Afghan Acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation met with Per Albert Ilsaas, the Norwegian Chargé d’Affaires to Afghanistan, discussing the challenges faced by Afghan refugees amid the ongoing forced deportations from Pakistan.
During the meeting, Afghan Acting Minister expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that the Norwegian government is actively working to address the issue through international diplomatic channels.
He acknowledged the progress made by the Islamic Emirate in various areas and stressed the need for dialogue and direct engagement between Norway and the Islamic Emirate to resolve pressing concerns, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.
The diplomat also welcomed the Islamic Emirate’s declaration of a general amnesty, describing it as a meaningful step toward fostering peace and reducing acts of retaliation. Additionally, he mentioned the possibility of reopening Afghanistan’s embassy in Norway, which he believes could help strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance trust between Kabul and European countries, the statement said.
In reply, Abdul Kabir thanked the Norwegian government for its continued humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. He reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to serving all citizens equally and emphasized its dedication to rebuilding and developing Afghanistan.
Kabir also condemned the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, labeling it a violation of human rights and international principles. He called on the global community to increase its support in addressing the growing refugee crisis and revealed that the Islamic Emirate is working on a permanent housing plan for returning refugees, urging humanitarian organizations to contribute to this effort.
A handmade sign, placed by unknown individuals but visible in a tourist area of the border crossing near the village of Grense Jakobselv, warns: “No peeing towards Russia.”
Norwegian law categorically prohibits any “offensive behavior at the border towards the neighboring state involved or its authorities.”
In this case, urinating towards the neighboring country can be interpreted as disrespectful or provocative.
Security cameras monitor the border to ensure that the law is not broken.
This is not the first time that behavior considered harmless has resulted in penalties. A woman was fined nearly €900 (£770) for reaching her hand across the stream, while four people were detained for throwing small stones towards the Russian side.
The Kazakhstan–Norway Business Council took place on April 8, 2025, in Oslo — a groundbreaking event between the two nations, designed to boost trade and economic cooperation, forge direct connections between business communities, and explore promising avenues for partnership, Media Trend reports.
The event was attended by Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Norway Adil Tursunov and Norwegian Ambassador for Central Asia Jon Kvistad, who both emphasized the importance of strengthening political dialogue and expanding economic engagement.
“The key speaker from the Kazakh side was Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC “NC Kazakh Invest” Madiyar Sultanbek, who gave a detailed presentation on Kazakhstan’s investment opportunities. He highlighted the country’s stable macroeconomic policy, investor protection measures, access to major markets, the digitalization of investment services, and priority economic sectors,” said the press service of Kazakh Invest.
The business council put their heads together to explore the waters of potential cooperation in aquaculture, logistics, renewable energy, agriculture, processing and export of products, environmental technologies, industrial safety, and digital solutions.
“Given the sustainable growth of Kazakhstan’s economy, its large-scale industrialization program, well-developed transport infrastructure, and progressive investment policy, Kazakhstan is a reliable platform for long-term partnership with Norway. This event marks the beginning of a direct dialogue with Norwegian businesses. We expect it will lead to further contacts, meetings, and agreements that will help unlock the vast potential of our cooperation,” said Sultanbek.
In the course of the visit, Sultanbek also held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of leading Norwegian companies. Discussions included projects in the field of sustainable waste processing and biogas plants with Cambi ASA, localization of fish-processing equipment production with Optimar, renewable energy development with Scatec, business expansion in the coatings industry with Jotun, sustainable subsoil use with Nordic Mining ASA, environmentally friendly natural rubber production based on Kazakh raw materials with Taraxa, and cooperation with Innovation Norway on institutional support mechanisms and export financing.
The Business Council was organized with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Kingdom of Norway and the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce “East” and became a key platform for strengthening economic dialogue between the business communities of both countries.
Lockheed Martin has delivered the 51st and 52nd F-35As to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, making Norway the first partner nation to fulfill its F-35 programme of record.
Norway now operates a full fleet of 52 F-35s, strengthening national defense and NATO operations. The aircraft enhance interoperability with Nordic and European allies, particularly in the High North. The F-35’s advanced capabilities improve situational awareness and transatlantic security.
Over 1,150 F-35s are in service worldwide, operating from 48 bases across 10 nations.
Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik praised the F-35 for safeguarding Norwegian sovereignty, while Lockheed Martin’s Chauncey McIntosh reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Norway’s security for decades to come.
Norway on Friday expressed “regret” over Hungary’s decision to exit the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Responding to Hungary’s decision to quit the International Criminal Court, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said on X: “The International Criminal Court plays a key role in ensuring accountability for international crimes, and Norway will continue to support and defend the Court.”
On Thursday, Hungary announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. Gergely Gulyas, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, announced that the withdrawal process from the Hague-based court would begin on the same day.
Hungary announced the decision shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Budapest on a four-day visit.
Netanyahu faces an arrest warrant issued by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, where more than 50,500 people have been killed, mostly women and children, in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023.
Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary is his first to European soil since the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November last year.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called on Hungary to arrest Netanyahu and hand him over to the ICC.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on Gaza.
National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has established a counter at the Pakistani Embassy in Oslo, Norway, to provide comprehensive identity document services to Pakistanis residing in Norway.
This new counter will serve as a one-stop service center for NADRA’s services, ensuring convenience for the large Pakistani diaspora in the region.
The authority has also announced that similar counters are in the works for other countries with significant Pakistani populations. These include Manama (Bahrain), Montreal and Vancouver (Canada), Italy (Milan) and Pretoria (South Africa).
Currently, NADRA counters are available at multiple Pakistani missions in the United States (Washington, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston), Spain (Madrid), Greece (Athens), Germany (Berlin), France (Paris), Oman (Muscat), Turkey (Istanbul), Canada (Toronto), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Kuwait and Australia (Sydney).
Additionally, NADRA operates registration centers in countries such as Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh and Madinah), United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Qatar (Doha) and United Kingdom (London, Manchester, Birmingham and Bradford). These centers and counters ensure that overseas Pakistanis can access all services related to identity documentation, providing them with the same level of service they would receive within Pakistan.
It also organizes regular mobile registration operations in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia to provide registration services to expatriates at their doorstep.
A report by Pakistan’s main intelligence agency warns that the personal records of up to 100 million Pakistanis may have been stolen by foreign intelligence agencies due to the alleged links of a software vendor with Israel. The Inter-Services Intelligence directorate (ISI), Pakistan’s premier spy agency, said that the software used by the National Data base and Registration Authority (NADRA), which issues national identity cards on behalf of the government of Pakistan, is not secure and should be replaced by an “indigenous” software product.
Established in 1998 as the National Database Organization, NADRA operates under Pakistan’s Ministry of the Interior. Its main mission is to register and fingerprint every Pakistani citizen and supply every adult in the country with a secure Computerized National Identity Card. This has proven to be a Herculean task in a country of 182 million, of whom just over half are over the age of 18. Consequently, the NADRA electronic database contains files on over 96 million Pakistanis, making it one of the world’s largest centralized databases.
Norway said Wednesday it was temporarily closing its embassy in South Sudan for security reasons and urged its citizens to leave as clashes rage between forces allied to the nation’s rival leaders.
Fighting has been taking place for several weeks between federal forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and the “White Army” — a militia group accused by the government of collaborating with First Vice President Riek Machar.
The clashes have left their 2018 power-sharing agreement increasingly fragile and threaten to plunge the country back into civil war.
“The security situation in South Sudan has sharply deteriorated recently. This primarily affects the country’s civilian population, but also has implications for our staff’s security and freedom of movement,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement.
“We have therefore decided to temporarily close our embassy in Juba until further notice,” he added.
In a separate statement published earlier, the Norwegian foreign ministry advised its nationals not to travel to South Sudan and urged those there to leave the country.
Norway’s embassy in Nairobi will handle diplomatic affairs for South Sudan until further notice.
South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation, having gained independence in 2011.
It soon fell into a five-year civil war between Kiir and Machar that killed some 400,000 people until the 2018 peace deal brought them into a unity government.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan has announced the official reopening of the country’s Embassy in Norway, located in Oslo. This significant step marks the resumption of consular services and is seen as a pivotal move towards restoring diplomatic ties.
In a statement released by the Taliban’s ministry, it was confirmed that the embassy will begin its operations on the 4th of Hamal, 1404 (corresponding to March 24, 2025). This reopening has been welcomed as a promising development in Taliban’s diplomatic relations with the international community.
