During the World Bank’s annual meeting in Bali, Minister of International Development Nikolai Astrup signed an agreement committing Norway to contribute NOK 450 million to Somalia through the World Bank’s Multi Partner Fund for Somalia for the next three-year period.
The Multi Partner Fund seeks, among other things, to support the Government of Somalia’s efforts to increased tax revenues, better financial management and improved basic services for the people of Somalia.
‘Even though the security situation has improved, Somalia is still vulnerable. The relationship between the federal government and the federal member states remains challenging. The international community must do what it can to promote stability and trust. Improving the security situation and ensuring the provision of basic services to the population are important elements of this work,’ Mr Astrup said.
In the period 2015-2017, Norway contributed NOK 212 million to the Multi Partner Fund for Somalia. The Fund has delivered significant results.
‘The Fund has contributed to increased stability and development in Somalia, and we are very pleased to see what has been achieved so far. We also greatly value our collaboration with the World Bank, which has enabled a creative and flexible approach despite a challenging situation,’ Mr Astrup said.
( Press release / MFA )
Four U.S. soldiers were injured in a major North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercise in Norway in an accident involving four vehicles Tuesday, the U.S. military said.
The floods in 
The number of converted Muslims in Norway increased to at least 3,000 in the recent years, a researcher at Oslo University’s Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages said.
NORWAY’s Crown Princess Metter-Marit has been diagnosed with lung disease pulomonary fibrosis – but has vowed to continue working ‘as much as possible’ with the condition.
‘The UN’s agency for Palestine refugees (United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA) is in a critical financial situation following the US decision to cut all funding to the organisation. Norway has decided to make an extraordinary contribution of NOK 64 million. This will help to ensure that schools remain open and humanitarian needs continue to be met,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
“The Artist of the sound”
The Ministry of Finance sends on public consultation the report on energy stocks in the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global.
Energy experts gathered today at the annual 
Women in Norway who were vilified after WWII for having had relationships with German soldiers received an official government apology on Wednesday from Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
Leaders from the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) announced the sponsors who will help ensure that the summit will fulfill its pledge to meet or exceed international sustainability standards for large events.
“The government’s focus on transport and communications links the nation ever closer together. We are building roads and railways at a pace never before seen, with particular focus on technology. In pursuing our objectives in this sector we are making life easier for the majority of citizens, supporting the competitiveness of our trade, industry and commerce, and developing and expanding population and commercial regions. The government proposes an investment of 73.1 billion kroner in transport and communications. This is an increase of 5.4 billion kroner or 7.9 percent compared to the balanced budget for 2018. This proposal results in an impressive 75 percent increase in the transport and communications budget since 2013”.
I occasionally have people send me messages asking how they can move to Norway or how to find jobs when moving to Norway. Most of them are optimists and wish to land a job upon, or before moving. I once did this too when I was preparing for the move. I would find blogs about Norway, contact the writer and ask questions. Though maybe I wasn’t as optimistic as some who have contacted me, I did have my concerns about the job market. More specifically, my chances of finding a job being a recently transplanted American having weak Norwegian speaking skills.
‘Parts of Europe’s southern and eastern neighbourhood are still severely affected by fragility and conflict . Much of the Sahel region, for example, remains unstable and provides a breeding ground for a variety of threats ranging from extremism to state collapse. The Government has therefore proposed a substantial increase in funding for these areas,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
Sri Lanka Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on Tuesday have arrested a Norwegian national who was attempting to smuggle in gold jewellery worth over NOK 0.6 million.