Norway Detains Russian-Crewed Ship Over Baltic Sea Sabotage Suspicions

Norway is on track to become the first country to fully phase out gas-powered vehicles, with electric vehicles (EVs) comprising 88.9% of all new car sales in 2024, according to the BBC. This remarkable achievement contrasts sharply with the U.S., where EVs made up only 8% of sales last year, as reported by Reuters. The shift in Norway is the result of long-standing government policies, beginning in the 1990s, that taxed diesel vehicles while exempting EVs from taxes, making the latter more attractive to consumers. Ulf Tore, CEO of the car dealership Harald A Møller in Oslo, emphasized the inevitability of an all-electric future: “We think it's wrong to advise a customer to buy a petrol car.” In 2017, Norway set a non-binding goal for all new cars sold to be electric by 2025, a target now within reach. Incentives such as tax breaks, free parking, and access to bus lanes have further incentivized the transition. Ståle Fyen, an EV owner, noted that financial advantages played a significant role in the decision to go electric. Many believe that Norway’s model could serve as a blueprint for other countries to adopt similar policies for a sustainable future.

Norway is on track to become the first country to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles entirely, with electric vehicles (EVs) constituting 88.9% of all new car sales in 2024, as reported by the BBC. This significant shift stands in contrast to the United States, where only 8% of car sales were EVs during the same period, according to Reuters. Norway's transition to electric vehicles has been supported by government policies dating back to the 1990s, which imposed higher taxes on diesel vehicles while exempting EVs. In 2017, Norway set a non-binding goal of achieving 100% electric car sales by 2025, a target now well within reach. Despite the ongoing sale of internal combustion engine vehicles, consumer interest has largely shifted towards electric options. Incentives for EV purchasers in Norway include tax breaks, free parking, discounted tolls, and access to bus lanes. These benefits were highlighted by Norwegian EV owner Christina Bu, who noted the nation’s policies could serve as a model for other countries seeking to enhance their EV adoption.

Archaeologists in Norway have uncovered fragments believed to be the oldest rune stones in the world, dating back approximately 2,000 years. These inscriptions, found in the Svingerud burial field in Hole, represent the earliest known form of runic writing, shedding light on the cultural practices of a long-lost civilization, according to lead archaeologist Steinar Solheim from the University of Oslo. The sandstone fragments, originally part of a single slab, exhibit multiple runic sequences, some of which have been identified as potentially referencing ancient Nordic words. Researchers believe that these stones might have served as grave markers, possibly broken and reused in subsequent burials. The peculiar nature of the inscriptions suggests they may have been engraved by various individuals, potentially indicating a communal or familial connection. Despite attempts to decipher the runes, many markings remain ambiguous, prompting further inquiry into their meaning and the historical context of their use. The findings present new opportunities for understanding the origins of runic texts and their evolution over time, as noted in a recent study published in the journal *Antiquity*.