service, Carsten Plougmann Andersen, in October, evaluation of engine options in full swing.

Now chose fell on Wärtsilä, will deliver far more than engines, and thus it becomes too much of the Norwegian department.

Wärtsilä contract covers complete power generation system, electrical distribution and inverters, automation system and propulsion system.

Read also: This is the proposed new Oslofjord bru

Solid: Salt 200 design is the company’s first AHTS design. Then it is a feather in the cap for Salt that a global player with extensive experience in global operations select them. Photo: Salt

Rubbestadneset

That means a lot of work also for Wärtsilä in Norway, which should help with engineering of propellers and complete electromechanical – and automation solutions.

Delivery provides, inter alia job to company employees in electrical and automation Stord. That means in excess of 30,000 hours in engineering, manufacturing and testing, and six thousand hours on commissioning equipment in the yard.

The propellers will be developed on Rubbestadneset, highlighting Wärtsilä in a statement.

Read also: Getting 200 million. to drive with extreme research

Environmental

E lektro- and automation system is based on Wärtsilä Low Loss Concept popular (LLC) for electric propulsion. Wärtsilä LLC improves energy efficiency and provides very high redundancy, as well as contributing to the vessels achieves the highest possible ERN (Environmental Regularity Number) on 99.99.99.99.

ERN is a measurement of the vessel’s ability to maintain position and normal operation under certain conditions. Wärtsilä is the first company that is able to deliver such a high ERN.

propel system includes two tiltable Wärtsilä propellers (CPP) and five transverse thrusters.

– Vessels are designed based on the need to carry out safe and efficient operations. We have for example chosen Wärtsilä integrated fuel efficient and flexible propulsion system to get the performance we need. Integration capability provides good fuel economy, low emissions, and excellent capabilities in dynamic positioning, says head of special projects and new construction of Maersk Supply Service Peter Kragh Jacobsen.

Read also: Shipping quadrupled from 1992 to 2012

Maersk vessels will have a winch of 500 tons and is designed for deepwater operations. Photo: Salt

Quality and security of supply

Danish Maersk their choice of Norwegian shipyard and the Finnish-Norwegian propulsion system is a feather in the cap for Norwegian suppliers. The CEO says that it is thorough assessments before contracts are awarded.

Maersk Supply Service has a fleet of over 60 offshore vessels and into a fleet renewal program. The company has gone to other countries and shipyards for renewal of a number of other types of vessels.

– A number shipyards worldwide were evaluated and received by the AHTS contract. After our evaluation came Kleven like the best based on safety, quality, delivery and price, said CEO of Maersk Supply Service, Carsten Plougmann Andersen, to TU when Kleven contract was announced a month ago.

First vessel delivered in the fourth quarter 2016 and the sixth in the third quarter 2017. If Maersk uses option will shipyard to make a good piece out in 2018.

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Zero discharge ferry gets new climate Price

This ship should go on natural gas

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New guidelines introduced by Facebook – Aftenposten

1. January introduces Facebook a lot of changes in their terms and policies. In a notice to users outlines Facebook for the planned changes, and note that:

“By using our services after 1 January 2015, you agree to our updated terms and guidelines for data and cookies and you also agree to see improved ads based on apps and websites you use. “

According to Facebook made changes to help users understand how Facebook works, and how to take control of their own information.

Better guidance and usability are key words that recur, be it it comes to finding information about how Facebook uses information collected, or how the various Facebook apps and companies work together. Better ad control, users shall also receive, it is claimed.

Director, Consumer Council, Find Myrstad, think it’s good Facebook informs better.

– But they give people the feeling of control, while increasingly expanding their methods to gather information about you. Even if you do not see specific ads, so it does not mean they do not collect information.

READ MORE:

Now should we be anonymous on social media again

All or Nothing

He shows that Facebook has also initiated collaboration with the big American collection companies which gives Facebook the opportunity to get information about users activity outside Facebook.

