This years Christmas present to a charity?
Norwegian YWCA is a home and a hostel for Norwegian youths in London. During 2010 they are planning to do refurbishment of their bathrooms, toilets, pipes etc. Every contribution would be appreciated. Account number: Barclays Bank 303.20.633. Sort code: 20-65-82. If you need further information, please have a look at www.kfukhjemmet.org.uk (in Norwegian) or contact the Manager Tor-Jarle Larsen on tjl@kfukhjemmet.org.uk

New Member offer: Hotel discount
SKENE HOUSE HOTELSUITES in Aberdeen offers discounted prices on suites. Download price list here
Tel: 012 2465 9301
Email: sheryl.wootton@skene-house.co.uk

JARLSBERG: WIN a holiday in Norway or the chance to win great prizes weekly!
This festive season, enjoy a hamper bursting with authentic Norwegian goodies and indulge in a Scandinavian feast... Read more here and here

NBCC Membership 2010
The year will soon come to an end and time has come to renew your membership with NBCC. Membership invoices will be sent out shortly. We thank you for all your support and hope that you will stay with us also in the future.
Not yet a member? Please visit our website at www.nbccuk.com and click on "Join us".

Statkraft: Power of osmosis used to deliver eco-friendly energy
A Norwegian firm is testing a renewable and emission-free source of energy that harnesses the power of water through osmosis. Statkraft, the Norwegian energy firm behind the test plant, says osmotic power could produce up to 1,600–1,700 terawatt hours worldwide – the equivalent of half of the energy generated in the EU today. Read more

The EU demonstrates CCS projects at DNV
The European Commission has held the preparatory meeting for its new knowledge-sharing network of carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration projects. The meeting gathered delegates from 22 projects in 13 European countries. Read more

Adjustments secure Åsgard gas
A new pipeline and well adjustments will increase the flexibility of gas production on the Åsgard field. Statoil is thereby giving a further boost to its Norwegian Sea node. Read more

NSIG unveils 2013 vision for energy sector
The establishment of the North of Scotland and the Islands as the hub of the UK’s renewable energy industry, a further rise in membership and stronger links between the Highlands and the North East are among the goals of leading energy and engineering umbrella organisation North Scotland Industries Group (NSIG) over the next four years. Read more

Farstad confirms charter agreements
Farstad Shipping announces 3 new charter commitments. Total value of the contracts is approx. NOK 255 million. Read more

Aker Solutions awarded Valhall hook-up contract
BP Norge has awarded Aker Solutions a contract for offshore hook-up of the new process and hotel (PH) platform at Valhall. The modules for this platform are now being constructed at several yards, and will be carried to the Valhall field during summer of 2010 with a subsequent hook-up and commissioning phase. Read more

Simulation technology could help prevent future financial crises
How will economic policies adapt in 2020 when a quarter of the EU population is over 65? Can economics better predict how banks will react to credit crunches in the future, and what their impact will be on the wider economy? How will the economy work when dwindling natural resources make it harder to satisfy our energy needs? Read more

Children who use technology are 'better writers'
Children who blog, text or use social networking websites are more confident about their writing skills, according to the National Literacy Trust. Read more

MySpace Music launches in the UK
MySpace has launched a UK version of MySpace Music in a bid to compete directly with streaming sites like Spotify and Last Fm. Read more

EU's Lisbon Treaty comes into force
The European Union is celebrating the entry into force of a new set of rules, hoping to put a full-stop behind the years of wrangling, set-backs and lowered ambitions that have marked this lengthy phase of institution building. Read more

Prices finally rise in euro area
Average consumer prices rose across the 16 nations sharing the euro currency in November, a further sign that the area is slowly moving out of recession. Read more

Creation of three European supervisory authorities for financial services
The Council has agreed on a general approach on draft regulations aimed at establishing three new authorities for the supervision of financial services in the EU. Read more

Industrial producer prices up by 0.2% in both euro area and EU27
In October 2009 compared with September 2009, the industrial producer price index 1 rose by 0.2% in both the euro area 2 and the EU27 2. In September 3, prices fell by 0.4% in both zones. Read more

Europe’s leading public financial institutions launch “Marguerite”, the 2020 European Fund for Energy, Climate Change and Infrastructure
Europe’s leading public financial institutions have launched a pan-European infrastructure fund with an initial capital of EUR 600 million and invited other investors to join them in a First Closing by March 3, 2010. The Fund volume is targeted at EUR 1.5 billion for final closing in 2011. Read more

London ‘top city for foreign investment’
London is the leading global city for tourism and direct foreign investment, according to Mayor Boris Johnson. Read more

Copenhagen: MEPs urge EU to continue leading fight against climate change
Parliament's expectations for the Copenhagen climate change summit in December include an ambitious and legally binding agreement that will require emission reduction targets for developed and developing countries as well as funding commitments and sanctions for non-compliance. Read more

President Barroso unveils his new team
José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, has announced the portfolios responsibilities for the next Commission. Read more

Obama to meet Norwegian Prime Minister
US President Barack Obama will meet Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg for political talks in the morning of December 10th, prior to the Nobel Prize awarding ceremony at the Oslo City Hall. Read more

The lights are on!
The Norwegian Christmas tree was lit on 3 December in Trafalgar Square, with thousands of people watching the traditional ceremony. Read more

Create your own Northern Lights!
The magical Northern Lights have bewitched humans for centuries, and now you can create your own Aurora Borealis online against a fairytale Norwegian backdrop. Read more

Biathlon: Svendsen wins opener
Norway's Emil Hegle Svendsen won the opening men's Biathlon World Cup race of the season in Oestersund, Sweden on Thursday, ahead of USA's Tim Burke, with Austria's Christoph Sumann in third. Read more

Oslo growing older
Archeologists now say Oslo's history will have to be re-written. They have made new escavations which show that people have lived on the Ekeberg heights east of the capital for 10,000 years. Read more

Norwegian Christmas trees to Europe
More than 140,000 Norwegian Christmas trees will be exported this year, up from just 2500 three years ago. Norwegian trees now adorn homes at Christmas in Britain, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Read more

Christmas Concert at the Norwegian Seamen's Church 5 December
Musicians: Ketil Bjørnstad & Gisle-Børge Styve. Read more

Norwegian Christmas in London
If you would like to take part in a traditional Norwegian Christmas Eve celebration, please contact Norwegian YWCA at 020 7727 9346 or tjl@kfukhjemmet.org.uk before 18 December. Price £10, which includes dinner, dessert, coffee and cakes. The celebration starts at 7.00pm.

Big Bang touring the UK before Christmas
One of the most popular bands in Norway over the past decade, Big Bang, finally returns to the UK to play a full support tour. Read more

Norwegian events in the UK
December is packed with Norwegian gigs and exhibitions across the UK – whatever you choose to do, enjoy it! Read more