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Ukraine receives first F-16 jets, officials say

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The first batch of much-anticipated F-16 jets has arrived in Ukraine, according to Lithuania’s foreign minister and a U.S. official on Wednesday. This delivery is expected to aid Ukraine in restoring its weakened air force. The F-16s, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, have long been sought by Ukraine due to their significant firepower and widespread availability. Equipped with a 20mm cannon, these fighter jets can carry a variety of bombs, rockets, and missiles. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis remarked on X (formerly Twitter) that “F-16s in Ukraine. Another impossible thing turned out to be totally possible.” A U.S. official, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the delivery has been completed.

Denmark has pledged a total of 19 jets, while the Netherlands has committed to delivering 24 aircraft. Both nations have played a key role in forming an international coalition to supply Ukraine with F-16s. Norway has also announced it will donate six F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel have undergone training with the help of Western allies for several months.

As Ukraine has fought against Russia’s full-scale invasion that began in February 2022, it has relied on a limited fleet of Soviet-era aircraft. Ukrainian officials consider the addition of F-16s a crucial enhancement for their Air Force. However, analysts and officials indicate that while the F-16s will strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities, they are unlikely to be a decisive factor in the ongoing conflict.

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Norway’s King Harald to scale back official duties

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Norway’s King Harald, one of Europe’s longest-reigning monarchs, has decided to reduce his participation in official duties due to his age and recent health issues. At 88 years old, the king has faced illness, including a recent hospitalization in Malaysia where he received treatment for an infection and a pacemaker for a low heart rate. His absence from public appearances has been filled by his son, Crown Prince Haakon.

The royal household announced that King Harald will permanently reduce his public engagements, with adjustments made to his official activities. Despite facing health challenges, King Harald has adamantly stated his commitment to remain in his role until the end, as he views his oath as a lifelong commitment. Despite his health concerns, King Harald remains highly esteemed by Norwegians, with a majority expressing support for him to continue as monarch rather than abdicate in favor of his son, Crown Prince Haakon.

Throughout his reign, King Harald has been known for his progressive stance on various issues, including LGBT equality and refugee rights. In a notable speech in 2016, he expressed solidarity with diverse communities in Norway, emphasizing inclusivity and acceptance.

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Denmark to start conscripting women for military service

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Denmark has announced significant reforms to its military, including extending conscription to women for the first time and increasing the standard service duration. This decision is part of a plan to bolster its defense capabilities and align with NATO targets amid heightened tensions in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that the aim of these reforms is not to seek conflict but to prevent it. The government intends to achieve gender equality in the armed forces, with Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stressing that more inclusive conscription will address defense challenges and contribute to national mobilization.

Denmark will become the third European nation, after Norway and Sweden, to mandate women’s conscription starting from 2026, alongside extending service duration for both genders from four to 11 months. These changes aim to increase the number of individuals serving in the military annually from 4,700 to 5,000, with approximately 25% being women.

With a current armed forces strength of around 20,000 personnel, Denmark, with a population of nearly six million, plans to raise its military spending from 1.4% to 2% of GDP to meet NATO’s requirements. Lawmakers have taken measures such as abolishing a public holiday to redirect funds towards defense spending.

Denmark has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing advanced weapons, financial aid, and training to Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. Additionally, Finland and Sweden have recently joined NATO as the alliance strengthens its defenses in Europe amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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Swedish snow chaos leaves 1,000 vehicles trapped on main E22 road

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Over 1,000 individuals who found themselves trapped in heavy snow for more than 24 hours on the main E22 road in southern Sweden have been successfully evacuated, as announced by Swedish authorities. The rescue operation involved a coordinated effort of snow ploughs and emergency teams working through the night to free people stranded in their vehicles.

The travel chaos unfolded against the backdrop of plummeting winter temperatures across the Nordic countries, affecting Sweden, Finland, and Norway. In Denmark, snowstorms led to drivers being stranded on a motorway near Aarhus since Wednesday. The severity of the weather was exemplified by the Kvikkjokk-Arrenjarka weather station in northern Sweden, which recorded its coldest night in 25 years with temperatures plummeting to -43.6°C.

