Ferry fire off Lombok leaves one dead, 172 rescued

Norway is mourning the death of King Harald V, who passed away on Friday at the age of 89 after more than three decades on the throne. The Norwegian royal palace said Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35am local time. He had been receiving treatment after being hospitalised earlier this month with a serious illness and a bacterial infection in his blood. Harald’s death brings an end to a 35-year reign during which he became one of Norway’s most respected and popular public figures. He was widely regarded as a modernising monarch who helped make the royal institution more open, accessible and closely connected with ordinary citizens. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, immediately became king following his father’s death. Haakon, 53, is expected to formally address the government and parliament as Norway begins the transition to a new reign. Born on February 21, 1937, Harald was the first Norwegian-born heir to the throne in almost six centuries. His childhood was shaped by the Second World War. When Nazi Germany invaded Norway in 1940, the young prince left the country with his mother and sisters. The family spent time in Sweden before travelling to the United States, where they lived during the war. Harald returned to Norway after the war and later completed his education and military service. He studied social sciences, history and economics at Oxford University before becoming increasingly involved in royal duties. One of the defining moments of his personal life came in 1968, when he married Sonja Haraldsen, the daughter of a businessman. The marriage broke with royal tradition because Sonja was a commoner. Harald had reportedly waited years for permission to marry her and eventually made clear that he would rather remain unmarried than give her up. Queen Sonja remained his partner throughout his nearly six decades of marriage and his entire reign. Harald became king in January 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. Over time, he developed a reputation for showing emotion and speaking openly on issues affecting Norwegian society. His role as a national unifier became particularly important after the 2011 terrorist attacks in Oslo and on Utøya, in which 77 people were killed. Harald’s public response focused on solidarity, compassion and rejecting fear. He also became known for advocating tolerance and diversity. In a widely remembered speech in 2016, he emphasised that Norway was home to people of different nationalities, religions and sexual orientations. Outside his official duties, Harald was a passionate sailor and represented Norway at three Olympic Games. He was also interested in environmental conservation and supported efforts to protect nature. His later years were marked by repeated health problems. In 2024, he was hospitalised while visiting Malaysia and later received a pacemaker. He subsequently reduced his public engagements but rejected calls for abdication, maintaining that his commitment to the throne was lifelong. Harald’s death also comes at a difficult time for Norway’s royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has faced scrutiny over her past contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while her son Marius Borg Høiby was convicted this year of rape and domestic violence. Mette-Marit has also undergone a lung transplant after suffering from a serious pulmonary condition. Despite the controversies surrounding members of his family, Harald himself retained strong personal popularity among Norwegians. Tributes have poured in from European leaders and fellow monarchs. Britain’s King Charles III described Harald as a much-loved relative and friend, while Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf remembered him as a close friend of his family and Sweden.

Global sales of electric vehicles rose sharply during the second quarter of 2026 as soaring fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East encouraged more consumers to switch away from petrol and diesel powered cars, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. The agency said electric vehicle sales increased by 35 percent between April and June compared with the first three months of the year. Record sales were reported across 50 countries despite a slowdown in the overall global automobile market. According to the IEA, the renewed interest in electric vehicles was largely driven by the sharp rise in oil prices following the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The report said the resulting energy crisis reminded governments and consumers of the economic risks associated with dependence on imported oil. Oil prices climbed dramatically during the year after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes, in response to military strikes carried out by Israel and the United States. Crude prices rose from around 60 dollars per barrel at the beginning of the year to nearly 120 dollars, increasing fuel costs around the world and putting additional pressure on households and businesses. The IEA said the situation has brought energy security back to the centre of government policy discussions. Since road transport accounts for nearly half of global oil consumption, the agency noted that expanding the use of electric vehicles can reduce reliance on imported fuel while protecting consumers from sudden increases in fuel prices. The report said electric vehicles are now being viewed as an important tool for improving national energy security, particularly in countries that rely heavily on imported oil. By reducing dependence on global oil markets, governments hope to make their economies more resilient during periods of international instability. Several countries in Southeast Asia that were particularly affected by rising fuel costs responded by introducing temporary tax incentives to encourage people to buy electric vehicles. Similar government support measures have also been expanded in parts of Latin America and Europe as officials seek to accelerate the transition to cleaner transport. Based on the strong performance in the second quarter and continued policy support in many regions, the IEA expects global electric vehicle sales to increase by around 10 percent over the full year. If that forecast is achieved, electric cars are expected to account for approximately 29 percent of all new vehicle sales worldwide in 2026. The agency also predicted that the overall global car market will shrink this year, meaning electric vehicles are continuing to gain market share even as total vehicle demand weakens. The report noted that the year began on a slower pace for the electric vehicle industry. Sales dropped during the first quarter, mainly because of weaker demand in China and the United States, the world’s two largest EV markets. In the United States, the removal of government subsidies reduced consumer demand, while China’s slowing economy and reductions in financial incentives also affected purchases. Because China represents the largest electric vehicle market in the world, weaker sales there had a significant impact on global figures despite healthy growth in many other regions. Europe recorded the strongest performance during the first half of the year. According to the IEA, electric vehicle sales across the continent rose by more than 30 percent as supportive government policies, expanding charging infrastructure, and higher fuel prices encouraged more drivers to choose electric cars over conventional vehicles. The agency believes these trends could continue if governments maintain incentives and energy prices remain elevated.