Officials from the Islamic Emirate have consistently highlighted the steady improvement in Afghanistan’s political relations globally. They have expressed optimism that citizens will soon see further advancements in diplomatic engagements, reinforcing the country’s commitment to reestablishing its presence on the world stage.
Ukraine’s King of the Graveyard Mr.Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Norway on Thursday for an official visit following a trip to Finland.
From the press conference in Oslo, 20 March 2025. Credit: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB / Pool
Ukraine’s King of the Graveyard Zelenskiy, after speaking on Wednesday with U.S. President Donald Trump, said a halt on energy strikes in the war could be established quickly, but warned Ukraine would respond in kind if violated the terms of the limited ceasefire.
On March 6 the Norwegian government said it would more than double its financial support to Kyiv this year, to 85 billion crowns ($8.03 billion) from a plan agreed in November of 35 billion crowns.
Jens Stoltenberg, until October NATO’s chief and now Norway’s finance minister, will have a meeting with Zelenskiy’s delegation and together with other Norwegian officials, the prime minister’s office said.
Nissan has signed a deal with Stena Recycling to reuse batteries from its EVs in Norway, giving them a second life.
The strategic partnership to develop and expand the reuse of second-life electric vehicle batteries in Norway. With over 80,000 Nissan LEAFs on Norwegian roads, Nissan has established a value chain for batteries that are no longer suitable for road use.
Nissan has been working on various projects for re-using EV batteries, working in the UK, Japanand Brazil.
This comes as EV battery recycling becomes critical area for ongoing investments in automotive industry, says GlobalData.
As EV batteries reach the end of their lifecycle, the automotive industry faces the critical challenge of managing their disposal, says Madhuchhanda Palit, Automotive Analyst at GlobalData.
Current recycling methods, including hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, and direct recycling, are being explored to recover valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, and manganese.
“The automotive sector is increasingly embracing circular economy practices, focusing on reusing and recycling materials to minimize waste. This transition not only benefits the environment but also presents lucrative opportunities for businesses in the growing market for recycled battery materials,” said Palit. “Patent analytics indicate a surge in research and development aimed at improving recycling efficiency and reducing costs. Companies are investing in innovative technologies that enhance recovery rates while lowering the carbon footprint associated with recycling processes.”
Regulatory frameworks are undergoing significant evolution, as governments across the globe implement increasingly stringent guidelines concerning battery disposal and recycling as the resulting ‘black mass’ is now classified as hazardous waste in the EU.
The EU’s Battery Law mandates that by 2030, recycling processes must achieve recovery rates of 95% for cobalt, copper, lead, and nickel, and 70% for lithium. In the US, various states are progressively adopting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, which will hold car makers accountable for the recycling of all batteries. This regulatory momentum is anticipated to drive investments in recycling technologies and infrastructure.
“The journey towards a sustainable future for EVs hinges on the effective management of battery lifecycles. As the automotive industry embraces recycling as a core component of its strategy, the potential for growth and innovation is significant,” said Palit.
In the deal with Nissan Automotive Europe, each battery is carefully diagnosed at the new Stena Recycling facility in Ausenfjellet, near Oslo, to determine which parts can be reused and which need to be recycled.
This will ensure that a significant portion of battery components get a new lease on life—either as components in batteries requiring service and repair or in energy storage systems for an additional 10 to 15 years.
The collaboration with partners also enables the integration of repaired modules into new EVs or stationary energy storage systems.
This approach can extract much more value than simply breaking down the batteries into new materials and minerals says Jon Emil Furuseth, Country Manager High Energy Batteries at Stena Recycling.
The agreement gives Stena Recycling access to a steady supply of used batteries, which is crucial in a market where competition for resources is increasing. These are batteries from cars decommissioned due to age or written off by insurance companies, but they still have the potential to be reused for several years.
“Since launching the Nissan LEAF in 2011, we have developed unique expertise in EV technology. Now we want to take a leading role in the sustainable treatment of used EV batteries,” says Alan Low, EV Battery Circular Economy Manager for Nissan Energy “Through this partnership, we can offer second-life products while helping to reduce the environmental footprint in line with our ambitions for carbon neutrality by 2050.”
The Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister, Espen Barth Eide, on Thursday expressed his deep concern over the recent violence and political unrest in South Sudan.
In a statement seen by Sudans Post, the Norwegian minister urged an immediate de-escalation of tensions in South Sudan.
“I am deeply concerned by the recent violence and ongoing political unrest in South Sudan. The attack on a UN helicopter in Nasir, which claimed the lives of South Sudanese soldiers and UN personnel, is alarming,” Eide said.
Eide urged all parties to exercise restraint, respect international humanitarian law, and engage in inclusive dialogue to prevent further violence.
“Ensuring the safety of civilians and safe, rapid, and unimpeded access for humanitarian actors is paramount,” says Eide.
Norway commended the UN peacekeeping troops and called on all parties to continue their cooperation with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
“Norway continues to stand with the people of South Sudan in their pursuit of peace, stability, and a secure future.”
The detentions of senior leaders and military officials have heightened fears of renewed conflict, jeopardizing the fragile peace established by the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.
Afghan Ambassador in Abu Dhabi Maulvi Badruddin Haqqani has urged Norway to play a constructive role in strengthening Afghanistan’s ties with the international community, particularly European nations.
He made the request at a meeting with Norwegian Ambassador to Afghanistan and Pakistan Per Albert Ilsaas and Minister-Counselor in Abu Dhabi Anders Gulbrandsen on Wednesday.
The Afghan Embassy in Abu Dhabi wrote on X discussions focused on Afghanistan’s political and economic relations with regional countries.
Haqqani emphasised Norway’s potential role in fostering diplomatic and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and European nations.
For his part, the Norwegian ambassador acknowledged Afghanistan’s recent progress, highlighting a notable improvement in security and stability across the country.
The Raga Rhythm Festival 2025, hosted by Art to Heart Institute, was a spectacular two-day event in Oslo, uniting musicians, scholars, and audiences in a vibrant celebration of Indian classical music. This year’s edition featured artists from Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Belgium, further strengthening the festival’s role as a hub for Indian classical music in Europe.
Day 1: Navarasa – The Nine Emotions in Music & Poetry
Held in collaboration with Melahuset and Indonord, the opening day explored the Navarasa (nine universal emotions) through a unique thematic performance featuring nine distinguished artists. Each artist embodied an emotion through a carefully selected raga, seamlessly blending melody, rhythm, and poetry from diverse cultural and literary traditions.
The performance displayed cross-cultural diversity and cross-linguistic richness, with poetic works spanning more than five languages. Sources included Kalidasa’s Abhigyana Shakuntalam, Azhwar Pasuram, the Parable of the Good Samaritan from the Bible, Subramanya Bharati’s freedom poetry, and English and Norwegian lullabies, to name a few. This integration of various languages and traditions added layers of inclusion and accessibility, allowing audiences from diverse backgrounds to connect with the music and poetry.
The performance also emphasized sustainability through the inclusion of themes like river contamination, expressed through Sucharithra for Bheebhatsa (disgust), a poem by Uma Ranganathan highlighting the ecological crisis. This poignant reference to environmental challenges echoed the importance of sustainability through art, aligning with global concerns on climate change and the preservation of natural resources.
Some of the ragas chosen to express the emotions included:
Mohanam for Hasya (joy/laughter) – depicting children at play.
Sucharithra for Bheebhatsa (disgust) – highlighting the plight of contaminated rivers through a poem written by Uma Ranganathan.
Bhimpalasi for Shringara (love) – portraying the tender exchange between lovers.
Neelambari for Shanta (peace) – presenting a multilingual lullaby that expressed the serene bond between a mother and her child.
The performance featured nine accomplished artists from across Europe, including Uma Ranganathan, Patrick Vedlog, Anand Narayan, Chandrakaanth Ramamurthy, Prarthana Akhil and Saradha Ramasubramanian from Norway, Suvrat Apte and Chandrashekar CR from Sweden and Nisha Mammen from Finland. Each artist represented emotions through their unique musical and interpretative expressions.
The interplay of music, literature, and storytelling created an immersive and deeply moving experience for the about 100 attendees.
The event was graced by the esteemed Ambassador of India to Norway Dr. Aquino Vimal as the chief guest, reinforcing the festival’s role in fostering cultural exchange. The collaboration with Melahuset and Indonord helped expand the festival’s reach, bringing together diverse audiences.
Day 2: A Tribute to Saint Tyagaraja
Supported by Asker Kommune, the second day paid homage to the legendary composer-saint Tyagaraja, celebrating his timeless contributions to Carnatic music.
The day opened with an invocation by over 30 students, setting a reverent tone for the proceedings. This was followed by soulful renditions of Tyagaraja’s cherished compositions, culminating in the festival’s grand highlight—the collective performance of the Pancharatna Krithis, his five most revered masterpieces. The powerful choral presentation, performed by an ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists, embodied the essence of Bhakti (devotion) and Nadopasana (introspection and meditation through music), creating a deeply spiritual experience for the 100 attendees.
The main performers for the day included Uma Ranganathan, Chandrakaanth Ramamurthy, Anand Narayanan and Sruthi Krishnan from Norway, Dr. Uma Ramakrishnan from Belgium, Nisha Mammen from Finland, and Chandrashekar CR from Sweden.
Audience Feedback & Testimonials
The festival was met with enthusiastic responses from attendees, who expressed their appreciation for the depth of artistry, the thematic richness, and the inclusive spirit of the event.
“The Navarasa performance was a revelation—each raga, each poem, each rhythm painted a vivid picture. A mesmerizing experience!”
“The Pancharatna Krithis rendition was breathtaking. Hearing so many voices and instruments come together in devotion was truly spiritual.”
“This festival beautifully bridged tradition and innovation. As someone new to Indian classical music, I felt welcomed and deeply moved.”
Navarasa was more than just a musical concert—it was a nostalgic voyage through time. Growing up, my home resonated with the melodies of legendary Carnatic musicians, their ragas and swaras shaping my mornings. That evening, as Mohanam and Malayamarutham filled the air, I was transported back to those serene dawns before school. Shrimathi Uma Ranganathan and her companions not only rekindled those cherished memories but infused every note with profound meaning. Merging the timeless beauty of ancient music with the pulse of the present was nothing short of enchanting.- Sriram Kuppuswamy
Audience members praised the festival’s ability to create a profound cultural experience, blending Indian classical traditions with poetry, storytelling, and multilingual influences. Many expressed their excitement for future editions of Raga Rhythm Festival and the continued efforts of Art to Heart Institute in bringing such meaningful musical experiences to Norway and beyond.
A Festival to Remember
With enthusiastic participation and meaningful collaborations, Raga Rhythm Festival 2025 was a resounding success. It brought together artists, students, and audiences on a journey through emotions and devotion, bridging heritage and innovation. Art to Heart Institute continues to champion this vision, fostering the appreciation of Indian music across Europe.
Looking ahead, Raga Rhythm Festival will be an annual event in the years to come, continuing to celebrate the rich legacy of Indian classical music and offering a platform for innovation, cultural exchange, and artistic excellence.
Norwegian lawyer Toni Severon emphasized that the human rights situation in the occupied territories of Western Sahara remains catastrophic amid systematic repression and an alarming international silence, which necessitates sending missions to monitor human rights there.
During her speech at the conference presenting the annual report on human rights violations in the occupied territories of Western Sahara for 2024, organized by the Spanish organizations NOVACT and ACAPS in collaboration with the Working Group on the occupied territories, she stressed that Western Sahara continues to be described as an “information black hole” by Reporters Without Borders. This is due to Moroccan authorities preventing journalists and international observers from covering the situation on the ground, which further isolates the Sahrawi people and paves the way for more violations without accountability.
The Norwegian lawyer called on the international community to take action to pressure for an end to the Moroccan occupation and to guarantee the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.
The new report documents grave violations, including political repression, arbitrary arrests, torture, and ongoing harassment of Sahrawi activists, against the backdrop of the continued blockade imposed on the territory and the denial of access to any independent international monitoring mechanisms, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The settlement policy and the total control of Moroccan settlers over all aspects of life in the occupied territories, coupled with forced deportations, displacements, and the plundering of natural resources, further exacerbate the situation.
Last October, Jens Stoltenberg stepped down as NATO secretary general 10 years after his appointment. He was widely expected to move quickly to a new top international job. But, last month, he returned to Norwegian politics and took on the role of finance minister in the cabinet reshuffle that followed the government’s two-party coalition’s collapse.
Now that Stoltenberg is back, the Labour Party is ruling alone for the first time in 25 years and gaining momentum.