This is not good news for your and my privacy

– We have earlier this year appealed to the US and European authorities the new methods using Facebook because we believe they are all for overall and difficult to protect against. Facebook sets an international standard for the collection of personal information that the rest of the world will follow, and this is not good news for your and my privacy, says Myrstad.

technical director is also critical that Facebook gives users what he calls an “all-or-nothing” Capability.

– If people use Facebook after 1 January 2015, they have tacitly accepted the terms. We feel that is unreasonable considering how central Facebook has become as communication and information platform, says Myrstad.

Facebook would not comment on the Consumer Council claims beyond showing that it is now making it easier for users to control their own information, and that the new terms of use shall reflect new features and products.

Facebook also shows that their new guideline document for privacy has become 70 percent shorter and easier to navigate in.

– Continued large amounts of data collected

Director of Inspectorate, Bjorn Erik Thon, finding that Facebook with changes primarily eases to control what information others see about you, and give users more control over what kind of advertising they are exposed. Something he thinks is positive.

– Although they inform more about how they use information to control live commercials, there is little reason to believe that Facebook collects less user data for their own use. The trend is rather that the commercial use of personal information increases, be it it’s Facebook, Google, Schibsted or others who are responsible for data collection.

Thon seem publishing pictures illustrate how increased user control is not the same as if the data not collected.

– Despite that users increasingly can decide who they want to share their photos with, we see that Facebook can both see where and when pictures are taken, says Thon.

– Will prevent users jump ship

Communication in social media Astrid Valen Developers are basically positive to the announced changes.

– Based on how this is communicated, it seems that Facebook takes action to ensure that users do not leave the ship. Man makes it seemingly easier to meet people’s feedback on too much ads in news flow, that people do not know how they can manage their own feed and what they want to see, etc.

Valen Utvik think it is good to be able to tick off for not seeing ads from a particular actor, and that this will apply on all platforms logging in to Facebook, but emphasizes that she has not received full overview of what the new guidelines for advertising means in practice.

Follow us on Twitter: @ National Digital @ Geir Amundsen

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Published: 27.nov. 2014 11:17

And the winner is: Vinyl! – Avisa Nordland

In addition, vinyl floors in numerous designs, so you can hardly fail to find a coating that suits your taste and style.

Vinyl Flooring has been used in Norwegian homes since the 50s. But contemporary plastic flooring has little in common with the modern, high quality products we see in stores today.

Modern vinyl floors are durable, recyclable, contains no toxic or harmful to reproduction plasticizers and they can be varied endlessly.

Skjøtefri laying also ensures a completely moisture safe choice.

The main arguments against vinyl flooring is thus a fall, and vinyl flooring the many good qualities make it a favorite choice today.

1) Affordable

You get much floor for money if you choose a court coating of vinyl. Clearly, however, that the quality of the coating is reflected in the price. The difference between good and less good quality can be thickness and hardness of the surface treatment, which may translate in terms of washability, durability, scratch resistance and ability to withstand impression marks. There may also be differences in the backing material, which affects the shape stability and fitting properties, and environmental and health properties. Variety and class on the decorative layer will also hang together with quality and price.

2) Lune unheated floor

Vinyl Flooring can be used with underfloor heating but many times it will not be necessary. Residential Vinyl is built up of several layers, including a skumdel that insulates and makes the floor soft and comfortable to walk on.

3) All rooms!

Path Coatings of vinyl suitable for any room in the home – even for wet areas, where special, thick qualities can be used advantageously. The amount of different designs, ranging from very lifelike imitations for tiles and parquet, to fit the color scheme and imaginative patterns, means that there are a vinyl coating of any use!

4) Quiet and comfortable

While the sound of trampling on hard floors propagates throughout the residence, they will soften vinylbeleggene provide a virtually silent entrance. Despite the fact that the coating is only a few millimeters thick, it manages to make walking comfort, heat insulation and sound attenuation, and together with the decorative surface makes the room comfortable.

