Latest news with #CecilieMyrseth
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Norway becomes 55th nation to sign NASA Artemis Accords for peaceful space exploration
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Fifty-five nations have now penned their commitment to NASA's Artemis Accords. NASA announced Norway's decision to join the Artemis Accords for a "safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space" as the space agency's website phrases it. Norway is the third country to join the Artemis Accords so far in 2025. A signing ceremony to welcome Norway took place today (May 15) at the Norwegian Space Agency in Oslo, with Norway's Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth signing on behalf of the Norwegian government. "The United States and Norway have a longstanding relationship in space. Collaboration stretches back to 1962, when NASA supported the first civilian suborbital rocket launch mission above the Arctic Circle from Andøya Space," a statement from the U.S. Department of State says. 'We're grateful for the strong and meaningful collaboration we've already had with the Norwegian Space Agency,' acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro said in an agency statement. 'Now, by signing the Artemis Accords, Norway is not only supporting the future of exploration, but also helping us define it with all our partners for the Moon, Mars, and beyond,' she said. The Artemis Accords were established in October 2020 with the U.S. and seven other founding countries. The Accords represent a set of principles and guidelines designed to shape how nations explore the moon and deep space. The Accords also echo key concepts from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, aiming to promote peaceful, cooperative space activity. The Artemis Program is NASA's current initiative to return humans to the moon to create a sustained presence on the lunar surface and eventually Mars. The first Artemis mission, Artemis 1, launched in November 2022. The mission launched the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with an uncrewed Orion spacecraft on a month-long mission into orbit around the moon and back. RELATED STORIES: — Cooperation on the moon: Are the Artemis Accords enough? — NASA's Artemis program: Everything you need to know — Estonia joins Artemis Accords as moon-exploration coalition agrees to continue outreach efforts Artemis 2, which has been delayed due to allow more time to prepare the Orion capsule after its predecessor mission experienced heat shield issues, will fly four astronauts a "free-return" trajectory around the moon once before flying them back to Earth as early as February 2026. Artemis 3, slated for 2027, will be the first mission in the program to land astronauts on the lunar surface, but beyond that, the program currently exists in uncertainty. The "skinny budget" recently released by the White House slashes NASA's budget by nearly 25%. The new budget cancels NASA's massive SLS rocket after Artemis 3, and scraps Gateway, the lunar space station also in development for future Artemis missions.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA Welcomes Norway as 55th Nation to Sign Artemis Accords
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following an international signing ceremony Thursday, NASA congratulated Norway on becoming the latest country to join the Artemis Accords, committing to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration of space. "We're grateful for the strong and meaningful collaboration we've already had with the Norwegian Space Agency," said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro. "Now, by signing the Artemis Accords, Norway is not only supporting the future of exploration, but also helping us define it with all our partners for the Moon, Mars, and beyond." Norway's Minster of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the country during an event at the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) in Oslo. Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, director general of NOSA, and Robert Needham, U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires for Norway, participated in the event. Petro contributed remarks in a pre-recorded video message. "We are pleased to be a part of the Artemis Accords," said Myrseth. "This is an important step for enabling Norway to contribute to broader international cooperation to ensure the peaceful exploration and use of outer space." In 2020, the United States, led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords, the first set of practical guidelines for nations to increase safety of operations and reduce risk and uncertainty in their civil exploration activities. The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention and the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices for responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data. Learn more about the Artemis Accords at: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NASA Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Stunning' EU country loved by Brits threatens tourist tax following huge boom
Following a record-breaking 38 million overnight stays, one EU country - renowned for its beautiful scenery - is consulting on a bill that could add three per cent to tourists' accommodation costs Yet another EU country is mulling over a tourist tax, in what could be a huge blow to Brits. Once an off-the-beaten track destination, reserved only for series globetrotters and hiking enthusiasts - Norway has slowly slipped under the tourist spotlight. Luring British holidaymakers with its 'stunning' mountains, glassy lakes, and chocolate box cabins - Norway's popularity has surged astronomically in the last few years. In fact, last year it garnered a record-breaking 38 million overnight stays - a four per cent spike from 2023. Direct flights to the Norway from major UK airports such as London Stansted, Gatwick, and Manchester has made the country even more accessible - and affordable, with return flights in June priced as low as £28*. It means trekking up to the majestic fjords for a weekend of walks, saunas, and wildlife spotting no longer guarantees you'll be on your own. While the country's government says the tourism boost is 'great', it also acknowledges the strain holidaymakers can put on popular regions. As a result, it has proposed a 'visitor contribution' that municipalities can 'voluntarily introduce'. Following a round of consultation, the new bill has given municipalities the power to charge tourists three per cent on all forms of paid accommodation, including hotels, campsites, and rentals through platforms like Airbnb. This is a two per cent reduction from the five per cent levy that was first proposed - to 'reduce the burden on the accommodation industry'. The voluntary tax can also be adjusted based on the season. So, municipalities may chose to implement the levy during peak travelling times, and remove it during off-peak months. In government press release, that has been translated into English, Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth warned: "If the tourism industry is to continue to grow, this must happen within sustainable frameworks. We must address the challenges. Visitor contributions have been introduced in many countries in Europe. Payment in connection with accommodation is the most common form of visitor contribution in those countries that have chosen to introduce this." Profits from the tourist tax cannot be used to 'balance municipal budgets' and should be strictly for financing tourism-related public goods. This include the installation of toilets, waste disposal, and information activities. "In the long term, a moderate visitor contribution can help make travel destinations more attractive to tourists and reduce the inconvenience to local residents," the government added. "This contributes to better trust between the industry, visitors and local residents."
