Happy Easter from High North News!

Let's jump right into one of the many tense situations that impact the Arctic. An explosion on the tanker Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean has disrupted Russia’s efforts to export liquefied natural gas. 

Representatives from one of the world’s largest maritime hubs in South Korea visited Norway’s Port of Tromsø this week to sign new deals. 

Failure to launch

North Norwegian Andøya Space's second attempt to launch a rocket into orbit from mainland Europe was aborted due to an unauthorized fishing boat in the restricted zone. 

But research shows that the sound from rocket launches does not travel far enough in the ocean to impact fish behavior. 

Fisheries and education 

There are fewer fishing boats and less fish in Nordland, Northern Norway: "The situation is particularly demanding," says Elisabeth Mikalsen, the mayor of an island municipality in the middle of the ocean. (Norwegian only) 

A fish reception and stockfish production facility in Lofoten says the company’s fish farm further north has been crucial to the operation. (Norwegian only) 

Journalist Linn Ophaug has explored the use of unqualified teachers in schools. Many student teachers are happy in the North, but move back home after completing their studies. This is bad news for Northern Norway, which has the country's highest share of unqualified teachers.

Lack of preparedness 

The U.S. is seeking to expand its military presence in Greenland, including access to three new areas on the Arctic island. 

In Norway, the government wants to increase the financial framework for the long-term defense plan. (Norwegian only) 

The government asks us to be prepared for crises and war. But what happens to the inhabitants of an Arctic city if the power goes out for an extended period?

I met a Arctic municipality's head of security, who is ready to set some tough priorities.

Yet, the crisis will impact us in a completely different fashion than further south. The bus fire that split Norway in half on the most busy day of Easter travel was a clear example of that.

“A couple of weeks ago, military convoys thundered northward in Norway, heading to the military exercise Cold Response. If this had happened today, or while headed for more serious events, they would not have gotten there in time”, commentator Arne O. Holm writes in his accurate comment. 

And some cultural news to finish: The fifth Arctic Art Forum was just organized in the southern district. 

Read all this and more at High North News. 

On behalf of the editorial staff, I wish you a happy Easter. We´ll be back next week, in the meantime follow us on social media for gold from the archives and most popular stories. 

Best, Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen