Coverage

Reindeer use a complex nasal system that warms inhaled cold air before it reaches the lungs and recovers heat on exhalation, while their hollow‑haired winter coat traps air for insulation and buoyancy across icy water. These physical traits, along with seasonal hoof adaptations and UV vision, enable the species to thrive in Svalbard’s long, freezing winters.

Fossils of Camurodon borealis, a small herbivorous mammal, have been uncovered in the ancient Arctic. The discovery shows that such mammals survived alongside dinosaurs, offering fresh insights into prehistoric Arctic environments.

The study shows that when cyclones cluster in the Arctic, they cut sea ice cover at twice the rate of isolated events, indicating a stronger link between storm activity and rapid ice loss.

The study presents detailed quantitative data showing predictable seasonal changes in the body condition of Arctic seals. The findings offer fine‑scale insights that can improve monitoring and conservation strategies for these marine mammals.

A KC‑135 Stratotanker from the 168th Wing launched at Eielson Air Base as part of Operation TUNDRA MERLIN, demonstrating integrated U.S. Alaska Air National Guard air‑land capabilities for Arctic homeland defense.

A Russian oil tanker suffered hull damage while traversing an Arctic route to China, costing 53 million rubles and carrying 8 million barrels of oil.

A four‑hour partial solar eclipse visible across Nunavut on Aug 12 prompted residents of Baker Lake and Iqaluit to use protective glasses; the Canadian Space Agency noted that Iqaluit received a stronger view, while health officials warned about eye safety amid a lack of available eclipse gear.

Russia is holding productive talks with India and other nations about Arctic cooperation, signaling a rise in geopolitical interest in the region.

A total solar eclipse swept across the Arctic Ocean and parts of Europe on Aug 12 2026, offering a unique chance to observe Earth's shadow over high‑latitude waters.

A bug‑eating bladderwort plant was found near Iqaluit, far north of its usual range, indicating that rising temperatures may be expanding species habitats in the Arctic.

An Indigenous‑led alliance has been formed to deliver secured energy systems across Canada’s Arctic by building new airfields and operational support hubs while modernizing northern defence infrastructure.

Scientists report that melting sea ice could influence the formation of clouds over the Arctic, suggesting a new link between ice loss and atmospheric changes.

Tyumen’s Tura River overflowed to nearly 9 m high in late July, killing fish and contaminating tap water, prompting a regional state‑of‑emergency on July 28; simultaneously, record heat sparked fires that have consumed more than 37 000 ha of taiga in the northern Yamalo‑Nenets district, illustrating how climate change is driving severe, contrasting weather extremes across Siberia.

Germany, Norway and Canada have convened a four‑day planning session in Kiel to advance the Type 212CD submarine programme, aiming to formalize a trilateral partnership that will allow joint training, maintenance and logistics for submarines designed for Arctic, North Atlantic and Baltic operations.

The lethal white‑nose fungal disease, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has now infected a major bat hibernaculum near Fort Smith in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Researchers are applying a McMaster University‑developed probiotic to summer roosts as an early countermeasure while assessing the impact of recent wildfires on spread.

A vote failure on Alaska’s 800‑mile LNG pipeline bill prompted Governor Mike Dunleavy to condemn the decision, warning that the setback sends a negative signal to investors and could delay the project’s launch.

The new study shows that as sea ice disappears, polar bears are shifting to feed on seabird colonies, threatening those bird populations and underscoring the ecological impact of warming Arctic conditions.

An Aria‑funded research expedition in Greenland is being promoted as a catalyst for future polar science investment, with scientists emphasizing that active collaboration with local communities will be crucial to the programme’s success.