Norway's higher education minister, Sandra Borch, resigned after being caught plagiarizing parts of her master's thesis. Borch had previously appealed a plagiarism acquittal to the Supreme Court, which led to public shock when her own academic misconduct was revealed. Kristoffer Rytterager, a student, uncovered Borch's plagiarism, which was similar to a government report. The incident has prompted media scrutiny of other lawmakers' academic work, including health minister Ingvild Kjerkol, who denied deliberate copying despite similarities in her thesis. The government is proposing stricter penalties for academic cheating.

A guest researcher at Tromsø University in Norway, who claimed to be Brazilian but could not speak Portuguese, was arrested by the Norwegian Security Police (PST) on October 24, 2022. The individual, who self-funded his visit and offered to reorganize the main website of the Peace Studies Center where he worked, was revealed to be a Russian spy named Michailas Mikušinas.

Norway is experiencing heightened vigilance against potential Russian espionage, particularly after incidents involving drone sightings over critical infrastructure and the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines. The country, now a major oil and gas supplier to Europe, is on alert for sabotage and espionage, leading to several arrests of Russian citizens for flying drones, which Norway interprets as a violation of European sanctions. High-profile cases include Andrey Yakunin, who has been charged but not accused of spying. Legal and human rights questions arise as Norway navigates its response to these security concerns, with some cases leading to acquittals and appeals. The situation reflects broader security jitters in the Arctic, a region with a history of espionage dating back to the Cold War.

Norway is increasingly vigilant about potential Russian espionage, especially in the Arctic region, following the arrest of Mikhail Mikushin, a Russian spy posing as a Brazilian researcher. This heightened alertness is shared across Europe amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising tensions with Russia. Several incidents, including drone sightings and damaged infrastructure, have fueled suspicions of Russian sabotage. Legal actions against Russian citizens for flying drones have sparked debates on the balance between security and democratic values. The situation underscores the broader geopolitical struggle and the complexities of maintaining security without compromising civil liberties.

A mass shooting outside London Pub, a gay nightclub in Oslo, Norway, is being investigated as an act of terrorism and a hate crime. The 42-year-old Norwegian-Iranian suspect, known to security services since 2015, was detained and will undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The attack resulted in two deaths and 21 injuries, prompting the cancellation of Oslo's Pride parade. Despite the cancellation, an impromptu march and rally occurred. Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and other officials condemned the attack, while the community expressed shock and called for solidarity.

Denmark has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions, no longer considering it a 'socially critical disease,' despite high infection rates and hospitalizations. The decision follows the country's high vaccination rate, with 81% fully vaccinated and 62% having received a booster shot. Health Minister Magnus Heunicke emphasizes that the move is not an indication of moving past the pandemic but a response to the mildness of the Omicron variant and the current vaccination coverage.

Denmark and Norway's public health authorities predict that the Omicron coronavirus variant will become dominant in a matter of days, leading to a surge in cases and potential increased pressure on hospitals. The severity of the disease caused by Omicron is still uncertain, as is the effectiveness of vaccinations and previous infections against severe disease. The reports suggest that immediate actions like booster campaigns and reducing the spread could mitigate the impact. These projections align with findings from England and suggest similarities with the United States in terms of vaccination levels and Covid risk factors.

In Kongsberg, Norway, Espen Andersen Brathen confessed to killing five people with a bow and arrow, initially raising concerns of Islamic extremism due to his conversion to Islam and the randomness of the attacks. However, further investigation and personal accounts suggest Brathen's actions were influenced by his mental health issues rather than ideology. Local police and psychiatric services are under scrutiny for their handling of Brathen's case, as he had a history of psychological problems and had been previously flagged by authorities. The town mourned the victims, with a memorial service attended by the royal family and members of the local mosque.

Employees at food processing facilities in the U.S., which experienced some of the largest coronavirus outbreaks, are now eligible for vaccines in at least 26 states. The expansion to food processing workers comes amid a broader widening of eligibility, particularly for essential workers. Meat and poultry processing facilities have largely remained open throughout the pandemic, and a mass vaccination event was held at a JBS USA pork production plant in Minnesota. The production and distribution of vaccines in the U.S. have been increasing, with about 79.4 million people having received at least one dose. States have faced challenges in prioritizing groups for vaccination, with food processing workers now eligible in states where the industry is a significant part of the economy.

Europe's top drug regulator, the European Medicines Agency, has declared the AstraZeneca vaccine safe, adding a warning label for a rare complication related to blood clots and bleeding in the brain. Despite a small number of cases of dangerous blood clots, a review of millions of cases found no overall increased risk of clots. The announcement aims to restore confidence in the vaccine, which is crucial for global inoculation efforts, especially in poor and middle-income countries. Several European countries, which had suspended the vaccine's use, announced they would resume its administration. The vaccine's safety confirmation comes at a critical time as Europe faces a new pandemic wave, with rising cases and hospitalizations.

Anne-Elisabeth Falkevik Hagen, wife of Norwegian mogul Tom Hagen, vanished from her home in suburban Oslo over 18 months ago, leading to a national obsession with the case. Initially treated as a kidnapping with a ransom note demanding $9.5 million in Monero cryptocurrency, the police later suspected the clues were planted to mislead them into believing it was a kidnapping rather than a murder. Tom Hagen was arrested on suspicion of orchestrating her killing but was released due to lack of evidence. The case has captivated Norway, a country where crime is rare, and has involved intense media scrutiny and public speculation, with many suspecting Tom Hagen despite his denial of any involvement.

