Ship run aground in Norway 'should be removed within days'
"We estimate that there are approximately 1,500 tonnes of pressure on the fore ship. Once we've unloaded that weight of containers, we can pull it off," Bjornevik told AFP.
"We plan to do so on Wednesday," he added.
The NCL Salten sailed up onto shore just metres from a wooden cabin around dawn on Thursday.
A Ukrainian sailor in his 30s was on watch at the time and said he had fallen asleep, according to Norwegian police, who have charged him with "negligent navigation".
The seaman also said none of the cargo ship's collision alarms had worked, prosecutor Kjetil Bruland Sorensen told news agency NTB.
The investigation will also look into whether the rules on working hours and rest periods were adhered to on ship, according to police.
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The occupant of the house, Johan Helberg, also slept through the incident, and only discovered the unexpected visitor when a panicked neighbour called him on the phone.
None of the 16 crew members were injured.
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Local Norway
a day ago
- Local Norway
How hard is the new Norwegian spoken exam actually?
At The Local, we've been covering the new test of spoken Norwegian for permanent residency for a few weeks now and it has made me ask a personal question: Is my Norwegian good enough for the new A2 test? If I took the exam today, would I pass? The test, part of Norway's move to increase the language requirement for permanent residency from A1 to A2 under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, will be launched officially in September. In essence, the small shift in letter-number combinations means that those who pass now need to demonstrate a slightly better understanding and facility with the language. This should help them integrate better—whether at work, at a parent-teacher meeting, or even while keeping up with the conversation at a dinner party. Advertisement I took the 'older' language exam back in 2021 when I applied for Norwegian citizenship (I passed— uff meg , what a relief). The format then was very similar to a Cambridge or TOEFL test, with reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections. It took two days and several hours in front of a computer screen. The final part, the speaking exam, involved both an individual task and a paired conversation—with a partner you only met minutes before in the waiting room. When I first heard about the new A2 test, it sounded like it would be easier. After all, spelling mistakes wouldn't count, and there would be no more long reading comprehension texts. But the most recent change (announced in late June) was not just about simplifying the test, it was about making it mandatory and removing the option to validate study hours instead. So, the only way to find out for sure was to take it. We booked a mock test with Lingu , a language school which has been going for 17 years and is also the official provider of language education for several municipalities in Norway. Advertisement What does the new spoken exam look like? The format is very similar to that of the exam I took back in 2021. You're paired with another candidate and go through three different tasks. You've never met your partner before, but if you're not the first pair called in, you might get a chance to chat briefly in the lobby and build a small connection before entering the exam room. Once you're called, you're given an overview by the so called censor (there's also an examiner present). The first two tasks are done individually; the third is a conversation between the two of you. Task 1: Short self-introduction Task 2: Two open-ended questions for each candidate Task 3: Conversation with your partner on a familiar topic Timing matters The entire exam lasts 20–25 minutes, with the individual section taking around 10 minutes and the dialogue 10–15 minutes. It's recommended to follow a simple format—introduction, explanation, and conclusion—to show a range of sentence structures, sprinkle in varied vocabulary, and focus on clear pronunciation. Advertisement What kind of questions come up? Start with a confident introduction—it's the one part you know is coming. For the open-ended questions at A2 level, you're expected to give descriptions or examples (what and how). At B1 level, you'd be expected to add arguments and reasoning (why). In my mock test, the questions included: Which trip have you taken that you enjoyed, and why? Do you believe education is necessary for everyone? What do you do to take care of your health? What are you planning to spend money on lately? My flow definitely got better around the second question as at first it is natural to forget a specific word or freeze. The examiner will quickly see that and will try to rephrase the question or make you feel comfortable and help get you back on track. On the other hand, if your performance clearly exceeds your registered level, the examiner may ask one extra question (they call it a 'stretch' question) from the next level up to see if you truly master it. The dialogue turns out to be easier if you keep a collaborative approach (a bit like ping-pong) instead of trying to show off and steal all the time for yourself. Remember to react to what the other examinee with short agreeing/disagreeing sentences and arguments. You could say nettopp or akkurat ("exactly"). Also, make sure to react to what they say with appropriate facial expressions and gestures. It may feel awkward, but it will help to show you are