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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

Smoke from a massive wildfire in Belgium’s Hohes Venn region is seen from Germany, on Sunday. Photo: dpa

European Union

Belgium battles worst wildfire on record, EU allies come to aid

Helicopters from the Czech Republic and Swedish water-bombing aircraft were due to arrive under the European Union civil protection mechanism.

16 Aug 2026 - 6:09PM

Natural disasters

Colombia quake death toll hits 265, as rescuers race against the clock

13 Aug 2026 - 2:26PMvideocam

Britain

Norwegian teen found guilty in UK murder plot tied to Iran-linked group

29 Jul 2026 - 8:49PMvideocam

Nordic nations

European heatwaves drive summer tourists to cooler north

The concept of ‘coolcations’ – holidays in a cooler clime – has been gathering pace in recent years and appears to have exploded in 2026.

26 Jul 2026 - 12:54PM

A tourist takes photos of Mount Nuolja, overlooking Abisko in northern Sweden, on August 26, 2021. Photo: AFP

Erling Haaland

Meet Erling Haaland’s dad Alfie, who played for Norway in the 1994 World Cup

Before a knee injury forced his retirement, Alfie Haaland enjoyed a successful football career at Manchester City and more … but guess what he wanted his youngest son to become?

24 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

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

While its men’s team has not competed since 2002, this year’s tournament has generated significant profit for many Chinese firms.

19 Jul 2026 - 4:03PM

A customer browses a FIFA World Cup 2026 store in Beijing displaying merchandise featuring Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi. Photo: EPA

Americas and the Caribbean

Cuban dissident artist Otero Alcantara lands in US exile

One of the most prominent figures in Cuba’s new dissident movement, Otero Alcantara had just completed a five-year sentence on the island.

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

Garrya Mu Cang Chai is nestled in a protected heritage landscape of terraced rice paddies in the northern Vietnamese mountains. As well as breathtaking scenery, the luxury resort offers wellness treatments, and food and activities intertwined with the traditions of the local Hmong people. Photo: Garrya Mu Cang Chai

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

Video footage released on Monday shows what the US military says is a strike in Iran. Photo: US Central Command Public Affairs via AFP

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

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

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky upon arrival for a summit of the Coalition of the Willing at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris on Monday. Photo: AFP

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

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

US President Donald Trump meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the start of the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday. Photo: AP

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

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

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

Neil, a 1,000kg elephant seal, moves through a public area in Tasmania on Saturday. Photo: Sam Volker Photography/AP

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

Yang Tao has been appointed as a distinguished professor at China University of Petroleum-Beijing. The university held a distinguished professorship appointment ceremony on June 13. Photo: Handout

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

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

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Isabel Haugseng Johansen last Christmas Eve. Photo: @erling/Instagram

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

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

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