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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

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway arrives for a reception of the Norwegian athletes who took part in the Paralympics in Milano Cortina 2026, at the Royal Palace in Oslo in April. Photo: AFP

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

Malaysia

‘Norway caused the problem’: Malaysia chases scrapped missile deal refund

2 Jun 2026 - 3:00PM

Malaysia

Malaysia blasts ‘conspicuously muted’ response over axed Norway missile deal

31 May 2026 - 6:23PMvideocam

Malaysia

‘Tiger without fangs’: Malaysia navy faces turbulence over Norway’s missile ban

While Malaysia considers alternatives from ‘three to four countries’, analysts say an advanced missile system is crucial for its navy.

28 May 2026 - 5:48PM

A test launch of a Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace naval strike missile from a ship. Photo: Kongsberg

Nordic nations

Norway to join France’s nuclear umbrella, in move away from US reliance

European countries are seeking to strengthen their defence capabilities ⁠amid doubts about US commitments and tensions with Russia.

28 May 2026 - 6:50AM

SCMP Highlights

Singapore’s tense drone trials, Thailand targets bad tourists: 7 Asia highlights

From Singapore’s weaponised drone trials to Thailand targeting bad tourists, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

26 May 2026 - 2:12PM

Cannes Film Festival

‘Fjord’ by Romania’s Mungiu wins Palme d’Or at Cannes

The film stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as a couple who have their children taken from them by child services for spanking them.

24 May 2026 - 9:03AM

Director Cristian Mungiu, Palme d’Or award winner for the film “Fjord”, poses after the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Defence

Bordering Russia, Norway adopts ‘total defence’ mode, focuses on civil readiness

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre warned earlier this year that ‘war could once again come to Norway’.

23 May 2026 - 3:52PM

SCMP Highlights

Xi hosts Putin over tea; rare earth find in northeast China: 7 highlights

From the Iran conflict rattling Chinese investors to Li Ka-shing’s charitable support, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

22 May 2026 - 12:34PM

Malaysia

US denies role in Norway’s cancelled missile sale to Malaysia

Washington said it supported the deal after the row raised questions over US influence on weapons with American-made parts.

21 May 2026 - 3:11PMvideocam

Visitors gather next to a display of an NSM Naval Strike Missile made by Norwegian company Kongsberg, at the Euronaval show, in Le Bourget, France in 2014. Photo: AP

Malaysia

Did US restrictions sink Malaysia’s US$147 million Norway missile deal?

Analysts say US-controlled parts may have been a factor in Norway’s revoked export licences, underscoring risks for Asian defence buyers.

21 May 2026 - 3:24PM

US President Donald Trump speaks to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store at a peace summit on Gaza in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in October last year. Photo: AFP

Animals

Norway reports Europe’s first case of bird flu in a polar bear

The H5N5 variant was also found in a walrus found about 1,000km from the North Pole, and is thought to be the likely cause of death.

20 May 2026 - 1:40AMvideocam

European cinema

Review | Fjord: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve anchor ice-cold child welfare drama

Fjord, set in a remote Norwegian village with stunning backdrops, explores a religious couple’s clash with Norway’s Child Protection Services.

19 May 2026 - 4:45PM

India

India links up with UAE, Europe on Modi’s grand tour

Seizing on the UAE’s Opec exit and a new EU trade pact, India’s PM looks to lock-in long-term energy supply and economic dividends.

18 May 2026 - 6:21PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre, left) is welcomed by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (centre, right) in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Photo: UAE Presidential Court/Reuters

Mainland China

Norway arrests Chinese national for alleged spying

Court orders suspect be remanded in custody for four weeks, in the second high-profile case this month.

18 May 2026 - 10:38AM

Norwegian intelligence services regularly single out China and Russia as the main risks to Norway. Photo: Shutterstock

Malaysia

Malaysia weighs legal action after Norway blocks missile exports

The missiles are central to Malaysia’s troubled littoral combat ship programme as Putrajaya says it will seek an explanation from Oslo.

14 May 2026 - 10:36AM

Nordic nations

Norwegian police arrest Chinese citizen on spying allegations

Authorities allege the woman had a suspected role in spying on Norwegian satellite data.

8 May 2026 - 11:57AM

China-EU relations

Two worlds collide: the regulatory battlefield hanging over EU-China ties

One side crafts regulation out of fear that the other side’s rules may expose its vulnerabilities.

4 May 2026 - 6:30PMvideocam

Jens Eskelund, chair of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, says ambiguous regulations make it difficult for companies to understand what they must comply with. Photo: dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

4 May 2026 - 1:17PMvideocam

Singapore

UN alarmed by Singapore executions for drug-related offences

UN rights chief Turk said drug-related offences not involving loss of life did not meet the ‘most serious crimes’ standard by international law.

22 Apr 2026 - 7:21PM

US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela’s Machado says ‘no regrets’ about giving her Nobel Prize to Trump

The opposition leader called the US president a leader who ‘risked the lives of his country’s citizens’ for her nation’s freedom.

19 Apr 2026 - 4:10AM

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado attends a rally in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Iran

Jailed Iranian Nobel winner ‘critical’ after heart attack

Supporters say the life of 2023 peace laureate Narges Mohammadi is at ‘immediate and irreparable risk’ in an Iranian prison.

16 Apr 2026 - 10:46AM

Iranian rights campaigner Narges Mohammadi. Photo: Narges Mohammadi Foundation via AFP

Britain

UK tracked Russian submarines in alleged Atlantic ‘covert’ op: defence secretary

John Healey said warships and military aircraft forced Russia to halt activity in UK waters near vital undersea cables and pipelines.

