More from: Democracy and Media

«More media censorship»

There is a strong increase in the number of crackdowns on Russian internet media, a new report from human rights group Agora says. In Murmansk, the number of cases in 2015 doubled, while Komi Republic is the north Russian region with the highest level of censorship.
February 19, 2016

Did building traditions in Varanger come from Karelia?

Combined houses for livestock and people used to be the most common building style along the Varanger Fjord in Finnmark. Two researchers went to Karelia in Russia to track the origins of the style.
February 19, 2016

Karelian Governor dismisses regional government

After having received a reprimand from President Putin, Governor of Karelia Aleksander Khudalainen, dismissed his whole government.
February 18, 2016

Karelian governor gets reprimand from Putin

He has failed to follow up a program on resettlement of people from dilapidated housing, the President says.
February 17, 2016

The Spektakel town

Artists, musicians, journalists and government representatives gather in the border town of Kirkenes for the Barents Spektakel festival 2016. See what is going on.
February 12, 2016

Appeasement on Barents coast

We disagree about Ukraine, but agree about the need for good cross-border neighborly relations, Foreign Minister Børge Brende says as he visits Kirkenes, the Norwegian border town.
February 10, 2016

Nordic Council with renewed attempt to support civil society and human rights in Russia

“Cooperation with Northwest-Russia remains highly important. The new programme is a tangible sign of just how important,” says Dagfinn Høybråten, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
February 09, 2016

«Let the Spektakel begin»

The Barents winter festival is ready to rock the Norwegian-Russian borderland with a mix of contemporary arts, music and political debate. «Get prepared to cross borders», says festival director Andreas Hoffmann.
February 09, 2016

Silent protest in Komi, Arkhangelsk

They were only a handful of people. But the message was clear: Imprisoned activist Ildar Dadin must be released.
February 08, 2016

Stalin’s ghost descends on Russian North

If you live in Arkhangelsk, the Soviet despot could soon come to a pedestal near you.
February 05, 2016

Rebellious captain heading for sea again

Valery Yarantsev, known in Norway for the “Elektron-case” in 2005, is ready to go to sea again.
February 05, 2016

Sami win historic land use case over Sweden

The Sami population of the village of Girjas in Northern Sweden has won a historic case against the state in a long-running battle over land rights.
February 03, 2016

Suggests visa-free cruise travel to Murmansk, Arkhangelsk

Russia’s Ministry of Culture wants to open Murmansk and Arkhangelsk ports for 72-hours visa-free visits for passengers of cruise lines.
February 02, 2016

Comeback rector Elena Kudryasheva

She was charged for economic mismanagement, suspended from her job and subjected to travel restrictions. Now, all charges are revoked and Kudryasheva is re-appointed Rector of the Northern Arctic Federal University in Arkhangelsk.
January 29, 2016

Indigenous peoples’ organization declared as foreign agents

An organization supporting indigenous peoples in Russia’s northern regions has been fined 300,000 rubles for failing to register as foreign agent.
January 28, 2016

Russian´s real wages down 9,5%

As inflation reached new heights last year, Russians saw their real wages decline by 9.5 percent compared to 2014.
January 27, 2016

Ukrainian ”compatriots” moving to Murmansk

Never before has so many countrymen from Ukraine moved to our region, authorities in Murmansk say.
January 26, 2016

Prosecutors want 9 years of jail for Vasilii Shambir

Court case coming up against the former Murmansk top politician.
January 25, 2016

Arctic motorbiking in minus 40

We expected it to be slightly warmer, the Russian motorcyclists admit as they continue their expedition towards the North Cape.
January 22, 2016

Dismissed Petrozavodsk city mayor loses case, appeals to Supreme Court

A more objective court located outside the Republic of Karelia will be better able to rule in the case, Galina Shirshina underlines.
January 22, 2016

Ministry of Justice clarifies “political activity” in Foreign Agent law

Russia´s Ministry of Justice is preparing changes in the Law on Foreign Agents to make it clearer what is meant by “political activity”.
January 22, 2016

Economy – a national security issue

Russia´s Security Council calls the economic situation a threat to national security.
January 20, 2016

Barents wants more cooperation

All the involved countries want this to remain an open channel for east-wast cooperation, leader of the International Barents Secretariat Tomas Hallberg says. He is backed by a new study which concludes that experts engaged in regional working groups seek more cross-border activity.
January 15, 2016

Anti-immigrant groups raise concern in Finland

A movement of self-proclaimed patriots patrolling the streets to protect native Finns from immigrants has spread from the northern town of Kemi to all over Finland. “We have no need for vigilantes like “Soldiers of Odin”, the Government says.
January 15, 2016

“We must prepare for worst-case scenario in economy”

A continued fall in oil prices could force Russia to revise its 2016 budget, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warns.
January 14, 2016

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