5) Timeless and trendy

Whether you want a timeless parquet pattern , a floor that looks like slate or a solid color coating are a wealth of options to choose from. Counterfeits for other flooring materials have long been among the most popular vinyldesignene, along with classic checkerboard pattern in black and white.

6) Good for Environment and Health

We are in the midst of a small revolution in plastic flooring manufacturing, focusing on increased proportion of natural and renewable materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing. Most floors are made now without endocrine disrupting plasticizers (phthalates) and of emission-free and raw materials, not containing heavy metals and a large proportion of reused material. As far as possible recycled factory games, and modern high-quality vinyl flooring is now a good choice for the environment and health.

7) never worn out

The surface of a vinyl coating is treated with a top layer which makes the floor easy to clean and durable and resistant to scratches. This means you do not damage the floor if winter strøsand supplied shoes in, and that you can easily wash away stains, spills and slush. A reinforcing intermediate layer makes the floor form stable and robust. Thereby goods floor very long – even in the house toughest floor environment.

8) Easy to add

Wide and narrow. Long and short. Regardless of how the hall is designed’ll be able to add vinyl flooring without title deeds. The coatings are available in 2, 3, 4 and up to 5 meters wide, making it easy to buy the right amount without having to splice floor. In rooms that are smaller than 20 square meters, can vinyl flooring laid loosely, without glue. Attach it using only the skirting or possibly a little sided tape along the edges.

9) Varied

You would be hard pressed to find a floor type providing as much choice as vinyl. The collections from the major suppliers contain up to 100 different colors, designs and patterns. Whether you prefer a classic and timeless floor will have a color injection or want a modern patterns there to get. Embossed imitations of concrete, wood and ceramic tiles are popular, but also plain and checkered vinyl flooring chosen by many. Here you will find metallic structures, classic itineraries and monochrome design. (ANB)

Apple will halve the price for streaming – Aftenposten

Earlier this year, Apple bought the company Beats Electronics for $ 3 billion, about 18 billion from the two record producers Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre. The plan of the acquisition is to use flow service Beats Music as a competitor to including Spotify.

According to the New York Times should Beats Music included as an app in the software package for Iphone and Ipad, probably in March next year.

Arguing about price

These days Apple dealer with the major record companies and other suppliers of music. Rumor has it that Apple wants to reduce the monthly fee that users must pay for the flow, halved from the current 10 to 5 dollars.

In Norway, this will probably mean down from the current 99 to 49 million per. month. Record companies on their wishes to the contrary, a slight increase in the monthly price.

With a total number of iPhone and iPad users hundreds of millions around the world, sits Apple obviously with strong negotiating cards. Beats Music should not come as a free service to Spotify, but only against payment.

In the USA, the discussion about the use and payment flow services now high, after Taylor Swift pulled all their music from Spotify.

To change the model

Aftenposten wrote last week about the Norwegian music organizations Fono and GramArt, who want to change the model for the distribution of income in the flow service. They want the money to follow artists consumers actually listen to, and not distributed from a common pot.

They respond to Apple’s desire for half the subscription price.

– We are basically positive to all new digital ways to sell music, but think it’s sad that music should be sold so cheaply. We want either a higher price for the music, as the current price level is not high enough, says CEO Elin Erikstad Aamodt GramArt.

She dislikes the trend towards ever lower prices for music.

– I like bad artists and music become mover in big corporations price war to offer music as cheaply as possible. I can not see that this is sustainable for any music market, or create incentives for creative activity, says Aamodt.

See also: – The current flow model is not fair

See also: world major hit list includes streaming

Sensation in Sunnyvale – Drive

It is Romsdals Budstikke who can report a new fungal species – found only in almeskog on the West Coast.

The brand new fungal species was found in Knutsliøyan in Sunnyvale community. According to the researchers who made the discovery, this is a picky critter that only grows on the Red List almekullsoppen.

