Look at Norway, being innovators once again!

The Norwegian government is setting up plans to create the world’s first ship tunnel, which will cut straight through the Stad peninsula, the dividing line between the Norwegian and North Sea.The tunnel is aimed at making shipping (the second largest industry after gas and oil in Norway) safer from extreme weather conditions. While the science behind it isn’t new, the tunnel will be the first of its kind.

PHOTO: Brisbane Times

Norwegian immigration has been a hot topic the past couple of years. See a chart by the Utlendingsdirektoratet (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) which shows where immigrants are coming from and why they’re in Norway. (No higher resolution available)

PHOTO: Utlendingsdirektoratet/Nettavisen

How’s this for a feel-good moment, aka the best prank ever?

A couple in Nordmøre, Norway shocked their family with a surprise wedding, originally planned as a baptism. The mother was the most shocked of all, who burst out into tear. You can see her full reaction in this video.

PHOTO: NRK

Do you follow Norwegian politics? 2013 is an election year in Norway, and recent polls are suggesting leads for the Høyre (Right) and Fremskrittspartiet (FRP or Progress Party), with the Arbeiderpartiet (Ap) which has the most seats in the Stortinget (Norwegian parliament) sinking. The Ap currently forms a coaltion with the Sosialistisk Venstreparti (Socialist Left Party or SV) and the Senterpartiet (Centre Party or Sp). An article by Nettavisen has recent polling information.

If you plan to vote in Norway this year, who are you supporting?

PHOTO: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

If you live in Oslo, be prepared for flocks of screaming girls today! Justin Bieber’s making his way back there as part of his European Believe tour. He was actually in the city last year and Oslo was almost unprepared to deal with the chaos of crazy fans, causing the concert to nearly be cancelled. You can see a live feed of the line here.

Are you a “Beiliber”? 

PHOTO: Fredrik Varfjell/NTB scanpix