High North News - News, analysis and debate about politics and business in the North

A view of the Yukon River as it runs through downtown Whitehorse, Yukon. (Photo: Desiree Hauswald for High North News)

New program launched to help bolster Yukon tourism operators

The tourism industry will be the industry hit hardest and longest by the effects of COVID-19. Tourism Industry Association Yukon (TIAY) has created a program that focuses on developing businesses for re-entry into tourism markets once travel restrictions are lifted.

Combating Food Insecurity in the Arctic Despite Covid-19

The Growcer has developed a mobile greenhouse with specialized technology that can operate in extreme climates. Today, the company is stronger than ever after winning the High North Young Entrepreneur Award in 2018.

Notices

Business / 25.09.2020

High Number of Applications for Barents Sea Petroleum Exploration

The Norwegian Ministry of Oil and Energy announced that it has received a…

Business / 25.09.2020

Controversial Environmental Report for Greenland Mining Project Approved

The contents of an environmental report regarding the planned mine…

Business / 25.09.2020

Alaska Mine CEO Resigns After Secret Recordings

Tom Collier, CEO of the Pebble Ltd Partnership, the company behind a…

Politics / 25.09.2020

Norway, Sweden and Finland to Cooperate about Operation Planning

The Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish Ministers of Defense this week signed…

Secretary General about Fishermen’s Association Revolt: Serious for the Organization

“There is no intention about treating input from either NFA North or others in a way that is not fully and completely serious”, Secretary General Otto Gregussen of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association says to High North News following the decision of NFA North to leave the organization as a protest.

Newly Appointed U.S. Coordinator for the Arctic Region Tours the Nordics

Newly appointed U.S. Coordinator for the Arctic Region James DeHart travels to Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Greenland in the upcoming weeks to engage with Arctic partners.

Kulluk

Shell Plans to Resume Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration in Arctic Alaska

Almost five years after giving up on offshore oil exploration in Alaska Shell now intends to return and begin exploratory drilling by 2023.

Spencer Tunicks verk Bodø bodyscape fant sted 11-12 august 2018 og involverte 175 nakne bodøværinger

Bought Rights to Controversial Picture, Brings Bodø Bodyscape Home

On Friday, one of Spencer Tunick’s original pictures from the art project ‘Bodø Bodyscape’ will once again be unveiled in Bodø, Norway. That happens on the one-year anniversary of Bodø’s being appointed European Capital of Culture 2024.

Northern Fishermen in Norway Want to Go It Alone

The Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, Division North (NFA North) has decided to exit from the main organization. “We need a change of attitude within the organization in relation to thinking about the small, traditional coastal fishing fleet”, says Chairman of NFA North Roger Hansen to High North News.

F-35 jagerfly

Norway and the USA Re-Negotiating Cold War Agreement

Polarstern

Arctic Sea Ice Shrinks to Second-Lowest Extent Amid Record High Temperatures

Following the warmest summer on record in the Arctic sea ice falls below 4 million square kilometers for just the second time.

Researcher Argues Norwegian Participation in Barents Sea Military Exercise was Unfortunate

“I fear that the strategic image and overall thinking that should form the basis has neither been understood nor is something the government actually reflects deeply on”, says Commander and PhD Candidate Tor Ivar Strømmen.

Tore Furevik, Grønland

“For every centimeter the sea level rises, one million more people will have to evacuate”

Millions of climate refugees, lost species and less fish to feed a growing population. This is the nearby future unless the emissions are cut on a global level, climate researcher warns.

Næringsminister Iselin Nybø på Svalbard. Foto: NFD

Emergency Assistance to Svalbard’s Tourist Industry

The Norwegian government proposes NOK 25 million to a new, temporary grant scheme for tourism companies in Svalbard.

Norwegian Defense Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen Appointed New Fisheries Director

Norwegian Defense Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen (Conservatives) was Monday appointed new Director of the Fisheries Directorate.

Sea Otters Sea Otters from Prince Williams Sounds, Alaska. Photo: California Birds

The Vanishing of Otters in Alaska devastates local food web

In the Alaska Aleutians Islands delicate seascape, otters hold the entire ecosystem together. As they have disappeared, the rest of the local food web has started to crumble.

Arne O. Holm says

The Norwegian Government Wants to Win the High North with PM Erna Solberg as the Tour Guide

The Norwegian PM Erna Solberg sends half the government to tour the Arctic prior to the upcoming whitepaper on the High North. To Northern Norway, the ongoing political struggle over the High North is an advantage, our Editor-in-Chief Arne O. Holm writes in his Friday commentary.

Top-Heavy Government Delegation Tours Northern Norway

The Norwegian government is to present its new whitepaper about the High North this autumn, and the governments wants input from the Arctic. “We want to hear from as many as possible about how to do this”, says Prime Minister Erna Solberg.