High North News - English

Newsroom

NOK 3 million to strengthen the Kven language

16 hours ago Astri Edvardsen

The Norwegian Parliament has allocated NOK 3 million for measures in the new action plan for the Kven language.
The Kven Institute will receive over NOK 1.3 million to strengthen work on Kven language technology and establish a mentoring scheme for Kven language users. The money will also be used to develop incentives to motivate young people to choose Kven as a second language.
Among the recipients of funds is also UiT the Arctic University of Norway, which will receive NOK 175,000 to facilitate more students completing studies in Kven.
"The situation for the Kven language is serious. There is no doubt that long-term efforts are needed to get more Kven language users. The allocation of NOK 3 million is an important contribution to following up on the goals in the action plan, says Norway's Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Bjørnar Skjæran (Labor).
Sweden reopened honorary consulate in Tromsø

1 day ago Astri Edvardsen

Last week, Sweden's honorary consulate in Tromsø, Northern Norway, was reopened with Christian Hjort as the new honorary consul. Hjort has a background as director of the company JM Hansen Eiendom.
"The consulate in Tromsø strengthens Sweden's presence in a region with significant business interests, and helps create good conditions for cross-border cooperation between the countries, while improving service to Swedish citizens in Northern Norway," writes the Swedish embassy in Oslo.
"I look forward to taking on the consular tasks, and not least to helping strengthen the already strong ties between our two countries," states Hjort.
Russia builds ninth Yasen M-class submarine

1 day ago Astri Edvardsen

Last week, construction of Murmansk, the ninth nuclear submarine of the Yasen M class, began at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, reports the Russian state news agency TASS.
The Russian Navy currently operates five Yasen M-class submarines. In addition to Murmansk, three more submarines of this class are under construction. These will become part of the Northern Fleet and the Pacific Fleet.
The submarines are armed with the Oniks and Kalibr cruise missiles and may in the future be equipped with the Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile, TASS writes.

Damen Shipyard Serviced LNG Carrier Tied to Russia’s Yamal Export Chain

Dutch ship repair group Damen acknowledged it serviced an LNG carrier linked to Russia's Yamal export chain months after pledging to stop such work, exposing gaps in the company's screening process as Europe seeks to sever energy ties with Moscow.

Arne O. Holm:

The World is Rearming For War – It is Felt Deep in The Mountains of Northern Norway

Comment (Sulitjelma): At the mining museum in Sulitjelma, Northern Norway, they are preparing for the summer season. A few kilometres further down the road, preparations are under way to open a new mine. And the noise from the cooling fans at the crypto factory is still almost deafening.

Mining Company LKAB Supports Kiruna Municipality to Secure Relocation Process of the Arctic Town

The Swedish mining company LKAB is contributing a full SEK 1.8 billion to secure the continued transformation of Kiruna in Northern Sweden. This eases the municipality’s financial situation, where the large-scale relocation of the town is still under way.

Utsikt over Nuuk med hus, havn og isflak i sjøen under overskyet himmel.

Norway to Open Consulate General in Greenland

Norway is strengthening its presence in Greenland and will open a Consulate General in Nuuk to further develop cooperation with Greenland at a time when the Arctic is gaining increasing strategic importance.

Australia, Canada Sign $2.5 Billion Arctic Radar Deal as Ottawa Accelerates NORAD Modernization

Canada and Australia have signed a A$2.5 billion ($1.75 billion) deal for an Arctic over-the-horizon radar system, a cornerstone of Ottawa’s NORAD modernization plans as Western allies expand surveillance capabilities amid growing strategic competition in the Arctic.

Daglig leder i Tromsø arktisk-alpine botaniske hage, Jarle W. Bjerke, foran samlingen med peoner.

Step Inside the World’s Northernmost Botanical Garden

Tromsø (High North News): Tromsø Arctic-Alpine Botanical Garden offers over 7,000 plant species in a distinctive stone landscape inspired by the mountains surrounding the city. “We don’t want to tame nature, but rather showcase it,” says General Manager Jarle W. Bjerke.