Slow moving Tropical Storm Debby could bring "catastrophic flooding" to parts of Georgia and the Carolinas, forecasters say

 

Trump advisers carefully watching Harris VP decision today

 **I’m a 30-Year-Old American Living in Norway: 5 Reasons I’m Much Happier**

There’s a joke in Norway that people move here for two reasons: a job or love. I’m in the latter group. I met my Norwegian partner during my international Master’s program in Migration and Intercultural Relations.

I chose to pursue my master’s in Europe after a post-college gap year in 2016. Part of the reason was affordability—two years of my Master’s degree in Europe cost less than one year of my Bachelor’s in the U.S.

I also liked the idea of living in a place where you can accidentally cross the border to another country without even realizing it!

While love initially brought me to Norway, living in Oslo for the past two years has revealed many more reasons to stay. My days are filled with exploring, ice bathing, falling on skis, taking cabin trips, and hiking under the “midnight sun.”

 **Paris 2024 Olympics: Norway’s Markus Rooth Wins Gold in Men’s Decathlon**

The 22-year-old Rooth, seventh after day one, took the lead with a terrific javelin throw before beating Neugebauer to the 1,500-metre finish line by about five seconds to seal by far the biggest victory of his career.

Canadian Warner, 34, was lying second heading into the pole vault, the eighth of the decathlon’s 10 events, but fouled on his three attempts at 4.60 metres.

Norway’s Sander Skotheim, in third place, suffered the same fate, failing three times to clear 4.50m.

Norway Boosts Global Tourism with Visa-Free Travel for Citizens of 190 Countries Including USA, UK, Japan, ASEAN, Gulf, and Schengen Nations

Norway Boosts Global Tourism with Visa-Free Travel for Citizens of 190 Countries Including USA, UK, Japan, ASEAN, Gulf, and Schengen Nations

Norway, a captivating country in northern Europe, occupies the western half of the Scandinavian Peninsula. With nearly half of its inhabitants residing in the southern region around Oslo, the capital, Norway boasts an impressive blend of natural beauty and modern amenities. As of August 2024, Norwegian citizens can travel to 190 countries visa-free, further enhancing their global mobility. The country’s geography is marked by mountainous terrains, deep glacial fjords, and approximately 50,000 islands off its rugged coastline. These unique features make Norway a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

“Norway, with its stunning landscapes and modern amenities, is a must-visit destination. As of August 2024, Norwegians can travel to 190 countries visa-free, making it easier than ever to explore the world. Norway’s strong economy, with a booming GDP and a growing tourism sector, shows its vibrant energy. Coastal cities like Bergen and Trondheim, rich in history, add to its charm. With top-notch transportation hubs and airlines, getting to and around Norway is a breeze. This blend of natural beauty and historical richness makes Norway a top pick for travelers everywhere,” says Anup Kumar Keshan (TTW Editor in Chief).

### Historical Insights

The coast of Norway has been settled by Indo-European peoples since antiquity, with a permanent settlement established near present-day Oslo some 6,000 years ago. While the interior remained sparsely populated due to harsh climates and challenging landscapes, coastal cities like Bergen and Trondheim flourished and continue to be major population centers today.

### A Thriving Economy

Norway’s economy is robust, with its GDP estimated at $488 billion at the end of 2023 in purchasing power parity terms. World Economics, however, estimates the GDP to be even higher at $566 billion, accounting for the informal economy and outdated GDP base year data. This economic strength underpins Norway’s vibrant outbound tourism sector.

### Outbound Tourism: A Growing Trend

In 2023, Norwegian travelers made 9.2 million outbound visits, marking a 10% increase in international departures. Norwegian outbound travel is characterized by a diverse range of destinations, with Europe being particularly popular. Sweden emerged as the top European destination in the third quarter of 2023, with 575,000 trips, followed by Spain with 322,000 trips.

