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Zelensky also arrived in Oslo

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Zelensky also arrived in Oslo

It was only two weeks ago that Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was back in Kyiv, for more meetings with the embattled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Norway remains one of Ukraine’s biggest supporters, and on Tuesday night, Zelensky flew into Oslo for the funeral of Norwegian King Harald V and even more meetings.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (center right) met once again with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday evening, flanked on both sides by his foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide (left) and his finance minister Jens Stoltenberg (right), a former NATO chief who knows Zelensky well. The meeting in Oslo was pulled together at short notice, but meant to maintain pressure against Russia and its relentless attacks on Ukraine in recent months. PHOTO: Torbjørn Kjosvold / SMK

“Norway stands together with the Ukrainians,” said Støre after meeting once again with Zelensky at his hotel in downtown Oslo. Time for the meeting was carved out on the eve of King Harald’s funeral on Wednesday, with a large delegation on both sides.

There were likely to be more meetings in Oslo between Zelensky and other visiting heads of state who also support Ukraine. “Ukraine is heading into a hard winter,” Støre said, noting how Russia has “stepped up its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian homes and critical infrastructure.”

“It’s important to uphold the pressure on Russia to bring an end to this war,” Støre said. He and Zelensky were also meeting representatives from the European defense industry “to discuss the development of anti-ballistic air defense.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Johan Gahr Støre and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had another reunion in Oslo Tuesday evening. Zelensky later attended the funeral on Wednesday of the late Norwegian King Harald V, who also had met Zelensky several times. PHOTO: Torbjørn Kjosvold / SMK

Even in the middle of national mourning and all the events tied to King Harald’s death, Støre and other leaders currently in Oslo were taking time to meet with Zelensky and offer more support. Støre added that Europe itself “must cooperate even more closely and more long-term, in order to strengthen Ukraine’s and our own defense capability and opposition.”

Norway and nine other European countries have already established a new coalition for defense against ballistic missiles. The goal is to assemble competence within the defense industry, research and military experience.

Støre noted that anti-ballistic air defense “is absolutely central in order to do that.” Norway, meanwhile, remains caught in a new conflict with Russia itself amidst rising tensions and concern that Russia may target defense contractors or even a NATO ally to test NATO’s response. Russian President Vladimir Putin was not invited to King Harald’s funeral.

NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund

A nation bids its monarch farewell

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A nation bids its monarch farewell

UPDATED: Funeral ceremonies got underway late Wednesday morning for Norway’s late King Harald V, whose casket had been lying in state at the Royal Palace for the past week. Tens of thousands of Norwegians had already streamed past it, to pay their respects before it left the palace for a slow procession on foot to the Oslo Cathedral.

Guards in dress uniform from all four branches of the Norwegian military stood at attention around King Harald V’s casket while it was lying in the chapel at the Royal Palace in Oslo. Those streaming by could also view his royal regalia, flowers from his family and even the crown that hasn’t been used since coronations were dropped shortly after the monarchy was restored in 1905. PHOTO: Vanessa Andrea Vågstøl Hilland / Forsvaret

More than 35,000 people had viewed King Harald’s casket by Tuesday afternoon, most all of them waiting in line for as long as seven hours. “That alone says something about our society,” Laura Maria Schütze, a Danish researcher specializing in royal funerals, told newspaper Aftenposten. Even though traditions have become vulnerable in the digital age, Schütze stressed how rituals around major events can help people feel that they are part of them.

“That can function like glue in society,” Schütze said. Many standing in line, or emerging from the chapel, agreed. “For me, this is a major Norwegian historical event,” Elisabeth Hoddevik, age 47, told Aftenposten after she’d already been standing in line for an hour.

“I wanted to experience the mood, and I like our monarchy as an institution,” Hoddevik added. “And our King Harald was an outstanding monarch.”

Many of the mounds of flowers and written tributes to King Harald that had piled up outside the palace since he died on August 28 had been removed before the funeral procession got underway. Norwegians had started placing bouquets and other tokens of their affection on the palace grounds when the king was still in hospital and that his condition had worsened.

Norwegians expressed first their best wishes for the king, and then their sorrow through mounds of flowers and written greetings. PHOTO: NewsinEnglish.no/Morten Møst

While most of the flowers are likely to be used in compost, palace staff have confirmed that every single card, drawing and letter has been carefully collected and added to the National Archives at Sognsvann in the hills above Oslo.

PHOTO: NewsinEnglish.no/Morten Møst

The funeral procession from the Royal Palace was due to begin around noon Wednesday, after King Harald’s casket was rolled out of the palace’s chapel and put on a military trolley, bound for the cathedral. The procession was to be led by mounted police, a military marching band, members of His Majesty the King’s Guards and the leader of the Royal Palace staff, Hoffsjef Olav Heian-Engdal.

First in line behind the casket would be Norway’s new King Haakon VIII, Harald’s son, along with Haakon’s first-born child, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and her younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus. Following them would be Harald’s widow, the 89-year-old Queen Sonja, and Haakon’s wife, the new Queen Mette-Marit, both of them riding in a slow-moving royal limousine.

Following them, mostly on foot, were all the royal guests able and willing to walk to the Cathedral, where formal ceremonies would begin at 1pm. Kings, queens, princes and princesses have arrived in Oslo from all over Europe, plus Japan, Jordan and several other countries, and they’ll be followed by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the Parliament’s President Masud Gharahkhani and the chief justice of Norway’s Supreme Court, Toril Marie Øie.

They’ll be followed by other visiting heads of state, government ministers, supreme court justices, the leader of the Sami Parliament, the governor of Svalbard, Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe and Defense Chief Eirik Kristoffersen among other dignitaries.

NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund

Debate rises over the home office

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Several Norwegian companies want their employees to spend more time with colleagues and show up at work, while others remain flexible and still allow their employees to work from home on a regular basis. Home office fans think rigid rules aren’t a good idea for “smart” adults.

DNB, Norway’s biggest bank, is among those opting for stricter rules and calling on their employees to show up at the main office more often. Other large employers are considering the same, reports newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN). Instead of allowing employees to work two regular days a week from home offices, DNB workers are now being asked to check with their bosses whether that’s OK.

The home office trend took off during the pandemic, when quarantine rules forced employees to work from home. Four years later, many still are, and concerns have risen that it’s hurting team spirit and difficult for bosses to monitor output. A survey conducted by employers’ organization NHO indicates 40 percent of employers want less home office time.

Others think that’s old-fashioned, and that home offices boost efficiency. Insurance firm Storebrand is among companies maintaining flexibility. “We have  smart people who handle flexibility in a responsible manner,” Storebrand’s personnel director Tove Selnes told DN.

NewsinEnglish.no staff

Housing prices rise, but not in Oslo

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The latest monthly release of Norwegian housing sales numbers nationwide showed an overall price rise of 2.1 percent from July to August, but only half that in the nation’s capital. Oslo’s real estate market remains sluggish: There are lots of homes for sale and it’s taking longer time to sell.

The national real estate brokers’ association Eiendom Norge reports that housing prices are up 4.9 percent so far this year on a nationwide basis. Sales are brisk in Bergen and Stavanger, where prices have risen 9.3- and 7.8 percent respectively compared to last August.

In Oslo, however, the annual rise was just 0.3 percent, the weakest in the country. That’s linked to new small housing units that swamped the market after investors lost various tax advantages on renting them and put them up for sale. Local laws and homeowner associations’ rules have also restricted small units’ use as short-term rentals to tourists, which have made them far less lucrative for investors.

Real estate brokers predict Oslo will end the year with a decline in housing prices but that can ease affordability problems for first-time buyers. Interest rates haven’t risen yet as expected either, but there are warnings of a new quarter-point hike later this year.