New York City officials, recognizing the failures of Rikers Island, are looking to Norway's humane correctional system for inspiration as they plan to rebuild the city's jails. Norway's prisons, with a focus on rehabilitation and strong relationships between officers and inmates, contrast sharply with the punitive nature of American jails. Despite significant differences between the two locations, such as population size, crime rates, and social safety nets, New York aims to become a national model of more humane incarceration. The city's new jails will be integrated into densely populated neighborhoods, replacing the Rikers Island complex by 2026. The initiative is part of a broader movement to reform the criminal justice system and reduce recidivism.

The Viking longships Oseberg and Gokstad, displayed at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, face preservation challenges due to high tourist traffic. The Norwegian government has allocated $200 million for a new museum to safeguard these cultural treasures. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the ships' historical roles, they are considered significant to Norway's cultural identity. The Viking era's popularity, fueled by television series, has increased interest in Norwegian history, leading to new exhibitions and digital experiences. The government's funding decision comes after years of warnings about the potential disintegration of the ships.

Joachim Ronneberg, a highly decorated Norwegian war hero who led a commando raid during World War II to sabotage Nazi Germany's efforts to develop an atomic bomb, has died at the age of 99. The successful raid targeted a plant in Telemark, Norway, which was producing heavy water, a key component for nuclear weapons. The mission, considered a suicide operation, was later celebrated in various media, including the 1965 film 'The Heroes of Telemark.' Ronneberg only understood the full significance of the raid after the war ended, realizing that it helped prevent London from suffering a nuclear attack similar to Hiroshima.

Arjen Kamphuis, a Dutch cybersecurity expert with ties to WikiLeaks, has been missing since August 20, after last being seen in Bodo, Norway. Despite a wide-ranging investigation involving multiple countries and false leads, his whereabouts remain unknown. Kamphuis, known for his strong opinions and privacy activism, was on vacation and had plans to return to the Netherlands. The case has sparked internet conspiracy theories and a cross-border search effort, with Norwegian police and crowdsourced online campaigns actively looking for clues.

In Sweden, the adoption of Viking symbols by pagan worshippers and their use in various branding initiatives has led to political tension and social unease due to associations with neo-Nazi groups like the Nordic Resistance Movement. While mainstream uses of Viking imagery are widespread, the extremist appropriation of these symbols has concerned professionals and organizations, prompting responses from groups like 'Vikings Against Racism.' Experts note the broad range of interpretations of Viking culture due to limited historical knowledge, while some pagan groups work to distance themselves from nationalist interpretations and emphasize commitments against racial discrimination.

Norway's fjords, a symbol of natural beauty, are increasingly filled with garbage, prompting environmentalists and the Oslo Port Authority to take action. A plan to use drones to locate underwater trash has been approved, with a cleanup fleet including an electric-powered ship with a crane to be operational by next year. The initiative follows public concern over marine life affected by plastic waste. Despite the cleanup efforts, Norway continues to allow offshore dumping of mining waste, a practice criticized by environmentalists. The Royal Norwegian Navy is also addressing the issue of WWII mines in the fjords, with over 1,550 still present and some leaking, posing risks to ships and marine life.

Norway's pristine fjords, a symbol of natural beauty, are increasingly polluted with garbage, including sunken Viking artifacts and cars. Environmentalists and officials in Oslo are alarmed, prompting the Oslo Port Authority to approve a plan to use drones to locate underwater trash for removal. The initiative, which includes an electric-powered ship with a crane, is set to begin this spring. The article also touches on Norway's controversial practice of offshore dumping of mining waste and the need to address WWII mines in the fjord. Christine Spiten, a drone operator and tech entrepreneur, is a key figure in the development of the drone technology for this project.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee discovered a forged nomination of President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, which has been referred to the Oslo police for investigation. This incident has occurred twice, with the first forgery also involving Trump and referred to the police last year. The Oslo police, in collaboration with the F.B.I., believe the same perpetrator is responsible for both forgeries. The committee maintains secrecy about its deliberations and candidates, with 329 candidates being considered for this year's prize.

President Trump's comments suggesting the U.S. should accept more immigrants from Norway rather than Haiti and African countries have sparked outrage and condemnation. Norwegian officials and citizens expressed disgust at the racially charged remarks, while the UN human rights office labeled them as racist. The incident has further damaged the U.S.'s international reputation, coming on the heels of Trump's reference to non-existent 'F-52' fighter jets. Haitians and members of the Haitian diaspora, along with other international figures, have also voiced their anger and concern over the implications of Trump's words.

Istvan Gyorkos, a 76-year-old neo-Nazi in Hungary, killed a police officer during a raid on his home. Hungarian intelligence linked him to a network of extremists supported by Russia, revealing a strategy by Russia to destabilize the EU by engaging with fringe groups. This approach occasionally succeeds, as seen with Jobbik, a far-right Hungarian party now supportive of Putin, mirroring the stance of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian extremist convicted of killing 77 people in 2011, is challenging his solitary confinement conditions in court, claiming they violate his human rights. Despite his confinement, Breivik has amenities such as a treadmill, fridge, DVD player, Sony PlayStation, and a typewriter. He is also taking university courses and has access to TV, radio, and newspapers. His 21-year sentence for terrorism can be extended if he's still considered a threat. The court hearing, marked by Breivik's Nazi-style salute, reignited grief and outrage in Norway over the attacks, which were the deadliest since World War II.

The siege in Algeria has sparked a debate in Norway about the extent to which its petroleum companies and workers should pursue resources and profits abroad. Statoil, a company with significant government ownership, confirmed the deaths of four employees in the attack. The incident has highlighted the risks for Norwegians working in unstable regions. Despite the wealth and benefits brought by the oil and gas industry, such as low unemployment and strong social services, the Algerian siege has raised questions about the country's energy policies and the safety of its workers overseas.