The iconic old Tryvann transmission and observation tower in the hills above Oslo, closed and neglected for decades, has finally been sold by city officials to an investor who intends to renovate it and reopen it to the public

100 years ago the name of the Norwegian capital was officially changed to the original 'Oslo', dating back to the end of the Viking Age and the foundation of the city in 1024; it had been renamed Christiania in 1624, then altered to Kristiania until 1925

A combination of stable and probably lower interest rates next year, together with an imminent reduction in capital requirements for first-time homebuyers, is likely to facilitate entry into the Norwegian market for high-priced homes

A solid majority of the Norwegian Parliament voted in favour of extending women's right to self-determined abortion from 12 to 18 weeks of pregnancy; previous law had not been changed for 46 years