NewsinEnglish.no staff

 

King’s funeral sets off Oslo’s largest security operation ever

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King’s funeral sets off Oslo’s largest security operation ever

Thousands of Norwegian police and military personnel have been sent to Oslo to safeguard the funeral on Wednesday for King Harald V. It’s attracting royalty and heads of state from around the world, and security measures will be strict in the downtown area.

Norwegian soldiers have already been sent to Oslo from all over the country, and will be lining the streets of downtown Oslo during Wednesday’s funeral procession from the Royal Palace to the Oslo Cathedral and beyond. PHOTO: Vanessa Andrea Vågstøl Hilland / Forsvaret

The monarch’s funeral is being characterized as the biggest assignment ever for the Norwegian police, and they’re getting lots of help from the military. King Harald, who died at an age of 89, had four-star ranking in all branches of Norway’s military himself, and duty at his funeral is widely viewed as an honor for those flown in to the Norwegian capital.

More than 100 countries are due to be represented at the funeral. Tradition calls for royal guests and other dignitaries to follow King Harald’s casket on foot as it’s rolled down the main boulevard through downtown Oslo from the Royal Palace to the Oslo cathedral. Those physically unable to participate can be driven, but in a very slow moving funeral procession.

After funeral services at the cathedral, there will be another funeral procession to the historic Akershus fortress where King Harald’s casket will be placed in the royal mausoleum. With so much of it all taking place outdoors, security needs to be especially strict.

Norwegian police and military have been cooperating on security in Oslo since the king died, like here when a member of the King’s Guard had a chat with an Oslo police officer on duty outside the palace. Thousands of Norwegians had headed for the palace to lay down flowers and cards. PHOTO: Trym Kleven Zetterstrøm / Forsvaret

Police officer Tomm Berger has confirmed that the scope of the security will be the largest ever in Norway, with reinforcements sent in from many other police districts and military bases. “It will certainly be the largest police operation ever,” Berger told newspaper Dagsavisen. He had claimed they’d also be able to handle the situation even if US President Donald Trump had decided to fly in for King Harald’s funeral, but on Monday came confirmation that he won’t be attending.

Many other heads of state will, including the kings and queens of European countries along with prime ministers and the German chancellor. The British King Charles was quick to send condolences to Norway’s Queen Sonja “and all her family.” He won’t be attending but his son and heir Prince William and King Charles’ sister Princess Anne will come to Oslo.

The entire Swedish royal family will be attending the King Harald’s funeral. Swedish police are also arriving to help the Norwegians, after they were asked to contribute special police dogs trained to detect explosives.

“We don’t fear anything,” Berger insisted. “We have laid good plans are are prepared for what can happen, but there’s no doubt there will be very many people gathered in a relatively small area. That can present challenges, but we hope and think that most all simply want to contribute to the ceremonial and somber occasion in a dignified manner.”

Armed police and soldiers lke these are already in place in Oslo, and will be standing guard during Wednesday’ funeral procession. Funeral services at the Oslo Cathedral begin at 1pm.  PHOTO: Sindre Fjerdingby Korsviken / Forsvaret

Much of the downtown area and the route along Karl Johans Gate will be cordoned off, especially for vehicles. The public is being asked to use public transport even though some of it will be restricted as well. The metro system known as T-bane will operate as normal but the Stortinget station under the Parliament will be closed, meaning those heading into downtown must get off at either the National Theater or Central stations.

The tram line known as trikken won’t be running through downtown, with most lines cancelled between Solli Plass and the Central Station. Some alternative bus service will be available. It was raining in Oslo on Monday but the weather forecast calls for sunshine on Wednesday, welcome since no umbrellas will be allowed near the parade route.

At least 1,500 police officers will be on duty downtown, while military personnel are due to line the streets along the funeral procession. Police and other security officials have already been seen securing buildings along the funeral route including suites at the Grand Hotel that face out to the Karl Johans Gate. The public was also urged to avoid the main E6 highway northeast of Oslo, because that’s where many dignitaries arriving for the funeral at the main Oslo airport at Gardermoen will be driven into town in specially secured convoys.

NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund

Norwegian People’s Aid rejects new US funding terms, at huge cost

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Norwegian People’s Aid rejects new US funding terms, at huge cost

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), one of Norway’s largest humanitarian organizations, has announced that it faces a huge loss of US funding and will need to lay off hundreds of foreign aid workers. The loss comes after NPA refused to go along with the US Department of State’s new restrictions on programs that promote equality and diversity.

Raymond Johansen, secretary general of Norwegian People’s Aid, wouldn’t bow to the Trump administration’s new restrictions on funding even though that jeopardizes NPA’s mine-clearing operations. PHOTO: Hans Fredrik Asbjørnsen/NPA

The new restrictions would have required NPA “to abandon our commitment to equality and diversity,” claimed Raymond Johansen, the organization’s secretary general and a former top Norwegian politician. “We cannot accept that,” he added, even though it means the loss of as much as NOK 400 million (USD 40 million) and as many as 1,700 aid workers in several countries from Ukraine to Iraq.

Johansen said the US’ new conditions would have applied not only to programs that the US has funded “but across all our work, including activities supported by other donors.” He stressed that the organization instead must comply with Norwegian law and Norwegian policy, and that “our values are not for sale.”

The US state department’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement has been the largest donor to NPA’s work to remove landmines and engage in other disarmament efforts. It has provided as much as 40 percent of NPA’s mine-clearing work over the years and been what NPA called a “long-standing partner … to help protect thousands of people from landmines and redevelop communities affected by armed conflict.”

After Donald Trump became US president, however, US programs have been disrupted and rules changed to push Trump’s conservative agenda. NPA reports that the changes included new “restrictions” that are “incompatible” with NPA’s own values.

Johansen and his colleagues are thus turning down the US funding even though that will make its work “extremely difficult.” He said NPA sought exemptions from the US that would have allowed the mine-clearing work to continue “without compromising NPA’s and Norway’s own principles and commitments.” Those efforts were unsuccessful.

“Equality, dignity and diversity are not threats,” Johansen stated, “they are values that strengthen our work and help make societies better, values that we will keep fighting for.” He’s encouraged that at least 60 percent of the mine-clearing work can continue and hopes other donors including the Norwegian government itself will step in and help cover some of the loss.

Johansen, a former mayor of Oslo from the Labour Party who also has held high positions in Norway’s foreign ministry, said he remains “deeply concerned about the consequences for our staff and, above all, for all the civilians who continue to live with the threat of land mines and other explosives long after conflicts have ended. Nevertheless, this is a line we have to draw.” He said that accepting the new US conditions “would risk opening the door to further restrictions on fundamental rights.”

NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund

Norway boosts border patrol

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Norway boosts border patrol

Norwegian border crossings were put under higher surveillance on Friday and will remain so for at least the next 10 days. The goal, claim state authorities, is to raise national security both before and after next week’s state funeral for King Harald V.

Norway’s less-travelled border crossings to Sweden, like this one at Lierne in Trøndelag, are also subject to heightened surveillance over the next 10 days as part of security measures ahead of King Harald’s funeral on Wednesday. PHOTO: NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund

The late monarch’s funeral on Wednesday September 9 will bring royalty, presidents and other top international figures to Oslo. Security will be high, and both state police and border agents were tightening up border crossings early, to better control those arriving in the country.

The stricter security will also allow police to stop Norwegians as well for identification checks. Only a passport or national ID card will be accepted as legitimate forms of identification.

Police were out in full force at Norway’s busiest border crossing to and from Sweden on the E6 highway at Svinesund. Norwegians returning from shopping trips also had to be prepared to identify themselves upon return.