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Goyal holds talks in Oslo to strengthen India-Norway trade & investment ties
Oslo: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held separate meetings here, on Wednesday, with Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and the Scandinavian country's Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth to discuss the implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement and strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. "In my first engagement after arriving in Oslo, held a bilateral meeting with Espen Barth Eide, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs. We discussed the implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), strengthening bilateral ties, and boosting trade and investment between our nations," Minister Goyal posted on X. This was followed up with another bilateral meeting with his Norwegian counterpart, Cecilie Myrseth. "Delighted to meet Cecilie Myrseth, Minister of Trade and Industry, Norway. Our talks focused on deepening trade engagement in alignment with the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement and on exploring new opportunities to further elevate India-Norway bilateral ties," Goyal wrote on X. The Indian minister also co-chaired the Norway India Business Executive Roundtable alongside Myrseth. "Discussions centred on expanding economic cooperation, fostering innovation-led growth, and exploring potential collaborations to further strengthen business ties between the two nations," Goyal said. He also visited the Norwegian Parliament - Stortinget and interacted with "some of the distinguished members". "Had an extensive discussion on enhancing India-Norway trade and economic ties. We also exchanged views on our strong democratic traditions and commitment to development, rooted in people-centric governance", Goyal said. Goyal is on a five-day visit to London, Oslo, and Brussels for strengthening India's trade and investment relations with the UK, Norway and the European Union. The visit to Oslo comes against the backdrop of India having signed a comprehensive free trade agreement with the four-nation European bloc EFTA in March last year. It is expected to be implemented this year. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The two sides signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in March, last year. India has received a commitment of a $100 billion investment over 15 years from the grouping, while allowing products such as Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds from the region to come into the country at lower or zero duties as part of the agreement. Negotiations have also picked up momentum for a trade agreement with the 27-nation European Union (EU). India and the EU are exploring the possibility of an early harvest agreement before finalising a comprehensive pact. The 11th round of negotiations between the two sides is scheduled from May 12–16 in New Delhi.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Norway raises security concerns over Manhattan-sized Arctic land sale as tensions rise
A large plot of private land in Norway's Arctic Svalbard archipelago may soon be sold for about €300 million ($330 million), but the deal has raised concerns in Oslo over national security. The property, known as Søre Fagerfjord, covers roughly 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) and is the last privately owned land in Svalbard. A group of international and Norwegian investors has offered to buy the land, but officials in Norway worry it could give foreign powers a strategic foothold in a sensitive Arctic region. The land is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the main town of Longyearbyen and has been in Norwegian hands for over a century. It was listed for sale last year, and the government quickly made it clear that any sale must be cleared in advance due to security To Keep Supplying Us Navy With Fuel Despite Company Boycott Call One of the sellers even called it a "strategic foothold in the High Arctic," which has only fueled concerns. Svalbard is becoming more important as melting sea ice opens up new shipping routes and increases global interest in the Needs To Be Convinced Defeat In Ukraine Is Inevitable, Norway's Finance Minister Says The buyers describe themselves as environmentalists from NATO countries who want to protect the land. Read On The Fox News App "The consortium includes both Norwegian and international investors who have a long-term perspective of protecting this territory from environmental changes," said Birgit Liodden, a shareholder and climate activist. She added that about half the money from the sale would go toward environmental projects in Svalbard. So far, the group has not discussed the sale with the Norwegian government. Still, Norwegian officials are cautious. In 2024, they blocked a similar attempt by Chinese investors. Trade Minister Cecilie Myrseth warned at the time that such actions could harm regional stability and threaten national interests. Svalbard is governed by a 1920 treaty that gives over 40 countries, including Russia, China and the U.S., equal rights to live and do business there. The sellers' lawyer, Per Kyllingstad, said the buyers only want to protect nature and that the sale should not be article source: Norway raises security concerns over Manhattan-sized Arctic land sale as tensions rise
