New Guidance Notes for border fields
The Norwegian and British authorities have prepared new Guidance Notes with the intention of helping companies through the process of seeking Government approval for the development of trans-boundary fields. Read more |
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| ICT news: |
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Telecoms: consultation on future universal service in digital era
A public consultation on what is the best approach to ensure that basic telecoms services are available for all EU citizens has been launched by the European Commission. Current EU rules on universal service obligations for telecoms date from 2002 and guarantee that Europeans have access to public telephone networks and to services like basic internet access. Read more |
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Telecoms: mobile phone customers entitled to protection from data-roaming "bill shock" as from 1 st March 2010
As from 1st March 2010, European mobile phone operators are obliged under EU roaming rules to offer their customers a cut-off limit facility to protect them from 'bill shocks' for surfing the Internet with their mobile phones and laptops while travelling in other EU countries. Read more |
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Pupils in England and Wales to get 'download lessons'
A third of 11 to 17-year-olds who subscribe to premium rate services on their mobiles have no idea what they cost, according to new research. Read more |
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Money sharing comes to Facebook
Friends on social networking site Facebook can now send small payments directly to each other via an application called Buxter. Buxter handles transactions in Euros or US dollars, with plans to launch in Sterling in the next four weeks. Read more |
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More children use the Web
A total of 25 per cent of all Norwegian five and six-year-olds are active users of the Internet. This is shown by a new, extensive survey made by the Norwegian Media Supervisory Board. Read more |
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| Fish, food and beverages news: |
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MEPs set out fisheries reform priorities
The planned overhaul of the EU common fisheries policy should take better account of the huge differences across European fleets and fisheries, give greater responsibility to fishing regions, address the problem of fleet overcapacity and improve the traditional quota system. Read more |
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Record export of seafood
The export of seafood from Norway reached a new record in February, with an export value for the month of NOK 4.2 billion. This is an increase of NOK 650 million or 18.5 per cent compared with the same month last year. Read more
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| Finance, market and government news: |
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Europe 2020: Commission proposes new economic strategy in Europe
The European Commission has launched today the Europe 2020 Strategy to go out of the crisis and prepare EU economy for the next decade. The Commission identifies three key drivers for growth, to be implemented through concrete actions at EU and national levels: smart growth, sustainable growth and inclusive growth. Read more |
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Airport charges: security is Member States' responsibility, say MEPs
Aviation security measures that go beyond common EU requirements should be paid for by Member States, not by passengers, said Transport Committee MEPs in a vote on Monday that could put Parliament on a collision course with the Council of Ministers. Read more
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Internal Market Scoreboard
At 0.7%, the average transposition deficit of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway is the same as the EU Member States’. “This Scoreboard confirms that the EEA EFTA States continue performing well”, says President Per Sanderud. “Liechtenstein and Norway are well below the 1% target, whilst Iceland still needs to improve to reach the target”. Read more |
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Enterprise 'clusters' seen as foreign springboard for SMEs
Small businesses traditionally struggle to make inroads into foreign markets due to cultural barriers and marketing costs. However, SMEs have a better chance of selling their products and services overseas if they are part of a larger package of regional expertise. Read more
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Financial crisis response: Commission asks stakeholders for views on further possible changes to Capital Requirements Directive
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on further possible changes to the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD) aimed at strengthening the resilience of the banking sector and the financial system as a whole. Read more
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EU interim forecast: recovery is in progress but remains fragile
The EU economy is gradually recovering, whilst still facing headwinds. Real GDP started to grow again in the third quarter of 2009, ending the longest and deepest recession in the EU's history. The exceptional crisis measures put in place in the EU played a major role in turning the economy around. However, in line with the autumn 2009 forecast, growth eased in the fourth quarter, as the impact of some temporary factors started to fade. Read more
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Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs to boost creation of small enterprises
Are you thinking about setting up your own business or are you already a successful entrepreneur? The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs exchange scheme offers an excellent opportunity for new entrepreneurs to acquire relevant skills for managing a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). Read more |
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A financial transaction tax to dampen speculation and pay for the crisis
A globally implemented tax to discourage excessive risk-taking by financial institutions and to ensure the industry pays for the damage caused by the financial crisis should be considered, believes Parliament's Economic Affairs Committee. If a worldwide tax proves unachievable, the EU could consider going it alone, say MEPs. Read more
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Extending maternity leave to 20 weeks fully paid
Minimum maternity leave in the EU should be extended from 14 to 20 weeks and be fully paid, believe MEPs in the Women's Rights Committee. An entitlement to paid paternity leave of at least two weeks was also approved by the committee. Read more
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Pension Fund recaps losses
The Norwegian Central Bank reports a record annual return for the Government Pension Fund Global in 2009. The fund returned 25.6 percent, equivalent to 613 billion kroner. This was 4.1 percentage points higher than the return on the benchmark portfolio. Read more
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| Various Norwegian-British news: |
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The new Holmenkollen Hill official opened
Norway's top woman ski jumper Anette Sagen opened the show with a jump measuring 106.5 metres, when the New Holmenkollen Hill was officially opened Wednesday evening, in front of a crowd of 6000. Read more |
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Football: Slovakia - Norway 0-1
Norway won 1-0 away in a friendly against Slovakia on Zilina Stadium in Slovakia Wednesday evening. Morten Moldskred scored the winning goal for Norway in the second half. Read more |
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UK and Norway fight climate change together
The UK's Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, and Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, have reached agreement on a set of priorities for diplomatic cooperation to fight climate change. Read more |
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| External events: |
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Norwegian Events in the UK – March
There are numerous Ibsen productions around the country, several bands and DJs are heading across the North Sea for UK gigs, and don’t miss this month’s exciting art exhibitions. Whatever you do, enjoy it! Read more |