The disruption on the main E22 began around 09:00 local time on Wednesday when heavy snow made the road impassable in both directions between Horby and Kristianstad. Hundreds of cars came to a standstill in snowdrifts, leading to what police spokesperson Evelina Olsson described as “total chaos.”

Rescue efforts persisted throughout the night, with the army mobilized to deliver food and water to those stranded. While all individuals traveling by car were successfully evacuated, by Thursday morning, only lorry drivers remained in their vehicles.

Conditions were gradually improving on Thursday morning, with many cars cleared from the road. However, authorities cautioned that the road would not be fully cleared until 08:00 on Friday at the earliest. Meanwhile, buses and trains were canceled in the Skane region, and authorities urged people to avoid non-essential travel during this period of severe winter weather.

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Resumption of Whale Hunting in Iceland Subject to Stringent Regulations

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Iceland’s government has ended its summer pause on whaling and granted permission for hunting to recommence, subject to stringent new regulations. The sole company engaged in whale hunting, Hvalur, will be affected as the whaling season nears its conclusion. This decision has sparked anger among opponents of whaling.

Svandis Svavarsdottir, the Minister of Fisheries and Foods, acknowledged the majority sentiment of Icelanders who wish to halt whaling. She, however, cited the legal framework established by her predecessor’s earlier license as the basis for her decision. Iceland is now the only nation practicing large-scale whale hunting, performed solely by one company.

Svavarsdottir highlighted that Iceland’s values have evolved over time, suggesting that further discussions on the matter should occur within parliament and society. While Norway and Japan engage in commercial whaling, only Iceland allows the hunting of longer fin whales.

The traditional summer whaling season in Iceland concludes in September due to worsening weather and darkness. Sigursteinn Masson from the International Fund for Animal Welfare in Iceland expressed optimism, believing this could be the final year of whaling due to growing government unity against the practice.

The suspension in June stemmed from a report indicating that the time taken to kill whales exceeded welfare laws. The new regulations now dictate that fin whales can only be hunted within 25 meters of the boat, during daylight hours, without electricity, and with trained personnel using appropriate methods.

Financial returns from whaling have diminished, and the stricter regulations will amplify the costs and challenges of hunting. While polls suggest that 51% of Icelanders oppose whaling, numerous lawmakers may still support it.

The Left-Greens party, to which the food minister belongs, backs a ban, while others see continuing the tradition as a matter of sovereignty. Some groups have even pursued legal action to prevent the resumption of hunting.

There is growing concern that Iceland could face a Hollywood boycott due to the decision to resume whaling. Filmmakers have joined a petition against the practice. Annual quotas allow for the killing of 209 fin whales and 217 smaller minke whales.

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Walrus Freya killed by Norway gets Oslo sculpture

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Oslo has revealed a bronze statue of a walrus named Freya, who was previously a famous attraction but was euthanized due to concerns for public safety. The statue portrays Freya lying on her side on a shore and was created by Astri Tonoian, who named it “For Our Sins” to represent how humans treat wild nature and each other.

An online campaign raised $25,000 to fund the statue’s creation, with campaign organizer Erik Holm expressing anger towards the Norwegian Fisheries Directorate and the state’s handling of the situation.

Last August, Freya, who weighed around 600kg, was put down due to safety concerns, which sparked criticism across Norway. The walrus had become famous for climbing onto boats to sunbathe, sometimes causing them to sink.

The local authorities claimed that people had disregarded warnings to avoid getting too close to the animal, endangering themselves and Freya. In one instance, police blocked off a bathing area after the walrus chased a woman into the water. Additionally, the Norwegian fisheries ministry shared a photo showing a large group of people, including children, standing dangerously close to the animal.

Frank Bakke-Jensen, the director general of fisheries, defended the decision to euthanize Freya, stating that it was based on an assessment of the continuing threat to human safety. Bakke-Jensen explained that the public had disregarded recommendations to keep a safe distance from the walrus, and therefore, the potential for harm to people was high, and animal welfare was not being maintained.

