Capital and largest city of Norway
Josh Kerr has broken Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year mile world record in London and now aims to win Commonwealth gold in Glasgow 2026 with the Commonwealth Mile, while the event shifts to a non-Olympic cycle. He is driving a data‑driven, bespoke kit program to chase 3:42 per mile at the Diamond League before the Games.
Helle Lyng Svendsen has been locked out of Meta platforms after challenging Narendra Modi on press questions during a joint Oslo appearance with Norway’s prime minister. Modi has not held solo press conferences since 2014; Nordic leaders are meeting India to deepen trade and energy ties amid global pressures.
The system operator has offered grid connection dates to more than 700 shovel-ready clean energy projects, totaling about 37 gigawatts, as Britain advances its 2030 net-zero target. Reforms replace a bottleneck caused by speculative projects, with stricter criteria to connect and deliver faster deployment.
David Hockney has died at 88, ending a seven-decade career that reshaped portraiture, landscape and pop art. Born in Bradford, he moved to London and then Los Angeles, where his pool paintings defined a generation. He continued creating across formats, including iPad drawings, until late in life.
Oslo district court has convicted Marius Borg Høiby, 29, on two counts of rape and multiple other offences and has sentenced him to four years in prison. He has been acquitted on two other rape charges, has been in custody since February and will have the right to appeal. The case has intensified scrutiny of Crown Princess Mette‑Marit and reduced public trust in Norway's monarchy.
Norway plans a legislative package to ban trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements across the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The bill also targets real estate and commercial activity linked to settlements, with consultations running for three months.
The Crown Princess has undergone a lung transplant following a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. She remains in hospital for recovery. Her son’s trial and Epstein-related scrutiny have intensified scrutiny of the royal family amid a broader crisis of public trust.
Across Africa, governments are prioritising domestic resources to fund infrastructure and social programmes, citing vast pension funds and private savings as untapped assets. Officials say aid reliance is declining, while long-term domestic capital will finance growth. The shift comes as aid falls and debt concerns rise.
The Guardian reports that Ireland has begun its rotating EU presidency with a ceremony at Dublin Castle attended by Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy and top EU figures. Leaders discuss Ukraine’s EU bid on a merit-based timeline and budget priorities, with emphasis on ending the war and shaping the next EU budget.
Dozens of international Santas, Mrs. Clauses and elves have gathered in Aalborg, Denmark for the World Santa Claus Congress. The four-day event, dating to 1957, moved from a Copenhagen amusement park to Aalborg two years ago and marks its 70th anniversary next year. Participants come from around the world to swap stories, compare beards and rehearse holiday performances.
Bank of America data show US host cities are seeing on-the-ground economic impact from the World Cup, with restaurants and bars leading spending gains and hotel revenues rising in several markets, though results vary by city and broader inflation weighs on sentiment.
The United States has launched a broad campaign to isolate the International Criminal Court, aiming to weaken its authority and deter investigations involving American personnel. Rubio argues the ICC threatens U.S. sovereignty, while allies face pressure to withdraw or face penalties. Several ICC officials have already faced sanctions.
The Norwegian Football Association has revealed demand for national team jerseys has surpassed all forecasts, with 250,000 kits ordered this year and outlets reporting long queues and sellouts. Nike says deliveries are imminent to improve availability as fans race to secure the red kit ahead of the quarter-final in Miami.
Norway has celebrated its World Cup run with a royal reception in Oslo after a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England. More than 100,000 fans line Karl Johans gate to welcome the team home, as players take part in an open-top bus parade despite minor delays from overhead cables.
Major European rivers are facing prolonged low water levels amid heatwaves. Danube and Rhine routes have reduced traffic and higher costs, with officials warning levels may rise next week as rain returns in parts of the region.
Pew Research Center has found that more people now view China more favourably than the United States in 25 of 36 countries surveyed. The poll of 42,151 people, conducted Feb.–May 2026, shows confidence in Chinese leader Xi Jinping has risen while confidence in U.S. President Donald Trump has fallen; the U.S. retains a lead on respecting personal freedoms.
The Guardian, Mirror and Guardian report on CPAC GB, Liz Truss’s UK-hosted version of the US Conservative Political Action Conference. The event features UK and US right-leaning figures, with Liz Truss hosting, Nigel Farage headlining, and mixed audience engagement. Coverage notes uneven attendance, stagecraft, and political messaging as the conference plays out against a backdrop of UK political volatility.
A major wildfire started in Drammen, 30 miles west of Oslo, on Friday afternoon and has forced hundreds to evacuate. Firefighters are fighting the blaze as it spreads toward nearby forests; weather conditions hinder containment efforts. No casualties or missing residents have been reported yet.
From The Guardian and Times of Israel reports, civilians in Iranian port towns face daily bombardments, power cuts, and water shortages as US strikes widen. Residents describe a “new normal” of fear while economic stress and internet blackouts hamper daily life amid ongoing hostilities. The broader picture shows hopes for ceasefire dimming as attacks escalate.