10 Apr 2026 - 4:23AM

China consumption

How ‘salmon’ raised in landlocked Xinjiang is netting fans in China

Aquaculture in the far-western region is expected to grow even more rapidly after a dependence on imported eggs is diminished or ended.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Middle East

Opinion | As the Gulf grows riskier, the Arctic is gaining strategic weight

As traditional energy centres become less stable, the Arctic’s resources, shipping routes and infrastructure are growing in importance.

25 Mar 2026 - 11:05AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Overseas monitors struggle to track Iran’s war casualty figures

With official updates frozen since March 8, human rights groups say true casualty figures in Iran are unknown.

24 Mar 2026 - 7:56PMvideocam

A Tehran residential building damaged by a strike. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Middle East

Many more to follow? As Iran hangs 3 young men, rights groups raise alarm

The three are the first to be executed from among tens of thousands arrested during a brutal crackdown on protests in January.

21 Mar 2026 - 5:40PMvideocam

Climate change

Himalayan glacial loss threatens 2 billion as Asia’s ‘water tower’ shrinks

Conflicts, such as the Iran war, are diverting global attention away from the ecological crisis, scientists warn.

21 Mar 2026 - 3:00PM

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Norway

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.

‘Norway caused the problem’: Malaysia chases scrapped missile deal refund

Malaysia blasts ‘conspicuously muted’ response over axed Norway missile deal

‘Tiger without fangs’: Malaysia navy faces turbulence over Norway’s missile ban

While Malaysia considers alternatives from ‘three to four countries’, analysts say an advanced missile system is crucial for its navy.

Norway to join France’s nuclear umbrella, in move away from US reliance

European countries are seeking to strengthen their defence capabilities ⁠amid doubts about US commitments and tensions with Russia.

Singapore’s tense drone trials, Thailand targets bad tourists: 7 Asia highlights

From Singapore’s weaponised drone trials to Thailand targeting bad tourists, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

‘Fjord’ by Romania’s Mungiu wins Palme d’Or at Cannes

The film stars Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as a couple who have their children taken from them by child services for spanking them.

Bordering Russia, Norway adopts ‘total defence’ mode, focuses on civil readiness

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre warned earlier this year that ‘war could once again come to Norway’.

Xi hosts Putin over tea; rare earth find in northeast China: 7 highlights

From the Iran conflict rattling Chinese investors to Li Ka-shing’s charitable support, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

US denies role in Norway’s cancelled missile sale to Malaysia

Washington said it supported the deal after the row raised questions over US influence on weapons with American-made parts.

Did US restrictions sink Malaysia’s US$147 million Norway missile deal?

Analysts say US-controlled parts may have been a factor in Norway’s revoked export licences, underscoring risks for Asian defence buyers.

Norway reports Europe’s first case of bird flu in a polar bear

The H5N5 variant was also found in a walrus found about 1,000km from the North Pole, and is thought to be the likely cause of death.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Review | Fjord: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve anchor ice-cold child welfare drama

Fjord, set in a remote Norwegian village with stunning backdrops, explores a religious couple’s clash with Norway’s Child Protection Services.

India links up with UAE, Europe on Modi’s grand tour

Seizing on the UAE’s Opec exit and a new EU trade pact, India’s PM looks to lock-in long-term energy supply and economic dividends.

Norway arrests Chinese national for alleged spying

Court orders suspect be remanded in custody for four weeks, in the second high-profile case this month.

Malaysia weighs legal action after Norway blocks missile exports

The missiles are central to Malaysia’s troubled littoral combat ship programme as Putrajaya says it will seek an explanation from Oslo.

Norwegian police arrest Chinese citizen on spying allegations

Authorities allege the woman had a suspected role in spying on Norwegian satellite data.

Two worlds collide: the regulatory battlefield hanging over EU-China ties

One side crafts regulation out of fear that the other side’s rules may expose its vulnerabilities.

Trump says US will ‘guide’ ships out of Hormuz, as vessels attacked

US to launch new mission dubbed ‘Project Freedom’ as Tehran signals interference would be seen as a ceasefire violation.

UN alarmed by Singapore executions for drug-related offences

UN rights chief Turk said drug-related offences not involving loss of life did not meet the ‘most serious crimes’ standard by international law.

Venezuela’s Machado says ‘no regrets’ about giving her Nobel Prize to Trump

The opposition leader called the US president a leader who ‘risked the lives of his country’s citizens’ for her nation’s freedom.

Jailed Iranian Nobel winner ‘critical’ after heart attack

Supporters say the life of 2023 peace laureate Narges Mohammadi is at ‘immediate and irreparable risk’ in an Iranian prison.

UK tracked Russian submarines in alleged Atlantic ‘covert’ op: defence secretary

John Healey said warships and military aircraft forced Russia to halt activity in UK waters near vital undersea cables and pipelines.

How ‘salmon’ raised in landlocked Xinjiang is netting fans in China

Aquaculture in the far-western region is expected to grow even more rapidly after a dependence on imported eggs is diminished or ended.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | As the Gulf grows riskier, the Arctic is gaining strategic weight

As traditional energy centres become less stable, the Arctic’s resources, shipping routes and infrastructure are growing in importance.

Overseas monitors struggle to track Iran’s war casualty figures

With official updates frozen since March 8, human rights groups say true casualty figures in Iran are unknown.

Many more to follow? As Iran hangs 3 young men, rights groups raise alarm

The three are the first to be executed from among tens of thousands arrested during a brutal crackdown on protests in January.

Himalayan glacial loss threatens 2 billion as Asia’s ‘water tower’ shrinks

Conflicts, such as the Iran war, are diverting global attention away from the ecological crisis, scientists warn.

Review | Fjord: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve anchor ice-cold child welfare drama

Opinion | As the Gulf grows riskier, the Arctic is gaining strategic weight