A fire at a shipyard on the Kola Peninsula involved in scrapping of radioactive waste might have led to increased levels of radiation. The accident occurred last Friday. Norway was not informed.

OPINION: When the future history of the Arctic will be written, 2010 will be marked off as the breakthrough year for commercial shipping along the Northern Sea Route.

Lower prices on natural gas mean lower budget revenues for both Norway and Russia. It could also cast shadows over planned new field projects, including in the Barents Sea.