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Norway

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Norway. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Oslo

Head of State

King Harald V

Head of Government

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron after the 26th Franco-German Ministerial Council at Augustusburg Palace in Bruehl, Germany, on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

European Union

France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

France is the only nuclear power in the 27-member EU, while Germany plans to build Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039.

19 Jul 2026 - 6:32PM

China exports

China did not qualify for the World Cup. It may have won in economic terms

19 Jul 2026 - 4:03PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

19 Jul 2026 - 7:18AMvideocam

China travel

The Haaland effect? Chinese tourists flock to Norway amid World Cup ad blitz

The hulking striker has become a huge star in China during the World Cup, helping his homeland attract a growing wave of tourists.

18 Jul 2026 - 4:30PM

SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong bar’s World Cup win; Vietnam’s lush resort: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a look at the new Kung Fu Soccer film to a stunning mountain resort in Vietnam, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

16 Jul 2026 - 4:11PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says Strait of Hormuz a ‘red line’, vows to fight till the end

Tehran warned of ‘existential war’ with America and threatened to block more energy exports from the Middle East.

16 Jul 2026 - 8:16PMvideocam

Thailand

Thai police arrest boxing camp manager for trafficking underage boys for sex

The suspect was captured after undercover officers posed as clients seeking sexual services from three boys aged 13, 15 and 16.

15 Jul 2026 - 9:01PM

An officer guards the victims after police raid a boxing camp in Rayong province on Tuesday. Photo: Royal Thai Police

Malaysia

Malaysia’s US$500 million warship set for delivery, minus the missiles

The navy’s first littoral combat ship is arriving later this year without the anti-ship missiles meant to give it offensive teeth.

15 Jul 2026 - 2:56PM

Ukraine war

Ukraine allies meet in Paris to boost air defence, pressure Russia to end war

The 37-member Coalition of the Willing aims to develop ‘purely defensive’ anti-ballistic capabilities in Europe.

14 Jul 2026 - 3:40AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Fifa World Cup: Hong Kong pubs, restaurants enjoy net gains from big matches

Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman says business ‘up 60 to 70 per cent’ in nightlife district and set to get ‘crazier’ for the final.

13 Jul 2026 - 12:41PM

Norway’s Erling Haaland (right) has become an internet sensation in China. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa

Fifa World Cup: Norway on edge before historic quarter-final against England

Few expected the team to make it this far in the tournament, and the result is a nation united in euphoria around its team of Vikings.

11 Jul 2026 - 5:05PM

Norwegian supporters celebrate their round-of-16 win over Brazil at Karl Johans gate in Oslo on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Crime

Norway police says 28 arrested in international child porn operation

The men, aged 22 to 54, had been arrested in Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.

8 Jul 2026 - 7:15PM

United States

Trump still ‘disappointed’ with Nato, says US should control Greenland at summit

US president says he has ‘very good relationship’ with ‘loyal’ Turkey and is weighing up selling F-35 fighter jets to them.

8 Jul 2026 - 4:01AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Norway urges China to help bring Russia to Ukraine peace talks

‘China is probably the country with the ‌best and most direct access to the Russian leadership,’ said Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Stoere.

7 Jul 2026 - 7:01AMvideocam

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere at the prime minister’s residence in Oslo, Norway on Monday. Photo: EPA

Canada

Canada picks German firm for new sub fleet deal, likely strengthening Nato ties

German firm TKMS beats Hanwha Ocean of South Korea to Canadian submarine agreement in a move expected to strengthen ties with Nato.

7 Jul 2026 - 9:06PM

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney at HMC Dockyard in Halifax on Monday. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

Australia

Australian officials tell fans to give Neil the seal some flipping space

Neil, the only male elephant seal to visit Tasmania in years, has commanded an enthralled TikTok following of 1.4 million.

3 Jul 2026 - 12:52PM

Science

Energy expert Yang Tao returns from Norway to China University of Petroleum

Yang looks to cooperation with Europe in areas such as low-carbon technologies, digital energy and emerging sustainable solutions.

1 Jul 2026 - 5:17AMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia narrows hunt for replacement missiles after Norway axes contract

Turkey, South Korea and two unspecified European nations are in the frame to replace a cancelled Norwegian anti-ship missile.

29 Jun 2026 - 6:00PM

A Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Naval Strike Missile is test launched from a ship. Photo: Kongsberg

Malaysia

Malaysia demands US$257 million from Norwegian firm over axed missile deal

The country says it is asking Norway to mediate between the two parties so that the company can settle the claims.

26 Jun 2026 - 3:17PM

Erling Haaland

Meet Norway striker Erling Haaland’s girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen

The pair met when they both played football at the youth academy of their hometown, Bryne, Norway, and welcomed a son in 2024.

22 Jun 2026 - 6:00PM

Animals

Iceland resumes whale hunt amid protest

It is one of the only three countries – alongside Japan and Norway – that still openly permit whaling.

21 Jun 2026 - 12:31AMvideocam

Two whaling ships are docked in the harbour in Reykjavik, Iceland, in August 2019. Photo: dpa

Artificial intelligence

Norway enacts near AI ban for junior school pupils, curbs use for older children

The move follows a 2024 ban on smartphones after Norway recorded a broad decline in education test ‌scores.

20 Jun 2026 - 2:55PM

An illustration of artificial intelligence. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere announced a near ban on the ⁠use of generative ⁠AI tools by elementary ⁠school pupils on Friday. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Africa relations

More and more Africans want to learn Chinese. But who will teach them?

African nations are adding Chinese to their national curricula, but the roll-out is hampered by a lack of qualified teachers.

19 Jun 2026 - 4:56PMvideocam

Royalty

Norway’s crown princess has ‘successful’ lung transplant

Palace confirms the 52-year-old royal is recovering in an Oslo hospital, weeks after doctors said she joined the waiting list for a new lung.

17 Jun 2026 - 6:04PM

Royalty

Norwegian crown princess’ son to be jailed 4 years for rape, domestic violence

One alleged rape took place in ‌the basement ‌of the crown prince’s family home, the court heard.

15 Jun 2026 - 7:35PM

Marius Borg Hoiby looks at his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, at a dinner in Oslo on June 16, 2022. Photo: AP

Art

Britain’s David Hockney, a giant of contemporary art, dies aged 88

A major artist of the 20th and 21st centuries, he continued painting, experimenting and exhibiting right up until his death.

13 Jun 2026 - 1:54AM

Artist David Hockney poses for a picture at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in April 2018. Photo: TNS

Sexual harassment and assault

Days before rape verdict, court grants release of Norway crown princess’ son

Facing 40 charges including rape, Marius Borg Hoiby wins a release order after pleading to see his ailing mother, but prosecutors appeal.

9 Jun 2026 - 11:27AM

Nordic nations

Norway crown princess awaits lung transplant

There had been a ‘dramatic deterioration’ in her health in recent months, giving her only around a year left to ⁠live without a transplant.

5 Jun 2026 - 9:35PM

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