M

Magnus Olsen

Oslo correspondent covering Norwegian politics, oil industry, and Arctic affairs

Country: NO Focus: politics NOpoliticsenergy

Latest articles by Magnus Olsen

Illustration for Norway Teen Gets Youth Prison for Fatal Bus Fire That Killed 75-Year-Old
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Norway Teen Gets Youth Prison for Fatal Bus Fire That Killed 75-Year-Old

A Norwegian court sentenced a 16-year-old to two years youth imprisonment for causing a fatal bus fire in Nordre Follo. The case highlights Norway's rehabilitation-focused juvenile justice system amid public debate over appropriate penalties for negligent acts causing death.

Illustration for Norway TB Case Exposes Kindergarten Health Gaps
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Norway TB Case Exposes Kindergarten Health Gaps

Tuberculosis case at Trondheim kindergarten triggers systematic health screenings and reveals gaps in Norway's childcare infectious disease protocols. Municipality covers all testing costs while authorities implement contact tracing across the community.

Illustration for Norway Cuts Antibiotic Use After Post-Pandemic Surge
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Norway Cuts Antibiotic Use After Post-Pandemic Surge

Norway successfully reversed post-pandemic antibiotic overuse through targeted government intervention, with primary care physicians nearly hitting reduction targets while hospitals lag behind. The achievement positions Norway against global trends of rising antimicrobial resistance.

Illustration for Norway Oil Fund Ethics Council Weakened After Resignation
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Norway Oil Fund Ethics Council Weakened After Resignation

Norway appoints Trude Myklebust to replace resigned ethics council member Cecilie Hellestveit, but the role has been stripped of key powers to recommend fund exclusions, marking a shift toward political control over the $1.4 trillion oil fund's ethical standards.

Illustration for Norway TBE Study Reveals 41% Face Long-Term Health Impact
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Norway TBE Study Reveals 41% Face Long-Term Health Impact

Norwegian research shows 41% of tick-borne encephalitis patients experience persistent health problems one year after infection. The study reveals significant knowledge gaps among healthcare workers and challenges assumptions about TBE recovery patterns.

Illustration for Norway Considers Seizing Cars From Innocent Owners
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Norway Considers Seizing Cars From Innocent Owners

Norway's Transport Ministry proposes allowing vehicle confiscation from innocent owners when others commit serious traffic offenses. The controversial policy follows Denmark's model but faces opposition from NAF and rental companies who warn of unfair punishment for third parties.

Illustration for Young Norwegian Farmers Drown in Debt Despite Agriculture Boom
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Young Norwegian Farmers Drown in Debt Despite Agriculture Boom

Young Norwegian farmers face unprecedented debt levels as agricultural modernization costs soar, with many operations carrying 20+ million kroner in loans despite government subsidies and a youth boom in the sector.

Illustration for Norway Submarine Base Faces Power Grid Rejection Crisis
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Norway Submarine Base Faces Power Grid Rejection Crisis

Norway's new submarine base faces a power crisis as Statnett rejects grid connection requests, creating a standoff between military modernization and energy infrastructure limits that requires parliamentary intervention.

Illustration for Royal Son Høiby Details Prison Isolation During Rape Trial
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Royal Son Høiby Details Prison Isolation During Rape Trial

Marius Borg Høiby testified about prison isolation due to rape charges and being smuggled out under a blanket to avoid media attention. The Crown Princess's son faces up to 10 years for alleged sexual assaults while victims were unconscious.

Illustration for Norway PM Spouse Stock Scandal Exposes Elite Accountability Gap
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Norway PM Spouse Stock Scandal Exposes Elite Accountability Gap

Sindre Finnes, husband of former PM Erna Solberg, admits he would handle his 3,000+ stock trades differently during her tenure. The scandal exposed failures in Norway's transparency systems and damaged trust in political elite accountability.

Illustration for Norway Labor Unions Demand 4% Wage Hike Amid Inflation Surge
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Norway Labor Unions Demand 4% Wage Hike Amid Inflation Surge

LO demands 4%+ wage increases as Norway's inflation hits 3.6%, creating pressure on municipal budgets and export competitiveness. March negotiations will determine if the Nordic bargaining model can handle inflation-wage tensions.

Illustration for Equinor Cuts 1,200 Contractors as Oil Giant Shifts Strategy
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Equinor Cuts 1,200 Contractors as Oil Giant Shifts Strategy

Equinor is cutting 1,200 contractors (20% of contractor workforce) while preserving permanent jobs, reflecting Norway's complex balance between state ownership, employment protection, and energy transition costs.

Search Underway for Missing Hiker in Rauma
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Search Underway for Missing Climber in Rauma Mountains

Rescue teams are searching for a missing climber in Rauma, Norway, after he failed to return from a solo hike. The man was last seen sending a Snapchat message at noon and was equipped with ice gear.

Freezing Rain Causes Chaos on E6 Near Oslo
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Freezing Rain Causes Chaos on E6 Near Oslo

Freezing rain and sleet caused dangerous conditions on the E6 near Oslo, forcing drivers to stop and clear ice from windshields. Meteorologists confirmed a mix of precipitation types led to instant icing on roads and vehicles.

Icy Roads Cause Chaos on E18 Near Hamar and Horten
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Icy Roads Cause Chaos on E18 Near Hamar and Horten

Freezing rain caused major disruptions on Norwegian roads, with multiple stops needed to clear windshields. Separate crashes on the E18 near Horten injured several people and prompted a police appeal for a hit-and-run Tesla driver.

Norway's Conservative Party Votes to Scrap Wealth Tax Entirely
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Norway's Conservative Party Votes to Scrap Wealth Tax Entirely

Norway's Conservative Party has voted to eliminate the wealth tax entirely, reversing its prior stance of only exempting working capital. Business groups and local leaders say the change will boost investment and support economic development.

Arctic Fox Spotted Far South in Flekkefjord
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Arctic Fox Spotted Far South in Flekkefjord

An Arctic fox was spotted near Flekkefjord, far south of its normal range. The sighting is considered extremely rare, with officials urging hunters to avoid accidental shootings.

Høyre Votes to Scrap Norway's Wealth Tax
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Høyre Votes to Fully Abolish Norway's Wealth Tax

Høyre’s national meeting narrowly voted to abolish Norway’s wealth tax entirely, reversing its prior position of partial removal. The tax generated 38 billion kroner in 2024, about 2.5% of total tax revenue.