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Newsletter from the editor:
Record Exports, Cross Border Trains and A Power Crisis
Dear reader. Record-breaking seafood exports, cross-border rail in the Nordics, a municipal financial crisis, and new developments in security and research dominate the week's key stories.
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We were lucky enough to catch the solar eclipse on August 12th at 67 degrees north. Admittedly, we have gone the entire summer without seeing either the sun, the moon, or any celestial bodies other than clouds.
So, it was a real treat for both of them to grace us with their presence at the same time, and for the cloud cover to lift just enough for us to witness it.
As for the meteor shower, we had to settle for watching it online.
Otherwise, there is good news coming from the seafood industry, as July was a strong month for Norwegian seafood exports.
And more good news for infrastructure: After nearly 40 years, it is once again possible to travel by passenger train across the borders in the Nordics.
In purely economic terms, the picture is less positive. Several municipalities in the Norwegian Arctic are clamoring for emergency financial aid from the state.
«Northern Norway’s largest city is just one of many that could be placed under state control”, writes commentator Arne O. Holm.
Shipping and energy
New satellite images show continuing industrial ties between Russia and China.
And a South Korean shipping line is gearing up to put Arctic container shipping to the test.
The latest from USA: The Trump administration wants to scale back Obama-era safety rules governing offshore oil exploration in Alaska’s Arctic.
Trump has also nominated a new US Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic.
In Norway, the government wants to halve the time it takes to build electricity grid.
Also read that a Russian espionage operation in Sweden has been stopped.
Science news
This week's Arctic research focuses on the ocean.
Artificially fertilized of wolffish is going to help tackle the sea urchin plague and breathe new life into Arctic kelp forests.
Researchers found the edible crab further north than before.
In May, Norway once again granted permission for a Russian research expedition in Norwegian waters.
Also read that the research vessel Kronprins Haakon is now halfway between the North Pole and the northern coast of Canada.
Read this and more in High North News. Follow us on social media and join the debate. Send your tips to hinn@nord.no.
Best regards, Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen
