Norwegian man wakes to find cargo ship beached in his garden
A Norwegian man woke on Thursday morning to find something blocking his usual scenic view of fjords.
Johan Helberg had been asleep when an 135-metre container ship ran aground, narrowly missing his house.
The first he knew of it was at about 5am, when a neighbour rang his doorbell after seeing the vessel beach itself in the garden.
'I didn't hear anything,' Helberg, who lives in Byneset, near Trondheim in central Norway, told the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. 'The doorbell rang at a time of day when I don't like to open.'
Jostein Jorgensen said the sound of the ship woke him up and that he ran to Helberg's house expecting the noise to have raised his neighbour. 'I was sure that he was already outside,
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Telegraph
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- Telegraph
A-ha singer Morten Harket has Parkinson's disease
The lead singer of A-ha has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Morten Harket, the Norwegian synth-pop band 's frontman, released a statement on Wednesday about his diagnosis of the progressive neurological disorder and its effect on his career. The Take On Me singer, 65, admitted he was 'uncertain' about his future as a vocalist as he was 'trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline'. Harket, a father of five, underwent several rounds of brain surgery last year to manage his physical symptoms of the condition. A lengthy statement published on the band's website on Wednesday, written by their biographer, read: 'In recent years, Morten Harket has also been a man battling his own body. 'This isn't the sort of news anyone wants to deliver to the world, but here it is: Morten has Parkinson's disease.' Harket told the biographer Jan Omdahl that he had wanted to reveal his condition to fans earlier, but that his need for 'peace and quiet to work has been stopping me'. He added that 'problems with my voice are one of many grounds for uncertainty about my creative future'. Symptoms of Parkinson's, which is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, include tremor, slowness of movement and muscle rigidity. It is caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. About 153,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's, but cases are predicted to rise to 172,000 by 2030 as the population ages. 'Managing side effects of medication' 'It's a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects,' Harket explained. 'There's so much to weigh up when you're emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement, or social matters and invitations, or day-to-day life in general.' The brand's frontman, who has been performing since the 1980s, said that at the moment, he did not 'feel like singing', explaining that 'for me, that's a sign'. He added: 'I'm broad-minded in terms of what I think works; I don't expect to be able to achieve full technical control. 'The question is whether I can express myself with my voice. As things stand now, that's out of the question. But I don't know whether I'll be able to manage it at some point in the future.' Harket said he had 'taken to heart my 94-year-old father's attitude to the way the organism gradually surrenders: 'I use whatever works''. However, the musician has been making use of advanced technology in treating the disease, including using a method called deep brain stimulation (DBS). The neurosurgical procedure, which he had done in June and December last year, included implanting electrodes into the two sides of his brain. A-ha's biographer wrote that these surgeries 'led to a dramatic improvement in his symptoms'. 'The procedure had the desired effect: with the right electrical impulses now reaching Morten's brain, many of his physical symptoms practically vanished,' Mr Omdahl added. Harket's neurologist in Norway, Dr Christina Sundal, was previously a research fellow with the Parkinson's team at the Mayo Clinic. Mr Omdahl, who observed the lead singer at his summer home in Norway, described the symptoms as a 'never-ending roller-coaster ride'. Discussing his future as A-ha's vocalist, Harket said he 'can't answer' whether his voice is the best he could hope for following the DBS treatments. Impact of dopamine The vocalist, who is known for his unique singing voice and technique, explained: 'When we tune the frequencies and direction of the electrodes, it is also able to affect the region of the voice, but we're not yet able to capture and control it. 'The voice problem comes especially when I take dopamine supplements. If I don't take dopamine, my voice settles down – but then the general underlying symptoms become more pronounced.' The band, which was formed in Oslo in 1982, comprises guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, keyboardist Magne Furuholmen and lead singer Harket. A-ha have had nine top 10 singles in the UK chart, including the chart-topping track The Sun Always Shines on TV, and seven top 10 albums. Furuholmen said in an Instagram post on Wednesday: 'It is a day of sad news in A-ha world. Having known about Morten's diagnosis for some time does not take the force out of the blow, nor diminish the impact it has had, and will continue to have, on us – as people and as a band. 'Our thoughts are first and foremost with Morten and his family at a difficult time adjusting to the changes that this condition has brought into their lives. 'As the news brings sadness, it is worth to remember through the hurt that there is also a lot of gratitude: for all the amazing memories, for how our combined creative efforts as a band have been so generously embraced by the world, and for how lucky we are that people continue to find meaning, hope and joy in our shared musical legacy. 'All future A-ha-related activities will, of course, be tuned to suit Morten's situation, but together we will work to try and find ways to give you the best of ourselves. Thank you, everyone, for all your support, your kind words and consideration.'
Sky News
a day ago
- Sky News
A-ha frontman Morten Harket diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
A-ha frontman Morten Harket has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The 65-year-old has been lead singer of the Norwegian band since it was founded in 1982 - and sung the track "Take On Me" which remains one of the most popular songs of the 1980s. In a statement on the band's website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket said he had undergone several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease. Parkinson's causes deterioration in the brain's nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become progressively worse over time. The disease can be treated with surgery and medication, but there is no cure. Harket said he underwent neurological procedures to have electrodes implanted inside his brain last year and that this had reduced the symptoms. Known for the wide range of his voice, Harket said he did not know if he would be able to perform again. "I've got no problem accepting the diagnosis," he said, adding that it was difficult to balance medication and managing side effects of the treatment. "I'm trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline," Harket said. Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, A-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album "Hunting High and Low" featuring "Take On Me" and the hit "The Sun Always Shines on TV".
