Newsletter Summer Greetings from High North News
We of the High North News editorial staff wish our readers a happy summer holiday. We will be back in August with more news from and about the North! (Photo: High North News)
Dear reader. We are in the final stretch of the debate series High Noon at the True Northern Arts Festival before the summer holiday. But we are also keeping a close watch on defense and investments in the Arctic. Here is the final newsletter before the holiday.
For the fourth time running, High North News is part of the True Northern Arts Festival in Northern Norway. In the debate series High Noon (yes, the name comes from the 1952 Western classic), Editor and Commentator Arne O. Holm asks important questions in debates that are both streamed live and watchable afterward. Each debate includes a cultural element. (All in Norwegian, but with automatic subtitles)
On Tuesday, we continued with a debate about the negative population development in Northern Norway. What happens if taxes are cut and people can decide for themselves how to spend the money?
On Wednesday, we followed up with a debate about Russia's view of the West. What do we think about them when mutual contact and knowledge about each other disappear?
We conclude this year's High Noon on Thursday with a brave debate about dictatorship. Is the Western democracy worth defending, or just a costly and burdensome Western luxury? asks Holm.
Journalist Astri Edvardsen is also covering the festival, providing us with interviews and photos from the debates.
Read her article on the Svalbard debate about the defense of the Arctic island here.
Other and just as important news about the industry in the Arctic:
A new report shows that most recent Chinese investments in the Arctic, besides Russia, have stalled or failed.
The mining company Nussir has resumed work in the copper mine in Hammerfest, Northern Norway, after pausing it on June 16th.
Defense news
Norway will participate in NATO's forward land force in Finland and Greenland is now shifted from the US European Command area of responsibility to the US Northern Command.
With Sweden and Finland in NATO and the alliance's new air operations center, Bodø in Northern Norway has once again become part of the frontline, or a 'First Strike City.'
That is also the name of a fascinating exhibition at the Bodø City Museum. Journalist Birgitte Annie Hansen has visited the exhibition and talked to the photographer, Dan Mariner.
Also, read about Kjell Inge Røkke, chairman of Aker ASA, who has pledged more than $300,000 to support the Iditarod 2026.
We in High North News go on holiday from next week but will be back in August with news from and about the North. Among other things, Journalist Hilde Bye and Arne O. Holm are traveling to Anchorage, Alaska in July/August to report directly from the American Arctic. A trip that could be challenging for Western media. Read about this in NRK's interview with Holm (Norwegian only).
I wish you a great summer on behalf of the editorial staff,
Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen