Norway Halts Deep-Sea Mining Plans Amid Controversy

Norway has paused its plans for commercial-scale deep-sea mining after political opposition from the Socialist Left Party, which threatened to withhold budget support unless the first licensing round was scrapped. The decision comes amid environmental concerns and opposition from 32 countries, including France and Germany. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoer described the move as a "postponement," with further environmental research to be conducted. The suspension is seen as a victory by environmental groups like Greenpeace, while the country's energy ministry has yet to comment.