Although Norway decided not to join the EU following negative national referendums held in 1972 and 1994, the country has maintained close economic, political, and sectoral relations with the EU for decades, primarily through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, and an increasing number of other, mostly bilateral, agreements. The EEA Agreement, in force since 1994, brings together EU Member States and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein in the single market, and provides for the free movement of people, services, goods and capital. The agreement also covers competition and State aid regulations, horizontal policies such as consumer protection, energy, environment and social policy, as well as flanking policies such as research, education, culture, public health and entrepreneurship. The EU and Norway have developed extensive trade ties. In 2024, Norway was the sixth largest EU trade partner in goods. Norway is one of the EU's key suppliers of oil, gas and electricity and its largest supplier of fish. The EU and Norway also maintain close and robust political relations. They are aligned on the main foreign policy issues and hold foreign policy dialogues. Cooperating under North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) auspices and beyond, they are equally close partners on security and defence. Moreover, although the EEA Agreement excludes justice and home affairs, Norway participates in key aspects of EU cooperation in this area, primarily through the Schengen Agreement. The European Parliament is closely involved in nurturing EU-Norway relations. It sends a delegation to the EEA Joint Parliamentary Committee, holds an annual bilateral interparliamentary meeting with Norway, and meets its Norwegian counterparts in other forums. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Singapore is diversifying its energy mix through alternative sources of energy such as biomethane and solar. It is also studying the potential deployment of nuclear energy, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Monday (Nov 17).Fu, who is also Singapore's Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, was delivering Singapore's national statement at the high-level segment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Belem, Brazil on Nov 17. Singapore was 13th among the list of first 31 countries and regional groupings to deliver their national statements in the first session. The two-day segment will see countries delivering their national statements. Intergovernmental organisations and groups of non-governmental organisations admitted by the Conference of the Parties (COP) will also deliver their statements.In her statement on behalf of Singapore, the minister reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to work with the global community to progress towards climate goals.

Ukrainian attempts to break through encirclements in two key areas on the front line are failing, the Russian Defense Ministry has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Berlin’s “militaristic” rhetoric could push Moscow to take steps to ensure its security, Dmitry Peskov has said Read Full Article at RT.com

British authorities are considering seizing asylum seekers’ valuables to cover costs and deter them from arriving in the UK Read Full Article at RT.com

A $100 million corruption scandal has infuriated the public and put Ukraine’s Western backing at risk, Le Monde has reported Read Full Article at RT.com

The president’s right hand-man, Andrey Yermak, must be sacked, Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak has demanded Read Full Article at RT.com

TEHRAN – The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings has placed 48 Iranian universities in the list of top universities in 2026, compared to 32 universities in 2025.

TEHRAN – A total of 152 earthquakes were recorded across the country in a week from November 8 to 14, according to the seismological networks of the Institute of Geophysics of the University of Tehran.

TEHRAN – Iran University of Medical Sciences and Islamic University College, Ghana, have co-organized a two-day clinical workshop on ‘Pediatric Critical Care Nursing’ in Ghana.

TEHRAN – Iranian robotics team, called Mositto, has managed to win a gold medal at the 8th edition of RoboCup Asia-Pacific (RCAP) 2025.

Manama (HOL) — Somalia’s national football team will take on Bahrain in a friendly match Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Bahrain National Stadium, a key test for both sides as they prepare for upcoming regional competitions.

A significant directive from the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities mandates NCERT to convert textbooks for all grades into Indian Sign Language within three months. Education boards are also urged to introduce ISL as a standalone subject from Class 1 to university level, addressing a critical gap for hearing-impaired students and promoting inclusive education.

The top diplomats held a phone conversation at the initiative of the Iranian side

Sheikh Hasina also stated that the interim government of Bangladesh under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus is «destroying the systems of public services and law enforcement agencies»

Over its long history, the corporation's enterprises have created and supplied over 30,000 engines to more than 100 countries, Alexander Grachev said

The issue is very complex, very multifaceted, there will be no simple solutions here, Nurlan Zhakupov noted

According to Alexander Stepanov, the operation cannot be halted without taking some kind of combat action

Stonegate Group will soon have the option of getting rid of many venues, after suffering amid Covid lockdowns, rising inflation and hikes to employee contributions.

Maxie Allen, 50, says he feels 'vindicated' after he and his TV producer partner Rosalind Levine, 46, received a £20,000 payout from Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Despite the ominous 'E' word, Sarah seems certain all is not lost; public favour, she feels, can be hers once again with her planned rebrand as a 'global empowerment leader'.

The group are believed to have been headed into town for a night out when the Volkswagen Golf they were travelling in collided with a Toyota Landcruiser.

An asylum overhaul described by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood as the biggest for a generation is at risk of unravelling even before she has formally unveiled it.

A devastating bus fire near Medina in Saudi Arabia has claimed the lives of 45 Umrah pilgrims from Telangana, with only one survivor. The blaze spread rapidly, preventing most passengers from escaping the tragedy. This incident marks one of the most severe overseas accidents involving pilgrims from the state in recent years.

Ethiopian health authorities have confirmed the first outbreak of the Marburg virus, with at least nine infections Read Full Article at RT.com

Germany must boost its military due to the supposed threat of attack by Russia, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give the go-ahead for mayors in England to impose the charges, adding costs to stays at hotels and bed and breakfasts.

An overhaul Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has described as the biggest for a generation is at risk of unravelling even before she has formally unveiled it.