My site might not be known for news in Norway or current events, I know. But a generous guest writer has submitted some interesting current news in Norway to keep us all up to date! Enjoy.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg claimed that Norway’s relations with China remain strained since China refused to allow jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo to fly to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize

In 2010, Liu was awarded the Nobel Peace Price for his human rights advocacy in China. One of his most outstanding accomplishments was the drafting and circulating of Charter ’08, an online petition calling for human rights, democracy and the rule of law in China. But at the time he was supposed to receive the aforementioned award, Liu was serving an 11-year prison term for subversion (he was sentenced on December 25, 2009). Despite immense pressure from the international community to release him, China kept him in jail.

Therefore, Norway may resort to imposing political and economic sanctions on China in order to secure Liu’s release. According to reports by the Norwegian media, Norway might prevent China from joining the Arctic Council as a permanent observer. If this sanction is implemented, China will lose the chance to wield influence over the Arctic region—an increasingly important trade route. China, in turn, has turned down bilateral free trade talks with Norway since 2010.

Food Becomes More Expensive for Norwegians

Increases in global food prices rendered food more expensive for average Norwegians. As of February 2012, the FAO Food Price Index is at 214 points. Although this is 7% lower than in January 2011, many experts still find it high. Not surprisingly, the prices of basic commodities in Norway increased. Food products that are affected by the price increase include oils, cereals, sugar, dairy products and meat. These are staples in the Norwegian diet.

But Norwegian authorities say that the high FAO Food Price Index is not the only reason behind rising food prices in Norway. Senior Grains Economist Abdolreza Abbassian claims that weather conditions and dollar and oil prices were also to blame. Global warming has made it increasingly difficult for farmers and fishermen to maintain abundant harvests and catches. Fluctuating dollar and oil prices dramatically affect the costs of processing and transport, which, in turn, influence food prices.

LTTE Stamps Asked to be Withdrawn

A senior government official requested the Norwegian government to pull out a series of LTTE stamps that the Posten Norge distributed at the request of the LTTE rump. He found the stamps odious for a number of reasons. First, they go against the Norwegian law of forbidding the issuance of stamps containing nude pictures, foul language or material offensive to any individual. Second, the stamps might end up glorifying terrorism and, in the process, cause pain to LTTE victims and their families. The official then asked the Norwegian government how would it react if other countries issued stamps featuring Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian rightist fanatic behind the July 22, 2011 massacre in Oslo. Norway’s External Affairs Ministry was planning to discuss the issue with the Norwegian mission in Colombo.

More Work and Less Bathroom Breaks

DNB Bank A.S.A., an Oslo-based insurance company, came up with an unusual strategy to increase the productivity of its workers. The said company used a new surveillance system that allows employees eight minutes to go about their personal businesses, including bathroom breaks. After the allotted time has passed, the surveillance system will alert managers by flashing lights. The management of DNB Bank A.S.A. was hoping that the new surveillance system will reduce the time employees spend on lavatory visits, cigarette breaks and personal phone calls and devote more time to working.

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