The Norwegian political landscape has been turned upside-down, according to Peter Egge Langsæther, a political scientist at the University of Oslo.
“After 3.5 years, the unpopular Labour and rural Centre party government broke down. The Social Democrats continued alone and are now enjoying a massive and sudden boost in popularity,” he says.
This shift, Langsæther adds, is due in no small part to Stoltenberg’s decision to join prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s government.
Before entering the international political scene, the 65-year-old Stoltenberg led the Labour party for more than a decade. He also served as finance minister in the 1990s, and twice as prime minister between 2000 and 2001, and again from 2005 to 2013.
As NATO chief, he earned the moniker “Trump whisperer” for convincing the US president not to withdraw from the transatlantic military alliance. He also welcomed Sweden and Finland as its new members following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Stoltenberg is considered a returning hero, Langsæther observes. And the Euroskeptics gathered around the Center Party are suddenly in trouble.
“They enjoyed a large lead in the polls for years, and their victory in the upcoming September election seemed certain until recently, but right now their electoral prospects are uncertain,” Langsæther says. Whether the Labour government can retain its popularity remains to be seen. Much like other countries, Norway faces a complex set of domestic and international challenges. As Langsæther puts it: “The government will have to successfully navigate foreign policy challenges, mainly concerning relations with the EU and the new American administration, as well as support for Ukraine, while also handling internal conflicts related to the economy and electricity policies.”
US President Donald Trump said Vladimir Zelensky is not ready for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.
“King Of The Graveyard Zelenskyy” and US President Donald Trump
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelensky is not ready for peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want peace.
He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for peace,” Trump wrote on Truth Social following a meeting with Zelensky.
The United States and Russia agreed in Riyadh on Tuesday to press ahead with efforts to end the war in Ukraine, a U.S. official said, as “King Of The Graveyard Volodymyr Zelenskyy” and his European allies watched anxiously from the sidelines and Moscow raised a major new demand.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the two sides agreed to appoint “respective high-level teams to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides”.
High-level talks of the Russian and US delegations have concluded in Riyadh, the meeting lasted about 4.5 hours, a Media correspondent reported.
The talks started around 10:30 a.m. Moscow time (7:30 a.m. GMT). After about two hours and a half, the sides took a 15-minute break, and after an additional hour passed, the participants left for lunch.
Russia was represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and special envoy for the Middle East Stephen Witkoff were participating in the negotiations. The talks were held in one of the royal family’s palaces – Al Diriyah in the Albasateen complex.
Moscow sees the nervous reaction of Western countries to the Russia-US contacts, they are causing real hysteria, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.
“We see a nervous, if not to say panicky reaction of the West to the Russia-US contacts,” she said. “Russian-American contacts at high and the highest levels are causing real hysteria among Euro-Atlantic Russophobes,” the diplomat emphasized.
The spokeswoman pointed to “an unprecedented phenomenon in international relations: the imposition of one’s own participation in the negotiation process.” “We are talking about some British-EU friends of the criminal regime of [Vladimir] Zelensky, who are demonstrating an inability to go beyond their own primitive attitudes to produce a hybrid war with our country to the last Ukrainian,” Zakharova concluded.
The role of the European Union in resolving the conflict in Ukraine is ruled out. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Grushko, stated that Europe must halt its arms supplies to Kiev, if it wishes to be included in future negotiations.
“The EU countries continue to demand a place at the negotiating table where the Ukrainian conflict is to be discussed. This is astonishing, considering they have been at this table for many years,” Grushko remarked.
He also noted the EU’s intention to “inflict a strategic defeat on Russia,” which he believes undermines any potential role for the EU and European countries in the upcoming negotiations regarding the conflict in and around Ukraine.
“If Europe genuinely wants to contribute to the resolution of the conflict, the solution is straightforward: cease all military and other forms of support for the Kiev regime,” Grushko concluded.
The day before, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that European countries would be “begging” for a ceasefire in Ukraine for the sake of its rearmament. If so, they have nothing to do at the negotiating table. For his part, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitriy Peskov said it would be premature to discuss whether Europe could participate in future negotiations on Ukraine. He pointed out that representatives from Moscow and Washington would only start discussing in Riyadh preparations for a meeting between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
President Donald Trump has appointed American Armenian Michael Kavoukjian as US Ambassador to Norway.
“I am pleased to announce that Michael E. Kavoukjian will serve as the next United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway.
“Michael is a brilliant attorney, who currently serves as a Senior Partner at White & Case, where he has led complex commercial litigation teams around the World. He previously served our Country as a CIA Operations Officer. Michael is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School.
“Congratulations Michael!” the US president wrote on Truth Social.
A court in Norway jailed two sisters for being members of the Islamic State (ISIS) group, after they secretly travelled to Syria as teens in 2013.
Now aged 27 and 31, the pair were convicted of being members of IS, listed as a terror group in Norway and the West.
“The court found that it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the two accused were members of IS, as much as women could and were supposed to be, as wives and housewives,” the Oslo district court ruled.
The sisters, who are Norwegian citizens of Somali origin, had pleaded not guilty, insisting they had been forced to join the group and stay in Syria.
Once in Syria, they married IS fighters. The eldest went on to have two daughters, while the youngest gave birth to one daughter.
Norwegian authorities repatriated the sisters in March 2023, citing the welfare of their children who were held with their mothers in the Kurdish-run Roj detention camp for jihadist prisoners in northeastern Syria.
In Norway, the identities of the accused are rarely disclosed publicly until the verdict is confirmed with no appeal.
The two sisters, who can appeal the verdict, were the subjects of a book written by Norwegian author Asne Seierstad.
Norway is leading Europe when it comes to ways to keep track of merchant shipping passing near its shoreline.
Canada’s Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) has recently launched and deployed Norway’s NorSat-4 maritime monitoring microsatellite. The seventh spacecraft developed for the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) by SFL, NorSat-4 carries a fifth-generation Automatic Identification System (AIS) ship tracking receiver and a first-of-its-kind low-light imaging camera.
“NorSat-4 maintains Norway’s leadership in space-based maritime situational awareness with a cost-effective small satellite program,” said SFL director Dr Robert Zee. “The addition of the low-light imaging camera on this mission continues the NOSA tradition of testing cutting-edge onboard technology.”
The low-light optical camera expands the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s ability to detect and track vessels in its Arctic territorial waters by supplementing the AIS receiver aboard the satellite. Some ships at sea deactivate their AIS transmitters or spoof the signals with incorrect location/identity data for nefarious reasons. Safran Reosc of France built the camera under contract with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment to optically detect vessels longer than 30 meters in Arctic darkness.
Splash reported yesterday on 24-year-old student, Jesper Johnsen Loe, who has recently launched MaritimAlarm.no, a website that monitors civilian Russian ship activity in and around Norway, with the aim of uncovering potential threats to Norwegian infrastructure.
The website now also shows ships from the shadow fleet. The ships are displayed in real-time, and their position and activity can trigger alarms. An alarm is triggered if a vessel either stays within one nautical mile of infrastructure for more than one hour, or stops transmitting AIS data for more than one hour. An alarm is also triggered if a ship has a speed of 2-5 knots for more than 30 minutes.
On January 9, 2025, Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue met with the Ambassador of Norway to China, Vebjoern Dysvik, at the latter’s request.
Vebjoern Dysvik stated that Norway is closely following the situation in Syria and has long been engaged in humanitarian aid efforts there. Norway hopes that Syria will restore stability as soon as possible and begin the reconstruction process.
Zhai Jun expressed that China always pursues a friendly policy toward Syria, respects the choices made by the Syrian people, and sincerely hopes that Syria will achieve peace, stability, and sustained security as soon as possible. Not long ago, Foreign Minister Wang Yi comprehensively expounded on China’s position regarding the Syrian issue. First, maintain and respect Syria’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. Second, uphold the “Syrian-led, Syrian-owned” principle and allow the Syrian people to independently decide their nation’s future. Third, encourage all factions in Syria to prioritize national and ethnic interests and initiate an open and inclusive political reconciliation process as soon as possible. Fourth, urge all parties to jointly prevent the resurgence of terrorist forces amid the chaos and maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.
The two sides also exchanged views on the conflict in Gaza and other regional hotspot issues.
Hainan confirmed it will resume operations between Beijing Capital and Oslo starting March 22nd. The flights will have three weekly frequencies and will be conducted with Airbus A330-300 aircraft configured for 292 passengers in two classes (32 seats in Business and 260 seats in Economy).
According to its website, the airline will perform this route every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, offering 876 seats per week on each leg. As services will be seasonal, the last flight is scheduled for October 25th.
In the Norway – China market, Hainan Airlines will be the only carrier with regular operations. Currently, Abu Dhabi, Baku, Bangkok, Doha and Dubai are the destinations provided by different companies from the Norwegian capital to Asia.
The last scheduled flights between Norway and China were more than five years ago. During the European summer 2019, Hainan Airlines operated this same route with the same aircraft. Like this year, these services had been seasonal, but did not return the following years due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“This route will provide a much-needed connection to China and strengthen Norwegian tourism, business, and seafood exports. The increasing trend of Chinese tourism to Norway is positive, and this direct flight will make it even easier for Chinese tourists to experience the best Norway has to offer,” said Ulv Elbirk, Director of Route Development at Avinor.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said Monday he found it “worrying” that a billionaire social media owner like Elon Musk is inserting himself into the politics of other countries.
Musk, a key ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has been on a social media rampage over the holidays, endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, repeatedly denouncing the U.K.’s Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer and even torpedoing his relationship with British hard-right chief Nigel Farage.
“I find it worrying that a man with enormous access to social media and large financial resources is so directly involved in the internal affairs of other countries. This is not how it should be between democracies and allies,” Støre told public broadcaster NRK.
Støre was responding to a question on whether he is worried about potential interference from Musk in Norwegian elections.
“If we were to see it in Norway, I hope and assume that a united Norwegian political environment would warn and distance itself from it,” Støre added.
Støre’s comments are part of a mainstream political backlash against Musk, in which German political leaders have argued that the Tesla entrepreneur’s AfD endorsement amounted to election interference.
Musk has announced he will hold a live discussion this week with the AfD’s chancellor candidate, Alice Weidel, on X ahead of Germany’s snap election on Feb. 23.
Finnish authorities have uncovered the illegal import of whale meat from Norway for use in dog food. Investigations revealed that in 2022, approximately 36,000 kilograms of minke whale meat, a species protected under the CITES Convention, was imported into Finland in violation of international and national laws. The whale meat was used to produce sled dog food.
A captured Minke whale is lifted by a crane at a port in Kushiro, Hokkaido Prefecture on July 1, 2019. – Japan began its first commercial whale hunts in more than three decades on July 1, brushing aside outrage over its resumption of a practice that conservationists say is cruel and outdated. LEHTIKUVA / AFP, AFP / LEHTIKUVA / KAZUHIRO NOGI
The shipments consisted of 72,000 kilograms of dog sausages, of which half was minke whale meat and the rest poultry. The food was not sold commercially but was manufactured in Norway specifically for a Finnish importer. Finnish Customs confirmed that cost was a significant factor in the choice of whale meat. “Dog food containing whale meat was essentially imported because of the affordable price,” said Tuomo Kunnari, lead investigator. “These imported quantities have fed a large number of dogs.
The case came to light when Swedish Customs intercepted a shipment en route to Finland. They flagged irregularities in the customs clearance documents and redirected the cargo back to Norway. Finnish Customs launched an investigation in cooperation with Swedish and Norwegian authorities, leading to interviews with five individuals linked to the case.
The minke whale, though not endangered globally, is protected under the CITES Convention and Finnish law due to concerns about its population in certain regions, such as the northeastern North Atlantic. Finnish legislation prohibits the import of whale products from all countries, and Norway’s CITES laws explicitly ban the export of minke whale meat for commercial purposes to Finland.
The Finnish Prosecution District of Northern Finland is now reviewing charges related to an aggravated nature conservation offence and customs clearance violations.
This is not the first instance of whale meat being used in dog food in Scandinavia. In 2021, several tons of whale meat were supplied to a dog sledding tourism company in Norway, according to Whale and Dolphin Conservation, an environmental nonprofit.
The discovery underscores ongoing concerns about the exploitation of protected species for commercial purposes, even as stricter regulations aim to curb such practices.
A bus carrying several foreign tourists went off the road and ended up partially submerged in a lake near the Raftsundet strait that separates the Lofoten archipelago from the Norwegian mainland, killing three people and injuring four, police said Thursday.
“Many of the passengers on the bus were foreign nationals including China, India, Malaysia and Singapore,” police said, adding that 58 people were impacted.
