Web Summit Qatar 2026 opens as Doha positions itself as rising global tech hub
Web Summit Qatar 2026 opened in Doha on Sunday, drawing tens of thousands of founders, investors, policymakers and technology leaders to what organise...
Norwegians head to the polls Monday on the final day of a close parliamentary election, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere’s Labour Party narrowly favoured to win. Rising living costs, inflation, and global crises are shaping voter choices.
The left-wing bloc of Labour and four smaller parties is expected to win 88 seats, just above the 85-seat majority. This is down from the 100 seats they held after the 2021 election.
On the right, the populist Progress Party, the Conservatives, and two smaller groups look set to take the remaining 81 seats. The race is very close, and results may depend on how the smallest parties perform.
Voters have been focused on inflation, taxes, and public services. The election could also affect Norway’s oil and gas sector, Europe’s energy supply, and the management of the $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund.
Prime Minister Stoere, who has led the country since 2021, may benefit from international tensions, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Analysts say his experience as a former foreign minister makes him appear steady and reliable.
At least nine parties are expected to win seats, but only the leaders of Labour, Progress, and the Conservatives are in contention for prime minister. Stoere may need support from the Communist Party and the Greens in a diverse “tutti frutti” coalition. These parties could push for stricter oil and gas limits, higher taxes on wealthy citizens, and more spending from Norway’s wealth fund.
Labour is polling at 27%, making it the largest party. The Progress Party is at 21%, ahead of the Conservatives at 14%. Disagreements between right-wing leaders Erna Solberg and Sylvi Listhaug over the prime ministership have left some voters uncertain about a right-wing government.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has begun negotiations with European leaders over Greenland and that an agreement is already taking shape.
The United States accused Cuba of interfering with the work of its top diplomat in Havana on Sunday (1 February) after small groups of Cubans jeered at him during meetings with residents and church representatives.
Dmitry Medvedev, said European countries have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine and have instead inflicted serious economic damage on themselves, as he criticised EU policy, praised Donald Trump as a leader who seeks peace, and said Russia would “soon” achieve military victory in the war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any U.S. military attack on Iran would spark a wider regional conflict, Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
U.S. president Donald Trump said Iran is “seriously talking” with the United States and expressed hope that negotiations could lead to an outcome acceptable to Washington.
The Kremlin has confirmed that the next round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States will be held in Abu Dhabi on 4–5 February, after the meeting was postponed last week to align the schedules of all delegations.
Hungary has vowed legal action against the European Union over a planned ban on Russian gas imports by 2027, after Brussels said national objections would not override EU law.
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused French President Emmanuel Macron of authorising intelligence operations aimed at eliminating “undesirable leaders” in Africa, claiming that Paris is pursuing a political comeback after losing ground in several former colonies.
Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar are trying to organise a meeting in Ankara between White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and top Iranian officials, according to reports in the U.S. and Turkish media.
German authorities have arrested five people suspected of running a criminal network to circumvent European Union sanctions by exporting goods to at least 24 sanctioned Russian defence companies, the federal prosecutor’s office said on Monday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment