- Oslo, Norway -- Norway came close to its objective of selling only zero-emission cars in 2025, with electric vehicles accounting for 95.9 percent of new registrations. Although Norway is Western Europe's largest exporter of petroleum products, it has led the shift to electric vehicles, setting a non-binding target of selling...
Norway’s wealth fund to enlist AI for managing climate risks
Oslo, Norway -- Norway's sovereign wealth fund said Wednesday that it would incorporate artificial intelligence tools into its investment analysis process to avoid losses stemming from climate change. The sovereign fund, the world's largest, is sustained by Norway's vast oil and natural gas reserves, but it pushes the companies it...Norway experiments with electric plane in real-life test
Oslo, Norway -- An electric plane took to the skies between the Norwegian airports Stavanger and Bergen on Thursday, simulating a cargo flight for the first time in real-life conditions, Norwegian airlines operator Avinor announced. The small aircraft -- an Alia built by US aircraft manufacturer Beta -- flew the...Norway sovereign fund drops investments in 11 Israeli companies
Oslo, Norway -- Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, said Monday that it was selling its investments in 11 Israeli companies, following reports it had invested in an Israeli jet engine maker even as the war in Gaza raged. Nicolai Tangen, chief of Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), which...First orbital rocket launched from Europe crashes seconds after blast-off
Oslo, Norway -- The first orbital rocket launched from continental Europe crashed seconds after blast-off Sunday, in a closely watched test for the continent's bid to build a new space economy. The Spectrum rocket, developed by German start-up Isar Aerospace, started smoking from its sides, then crashed back to Earth...Norway nears 100% goal of all-electric cars
By comparison, the share of electric cars in Europe was just 13.6 percent in the full-year 2024, a decline for the first time since 2020.World’s first CO2 storage service soon ready in Norway
Øygarden, Norway -- Norway inaugurated Thursday the gateway to a massive undersea vault for carbon dioxide, a crucial step before opening what its operator calls the first commercial service offering CO2 transport and storage. The Northern Lights project plans to take CO2 emissions captured at factory smokestacks in Europe and inject...Spain, Ireland and Norway recognize Palestinian state
The plans were unveiled last week in a coordinated announcement by their prime ministers, with formal recognition to take place in all three countries on Tuesday. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will give an address at 0630 GMT before his cabinet meets to adopt a decree recognizing Palestinian statehood.Israel furious as 3 European countries recognize Palestinian state
Israel reacted with fury after three European countries said Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state, more than seven months into the devastating Gaza war. Ireland, Norway and Spain said they would formally recognize the State of Palestine on May 28. The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) says European recognition was...Norway wealth fund earns $109bn on gain in tech stocks in Q1
Oslo, Norway -- Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, posted a gain of more than $100 billion in the first quarter amid the global stock market recovery, it said Thursday. The fund -- fuelled by the Norwegian state's oil and gas revenues -- saw a return of 6.3 percent...Sweden Quran burner arrested in Norway, faces deportation
OSLO, NORWAY – An Iraqi refugee in Sweden who stoked international outrage by repeatedly desecrating the Quran last year has been arrested in Norway and now faces deportation back to Sweden, according to court documents viewed by AFP on Thursday. Salwan Momika, a Christian Iraqi who burned Qurans at a slew...Quran burner Salwan Momika says leaving Sweden for Norway
Stockholm, Sweden - An Iraqi refugee in Sweden who stoked international outrage by repeatedly desecrating the Quran last year said Wednesday he was leaving the country for neighboring Norway after Sweden revoked his residency permit. Salwan Momika, a Christian Iraqi who burned Qurans at a slew of protests in Sweden over...PIF fifth largest sovereign wealth fund as assets rise to $940.3bn
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) rose to the fifth position among the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), after its net assets rose to $940.26 billion. PIF's assets rose by $163.6 billion, compared to $776.7 billion at the end of December 2023, according to the...Norway deal averts Palestinian financial collapse: govt
The portion of the revenues that Israel will transfer to Norway will remain in a Norwegian account until the parties agree whether Norway may release the funds to the Palestinian Authority. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store hailed the agreement.Norway warns of consequences over UNRWA funding cut
"We urge fellow donor countries to reflect on the wider consequences of cutting their funding to UNRWA," Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement to AFP. "UNRWA is a vital lifeline for 1.5 million refugees in Gaza," he said, adding that "to avoid collectively punishing millions of...Norway’s sovereign wealth fund posts record US$213bn profit