### Expenditure on Outbound Travel

Norwegian travelers’ expenditure on outbound travel has seen fluctuations over the years. From 106.4 billion Norwegian kroner in 2012, spending peaked at 142.1 billion kroner in 2016 before a slight drop to 138.9 billion kroner in 2017. However, the figure is projected to rise again, reaching 142.5 billion kroner in 2018 and continuing to grow in the following years.

### Visa-Free Countries List

Norwegian citizens can travel visa-free to the following countries:

- Albania

- American Samoa ETA

- Andorra

- Angola

- Anguilla

- Antigua and Barbuda

- Argentina

- Armenia

- Aruba

- Australia ETA

- Austria

- Bahamas

- Bahrain VOA

- Bangladesh VOA

- Barbados

- Belarus

- Belgium

- Belize

- Bermuda

- Bolivia

- Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba

- Bosnia and Herzegovina

- Botswana

- Brazil

- British Virgin Islands

- Brunei

- Bulgaria

- Burkina Faso VOA

- Burundi VOA

- Cambodia VOA

- Canada ETA

- Cape Verde Islands VOA

- Cayman Islands

- Chile

- Colombia

- Comoro Islands VOA

- Cook Islands

- Costa Rica

- Croatia

- Curacao

- Cyprus

- Czechia

- Denmark

- Djibouti VOA

- Dominica

- Dominican Republic

- Ecuador

- Egypt VOA

- El Salvador

- Estonia

- Eswatini

- Ethiopia VOA

- Falkland Islands

- Faroe Islands

- Fiji

- Finland

- France

- French Guiana

- French Polynesia

- French West Indies

- Georgia

- Germany

- Gibraltar

- Greece

- Greenland

- Grenada

- Guam ETA

- Guatemala

- Guinea-Bissau VOA

- Guyana

- Haiti

- Honduras

- Hong Kong (SAR China)

- Hungary

- Iceland

- Indonesia VOA

- Iran VOA

- Ireland

- Israel

- Italy

- Jamaica

- Japan

- Jordan VOA

- Kazakhstan

- Kenya ETA

- Kiribati

- Kosovo

- Kuwait VOA

- Kyrgyzstan

- Laos

- Latvia

- Lebanon VOA

- Lesotho

- Liechtenstein

- Lithuania

- Luxembourg

- Macao (SAR China)

- Madagascar

- Malawi

- Malaysia

- Maldives VOA

- Malta

- Marshall Islands VOA

- Mauritania VOA

- Mauritius

- Mayotte

- Mexico

- Micronesia

- Moldova

- Monaco

- Mongolia

- Montenegro

- Montserrat

- Morocco

- Mozambique

- Myanmar VOA

- Namibia

- Nepal VOA

- Netherlands

- New Caledonia

- New Zealand ETA

- Nicaragua

- Niue

- North Macedonia

- Northern Mariana Islands ETA

- Oman

- Pakistan ETA

- Palau Islands VOA

- Palestinian Territory

- Panama

- Paraguay

- Peru

- Philippines

- Poland

- Portugal

- Puerto Rico ETA

- Qatar VOA

- Reunion

- Romania

- Rwanda VOA

- Samoa VOA

- San Marino

- Sao Tome and Principe

- Saudi Arabia VOA

- Senegal

- Serbia

- Seychelles VOA

- Sierra Leone VOA

- Singapore

- Slovakia

- Slovenia

- Solomon Islands

- Somalia VOA

- South Africa

- South Korea

- Spain

- Sri Lanka ETA

- St. Helena VOA

- St. Kitts and Nevis

- St. Lucia

- St. Maarten

- St. Vincent and the Grenadines

- Suriname

- Sweden

- Switzerland

- Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)

