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TODAY IN NORWAY

Today in Norway: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday 

The latest on the air technician strike, Norway being more tolerant, whether travellers will be able to use expired passports this summer, and other news on Wednesday. 

Pictured is the Atlantic Road.
Read about the latest on the air technician strike, Norway becoming more tolerant and more in today's roundup of important news. Pictured is the Atlantic Road in Norway. Photo by Freysteinn G. Jonsson on Unsplash

Lockout for aircraft technicians from Sunday

Employer organisation NHO Luftfart has announced a lockout that will commence on Sunday if a solution to the current strike is not found. 

A lockout will mean all air technicians, even those not on strike, will be prevented from going to work to try and force an agreement. 

Lockouts are initiated by employers, in contrast to a strike in which employees refuse to work. 

“It is not often we choose to do it, because we know it is a serious tool. When we choose to do that, it is because we see that we are in a deadlocked situation. We are facing far higher wage demands than what other groups in society have accepted,” Ole Erik Almlid, CEO of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), told public broadcaster NRK

The lockout will also affect air technicians for the air ambulance services, broadcaster TV2 reports. 

Talks between the union NFO and employer organisation NHO Luftfart resumed on Wednesday morning. 

READ ALSO: What is a Norwegian collective bargaining agreement? 

Widerøe: Not long until most planes are grounded

Airline Widerøe, which cancelled more than 30 flights on Tuesday, has said that a possible lockout means it will not be long until most flights are cancelled. 

“There is no doubt that if a lockout becomes a fact, it will not take long before most of our planes are on the ground,” press manager for Widerøe, Cathrinia Solli, told news wire NTB. 

Solli added that the airline was expecting cancellations to continue on Wednesday. 

READ ALSO: Flights in Norway cancelled due to technician strike

Justice Minister unsure whether Norwegians will be able to travel with an expired passport

Recently, the Minister of Justice asked representatives from EU countries if it would be possible for Norwegians to travel with expired passports this summer

However, the Justice Minister, Emilie Enger Mehl, has told radio station P4 news that it was currently “impossible” to know whether holiday goers will be able to use passports which had expired. 

“I still can not promise that this will come to fruition, but we have a good dialogue with our embassies and authorities in some countries that have responded to us,” Mehl said. 

Long passport queues have led to many sweating over whether they will receive a travel document in time for their trips abroad this summer. 

Report: Norwegians more tolerant towards LGTBQ community

The country’s attitude towards the LGBTQ community has grown more tolerant over the years, a new report from the Directorate for Children, Youth and Families has found. 

“Norwegians’ attitudes towards queers are becoming increasingly positive, and we think that is very gratifying. The figures show that we are moving in the direction of more acceptance in our society towards those who consider themselves lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender,” Anna Bjlrshol, head of gender equality at the Directorate for Children, Youth and Families, told newspaper VG

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TODAY IN NORWAY

Today in Norway: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Loneliness peaks during holidays in Norway, heavy snowfall expected in the north, and other news making the headlines in the country on Friday.

Today in Norway: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

New survey: 1 in 5 Norwegians experience isolation during the holidays

Holidays are often portrayed as a time for joy and togetherness, but for many, they remind them of how lonely they are.

One in every five Norwegians experiences heightened loneliness during the holidays compared to the rest of the year, according to a recent survey conducted by Opinion on behalf of the Norwegian Red Cross.

As the Easter season approaches, six out of ten respondents reported spending most of their time at home during this period. While some choose this solitude willingly, for others, it’s not a matter of choice but rather a consequence of feeling excluded socially.

READ MORE: Easter in Norway: Everything you need to know

Red Cross President Siri Hatlen said, “Easter can be a quiet and painful time if you don’t feel included socially.”

Heavy snowfall expected in northern Norway

Yr, the Norwegian meteorological service, has issued a warning for heavy snowfall in northern regions, specifically Nordland and Troms og Finnmark.

In Troms og Finnmark, the risk persists due to strong winds causing snow drifts.

The affected area stretches from Vardø south-westwards beyond Kvænangsfjellet, with conditions expected to improve by Good Friday morning.

Drivers are cautioned to anticipate reduced visibility, challenging road conditions, and potential traffic delays and road closures due to bad weather.

Chinese tourists rescued amidst slippery winter conditions in Lofoten

A group of five Chinese tourists faced difficulties amidst slippery winter conditions while exploring the tourist hotspot Lofoten in northern Norway.

Ivar Bo Nilsen, from the police operations centre in Nordland, confirmed the incident to the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), stating that the group was at Reinebringen.

One of the tourists slipped and was unable to move further due to fear of falling. Despite their efforts, the rest of the group couldn’t assist.

Rescue efforts were swiftly initiated, with a SAR Queen rescue helicopter dispatched from Bodø, along with ground-level volunteers. Around 10 pm, the police confirmed the successful rescue and transport of all tourists to Bodø.

Reinebringen, a popular mountain in Lofoten, often witnesses accidents during winter.

Police respond to violent incident in Bergen

In response to a report of a violent incident indoors, armed police and ambulance services were dispatched to an address in Fana, Bergen, on Thursday evening.

According to Stein Rune Halleraker, the police operations manager, upon arrival, they swiftly gained control of the situation without any dramatic events.

Two people sustained minor injuries, with one transported to the emergency department via ambulance and the other receiving on-site medical attention.

No arrests have been made yet, but interviews with involved parties have been scheduled.

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