following the conversation. Advertisement How is it scored? The censor, together with the examinator, will use a detailed rubric to assign your final level scoring and feedback. Within the rubric you will see separate marks for each criterion (fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar). After the exam, you may request to see your completed rubric. It will remain on file for one year—just contact the test center if you wish to review it. Final verdict In the end, I scored enough to apply for permanent residency. Was it harder than the previous format? Not necessarily, but it was no piece of cake. You do need to study. Was it a smarter change? I'd say so. To feel confident at A2, you probably need to aim for B1. That means studying real-life conversation, not just theory. If you've already completed 200 hours of Norwegian lessons and are now frustrated that these hours no longer count officially, don't worry. If you truly learned, those hours weren't wasted. In fact, they've probably better prepared you for the new test. The Norwegian government's decision to focus solely on the spoken exam aligns with the country's broader push for digitalization. It's expected to speed up the application process, reduce paperwork, and eliminate delays. 'Before, you didn't know how long it would take to get the whole process done—your life was on hold. It could take months and months of extensions. Now, the new rule is supposed to be quicker, and that's a big advantage,' says Agnes Skjerve, Head of Marketing at Lingu. As many as 350 people joined a recent webinar — UDI's New Requirements for PR & Citizenship Explained in Plain English — hosted on July 16th. In the Q&A section, Lingu's Business Developer, Saira Khursheed, emphasized the company's goal of keep the audience positive and motivated about the A2 requirement, describing the reform as an improvement rather than a burden. 'With A1, your Norwegian won't get you very far. With A2, you can integrate better—at work, in family activities, and even start preparing for the next step, like applying for citizenship.' Advertisement Here is a checklist of what the censor is listening for: Relevance & clarity : Are you answering the question? Do your answers make sense? Fluency: Do you speak smoothly, or do you hesitate a lot? Pronunciation: Is your Norwegian clear and understandable? Vocabulary: Do you use enough appropriate words for this level? Grammar: Are your sentences well-formed, with correct tense, articles, and word order? Final tips Speak clearly and at a comfortable pace—don't rush. If you don't understand a question, ask for it to be repeated or rephrased. You could say: Kan du gjenta spørsmålet? Treat the dialogue task like a real conversation—respond naturally to your partner's ideas. Relax and remember: you're being assessed on spoken Norwegian, not expert knowledge. Good luck!
Local Norway
18-06-2025
- Local Norway
'Gjør det selv': Essential vocabulary for talking about DIY in Norway
There's a reason why the fringes of each and every Norwegian town are crammed with branches of building supply stores and DIY chains like Montér, XL-Bygg , Byggtorget , Byggeriet , and Byggmax . Norwegians can be a bit reserved, but if you engage them in a discussion on a practical subject, such as how best to drain. The only problem for a foreigner, is that as soon as the talk strays into this territory, you quickly get into specialist vocabulary you have never previously encountered. In every building shop you'll find a section for jernvare , which literally means "iron goods", and covers all sorts of screws (skrue/ skruvar ), nails (spik/spiker), nuts ( mutter ), hooks ( krok/krokar ) and much else besides. There are also still ironmongers (jernvarehandel), particularly in towns too small for an out of town retail park. Most jobs will require tools, such as a screwdriver (s krutrekker ), saw ( sag ), or an adjustable spanner ( skiftenøkkel ). You'll need an electric drill or boremaskin. A hammer (hammare) will come in useful. Advertisement You'll also need a spirit level (vater) to keep your angles straight, and a folding ruler ( målestokk) or measuring tape ( måleband ), to measure everything out. You'll need to keep all this in a verktygslåda (toolbox). If you're engaged in a more ambitious DIY project, you will probably need wooden building materials. Wood as a material is tre. Often it's easiest when covering a wall or roof to use rupanel , tongue and groove panels that slot together. When you're putting on the finishing touches to a wall you'll need lister, or skirting boards. Once you've made the frame, you're most likely to cover the wall with plasterboard ( gipsplater ) or possibly chipboard (OSB or spanskskive ). You might stick in some insulation or isolasjon first, usually mineral wool ( steinull ). If you're painting a wall you will need paint, or maling , although to put it on you'll need to mala (paint). You might want to lay on some plaster (noun sparkel or verb spakla). And if you want to sand (slipa) the wall to make it smooth, you will need use sandpaper (sandpapir), or perhaps a sanding machine (slipamaskin). Swedes don't tend to go for this in a big way, but you might decide to use wallpaper (tapet) instead. Advertisement Redoing the bathroom is one of the most common renovation projects, and if you are convinced to do this, you'll need to get tiles ( fliser ), and grouting ( fugemasse ). If you are laying down a new bathroom floor, you might also need liquid putty or flytepakke , to make the floor slope down to the drain. Good luck!
Local Norway
05-06-2025
- Local Norway
Is romance dead? Why Norwegians split the bill on even hot dates
I remember the first time I was on a date in Norway. We had finished dinner at a cozy little bistro in Oslo, and the waiter came over with the check. Looking at us with a slight smile, he asked: Skal dere betale sammen ?, "Are you paying together?". The guy across the table answered confidently: 'Ja.' I froze for a second, assuming he meant he would cover the whole bill. But no. As I learned later, some restaurants go so far as to give you separate bills so you don't even know how much the other person is paying. But, of course, this one didn't have that option so we had to calculate exactly how much each of us had eaten. My hot date proceeded to calculate his exact amount, down to the last krone, including that extra cheese on his burger, and handed over his card. I was left staring at my half of the bill, unsure whether I felt offended or liberated. I was called myself a feminist, proud of advocating for gender equality. Yet here I was feeling irritated that this man wouldn't pay for my meal. It took me a while (read: years) to realize that maybe it's actually better this way. Maybe it's more equal. No expectations attached. Or maybe, just maybe, I've become more Norwegian with time and I cannot be bothered owing anything to anyone. Because in Norway, splitting the bill isn't just a practical decision, it's a cultural ritual rooted in values like fairness, independence, and financial transparency. Life here is expensive, and some things, like dating, are more expensive than others. That's why Norwegians almost always split the bill. No drama, no awkwardness, just an understanding that everyone pays for their own consumption. Advertisement EXPLAINED: The etiquette around restaurant bills in Norway Why Norwegians Split the Bill There are three main reasons for this cultural norm. First, Norway is expensive. A beer at a bar can easily cost 130 kroner (around 10 euros), and a basic dinner out can quickly exceed 500 kroner per person. Second, Norwegians tend to be unpredictable eaters and drinkers: some will order one beer, others three cocktails. So splitting equally can feel unfair. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Norwegians hate owing people anything. The discomfort of being in debt to a friend (or worse, a date) is stronger than any romantic impulse to be 'treated.' That's why you'll often hear Norwegians asking for separate bills right from the start. If someone does cover for you, rest assured they will get their money back, down to the last øre (cent). Whether it's a round of drinks, a group dinner, or a cabin weekend, the Norwegian instinct is to even things out as soon as possible. Advertisement READ ALSO: The key things to know about Norway's mobile payment service Dating and Paying: Equality First This logic holds even on a date. This isn't about men being cheap. In fact, Norwegian women usually insist on paying for themselves, especially on a first date. Accepting a drink or a dinner from someone can feel like accepting an unspoken obligation. Many women simply don't want to owe anything to a man they just met. It might feel a bit transactional at first, but there's something refreshing about the honesty of it all. No games, no guessing who's supposed to pay, just mutual respect and clear expectations. And if you both make it to a second date, you'll probably do the same thing again. If you pay for even the smallest thing, you might be expected to transfer the money immediately or the same day by Vipps (the DnB app that is hugely successful in Norway exactly because of this habit). Advertisement Exceptions to the Rule Of course, there are exceptions. If someone is celebrating a big life event, like a birthday, a new baby, or landing a new job; the group might treat them. This is considered a gesture of support and generosity, not a break from the rule. In friend groups, especially when drinking, people often take turns paying rounds. You buy the first round, I get the second, and so on. Eventually, it evens out. On group trips, called guttetur (guys' trip), jentetur (girls' trip). On a weekend at the hytte , or cabin, expenses are usually logged and split later using apps like Vipps, which offer an option exactly for those situations. Learning to split the bill in Norway is more than learning a payment habit, it's learning how Norwegians view equality, independence, and social harmony. No one is above or below anyone else. Everyone is responsible for themselves. This may feel unromantic at first, but perhaps it's a new kind of romance, one where no one owes anyone anything, and where respect is shown through balance and honesty. And if you ever find yourself wondering whether to pick up the check in Norway, remember: the most Norwegian thing you can do is offer to split. Lorelou Desjardins is publishing How to be a Norwegian this month. Photo: Anna Julia Granberg Lorelou is French and has been living in Norway for 15 years, she is the writer behind the bestselling book 'A Frog in the Fjord: One Year in Norway' and the site A Frog in the Fjord . This article is based on Lorelou's new book 'How to be Norwegian', which will be launched on June 16th. Check here to pre-order and read the first chapters for free.
