High North News - English

The Finnish Defence Forces will participate in the Denmark-led Arctic Endurance 26 -exercise complex in the Arctic region in early autumn.

That is stated in a press release from the Finnish Defence Forces.

The service personnel that will participate are from the Navy and from the Utti Jaeger Regiment.

"Finland maintains an active posture as a NATO member nation, and takes part in strengthening security in the Arctic region together with its Allies. Participation in the exercise complex will develop the Finnish Defence Forces’ interoperability, information exchange, and competence in the Arctic operating environment," the press release states.

Participation in the exercise will offer the Finnish Defence Forces’ special forces an opportunity to develop their capability to operate in a demanding Arctic environment and to strengthen cooperation with international Allies.

Arctic Endurance is one of the enduring exercises included under NATOs Arctic Sentry. This is NATO's enhanced Vigilance Activity for the High North and aims to strengthen the Alliance's posture and presence in the Arctic region.

On September 2, the first sod was laid in the preparatory groundwork for Region Norrbotten's new hospital in Kiruna in Northern Sweden.

This is stated by Region Norrbotten in a press release.

Representatives from Region Norrbotten, the Swedish mining company LKAB and the construction company NCC participated in the ceremony at the site where the new hospital will be built.

The groundbreaking marks the start of the next phase of work on the new hospital, which will be part of Kiruna's urban transformation.

As is known, a major relocation of the Northern Swedish city is underway to ensure continued mining operations. Kiruna's new city center was officially opened in 2022. There is still a major process related to the urban transformation.

"The hospital is one of the most important parts of the societal transformation, and this is a big day. The fact that work on the hospital can start now, by preparing for construction, is an important event for all residents of Kiruna," says Stefan Hämäläinen,Senior Vice President of Community Development, at LKAB.

"Now we are taking the next important step when the groundwork can finally begin. We will build a modern hospital that provides good conditions to meet both current and future needs for health and medical treatment. This is an investment that extends far beyond the next election period. We are not just building a new hospital for today's Kiruna, we are building a hospital for future generations," says Anders Öberg (S), chairman of the board of Region Norrbotten.

If all goes according to plan, occupancy of the new hospital could begin in the fourth quarter of 2030.

The Nordic countries have signed a joint declaration on security of supply and preparedness cooperation. The initiative aims to ensure better access to goods and services in times of crisis and war.

This is stated by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Fisheries in a press release.

The current security situation in Europe has highlighted the need for resilient supply chains. Now the Nordic countries Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark, together with Åland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, have agreed on a joint declaration to further develop cooperation to maintain production, logistics and distribution of critical goods and services during crises and war, the statement says.

The declaration facilitates increased cooperation on, among other things:

· further development of schemes for the flow of goods and services in crises and war

· public-private collaboration on security of supply and emergency preparedness

· emergency storage and material readiness

· access to critical raw materials and strategic resources

· exchange of experiences and knowledge between the countries

“The Nordic countries are stronger when we cooperate. Close Nordic coordination is important to ensure that goods and services reach their destination even in demanding situations,” says Norway's Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth (Labour).

From September 14th to 18th, the world's largest open GNSS resilience test (jammertest) will be held on Andøya, Northern Norway, for the fifth year in a row.

The event gives public and private actors the opportunity to hone modern positioning technology against jamming and spoofing attacks. The goal of the test is to develop more robust navigation systems.

This year, over 200 actors from around the world have applied to join the event.

The organizers are the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom), the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment, the Norwegian Metrology Service, the Norwegian Space Agency, the Norwegian Mapping Authority and Avinor.

According to Nkom, results from previous years show that the test has contributed to clear improvements at both system and component level in several sectors – such as telecom, the automotive industry, the maritime sector and aviation.

"Critical societal functions are increasingly dependent on accurate position, navigation and time. Therefore, it is gratifying that all the testing actually makes the products better and our society safer," says Espen Slette, Department Director at Nkom.

