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Thomas Nilsen

Thomas worked for the Norwegian Barents Secretariat between 2003 and 2015. Between 2009 and 2015 he was the editor of BarentsObserver. Before that he worked 12 years for the Bellona Foundation’s Russian study group, focusing on nuclear safety issues and general environmental challenges in northern areas and the Arctic.

Thomas has been travelling extensively in the Barents Region and northern Russia since the late 80’s working for different media and organizations. He is also a guide at sea and in remote locations in the Russian north for various groups and regularly lectures on security issues and socio-economic development in the Barents Region. Thomas Nilsen studied at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. 

Content by Thomas Nilsen

The network of Russian, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish journalists urge to reverse the decision to limit the editorial freedom of BarentsObserver.

Russia continues to tighten the screw on foreign influence. A draft law suggests the state could ban international organizations or firms believed to be harmful or unpleasant.

Suspended military contact does not hinder Norway to cash out millions of kroner for safer navigation inside the Northern Fleet’s waters. Seamarks, beacons and buoys will be owned by the navy, according to Per-Einar Fiskebeck and Jarl Tuv with the Norwegian project partner.

20,273 border-crossings were counted in April, down 21,6 percent compared with April 2014. 

Even if all radioactive Cesium-137 in the reactors leak out, levels will still be under the 600 Becquerel limit set by food authorities, according to researchers with the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research.

Several thousand people marched through Lenin Prospekt waving banners in all colors and variation of support for workers’ rights.

While Russia’s naval yard in Severodvinsk is busy like never before in Post-Soviet times with construction of new submarines, two old submarines on the Arctic seabed cause major concern for nuclear scientists.

Low oil prices triggers cross-companies cooperation to develop cost-effective solutions for new areas north of mainland Norway.

Oil companies reluctant to invest in the Barents Sea due to low oil price get surprise aid from Petroleum and Energy Minister Tord Lien.

Russia works seven days a week with new highway to the border, but the Norwegian Public Roads Administration today announced that the new highway on their side will not open before 2017.