– Once I saw the mushrooms, I realized that this was something new and wonderful. It was nice when I cut the mushrooms, and then the orange yellow color inside. It is unusual in this type of fungus, says Björn Nordén the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research.

– What is extra special is that this new species only grows on the Red List almekullsoppen. And almekullsoppen grow again only in the red-listed species of tree elm, explains Nordén.

The researchers spent two years in order to confirm that the fungus was a novelty in the world context.

New Nokia has launched its first tablet – VG

Can Android tablet coping with Samsung and Apple?

Nokia’s agreement with Microsoft prevents them from making smartphones before the end of 2016. Agreement applies apparently not for tablets, and the Finnish remains of mobile giant started the day afresh with a soaking new tablet, known under the name Nokia N1. The board is 7.9 inches wide, and has design purposes a part in common with Apple’s iPad Mini.

Nokia announced the launch of its own Twitter account yesterday.

However, design and size seem to be the only Nokia’s tablet has in common with Apple’s tablet. Inside the new network device running a quad-core system basis chip Intel. The crowning glory for the many who wanted Android products from the Finnish manufacturer, must be that the board is equipped with Google’s latest version of the operating system.

New menu system

On top of the operating system running a menu system Nokia refers to as Z Launcher. Nokia has made Android versions earlier, with its X-series. However, in the reasonable X-models were Android almost completely covered by Nokia’s own menus and appbutikk, there was scarcely recognizable. Google Play was not available. Z Launcher is a completely different animal, with full access to Google appbutikk and icons every Android user will benefit recognized.

There is still talk of a pretty massive change from Google’s regular operating system. Z Launcher includes a wealth of features that you might not have seen before. You can for example draw letters on the screen to bring up the apps you want to reach.

In addition, pick the menu system even the apps, contacts and content depending on the time of day. So you always have work contacts and job related apps for your hand during the day while underholdningsapper and personal nytteapper dominate the menu system at night.

MADE SELF: A self designed menu system to provide smart access to the apps you need, when you need them. Photo: Nokia , Nokia

USB connector that can be turned both ways

One interesting thing about this tablet is that as far as we know, first of all with the new Type-C connector for Micro USB. If that sounds cryptic like it’s about a USB connector that fits both ways.

INTEL: Nokia N1 running the latest generation Atom chip from Intel, and Google Android 5.0. Photo: Nokia , Nokia

The tablet is made of one piece of aluminum, and on their product pages avoids Nokia handy to use the Apple name “Unibody”. Instead they call it a “One-piece design”. The result is whatever it is the same, and the design is as mentioned very similar, with speaker and microphone grilles on either side of the USB connector. A USB connector which itself looks quite Lightning plug in an Apple product.

The board is barely over 20 cm high, and nearly 14 centimeters wide. Not particularly remarkable, but the thickness of 6.9 millimeters is relatively impressive. A weight of 318 grams is not terrifying.

For lydinteresserte it may be interesting that the tablet is equipped with audio circuits from Wolfson, which should give very good sound in headphones or speakers you have to connect.

In China in the first half, before the rest of the world

Nokia N1 is not a tablet manufactured by Nokia itself. Nokia CEO Ramzi Haidamus explained the fact that Nokia would focus on licensing the brand to other manufacturers. With that said, this seems to be more than the Nokia one might suspect. Instead of random producers are allowed to set the Nokia logo on its own products, this is a Nokia-designed tablet where someone else has been allowed to produce the hardware itself. In other words, it is not so far away, for example, Apple and Foxconn does.

According to Nokia’s press release shall tablet have a retail price of $ 249, or slightly under 1700 dollars in China, before taxes and fees. Currently, there shall only be sold there, but Nokia warns that sales will be extended, without giving any timeframe or specific markets.

Google has also released a tablet with Android 5.0 Lollipop:
Read more about Google and HTC’s Nexus 9 here at Tek.no »

Rector: – I am glad that she dares to speak out – Aftenposten

Iqra Mahboob (17) have been sitting alone at the school for over a year. Before summer she tried to talk to others in the class, but without success.

