Midtown Blogger/Manhattan Valley Follies: Corruption in Norway

Norway's government minister for cultural affairs, Linda Hofstad Helleland, claimed that Magne Furuholmen has the artistic talent, network and experience to strengthen the Bergen International Festival. PHOTO: Kulturdepartementet

A-ha star takes on new festival job

Magne Furuholmen, one of the three Norwegian superstars forming the rock band a-ha, didn't need to be searching high and low for a new job but he's decided to take on a new one anyway. On Tuesday Furuholmen was … [READ MORE]

Norway rode out its latest storm ‘Tor’

A high state of preparedness was being credited for Norway's ability to ride out the fury of the latest extreme weather system, dubbed Tor, to hit the country last weekend. There was far less damage than … [READ MORE]

The Grand Hotel's main entrance has been closed recently, with signs billing its current renovation as the beginning of a "a new era." PHOTO: newsinenglish.no

Oslo’s grand old lady gets a facelift

Oslo's Grand Hotel has housed countless Nobel Peace Prize winners, dignitaries and entertainers over the years, but fewer are likely to be checking in this winter. Parts of the legendary hostelry have been … [READ MORE]

Ryanair cleared for new OSL take-off

Ryanair, the low-fare Irish airline that's threatening to stop flying from the Rygge Airport in Moss, appears poised to start flying new routes out of Oslo's main airport at Gardermoen (OSL) instead. Ryanair … [READ MORE]

Ryanair won't be taking off from Norway's Rygge Airport in Moss, south of Oslo, after November 1, if the government goes through with a new airline seat tax. PHOTO: Ryanair

Ryanair to drop flights from Rygge

UPDATED: Cut-rate airline Ryanair is following through on its threat to stop flying from the private- and county-owned Rygge Airport in Moss, south of Oslo. The Irish airline has complained mightily about the … [READ MORE]

ESA: ‘Telenor broke competition rules’

Norway's large multinational telecoms firm Telenor, already caught up in a corruption investigation, now faces huge fines for allegedly hindering competition in the Norwegian mobile telephone market. It's the … [READ MORE]