Norway PM stranded abroad by volcanic ash cloud turns to iPad to govern

Stranded Norway PM turns to iPad to govern

OSLO — Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, stranded abroad by the volcanic ash cloud, has discovered a new tool for governing remotely: Apple’s iPad.

Trude Maaseide, a spokeswoman for the prime minister, told The Associated Press that Stoltenberg began using his newly purchased iPad for the apparently novel purpose while stuck in New York on Thursday, after his return flight was canceled.

“When we were in the U.S., it was one of several tools that he used to keep in touch with the office back in Norway, to do his work,” Maaseide said.

She spoke Friday from Basel, Switzerland, where the prime minister was gradually making his way back to Oslo after catching an overnight flight to Madrid.

Most airspace over northern Europe remained closed Friday evening, and Maaseide said it was unclear how and when the prime minister would return to Norway.

“We’re taking it step by step and judging which route is the most effective, safe and dependable,” she said.