Views and News from Norway

10/10/2025

NEWS COMMENTARY: The Norwegian Nobel Committee surprised just about everyone, including its former leader, on Friday by awarding this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to a woman who hadn’t turned up on the lists of candidates most likely to win. Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela, however, is “a brave and committed champion of peace,” according to the committee, “who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness.”

NEWS COMMENTARY: The Norwegian Nobel Committee surprised just about everyone, including its former leader, on Friday by awarding this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to a woman who hadn’t turned up on the lists of candidates most likely to win. Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela, however, is “a brave ...

05/10/2025

It’s only been out for a week, but strong demand for Jens Stoltenberg’s new book about his 10 years leading NATO has already prompted the printing of a second edition. More are likely, given all the book’s revelations, rave reviews and Stoltenberg’s own popularity both at home in Norway and abroad.

It’s only been out for a week, but strong demand for Jens Stoltenberg’s new book about his 10 years leading NATO has already prompted the printing of a second edition. More are likely, given all the book’s revelations, rave reviews and Stoltenberg’s own popularity both at home in Norway and ...

02/10/2025

More than 700,000 Norwegians have already signed up for a new government program aimed at warding off electricity rate shocks this fall and winter, and beyond. Called Norgespris (literally, Norway’s price), it’s all part of rate subsidy reform that can become expensive for the state.

More than 700,000 Norwegians have already signed up for a new government program aimed at warding off electricity rate shocks this fall and winter, and beyond. Called Norgespris (literally, Norway’s price), it’s all part of rate subsidy reform that can become expensive for the state. The governm...

25/09/2025

Norway’s royal family mostly clammed up last week when a highly controversial Netflix documentary involving them was released internationally. Now Crown Prince Haakon has opened up a bit, and tried to smile through the storm.

Norway’s royal family mostly clammed up last week when a highly controversial Netflix documentary involving them was released internationally. Now Crown Prince Haakon has opened up a bit, and tried to smile through the storm. The crown prince took a few minutes this week to talk to reporters while...

21/09/2025

NEWS ANALYSIS: A verbal assault on Norway’s King Harald V, broadcast internationally by his new American son-in-law Durek Verrett, has set off public uproar among Norwegians. Protests have come from both monarchists and those favouring a republic, and set off calls for the king to strip Verrett’s wife, Princess Martha Louise, of her royal title.

NEWS ANALYSIS: A verbal assault on Norway’s King Harald V, broadcast internationally by his new American son-in-law Durek Verrett, has set off public uproar among Norwegians. Protests have come from both monarchists and those favouring a republic, and set off calls for the king to strip Verrett’...

13/09/2025

UPDATED: No other leader of Norway’s Conservative Party has served as prime minister longer than Erna Solberg, and she’s led the party itself for 21 years. Calls kept rising this week for her resignation, though, after the Conservatives lost badly in Monday’s Parliamentary election, and on Friday she announced she’ll step down as party leader but serve her new four-year term in Parliament.

UPDATED: No other leader of Norway’s Conservative Party has served as prime minister longer than Erna Solberg, and she’s led the party itself for 21 years. Calls kept rising this week for her resignation, though, after the Conservatives lost badly in Monday’s Parliamentary election, and on Fri...

13/09/2025

Popular Norwegian actress Agnes Kittelsen is back in her native Kristiansand this autumn, and getting rave reviews as the main character in one of Henrik Ibsen’s most controversial dramas, Gengangere (Ghosts). Kittelsen says the play is just as relevant today as when it raised a scandal in 1881.

Popular Norwegian actress Agnes Kittelsen is back in her native Kristiansand this autumn, and getting rave reviews as the main character in one of Henrik Ibsen’s most controversial dramas, Gengangere (Ghosts). Kittelsen says the play is just as relevant today as when it raised a scandal in 1881. ....

13/09/2025

The world’s largest warship sailed up the Oslofjord for the second time in two years on Friday, just after taking part in NATO exercises off Northern Norway. The huge aircraft carrier’s visit also comes just days after Russian drones caused trouble in Poland and violated NATO airspace.

The world’s largest warship sailed up the Oslofjord for the second time in two years on Friday, just after taking part in NATO exercises off Northern Norway. The huge aircraft carrier’s visit also comes just days after Russian drones caused trouble in Poland and violated NATO airspace. The arriv...

07/09/2025

Norwegian election campaigns are known for being relatively short, civilized and even charming, with top politicians actively out meeting the public and even going door-to-door in an effort to win votes. This year’s Parliamentary election, however, has sparked concern over the record amounts of financial support given to conservative political parties by wealthy businesses and their owners, some of it anonymously.

Norwegian election campaigns are known for being relatively short, civilized and even charming, with top politicians actively out meeting the public and even going door-to-door in an effort to win votes. This year’s Parliamentary election, however, has sparked concern over the record amounts of fi...

07/09/2025

NEWS ANALYSIS: Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O Sandvik ceremoniously signed Norway’s biggest and perhaps best-received defense deal ever on Thursday, formally agreeing to buy five new British frigates for GBP 10 billion. The deal has been hailed as everything from “solid” to “comforting,” and shows how much times have changed since Norway lost a frigate just seven years ago.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O Sandvik ceremoniously signed Norway’s biggest and perhaps best-received defense deal ever on Thursday, formally agreeing to buy five new British frigates for GBP 10 billion. The deal has been hailed as everything from “solid” to “comforting,.....

07/09/2025

More than a quarter of Norway’s 4,053,932 eligible voters have already cast their ballots ahead of Monday’s Parliamentary election, while those undecided are still visiting various party campaign booths and engaging in lively political debate. Public opinion polls are now so close that one election expert is calling it a real thriller.

More than a quarter of Norway’s 4,053,932 eligible voters have already cast their ballots ahead of Monday’s Parliamentary election, while those undecided are still visiting various party campaign booths and engaging in lively political debate. Public opinion polls are now so close that one elect...

26/08/2025

It started with a few flower bouquets on Sunday, when news broke that a juvenile care worker had been brutally murdered on the job by a young man. By Tuesday morning the flower tributes had expanded, as police continue their investigation into what they’ve classified as a terrorist attack. The dea...