Life on the North Globe

First, good news from Finland. The railway project Rail Nordica will lead to direct railway connections to Sweden and Norway in the North. 

Now onto research news about the climate. 

Read about 10-year-old Mina Floriana Read, who is the youngest ever to cross Svalbard, and experienced climate change firsthand. 

Greenpeace has embarked on an expedition to protect life in the Arctic deep sea, and spring temperatures are rising the most in the North. 

Budget and industry 

In Norway's revised state budget for 2026, the Norwegian government proposes a Svalbard price for electricity and district heating. (Norwegian only) 

Alcoa invests 65 million dollars in its Northern Norwegian aluminum factory. 

Defense news 

Then, let's talk about NATO. How much can you get for 574 billion dollars? asks Commentator Arne O. Holm. Very little, if we are to believe NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. 

Iceland and Norway signed a Memorandum of Understanding on enhanced defense cooperation. 

Also, read about the latest news from the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency's annual report for 2025 (Norwegian only) and possible espionage in Northern Norway.

Gas and energy

We have counted how many times tankers carrying Russian gas have stopped off the coast of northern Norway.  

Also, read that the Trump Administration will transfer land to Alaska to support the development of LNG. 

Read about this and more at High North News. 

Next week, we will be reporting directly from the Kirkenes Conference on the Norwegian border with Russia. Feel free to follow us on social media. 

Best regards, Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen