The price of fossil gas on the Amsterdam futures market has reached 100 euros per megawatt-hour for the first time since the 2022 energy crisis. The increase of just over 4 percent in Wednesday’s trading was driven by concerns about gas availability in Europe ahead of winter.
BusinessThe Swedish Ski Association wants the government to deny Russian skiers visas for the World Championships in Falun. Similar discussions are now underway in Norway, where several parties in the Storting are pressuring the justice minister, NTB reports.
SportsA 9-5 win over Norway gave Team Oskar Eriksson a dream start to the European Curling Championships. But the ice came in for more criticism after the victory. “It felt like a lottery out there,” Eriksson told SVT.
SportsThe “frank” talks between the two Nordic leaders and Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine could mark the start of a serious diplomatic process, says Kjell Engelbrekt, a professor of political science at the Swedish National Defence University. The talks suggest that the leaders are no longer just skirting the issues, but have begun to address real problems.
WorldThe Finnish-Norwegian talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin are raising questions among Nordic colleagues. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is dissatisfied, while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) does not think these talks are the ones most likely to influence Putin right now.
ConflictsNorwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb have spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Before the call, we informed important allies, including all the Nordic countries, and afterwards we briefed them on the content of the call,” Stubb said in a speech to the Nordic Council.
ConflictsA new collaboration between northern Sweden, Norway and Finland aims to ensure blood is available in times of crisis or war, SVT Norrbotten reports.
SwedenRussian skiers at Holmenkollen next year? No, says Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe, who wants the Norwegian government to put its foot down.
SportsUS President Donald Trump lashes out at Norway during a campaign rally on Sunday. “Frankly, Norway sucks,” the American president says.
World politicsUS President Donald Trump has once again referred to migrants from “shithole countries” - and instead called for immigrants from Scandinavia, several media outlets report.
World politicsShe went from hidden gem to Olympic hero, social media phenomenon and TV celebrity. Winning gold in Cortina changed Isabella Wranå’s life. “It was absolutely crazy. Even groups of teenage boys have stopped me and asked to take pictures,” she says ahead of next week’s European Championships.
SportsHigh electricity prices risk hitting households and businesses this winter. Prices are currently above the threshold for the electricity subsidy, particularly in southern Sweden.
BusinessOslo’s 15 districts will be reduced to eight, and several will get new names. The historic Frogner district will be called Gamle Aker from 2028.
WorldAfter Sweden moved to bar Russian skiers from the World Championships in Falun, the Norwegian Ski Association wants clarity on visa rules ahead of the World Cup season. “We do not want Russian participation,” says association chairman Roger Finjord.
SportsAne Brun is embarking on a major Nordic tour this spring. She will be bringing her upcoming album, "I thought we were the same".
MusicA Norwegian member of parliament illegally attempted to send drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to Ukraine.
ConflictsRussia and Ukraine both see opportunities to resume talks on a peace settlement, but only at a lower level. That is the most concrete result so far of US envoy Steve Witkoff’s meetings with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, despite Witkoff’s effusive praise of Putin.
WorldWith Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Oslo, Europe wanted to show a united front in support of Ukraine while also reaching out to the United States, according to Ukraine expert Fredrik Wesslau.
ConflictsDonald Trump is pressuring Ukraine and considering a summit with Putin and Xi. After an urgent meeting with Trump’s envoy in Oslo, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his European counterparts say they have a counterproposal. “We’ll see what Putin says about it,” the Ukrainian president says.
World politicsWhen Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with King Haakon, he raised the issue of the many children abducted from Ukraine and taken to Russia.
ConflictsFor the first time, all the Nordic Council prizes have gone to the same country: Norway. It is also the first time in 35 years that the literature prize has been awarded to a novel in the Sami language.
EntertainmentThe US and Ukraine are meeting at short notice in Oslo in an effort to break the deadlock in long-running peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is flanked by European leaders as Donald Trump’s envoy sits down at the table.
Conflicts