- Tajikistan

- Tanzania VOA

- Thailand

- The Gambia

- Timor-Leste

- Tonga

- Trinidad and Tobago

- Tunisia

- Türkiye

- Turks and Caicos Islands

- Tuvalu

- Ukraine

- United Arab Emirates

- United Kingdom

- United States ETA

- Uruguay

- US Virgin Islands ETA

- Uzbekistan

- Vanuatu

- Vatican City

- Venezuela

- Vietnam

- Zambia

- Zimbabwe VOA

### Cruise Ports: Gateway to the Fjords

The Port of Bergen stands out as a significant maritime hub on Norway’s southwestern coast. This historic port, with a history spanning over a millennium, plays a crucial role in both freight and passenger transport. As a popular destination for cruise ships, the Port of Bergen offers easy access to Norway’s famous fjords, attracting numerous tourists each year.

### Key Transportation Hubs

Bergen Train Station (Bergen Stasjon) serves as a vital link between Bergen and other major Norwegian cities, including Oslo. Known for its blend of traditional and modern architecture, the station is a welcoming gateway for visitors to Bergen.

### Major Airports

Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) is Norway’s primary international airport, located about 35 kilometers north of Oslo. In 2023, it hosted approximately 25.15 million passengers. The airport is renowned for its efficiency, modern amenities, and commitment to sustainability.

Stavanger Airport, Sola (SVG) is another key international airport, serving the Stavanger region. In 2023, it catered to nearly four million passengers, playing a crucial role in connecting southwestern Norway to global destinations.

Bergen Airport, Flesland (BGO) is the main airport for Bergen and its surrounding areas, hosting around 6.4 million passengers in 2023. The airport’s modern facilities enhance passenger comfort and efficiency.

### Leading Airlines

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is the flagship carrier for Scandinavia, offering extensive connectivity across Europe, North America, and Asia. In 2023, SAS served approximately 23.7 million passengers, maintaining high service standards and a focus on sustainability.

Norwegian Air Shuttle, commonly known as Norwegian, is one of Europe’s largest low-cost carriers. With a young and modern fleet, Norwegian offers affordable fares to numerous destinations across Europe and beyond.

Flyr, a new entrant in the Norwegian airline industry, commenced operations in 2021. Headquartered in Oslo, Flyr focuses on providing flexible and customer-centric air travel options, both domestically and internationally.

UAE Claims Discovery of Plot to Revive 'Muslim Brotherhood'

 

The UAE has uncovered a plot to revive the Muslim Brotherhood within the country, according to a report published on Friday by the Emirati news agency.

“Investigations conducted by the Public Prosecution, under the supervision of the Attorney-General, have uncovered a new secret organization operating outside the country formed by fugitive members of the Reform Call Organization,” the report said. The Al-Islah group, classified as a terrorist organization within the UAE, was slated for dissolution in 2013.

The State Security Department has been monitoring fugitives sentenced in absentia since 2013. This surveillance revealed that members of the Brotherhood-affiliated organization convened abroad, recruited others, and received funding from sources within the UAE and other “terrorist groups.” These funds aimed to revive the group's objectives through media, economic, and educational sectors.

The state-run news agency reported that the group “is associated with several fronts posing as charitable or intellectual organizations and television channels,” including the UK-based think tank, the Cordoba Foundation (TCF), which was classified as a terrorist organization in the Gulf state in 2014.

The fugitive members are said to have communicated via internet applications and mutual visits. Confessions from an arrested member detailed the group’s structure, activities, and roles in threatening stability, including smear campaigns, hate speech, and financing terrorism, the report added.

Diplomatic Efforts by UAE Amid Escalating Israel-Hamas Tensions

 

By Abeer Abu Omar

A slice of Abu Dhabi has come to El-Arish, a small city in Northern Sinai about 50 kilometers from Gaza. Once rarely visited by outsiders, the coastal spot now teems with Emirati volunteers wearing cargo pants and beige vests adorned with the flag of the United Arab Emirates.

They’ve joined UAE government officials, Red Crescent workers, and hospital staff in the Egyptian area just outside the strip, part of a humanitarian effort to help more than two million people whose lives have been devastated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.