Norway

Norwegian aluminium group Norsk Hydro writes down assets

Norwegian aluminium group Norsk Hydro writes down assets Oslo - Norwegian aluminium group Norsk Hydro Wednesday said it was to write down assets worth 3.5 billion kroner (520 million dollars), citing "deteriorating market conditions and high input costs."

The cost was to impact the group's fourth-quarter 2008 results, which were due to be published February 18, the group said.

The group was also to reduce production.

Norway deplores "unacceptable suffering" for civilians in Sri Lanka

Sri LankaOslo - Norway on Tuesday said it was deeply concerned over the situation for civilians in Sri Lanka after the recent government offensive against Tamil rebels.

Earlier Tuesday, some 200 Tamils gathered outside the foreign ministry in Oslo calling for an end to the fighting.

"Norway condemns the ongoing warfare in Sri Lanka and the unacceptable suffering for civilians," Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement.

Norwegian government launches economic package

Norway, OsloOslo- Norway on Monday launched an economic package totalling 20-billion-kroner (2.9 billion dollars) to counter the effects of the global downturn and growing unemployment.

Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen told parliament the package was to "contribute to sustainable growth" and described it as "the most ambitious fiscal stimulus" in over 30 years.

The government forecasts zero growth this year - while the budget in October 2008 had estimated the economic growth at 2 per cent.

One adult killed in shooting near school in northern Norway

One adult killed in shooting near school in northern Norway

Norwegian diplomat compares Gaza offensive with World War II

NorwayOslo- The Norwegian Foreign Ministry distanced itself Wednesday from an e-mail sent by a Norwegian diplomat comparing Israel's offensive in Gaza with events in World War II and the persecution of Jews.

"We have clearly stated that the content does not represent Norway's official view," Foreign Ministry spokesman Haakon Svane told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

The female diplomat, based in Saudi Arabia, sent an e-mail from her official foreign ministry account with some 40 photos from Gaza paired with World War II images.

Third daughter of Norwegian princess christened

Norway, OsloOslo- The third daughter of Norwegian Princess Martha Louise, daughter to King Harald and Queen Sonja, was christened Tuesday.

The christening of Emma Tallulah Behn was held in the Palace Chapel in Oslo in the presence of the king and queen as well as her parents, Martha Louise and writer Ari Behn.

Among her seven godparents were Norwegian Crown Princess Mette- Marit, Princess Alexia of Greece and her grandmother Marianne Solberg Behn.

Tallulah means leaping or running water in Choctaw Indian.

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