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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

Britain’s King Charles (front) and Prince William. Photo: Pool via Reuters

Royalty

UK’s Prince William to represent King Charles at funeral of Norway’s King Harald

Prince William also attended the funeral of Pope Francis last year on the king’s behalf. King Harald’s funeral is to be held on September 9.

6 Sep 2026 - 6:41AM

Space

German rocket reaches space as Europe enters satellite launch race

6 Sep 2026 - 6:25AM

War and conflict

Norway seizes Russian ship over US$4.2 billion claim by Ukrainian energy firm

3 Sep 2026 - 11:51PM

Royalty

Norway’s King Haakon VIII swears allegiance to constitution

Haakon’s wife Queen Mette-Marit, 53, was not beside her husband as she is still recovering from her June 17 transplant.

1 Sep 2026 - 8:01PM

Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra (right) sits next to her father King Haakon VIII during an oath-taking ceremony for the new king to Norway’s constitution in the main chamber of the Norwegian parliament in Oslo on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Nordic nations

King Haakon VIII takes throne as Norway mourns death of King Harald

The 53-year-old takes over a monarchy hailed for its modernity and modesty but which has been beset by a string of recent scandals.

30 Aug 2026 - 3:17AM

Royalty

Who is King Haakon? What to know about Norway’s new monarch

Haakon takes the crown following his father’s death, and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra becomes heir apparent.

28 Aug 2026 - 4:18PM

Royalty

Norway’s King Harald dies at 89 after 35-year reign

Son becomes King Haakon VIII following the death of Europe’s oldest reigning monarch.

28 Aug 2026 - 7:41PM

Norway’s King Harald in 2024. He died in hospital on Friday after an illness. Photo: NTB/Ole Berg-Rusten via Reuters

Malaysia

‘An intrusion’: data centre fights test Southeast Asia’s AI ambitions

From Malaysia to the Philippines, residents have begun resisting power-hungry AI projects planned next to their homes.

25 Aug 2026 - 12:00PM

European Union

Sword attack that killed 1 at Sweden high school prompts social media probe

Police are investigating whether the teenager who carried out the attack was involved in online communities promoting school violence.

23 Aug 2026 - 12:36AM

South Korea

Why South Korea wants to rebuild a DMZ railway despite Kim’s cold shoulder

With Washington and Pyongyang talking over its head, Seoul is rebooting a border railway to keep its lonely diplomacy on track.

22 Aug 2026 - 2:44PMvideocam

Train tracks are seen at the Baengmagoji Station in South Korea’s Gangwon province, near the demilitarized zone separating it from the North. Photo: AFP

India

India joins China and South Korea in push for Arctic shipping routes

With Middle East sea lanes choked by conflict, melting polar ice offers Asia a seasonal two-week short cut to European ports.

22 Aug 2026 - 2:00PM

An oil tanker traverses icy waters. Russia’s Northern Sea Route is attracting growing interest from Asia's commercial shipping lines. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

How warming in Siberia could shatter Trump’s Arctic ambitions

Sinking terrain and spiking methane threaten ambitious Arctic shipping routes, pipelines and mining projects, Chinese-led study warns.

18 Aug 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

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

As many as thousands of people are still missing, with the first 48 to 72 hours being crucial for retrieving survivors.

13 Aug 2026 - 2:26PMvideocam

A Mexican rescuer gestures while searching through rubble on Wednesday, two days after an earthquake struck Cali, Colombia. Photo: AP

Britain

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

Prosecutors said Natland had been recruited by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organised crime group used by ⁠the Iranian state.

29 Jul 2026 - 8:49PMvideocam

People walk along the River Thames in London. Natland is ‌the latest young adult to stand trial in Britain and ‌elsewhere over serious criminal acts allegedly carried out after being recruited ⁠online for money. Photo: EPA

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

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

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

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

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

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

A French Gowind-class offshore patrol vessel, of the design on which Malaysia’s littoral combat vessel is based. Photo: AFP

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

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

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