Recently she wrote a letter to the principal for the acts of their own and other’s life at school. A life marked by loneliness.

Read Iqras debates: “Dear Principal: Why do not you care?”

– I wrote the letter to the principal because I’m not the only one who is alone at school. I wanted the rector should open their eyes and see what is actually happening. He has a certain responsibility that I mean not being taken seriously, said Mahboob.

Si; D met her at the Doylestown High School in Akershus with principal Per Bjarne Elle and worker Morten Grønvold.

Tok contact anonymous

Although the school does well on satisfaction surveys, does not mean that individuals are not doing well at school, tells Elle.

– It is nice that Iqra ( Mahboob journ.anm.) dare to speak out. It is not always easy to see if someone is alone or lonely. Therefore I am glad that she anonymously contacted me and informed about how she had it. It is only then I could take action, says the headmaster.

“We have a Uno-date!”

When the principal received the letter, he invited Mahboob to call to discuss how they would solve the problem.

A short time later, it created a separate room in the school, and students now have at all times an adult to talk to.

– It turns out that students who initially did not really need this offer, spend lots of time there. It has a positive impact on those who need someone to be with, says social worker Grønvold.

Much of Greenland Volds working is to go around the school.

He knows that students may experience it as violent and scary to be outside hours with large crowds.

Grønvold see no clear negative trend, but know that there are students that are instrumental and not conducive to a good student environment. “We have a Uno-date, have not we?” Cried Grønvold to a student, citing that it happens at the newly opened room at school.

– It is important to have a venue for students where it is natural to get into. There should be an “I have no one to be with” -Room.

Researching young and exclusion

Cecilie Høj Anvik at the University of Nordland researching living in a vulnerable circumstances, and is particularly concerned with children and young people in the field of tension between participating and remain outside the community.

Read also: “How we choose to meet those who are away from home in social situations?”

– The negative effects of being alone can cause one to become withdrawn and closes out others. It is a natural reaction, explains Anvik.

– Why do some sitting alone?

– It is a very complex problem. Some perceive the world as a scary place, while others take us right back to her childhood and adolescence. This is where it went wrong. They have been systematically bullied and ignored.

– Who sits alone?

– There is everything from “good girls” to “game boys” . So different, yet so similar.

– What is it that triggers exclusion?

– This is about mechanisms among young people. There are few things that needed everything to fall into place and you feel good, but it is no more than a small blip it takes and you will be excluded. When you do not have the peers around you as a reference point, one can experience being socially dead.

– We have no time for each other

On Friday, Mahboob a lecture for his class, which one of several measures to put lights on loneliness in school.

– I hope my fellow students understand that it is devastating to sit alone in the school day in and day out. I do not expect to be best friends with everyone after this, it holds that see each other and take the initiative to talk to each other at school, said Mahboob.

Loneliness is unfortunately present in our society, recognizing the principal Elle and it should, according to him be thought provoking.

– It is critical in society that we do not have time to listen to people, and especially young people. We must remember that students come to school with a lot in your backpack. It is good to have someone to talk to.

Andrea Michelle Falch Andersen (17)

I am sitting alone though and know how it feels. It makes an impression on me, especially when I see other sit together. But I will just concentrate on getting ready for school. Had I seen someone who was always alone, I would go and talk with them. We must try to include people sitting alone. It is my duty as a student.

Thea Cha Green Stone (17), student council

I would go and talk with them. Struggling to find common ground to talk about. I think the school should address this and get students to engage in community. Teachers should provide a good learning environment, but we must take a share of responsibility. I know of many who are alone and everyone has been in that stage once in a lifetime.

Håkon Markovic (17)

It may be hard to see them, but if I had discovered that I’d talked to them. It is not easy for schools to do something because it is the students’ responsibility. It is the question. I’ve seen some sit alone and I think we have to realize that this is a problem in society, even if it does not apply to all schools.

See also: