Centuries ago, the far north of Scandinavia had no clear national boundaries. The region was sparsely populated by the Sámi people, who at times paid taxes to multiple kingdoms in overlapping “no man’s land” zones. As early as 1326, Norway and the Republic of Novgorod (medieval Russia) signed the Treaty of Novgorod to divide their spheres of influence in the Arctic, determining which Sámi communities would pay tribute to which realm.

In 2025, the five Nordic nations – Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland – along with the Baltic state of Estonia, stand out as the world’s least corrupt countries. According to the latest global indices, these countries top corruption-perception rankings with scores in the high 70s and 80s (out of 100), far above the global average. This feature explores how they’ve achieved such clean governance, the historical and cultural roots of their integrity, and why it matters – from innovation to public happiness.

Iceland has made history as the first Nordic nation – and the fifth country overall – to officially boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 (the 70th edition set for May 2026 in Vienna). The decision by Iceland’s public broadcaster RÚV was driven by widespread domestic backlash to Israel’s inclusion in the contest amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Pamela Anderson, now 58, has been reinventing herself and reconnecting with her heritage. Known for her iconic glamour in the 1990s, she has recently adopted a more natural look and candid approach to life. At the height of her fame, Anderson was synonymous with Baywatch and the quintessential California beach persona. Now, in a heartfelt turn of events, the Hollywood icon is baring a different side of herself – one deeply connected to the Nordic roots in her family tree.

The three Baltic nations – Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – are charting a new course in 2025 by exploring nuclear energy as part of their strategy for energy security and decarbonization. Historically dependent on imported fossil fuels and the Soviet-era grid, these countries have faced pressing geopolitical and environmental challenges, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted a rapid shift away from Russian gas and electricity.