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Why Minneapolis is one of the world's happiest places
Minneapolis ranked among the world's happiest cities for 2025. Locals say the secret lies in its Nordic roots, creative energy and community spirit that bring all-season joy. When it comes to measuring the happiest places in the world, the Nordic countries often come out on top. That was certainly the case in this year's 2025 Happy Cities Index, conducted by the Institute for the Quality of Life, where Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden all had at least one city rank in the top-marked "Gold" category. So perhaps it's no surprise that Minneapolis – the only US city aside from New York City to earn a Gold happiest city designation – has its own ties back to Scandinavia. Home to the largest population of Norwegians, Finns and Swedes outside of Europe, Minnesota and its largest city Minneapolis still maintain strong ties to their early settlers who came to the United States in the mid-19th Century, fleeing religious persecution and famine. With its long, cold winters and abundant lakes, Minneapolis's climate and landscape certainly can resemble its Nordic counterparts. In the same vein, its residents have long learned to embrace the four seasons, and even say it contributes to their overall sense of happiness. "Although the winters do get cold and the summers can be hot and humid, we have a lot more sunny days than many metros," says Steven Rothberg, who moved here from Winnipeg in 1988. "People here embrace the outdoors. It is a rare day that is cloudy, gloomy or drizzling, which makes outdoor activities much easier to plan and enjoy, even if it is cold or hot." He notes that the city consistently ranks among the country's highest number of commuters who bike to work, with more than two thirds of the population reporting they often or sometimes ride a bike to go to school or run errands. The Midwest city has made continuous improvements to its cycling infrastructure, with the 51-mile loop Minneapolis Grand Rounds Scenic Byway as its crown jewel, connecting the downtown riverfront with the Mississippi River and Chain of Lakes region to the north-east part of the city. In total, Minneapolis has 21 miles of on-street protected bike lanes and 106 miles of off-street sidewalk and trail miles – many which were converted from former railway lines. "The Rails-to-Trails paths converted abandoned former rail lines into bike and walking paths. If you look at a map of them, you can see how easy it is to get from almost anywhere in the Twin Cities to almost anywhere else without having to bike more than a mile on a city street," said Rothberg. "The beauty, serenity and safety of the trails is a massive benefit to living here, and one that I take advantage of almost every day, year-round." The Happy Cities Index gave Minneapolis particularly high marks in the environment category, measuring green spaces, pollution and overall sustainability – a factor that residents resoundingly agree with. Whether walking or cycling, the trails give residents easy access to the city's abundant park system, clocking in at 22 lakes and 180 parks. "The parks and lakes are incredible. Whether I'm shooting an engagement at Lake Harriet or a family session at Minnehaha Falls, I'm constantly reminded how much access we have to beautiful, natural spaces right in the city," said local wedding photographer Kristine Barron. "The city puts a lot into bike trails, public libraries and community centres, which shows how much they value wellness and connection." Minneapolis was also a standout in the economy category, ranking fourth of all measured cities in the index for its strong growth, reasonable cost of living, innovation and prioritisation of education. The index noted that nearly a quarter of residents hold a master's degree and one in five people speaks a second language. "The welcoming nature of the people and policies that mean anyone can come here or live here and feel at home," said Kristen Montag, senior public relations and communications manager at Meet Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association, who lives in nearby St Paul, Minneapolis' "Twin City", which makes up the large metro area. The cultural diversity is held together by a sense of community. "Culturally, people here are kind, community-focused and resilient," said Barron. The city has been under the spotlight again recently as it marks the five-year anniversary of the killing of George Floyd. In honour, the city holds an annual Rise & Remember Festival to showcase the power of art and community activism to continue the healing process. More like this:• What it's like to live in the happiest country on Earth• The world's five happiest cities for 2025• Why people love living in Switzerland This creative energy reshapes the city from season to season. "Summertime means outdoor cafes, concerts and festivals that keep your calendar full, while wintertime brings a cosy embrace of sauna culture, outdoor recreation like cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and more, and the coffee culture, dining next to fireplaces (indoor and outdoor!) and outdoor beer festivals like the Winter Beer Dabbler," said Montag. "Spring and fall are gorgeous seasons too." For first-time visitors, residents recommend visiting the Stone Arch Bridge, the National Civil Engineering Landmark that offers views of St Anthony Falls. "Start around sunset," recommends Barron. "You'll get skyline views, riverfront beauty and a true sense of the heart of Minneapolis. It's also one of my favourite photo spots, so bring a camera." Locals also raved about Native American restaurant Owamni, winner of the 2022 James Beard national best new restaurant award. The restaurant proudly serves a "decolonised dining experience", removing colonial ingredients such as wheat flour, cane sugar and dairy from its recipes. Instead, it prioritises Indigenous food producers for its signature seasonal dishes, like bison ribeye, huckleberry-cured salmon and stuffed poblanos. Montag also recommends heading to one of Minneapolis go-to burger joints and ordering a "Jucy Lucy" – a Minneapolis-invented cheeseburger where the cheese is stuffed in the middle of the burger instead of on top. While its exact origins are hotly debated, former speakeasy 5-8 Club Tavern & Grill and Matt's Bar both claim an early version. Although the famous Mall of America – the largest shopping mall in the country with more than 580 stores – is a popular tourist draw, residents warn that it's not too dramatically different from a mall you might have visited before. "Just larger and with a small amusement park in the centre," says local author Michael MacBride. Instead, the truly unique photo ops are at the free Minneapolis Sculpture Garden with its 60 creative and oversized sculptures, including the city's iconic pop art-inspired Spoonbridge & Cherry fountain. The nearby Walker Art Center also has free nights on Thursdays and showcases contemporary art, performances and films. "Minneapolis has strong creative energy," said Barron. "Lots of art, music and photography. "It's a city that appreciates the little things." -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