Oslo, Norway - Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's biggest, said Tuesday it raked in a record profit of 2.2 trillion kroner ($213 billion) last year, driven by tech stocks and a weak national currency. The fund's total value reached close to 15.8 trillion kroner last year. The 16.1 percent return...Russia extends ban on entry of trucks from EU, UK, Norway, Ukraine
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - The Russian government has extended the ban on the entry of trucks from the European Union, the UK, Norway and Ukraine to the country. “The restriction will remain in effect until the circumstances that served as the basis for its introduction are eliminated,” the Cabinet noted on...Greece to join US-led naval coalition against Houthi rebels
The task force announced by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday initially included Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain. The Iran-backed Houthis say their missile and drone strikes on passing container ships are in support of Palestinians in the Gaza war raging between Israel...Asian countries score high in keenly watched PISA education survey
Paris, France - Asian countries dominated the top spots in a keenly watched survey of education capabilities published Tuesday, while levels in Europe slipped at a record pace -- and not just because of Covid. However, the report also showed that students in top performing countries were not necessarily happier. The...Norway’s Oslo city hall hoists Palestinian flag
Oslo, Norway - Oslo's city hall on Wednesday raised the Palestinian flag in a show of solidarity with the people of Gaza, where thousands have lost their lives as Israel bombarded the area in retaliation for the October 7 attack by Hamas. The initiative coincides with the International Day of Solidarity with...Nordic countries announce deal to strengthen repatriation of refugees
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - Nordic migration and justice ministers on Tuesday announced a deal to strengthen efforts for migrants to return to their countries of origin, and to deport illegal residents to third countries. Denmark has spearheaded harder lines on migrants in the Nordics and stepped up initiatives to discourage immigration and...Equinor profits tumble
The drop was due to sharply lower gas prices and offshore wind problems.Jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi wins Nobel Peace Prize
Mohammadi's award comes after a wave of protests that swept Iran after the death in custody a year ago of a young Iranian Kurd, Mahsa Amini, arrested for violating Iran's strict dress rules for women. Mohammadi, a 51-year-old journalist and activist, has spent much of the past two decades in...Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse wins Nobel literature prize
Sometimes compared to Samuel Beckett, another Nobel-winning playwright, Fosse's work is minimalistic, relying on simple language which delivers its message through rhythm, melody and silence. The Swedish Academy said the 64-year-old was honored "for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable."Rights group urges justice an year after Iran’s ‘Bloody Friday’
Paris, France - Campaign groups on Saturday demanded the perpetrators of the killing of dozens of protesters in southeast Iran one year ago be brought to justice, accusing authorities of using force to quell the latest demonstration in the region. According to activists, Iranian security forces used live fire to suppress...Norway to fine Meta $100,000 a day for flouting user data ban
Oslo, Norway - Norway's data protection agency said Tuesday it would start fining Facebook and Instagram owner Meta nearly $100,000 per day for defying a ban on using users' personal information to target ads. The Norwegian watchdog, Datatilsynet, said Meta would be fined one million kroner ($97,000) per day, starting August...In a warming world, is an air-conditioned future inevitable?
Washington, United States - They are ubiquitous in the United States, controversial in Europe and coveted in South Asia. As heatwaves intensify across the world, air conditioning has taken center stage. For better or for worse, these power-hungry appliances are among the most common adaptations to a warming world. They have...Norway threatens $100,000 daily fine on Meta over use of personal data
The Norwegian watchdog, Datatilsynet, said Meta uses information such as the location of users, the content they like and their posts for marketing purposes. "The Norwegian Data Protection Authority considers that the practice of Meta is illegal and is therefore imposing a temporary ban of behavioural advertising on Facebook and...Four Gulf sovereign wealth funds among world’s top ten
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority ($853 billion) and Kuwait Investment Authority ($803 billion) ranked fourth and fifth respectively, while Saudi Arabia's PIF was sixth in terms of assets. ADIA invests, on behalf of the government of Abu Dhabi, in equities, bonds, real estate and infrastructure., with most of its investments concentrated...Trade pacts propel Jordan’s trade to $23bn with partner nations
Amman, Jordan - Jordan's trade exchange with countries it has free trade agreements with accounted for a significant portion of its overall trade in 2022, amounting to 58 percent, as per data published by the Amman Chamber of Commerce. The total value of these exchanges surpassed $23 billion, with more...Norwegian delegation in Abu Dhabi discusses legal issues with ADJD