Even though borders are generally open among European countries that adhere to Schengen regulations, including Norway, Police Director Håkon Skulstad told reporters on Friday that “this is a method we can use within the Schengen rules to better control those crossing the border in a manner that departs from the normal.” It’s generally allowed to cross borders without any identity control, “but now we are using goal-oriented control regarding anyone viewed as a threat to the funeral and national security,” said Skulstad.

Security at Norwegian airports was also being raised, and state aviation agency Avinor warned of possible flight delays or cancellatons next week because of an expected increase in air traffic. Avinor reported that it expects “extraordinary activity” at Oslo’s main airport at Gardermoen (OSL), especially in the morning hours of Wednesday since the funeral will begin at 1pm.

Spain’s royal family was the latest on Friday to confirm their attendance at the funeral, with King Felipe, Queen Letizia and the king’s mother, Queen Sofia, all traveling to Oslo. The entire Swedish royal family is also coming, as are kings and queens from Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands plus Prince Albert of Monaco, and Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan.

The British royal family, which has close ties to Norway’s, has also signalled its attendance but it remained unclear who will travel to Oslo. Several presidents will also be arriving in Oslo next week, including those from Finland, Iceland, Hungary, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Albania.

NewsinEnglish.no/Nina Berglund

UDI became Russian hackers’ latest target

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The website for Norway’s state immigration agency UDI wasn’t functioning on Friday afternoon, after allegedly becoming the latest Norwegian target of a Russian hacker group. The agency’s internal systems, however, remained up and running.

“Our website is down for the moment,” a spokesman for UDI (Utlendingsdirektoratet) told newspaper Dagbladet. “It seems to be a cyber attack and we’re working to get the site up again.”

The self-proclaimed pro-Russian hacker group “Server Killers” claimed responsibility, after earlier launching attacks on Norwegian universities, colleges and other state agencies. The group has stated that it’s attacking Norwegian sites because of Norway’s ongoing support for Ukraine and the recent extension of Norway’s defense and security cooperation with the country that Russia invaded more than four years ago.

Russian officials usually deny responsibility for cyber attacks themselves. Norway and its NATO allies, meanwhile, are on alert for various forms of suspected hybrid warfare. Tensions rose further this week after a Russian vessel was arrested on Svalbard in connection with an international arbitration claim.

NewsinEnglish.no staff

Posten Bring set to slash jobs

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The Norwegian postal service is now a shadow of its former self, after closing post offices and curtailing mail delivery all over the country. Now Norway’s “Posten” need to cut costs again, this time at its parcel service Posten Bring.

Last year Posten Bring cut 250 full-time-equivalent positions. Now it needs to cut costs by another 25 percent, meaning 300 employees are likely to lose their jobs by the end of the year.

News bureau NTB cited tough competition and a demand for earnings from Posten’s owner, the government ministry in charge of business and trade. The parcel service faces major reorganization, again.

NewsinEnglish.no staff

Høiby allowed to attend king’s funeral

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Marius Borg Høiby, jailed son of Norway’s new Queen Mette-Marit, won’t contest criminal prosecutors’ request to keep him in police custody while his convictions for rapes, violence and vandalism are under appeal. He will be allowed, however, to attend the funeral of King Harald V next week.

Høiby has most recently been allowed to live on the royal estate at Skaugum, west of Oslo, while wearing a foot link that limits his movements. He was also allowed to join other royal family members when the late King Harald’s casket was ceremoniously moved to the chapel at the Royal Palace, where it’s been open to public viewing.

Police have since confirmed that Høiby will be allowed to attend the late king’s funeral ceremonies on September 9. That’s set off controversy both in Norway and abroad, with Danish commentators claiming it’s a sign of disrespect for Høiby’s victims. Norwegian commentators including royal experts Trond Isaksen and Tor Bomann-Larsen have countered that there’s “another tone” in Norway. They claim it’s “natural” for Høiby, who grew up with King Harald and Queen Sonja as step-grandparents, to take part in mourning for the late monarch.

NewsinEnglish.no staff

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