He added that the operation to put Freya down was done humanely, and her body was taken for examination by veterinarians.

Freya, who was first seen in Oslo in July last year, was named after the Norse goddess of beauty and love. As a protected species, walruses are typically found further north in the Arctic and generally do not attack humans, although there have been a few rare incidents. In 2016, at a wildlife park in China, a tourist and a zookeeper were killed by a walrus.

The tourist had allegedly been taking selfies with the animal when he was grabbed and pulled underwater, while the zookeeper attempted to rescue him and was also pulled under.

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Russia-Norway relation hits new low

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The relation between Russia and Norway has hit a new low, after the latter alleged that the former attacked the email system of Norwegian parliament with the help of Russian cyber attackers.

Russia has denied the allegation levelled against the country by Norway. The European power has called the allegation provocative.

Meanwhile, Norway has criticized Russia with hard words. The country has termed the attack extremely serious.

Norway and Russia are not in a good relation with each other. Norway technically stands with the European Union. At the same time, Russia is technically out of the union.

The latest development is expected to widen the gap between the European Union and Russia, which is the successor of the erstwhile Soviet Socialist Republics of Russia.

It is important that the issue in the Eastern Europe is handled in a sensible manner. It is pertinent to note that the disturbance in the region can easily trigger a global crisis.

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One killed, two injured in stab attack in Norway

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A middle-aged woman has been killed and two other ladies injured in a series of stabbing attacks which has taken place in the European country of Norway.

The first incident of stabbing was reported from the Norwegian city of Sarpsborg. The second and third were reported from the same location.

The police alerted the locals as soon as they were informed about the incident.

A 31 year old man, who is a citizen of Norway, has been booked in connection with the attacks. The police are verifying whether the person has any serious mental issues. As per a preliminary report, the culprit is a person who has a bad criminal history.

It is learned that the accused had a relationship with at least two of the three women who suffered his stabs.

What makes the case complicated is that the woman who was killed by the man had no relationship with the man.

The condition of one of the two injured women is serious. The condition of the other is not too severe and is recovering.  

This case is one of the most heinous crimes reported from the region in the recent history.

Norway is not a crime prone region. It is very peaceful, compared to other countries located in this part of the world.

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Far-right attacker receives tough punishment of 21 years imprisonment

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A Norwegian youngster, who killed his step-sister and opened fire at a mosque, has been sentenced to as many as 21 year imprisonment.

The punishment has come with a minimum term of as many as 14 years – recently, the country has hiked the minimum term for hate crimes.

It is said that the attacker was inspired by similar attacks happened in New Zealand in the recent past.

The attack is one of the gravest crimes the country has seen in its recent history.

The far-right movement is not less active this part of the world.     

In the year 2011, similarly, a right-wing extremist carried out a horrific attack in the country. Unlike this time, his minimum sentence was at least four year shorter than what has been awarded to the latest case of far-right extremism.

It is high time for the European countries to look into this matter seriously. Norway is not the only European country struggling with the issue of far-right extremism.

Many European countries like Germany, Poland and Hungary are vulnerable to this issue.

Germany has recently reported several similar cases. In some states, even the rebirth of Neo-Nazism has been reported.

The development exposes a serious threat which needs urgent intervention.

V

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Anti-abortion advocates lost case in ECHR

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Two nurses, who approached the European Court of Human Rights against the discrimination they had undergone in Sweden for their refusal to carry out abortion, has not succeeded in winning their case in the top court based in the continent of Europe.

Ellinor Grimmark and Linda Steen, though are born in Sweden, are originally from the European country of Norway.

They applied for the post of midwife in Sweden. As the Swedish law requires midwives to carry out abortion, they were asked by their employer to do the service.

The nurses denied performing the service as they found that against their religious belief. Subsequently, they lost their jobs for that reason.

They approached several courts in Sweden before they has reached the ECHR.

Like every other court, the ECHR has also failed to understand the ground that they faced discrimination from their employer for their belief.

It is unclear what the next move of the duo will be. The possibility of the duo to approach the same court with the case is less, as that court is less likely to entertain the duo again in the future as there is no precedent exists like that so far.


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