ABU DHABI, UAE - The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) discussed legal and judicial issues with a delegation from Norway. The Norwegian delegation was given a tour of the main building of ADJD, introduced to all divisions and courts and to the different sections and chambers of the courts. This...Norway’s sovereign wealth fund posts $84 billion quarterly profit
According to a ranking by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI), the Norwegian fund is the biggest in the world, just ahead of the China Investment Corporation and followed by those in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Singapore.Norway contributes US$23.7m of flexible funding to FAO
ROME, ITALY - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a US$23.7 million contribution from the Norwegian government to scale up its response to humanitarian crises and emergencies. The contribution represents the largest single un-earmarked funding of its kind to date. The funds will be...Norway repatriating from Syria sisters who went to support IS in 2013
The two sisters of Somali origin clandestinely left Norway for Syria in late 2013, aged 16 and 19, to join a popular uprising against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, as they would later explain in an e-mail exchange. Norwegian writer Asne Seierstad recounted their experiences in a book.Norway earns record oil, gas revenue after Ukraine war prices rise
Norway earned 1.5 trillion kroner ($140 billion) in revenues from oil and gas, according to estimates by Statistics Norway (SSB). It was "by far the highest ever recorded in the statistics" and almost three times the 498 billion kroner earned in 2021, according to SSB.Norway’s sovereign wealth fund pulls out of troubled Adani Group
The fund, which is set up to put the country's oil and gas revenues to work, held some $200 million worth of shares in the group at the end of 2022. It had a stake of 0.14 percent in Adani Green Energy and 0.17 percent in Adani Total Gas.Equinor posts record profit
Output slipped by 2% to 2.04 million barrels per day of oil equivalent.Drydocks World, Aker form JV
They will upgrade an FPSO vessel for the Rosebank field in the UK.Telenor 2022 net profit at $4.5bn
Merger of its Malaysian subsidiary with a firm helped.World’s largest wealth fund lost record $164 billion in 2022
"2022 was a truly dramatic year in the world. It affected financial markets and hence it also affects our global fund," said deputy chief executive Trond Grande of Norges Bank Investment Management which manages the Norwegian Government Pension Fund.Electric vehicles form 80% of new car sales in Norway
Electric vehicles in the Scandinavian country now account for almost four out of every five new car registrations, setting a new record, according to new figures. Tesla tops the list with more than 12 percent market share, with some 138,265 new electric cars sold in the country last year.Europe’s biggest oil field hikes production, to provide 7% of continent’s demand
Located in the Norwegian waters of the North Sea, the Johan Sverdrup field which until now pumped some 535,000 barrels per day (bpd) on Thursday entered a new production phase where it will pump around 720,000 bpd.Khamenei’s niece arrested for denouncing Iranian regime, says brother
Moradkhani is the daughter of Khamenei's sister Badri who fell out with her family in the 1980s and fled to Iraq at the peak of the war with Iran's neighbor.Iranians stage new protest actions despite crackdown
Iranian students protested and shopkeepers went on strike despite a widening crackdown, according to reports on social media, as demonstrations that flared over Mahsa Amini's death entered an eighth week.Mubadala buys stake in EQT Infrastructure’s GlobalConnect
GlobalConnect is a fiber-based data center services provider.Oxfam says world failing to address ‘dangerous’ inequality
The UN and Oxfam have previously decried the unequal distribution of vaccines from richer Western countries to lower-income ones, particularly in Africa, putting lives at risk.UK in talks with Qatar and Norway to import energy
Amid crippling energy shortages, the British government is negotiating with Qatar and Norway to secure new long-term gas contract, according to media reports. The reports said that Prime Minister Liz Truss is in favor of the deal, which would secure long-term energy sources and cut down the cost of the...Norway skeptical about EU proposal on gas price cap
Norway, which has replaced Russia as Europe's leading supplier of natural gas, dashed the hopes of EU member states who wanted a cap on gas prices. After his phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said he was "skeptical" about a...Norway preps burial ground for CO2
As the planet struggles to meet its climate targets, some climate experts see the technique, called carbon capture and storage, as a means to reduce emissions from fossil-fuel-based industries.Drydocks World, KANFA AS sign contract
This is the first collaboration between Drydocks World and KANFA AS.Norway to label products made in Israeli settlements
Israel on Saturday condemned Norway's decision to label products from Israeli settlements with their place of origin. Norway's social democrat government announced its new policy on Friday, saying it was not enough to label products coming from the occupied territories as Israeli.













































