Norway's top stories from the last seven days
Here's what you may have missed from Norwegian news over the past week.
Top Story: Clinton nomination positive, says Norway's Finance Minister
Siv Jensen has welcomed Hilary Clinton becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee in the race to become the next president of the USA. She hailed the move as an important moment for women's rights.
SAS Norway strike averted, but passengers still suffer
Management at Scandinavian Airlines signed a new wage agreement with Norwegian pilots, averting a planned strike. However, the airline's Swedish pilots are currently on strike, which is affecting many intra-Scandinavian routes most notably Oslo to Stockholm.
Orlando shooting felt deeply in Norway
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg characterised Sunday’s mass shooting in the US as a hate crime aimed at the gay community but said Oslo Pride would move forward with no extra security.
Value of Norway's oil fields drops sharply
Paywalled article from the Wall Street Journal: A report from oil-data firm Rystad Energy estimated the value of Norway’s direct ownership in oil and gas fields at 810 billion Norwegian kroner ($97.9 billion), down from 1.23 trillion kroner in a similar estimate two years ago, the government said.
BP spins off Norway business
BP has sold its Norwegian oil fields to a company controlled by Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Roekke in a 10.8 billion kroner stock deal. Aker BP ASA will be the seventh-largest producer in Norway.
‘Noah's ark' takes on Norwegian coastguard and comes off worse
The Guardian reports that a seventy-metre long representation of the biblical ship hit a moored patrol vessel while being towed into Oslo harbour. No one was injured but both ships suffered damage.
Close Sweden-Norway ties despite EU border dividing them
With Norwegian-Swedish trade links worth €18.6 billion annually, there is a huge economic and political interest in keeping trade and traffic flowing between the two countries, despite the EU border separating them.
Oil strike threat increases
The threat of strike action among 6,000 oil service worker employees in Norway increased last week, as unions and energy company representatives failed to settle wage disputes, according to multiple sources.
Sport
Norway women secure Euro 2017 spot
Women's Football – Norway secured a place in next summer's European Championships in the Netherlands with a comfortable 2-0 win in Wales.
John Arne Riise retires at age of 35
The former Norway international defender hangs up his boots after struggling to cope with the demands of the Norwegian game. The Champions League winner had been playing for Aalesund this season.
Travel
Norway Traveller: A photo tour of Vesterålen
While the peaks are not as ragged and the scenery not quite as dramatic, the Vesterålen islands are no less enjoyable than their big brother Lofoten and absolutely perfect for a road trip.
Summer skiing, Norwegian style
Fonna is situated at the heart of some of Norway’s and possibly the world’s most spectacular scenery which make a trip far more than just about the skiing. Situated on the Hardangerfjord, the options for non-skiing activities are huge and unlike some summer ski areas in the Alps, there are no high-rise apartment blocks to be seen.
Blogs
Munch and the Expressionist movement
From the Norwegian American: “This movement manifested in the German-speaking countries, a place where Munch’s work had been widely seen and enthusiastically received, as well as where he lived for extended periods of time. And that is why, no matter how many exhibits you have seen about Munch, this one is different.”
Hei small town Norway, I like you
From Norway Times: “We’ve been in the new house now for 10 days. I have spoken more Norwegian, and to more Norwegians, than the whole 9 months I was living in Oslo.”
Impressions of a cabin in the Swedish wilderness
From Snow in Tromsø: “Staying in a cabin in Swedish Lapland for Easter, that can only be reached by snowmobile in winter and boat in summer was definitely a special experience for me.”