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TODAY IN NORWAY

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

Norway's PM on tour with Nordic counterparts, summer weather to return, and other news on Thursday.

Pictured is a row of boats in Trondheim.
Find out what's going on in Norway on Thursday with The Local's short roundup of important news. Pictured is a row of boats in Trondheim. Photo by Darya Tryfanava on Unsplash

Støre meets with Nordic counterparts

Norway’s PM Jonas Gahr Støre is on an official trip with his counterparts from Sweden and Finland, Ulf Kristersson and Alexander Stubb.

The three visited Bodø, marking the first time they had met since Sweden and Finland became members of NATO.

In the event of a crisis, Norway would now provide help to the other two countries with assistance.

“In a crisis, we expect the main help to come from the sea, and we plan for that,” Støre told reporters.

“We need a common understanding of how to preserve peace, stability and order in this area,” he added.

The three will head to sea on a RIB boat today before attending a secret defence brief.

As many as 24 honour killings in Norway since 2000

A new report from Norway’s serious crime unit, Kripos, has found that there were as many as 24 murder cases with honour as a motive between 2000 and 2022.

“Honour killings are a serious social problem that the police take very seriously. To prevent and investigate this form of crime, we need more knowledge. With this report, Kripos contributes to providing a better knowledge base for identifying honour killings in the future,” Kristin Kvigne from Kripos said in a statement.

An honour killing is the murder of a relative who is perceived to have brought dishonour to a family. The victim tends to be a woman or a girl.

Popular cable car could be shut

The Norwegian Railway Inspectorate has closed the cable car in Rjukan as it was deemed unsafe. The cable car may remain closed for the entirety of summer.

The cable car was the first of its kind in northern Europe and was built in 1928 as a gift to the people of Rjukan.

“Stoppage is a measure we only use when there may be a danger to life and health. We fully understand that this affects more than the Krossobanen (the cable car) itself, but our job is to ensure safe cable cars for the public. When Krossobanen has not shown well enough that the public’s safety is taken care of, we have no choice but to close the track,” Erik Ø. Reiersøl-Johnsen from the inspectorate told public broadcaster NRK.

Summer weather to return to Norway

Norway can expect a hot summer this year, news site ABC Nyheter reports.  

“As the seasonal forecasts say, it is suggested that it will be a hot summer this year,” Charalampos Sarchosidis from the Meteorological Institute told the news site.

Eastern Norway will become warmer over the next three weeks following a period of rain. However, northern Norway will see rain and lower temperatures. The region would also have to wait a while before temperatures rise above 20.

Western Norway, as is typical, will see plenty of precipitation. Still, there would be periods of sunshine. 

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TODAY IN NORWAY

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

Strike averted at popular tourist attraction, several law changes next month, and the Consumer Council warns travellers about currency tricks. This and other news from Norway on Friday.

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

Several law changes come into effect in July

Several laws will be updated and changed starting Monday, July 1st. Among other things, juvenile criminals will receive stricter punishments, leasing a car will become more expensive, and cash benefits will be cut.

Energy companies may also have their licenses to participate in the electricity market withdrawn if they do not follow new tighter regulations. One such measure being introduced is customers being able to back out of energy deals free of charge within 30 days if the supplier wants to make the deal worse.

It will become easier to sell second-hand clothes, furniture, and sports equipment, while those selling precious metals, precious stones, cultural objects, art, antiques, collectables, cars, and trailers will still need a permit from the police to do so.

Strike at Kristiansand Zoo averted

The employer organisation and union responsible for workers at Kristiansand reached a deal on wages and working conditions, which has averted a strike at the attraction.

The agreement for members of the Norsk Arbeidsmandsforbundwill union cover those working at bowling alleys, swimming baths and other leisure facilities.

“There have been demanding but constructive negotiations. I am happy that we have ensured our members increased purchasing power, and that our members now receive the same pay and treatment as their unorganised colleagues. Equal pay for equal work is an important principle for us,” union leader Brede Edvardsen said.

Norway’s Consumer Council warns of currency tricks

Those travelling to and from Norway have been advised on what to do when a card machine or ATM offers travellers the opportunity to pay in the currency of the country they are visiting or the currency used in the country they have travelled from.

The consumer organisation has told travellers to always pay in the currency of the country they are visiting.

Those who choose to pay in the currency they travelled from are typically charged a markup of six or seven per cent.

Two festivals were cancelled on Thursday due to the weather

The Tons of Rock festival in Oslo was cancelled on Thursday due to stormy weather, while the By the Pond in Sandefjord music festival was also dropped on Thursday.

Southern Norway was hit by heavy rain on Thursday evening, something which will continue into Friday.

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