Norway Weekly 166: Norway's top stories from the last seven days
As usual there's been plenty Norway-related news over the past week, including protests around the world against Barnevernet, the soverign wealth fund dropping a bunch of coal-related companies from its investment portfolio, and one of the worst misses ever seen in football.
Top Story: Live-streamed sea to be next Slow TV
Fancy watching the ebb and flow of the sea for 12 hours? You will soon be able to thanks to NRKs latest instalment of their slow TV concept. The Guardian reports that the focus for the programme will be Bodo's Saltstraumen. We visited Bodø and Saltstraumen just a few weeks ago and you can read all about it here. We've also previously written about Norway's obsession with slow TV.
Global protests to condemn ‘legal kidnapping' in Norway
According to reports in The Local, activists from nearly 30 countries planned to protest against the Norwegian Child Welfare Service this weekend for what they say is the agency's practice of “kidnapping” children. Barnevernet has hit the news headlines around the world this year for its handling of several controversial child welfare cases.
Sovereign wealth fund drops 52 companies linked to coal
The Independent reports that Norway’s $860 billion sovereign wealth fund has revealed the first set of coal-related companies to be excluded from its portfolio. This follows a government decision earlier this year, which prevents the fund investing in companies that base at least 30 per cent of their activities or revenues on coal.
Norway to allow same-sex church weddings
We included this last week but there's no harm in spreading the good news once again: Norway's main church has voted by an overwhelming majority to allow same-sex weddings. The decision follows twenty years of debate within the church. Better late than never?
Russian fury over TV show hits Sweden
Russia has slammed Sweden for broadcasting a Norwegian TV series about a fictional Russian occupation of Norway. Russia believes the series paints an unfair picture of the country as an aggressor.
Singapore and Norway reaffirm strong friendship
Erna Solberg met the Prime Minister and President of Singapore as part of a recent tour of Asia. Norway is the sixth largest contributor to Singapore’s Registry of Ships, while Singapore hosts the largest community of Norwegian businesses in all of Asia.
Junk bond freeze that gripped Norway reveals first signs of thaw
Bloomberg reports that the Norwegian junk bond market is showing signs of life, although rig and supply companies are unlikely to see a turnaround just yet.
Is this Donald Trump’s secret wig field?
You gotta love a US presidential election. Norwegian media outlet VGTV has compared tufts of bunchgrass in Tromsø to Donald Trump's hairstyle…
Travel
Norwegian Air gets preliminary OK for USA routes
Travel Weekly reports that the United States' Department of Transportation has tentatively approved a foreign air carrier permit for Norwegian Air International, potentially bringing to an end over two years of struggle for the Irish sister company of Norwegian Air.
Spitsbergen, a place out of the ordinary
From the Norwegian American Weekly: “Tourism is becoming an important industry in Svalbard. The Ambassador mentioned the polar bears, which are one of the island’s main tourist attractions. Although they are a protected species, anyone leaving the settlements is required to carry a rifle to be used in self-defense if attacked.”
Check out our brand new Facebook page Norway Traveller, where we share inspiring travel photography from across Norway.
Sport
Bjørndalen to continue biathlon career
The Norwegian American Weekly reports that the King of Biathlon announced his decision to carry on with the sport and compete through to the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. Ole Einar Bjørndalen is 42.
Striker misses chance your Grandma would have scored
Video: Young Nigerian striker Shuaibu Ibrahim is a rising star for Haugesund in the Norwegian Premier League, but after this miss at the weekend, he's likely to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Blogs
Røros: The history of a mining town
When talking about Norway’s industrial history, many people focus on the discovery of oil in 1969. Granted, before oil the country’s economy relied heavily on seafood and agriculture, but its history as an industrial nation stretches back centuries. Legend has it that a hunter discovered the copper around Røros after shooting a deer.
Small victories in a big Nordic land
From Norway Times: “I don’t think it’s very Norwegian to hoot and holler when you win. But, amazingly, one of our team mates stood up and high-fived us all in our moment of victory. It was a defeat for janteloven and a brief victory for unapologetic pride. I loved every minute.”