On Friday, the Greenlandic government published two expert reports on the human rights aspects of the involuntary IUD insertion of over 4,000 Greenlandic girls and women in the 1960s and 70s, known as the spiral case.

One report concludes that the Danish state's campagin of forced contraception was a violation of human rights, but not genocide. The second report considers that the question of genocide is complex and that a final decision can only be made by a court.

On the same day, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen took the initiative to establish a reconciliation commission in cooperation with the Danish government.

This proposal is welcomed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

“A reconciliation commission gives us the opportunity to look back at the darkness of our common history and to deal critically with it and acknowledge the pain it may have caused,” Frederiksen states in a press release.

In no other Norwegian county is access to and use of uncultivated land as extensive as in Finnmark, Northern Norway. This is according to a new report prepared by NORCE for Finnmark County Council.

"The report shows that the uncultivated land is an important part of living a good life in Finnmark. Access to nature, harvesting and outdoor activities provide quality of life, belonging and activity. These are values that can contribute to people wanting to live and stay in the county," says County Mayor Hans-Jacob Bønå (Conservative) in a press release.

The report also points to the need for updated knowledge, planning capacity, cooperation and a clear understanding of roles among the actors who facilitate the use of the uncultivated land.

"We would particularly like to highlight new knowledge that has emerged from the mapping of outlying industry actors. This is an industry with great development potential, but where most actors have limited growth ambitions and are satisfied with the current scope. The belief in employment growth is greatest within outdoor tourism, where Finnmark companies facilitate hunting and fishing for visitors," says Vigdis Nygaard, senior researcher at NORCE.

The report can be read here.

Six Nordic films have been nominated for the Nordic Council Film Prize 2026. The nominated films were presented on Tuesday 25 August at the Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund, Norway. The winner will be revealed on 20 October. This year, one documentary and five feature films have been nominated.

Since 2002, the Nordic Council Film Prize has been awarded to a feature film that is rooted in Nordic culture, has high artistic value and constitutes a complete work.

Here are the nominees for the Nordic Council Film Prize 2026:

• Denmark: Beginnings

• Finland: Jossain on valo joka ei sammu (There is a light that never goes out)

• Faroe Islands: Birita

• Iceland: Ástin sem eftir er (The Love That Remains)

• Norway: Sentimental Value

• Sweden: Kevlarsjäl (Kevlar Soul)

"It is with great sorrow that we have received the news that our beloved 'people's king,' King Harald V, has passed away," says Marianne Dobak Kvensjø (Conservative Party), Head of the Nordland County Council in Northern Norway, in a press release.

The Nordland County Council Leader says Nordland is in mourning following the news of King Harald’s death today, Friday 28 August.

"Ultimately, only one word remains: Thank you! Thank you for being the King of all of Norway—and of Nordland," says Kvensjø.

The King and Queen of Norsay visited Nordland as recently as June of this year. The visit to Beiarn in the Norwegian Arctic marked the final stop in the royal couple's tour of Nordland's municipalities.

"Excitement and anticipation for the visit were high. It simply goes to show how much the King and Queen have meant to the people, including those in Nordland," Kvensjø points out.

King Harald first visited Nordland as part of the royal consecration tour in the summer of 1991. The Queen, meanwhile, has made countless trips to the mountains of Nordland.

County Council Leader Marianne Dobak Kvensjø describes King Harald as a role model.

"Warm, down-to-earth, humorous, and inclusive. But above all, he was a unifying figure—unifying the entire nation. It is with humility and respect that I thank King Harald for everything he meant to the people of Nordland. Thank you."

Events in Finland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Åland this autumn will showcase some of the initiatives on the shortlist for the Nordic Council Environment Prize 2026.

The Nordic Council Environment Prize this year focuses on initiatives that give young people the knowledge, skills and opportunities to influence developments in their local communities and society as a whole.

Four events will provide the public with opportunities to meet initiatives nominated this year from Finland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Åland.

The people involved will make presentations and engage in discussions about what it has been like to help children and young people to understand the climate and biodiversity crisis and play an active role in the green transition.

The four events across the Nordic Region:

• Denmark: Meet The Astra Mass Experiment, 29 August

• Finland: Meet 70 Adventures Before Seventh Grade, 8 September

• The Faroe Islands: Mød Rótin, 22 September

• Åland: Meet Åland Nature School, 24 September

North Norwegian company Nordasfalt has entered into an agreement with Skanska for the execution of asphalting, milling and moisture insulation on the extensive work on the new road project E6 Megården – Sommerset.

This is reported by Nordasfalt in a press release, reproduced in a number of media, including Avisa Nordland.

The road project is located in Sørfold municipality, north of Fauske in Nordland.

The contract will be the largest single contract in the company's history.

"The assignment shows that Nordasfalt is strong as a total supplier in the asphalt field, and that our expertise across disciplines is noticed. Through close and constructive dialogue with Skanska, solutions have been facilitated that strengthen both the quality and environmental profile of the project," says CEO Kevin Slettmyr.

Nordasfalt has its head office and department in Bodø, in addition to departments in Fauske and Narvik.

For the second season in a row, the Northern Norwegian football team Bodø/Glimt has qualified for the Champions League.

It became clear after Bodø/Glimt won 3-0 against Dutch NEC Nijmegen on Tuesday evening in the return match at Aspmyra. Overall, the score was 6-1.

"Fantastic. It's an indescribable feeling to be standing here again and ready for the Champions League. The greatest tournament in the world. It's incredible. We shouldn't forget how big this is," says Glimt player Fredrik André Bjørkan in a news release from the football club.

The draw for the next round of the Champions League will take place next Thursday.

From September 8, the game is on.

Greenland's head of government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has sharply criticized Denmark for a lack of progress in constructing new Arctic patrol vessels, reports DR.

According to him, the process has been at a standstill for over a year and a half.

"Of course, this is not satisfactory. I believe that when a decision has been made to build patrol ships because the current fleet is already old, you should expedite the process," Nielsen told DR.

The plan for five new patrol vessels was launched in 2025, but technical specifications and contract negotiations remain unresolved.

Greenlandic politicians in the Inatsisartut have also expressed frustration over the pace and are urging Denmark to get the shipbuilding underway.

The Norwegian Environment Agency has uncovered multiple repeated environmental violations at Kirkenes Airport, in Northern Norway, and is requesting immediate improvements from Avinor, reports the local newspaper iFinnmark.

Inspections revealed deficiencies in chemical management, storage of hazardous substances, waste management, and internal controls.

The agency considers the situation serious and has set a deadline for Avinor to resolve the non-conformities.

Airport management acknowledges that its environmental efforts have been insufficient and states that measures have been initiated to regain control over routines and storage.

Norway has eased restrictions that previously prevented allied surveillance aircraft from tracking Russian nuclear submarines operating out of bases on the Kola Peninsula, reports the Barents Observer.

The change means that allies can now operate closer to Norwegian areas than before, provided the missions are coordinated with Norwegian authorities.

The adjustment comes in response to an increased allied need for situational awareness in the Barents Sea and a more challenging security environment in the High North.

Norwegian authorities emphasize that operations will remain controlled and predictable.

Eirik Wikan will take over as acting CEO of the Kimek companies, which are engaged in ship repair and industrial services in Kirkenes, Northern Norway. Kimek AS announces this on its Facebook page.

Former CEO Greger Mannsverk is ill and will be absent from his position indefinitely.

Wikan comes from the position of finance manager at Kimek and has been part of the company's management for 18 years.

The Canadian Coast Guard's largest and most powerful icebreaker, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, reached the North Pole on August 16.

The transit supports Canada's efforts to define its continental shelf and map its outer limits under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. During its voyage, the icebreaker collects high-resolution geoscientific and hydrographic data.

“The arrival of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent at the North Pole is an important milestone that reflects Canada’s enduring commitment to the Arctic. Supported by the expertise of Canadian Coast Guard personnel, this mission advances scientific knowledge, strengthens our presence in the North, and reinforces Canada’s sovereignty and security,” says David J. McGuinty, Canadian Minister of National Defence.

This week, four Belgian F-16 fighter jets and personnel assumed the Iceland Air Defence responsibilities at Keflavík air station. The detachment will remain for a month-long deployment.

The mission was formerly known as Iceland Air Policing and focused mainly on protecting agaist crewed and uncrewed aircraft. With the transition to Air Defence, NATO can now respond more flexibly to a wider range of threats, using a layered, 360-degree approach across all operational domains, according to NATO Air Command.

"The Belgian Air Force’s assumption of this vital mission in Iceland marks a significant move to a single Integrated Air and Missile Defence posture,” says Major General Frank Gräfe, Chief of Staff for NATO Allied Air Command.

The finalists for Norway's Young Farmer of the Year 2026 are now ready, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food announced in a press release.

Ambjørg Skibdalen from Telemark, Joar Straume from Nordland and the farming couple Iselin Mentzoni Eliassen and Jørgen Juul Thomassen from Troms have been selected from over 500 nominees from across the country.

Joar Straume (22) moved from Western Norway to the Helgeland coast in Northern Norway to realize his dream of owning his own farm. He now runs Nordbostad Farm in Mindland in Nordland with his wife Elena.

In Troms, Northern Norway, Iselin Mentzoni Eliassen (27) and Jørgen Juul Thomassen (29) run Buktenes farm in Kvænangen. The farm is the municipality's last dairy farm.

The winner of Young Farmer of the Year 2026 will be announced during Dyrsku'n in Seljord on September 11th.

Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), hosted Gen. Michael Hyldgaard, the Kingdom of Denmark’s Chief of Defence, for strategic visits to key military installations in Alaska, August 12-14.

That is stated in a press release from Alaskan Command Public Affairs.

The multi-day visit focused on combined Arctic operations, airspace defense, operational integration, and interoperability.

"Showcasing our operations in Alaska demonstrates to our Allies the benefit of the NORDIC bridge which ties the US and NATO partners to deter and defend the Northern Approaches and the Arctic as a whole," said Guillot and added:

"Cooperation in this demanding environment ensures our combined forces remain ready to defend our nations at a moment's notice."

The visit began at Eielson Air Force Base on August 13, where both leaders suited up to participate in separate flight profiles in F-16 Fighting Falcons.

On August 14, the defense leaders transitioned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for high-level bilateral discussions at Alaskan Command Headquarters. The generals also met with Alaskan defense leaders to discuss shared security challenges, the defense of Greenland, and initiatives to enhance domain awareness across the Arctic.

For the first time in recent times, conscripts have been sent to an exercise in Greenland, where they will practice and train military skills in unfamiliar terrain, participate in operational service during the Arctic Endurance exercise, and collaborate with their Greenlandic colleagues in Arctic Basic Training (Arktisk Basisuddannelse).

This is stated in a press release from the Danish Armed Forces.

Early in August, the first group of 11-month conscripts from the Schleswig Infantry Regiment landed at Nuuk Airport. For the first time, conscripts will participate in operational service during exercise Arctic Endurance, while also training and strengthening their soldier skills.

It is also the first time a team of conscripts has been deployed to Greenland.

Exercise Arctic Endurance is being conducted in close cooperation with the Greenlandic government, Naalakkersuisut. It has been decided to continue and strengthen the effort through 2026 by increasing the Danish Armed Forces' military presence and exercise activity in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. This is being done in close cooperation with several NATO allies, the Danish Armed Forces writes.