Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

The conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to escalate as military operations enter their third week, drawing in new fronts and prompting international concerns. U.S. and Israeli forces have carried out thousands of strikes on Iranian military and strategic targets since late February, degrading air defenses and key weapons systems, officials said. Iranian retaliation has been widespread, including missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory, U.S. military bases in the Gulf region, and diplomatic facilities. At least six U.S. service members have been killed in retaliatory attacks, according to multiple reports. The combined military campaign, described by…

An exhibit at the Alaska Zoo was temporarily closed Thursday after a bonobo ran into and shattered a layer of safety glass, zoo officials confirmed. The incident occurred in the late morning when keepers noticed that one of the bonobos appeared agitated. At some point, the animal ran toward the viewing area and struck the protective glass separating the primate enclosure from guests. The impact caused one layer of the multi-pane safety glass to crack, prompting an immediate closure of the exhibit as a precaution. No visitors or staff were injured, and the bonobo remained inside its enclosure throughout the…

Members of the Anchorage Jewish community gathered this week to celebrate Purim, one of the Jewish faith’s most joyful holidays, rejoicing with traditional songs, readings, costumes, and shared meals. The event brought together families, congregants, and visitors at a community center in Anchorage, where participants donned colorful costumes representing characters from the Book of Esther, the biblical story central to Purim. The celebration included the public reading of the Megillah, festive music, and activities for children. Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from a planned massacre, and celebrations often blend religious solemnity with playful traditions.…

A flight headed to Bethel experienced a mid-air safety incident after an aircraft door detached while en route, airline and aviation officials confirmed Thursday. The flight, operated by Ravn Alaska, was traveling from Anchorage when one of its exterior doors separated from the aircraft at altitude. The pilot reported the issue to air traffic control and immediately began a controlled diversion back to Anchorage, where the plane landed safely without injuries to passengers or crew. Emergency responders were on standby at the airport and conducted routine inspections of the aircraft following its arrival. Officials said all passengers were deplaned normally…

A suicide bombing at Afghanistan’s Bagram Airfield killed dozens of people Sunday, including security personnel and civilians, according to local officials. The blast occurred near a checkpoint outside the base, sending thick smoke into the air and triggering a large emergency response. Authorities said the death toll could rise as rescue crews continue to assess the scene. Also Read: Karachi Suicide Attack Kills Two Chinese Nationals Near Airport, Injures 10 Others No group immediately claimed responsibility, though officials suspect extremist militants operating in the region. The attack comes amid heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan following recent cross-border clashes.

A new documentary series premiering this week is drawing national attention to Alaska’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) crisis and raising serious questions about justice, law enforcement response and systemic failures, officials and advocates said Sunday. The series, titled “Lost Women of Alaska,” debuted on HBO/Investigation Discovery, and examines the cases of Alaska Native women who went missing or were murdered — focusing in part on the investigation, prosecution and broader context surrounding violent crimes against Indigenous women and girls. Executive producers, including Octavia Spencer and Christina Douglas, crafted the series with input from families, community advocates and criminal…

A group of travelers has returned to federal court seeking to reverse the airline industry changes that followed the merger of Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, arguing that promises made during the acquisition have not been kept and that the outcome has harmed consumers. The lawsuit, filed under the name Yoshimoto v. Alaska Airlines, Inc. asks a judge to intervene to preserve Hawaiian Airlines as a standalone carrier and halt further integration, which plaintiffs say would make reversal of the process nearly impossible once completed later this spring. Passengers claim that when the $1.9 billion acquisition closed in September 2024,…

Iran has carried out a large-scale series of missile and drone strikes on major Gulf Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, in retaliation for a coordinated U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iranian territory, regional officials and defense sources said Sunday. The attacks struck critical civilian and commercial infrastructure in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where Dubai International Airport, the landmark Burj Al Arab hotel, and the Jebel Ali port sustained damage, according to statements from Emirati authorities. At least three people have been killed and 58 others injured in the UAE since the strikes began, the country’s defense ministry…

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, urging all parties to halt hostilities and return to diplomatic negotiations to prevent the conflict from widening. Guterres told council members that the military escalation and retaliatory strikes undermine international peace and security and called for immediate de-escalation. He stressed that the use of force by any state must comply with the U.N. Charter and international law, and that the current violence threatens civilians across the Middle East and beyond. The emergency session followed a series of…

A legal challenge to Alaska’s prostitution law has advanced to the Superior Court of the State of Alaska, marking a significant step in ongoing debates over whether consensual adult sex work should be decriminalized in the state. The lawsuit was filed in December by the nonprofit Community United for Safety and Protection (CUSP), which advocates for the rights and safety of sex workers and survivors of sex trafficking. The group argues that Alaska’s current prostitution statute infringes on constitutional rights by criminalizing private consensual activity between adults for compensation. In its complaint, CUSP asserts that the law violates the Alaska…

A former Bethel police officer has been sentenced to community service and electronic monitoring after pleading guilty to felony charges stemming from an incident while on duty, local court officials said Thursday. The case involved former Officer ___ (name withheld pending confirmation), who was prosecuted for actions that occurred during a law enforcement encounter in 2025. The charges included one felony count, and the defendant entered a plea agreement earlier this year. At a hearing this week in Bethel Superior Court, the judge ordered the former officer to complete a specified number of community service hours and to wear an…

The Alaska Railroad has canceled the Aurora Winter Train scheduled for Feb. 26 and 27 due to extreme winter temperatures in Fairbanks, officials announced Thursday. Railroad representatives said the decision was made to prioritize the safety of passengers and crew amid severe cold conditions affecting Interior Alaska. The Aurora Winter Train typically operates between Anchorage and Fairbanks during the winter season. To maintain essential transportation access for residents in remote areas, the railroad will operate the Hurricane Turn Train on Thursday, Feb. 26. The service provides critical travel to and from remote cabins in the Flagstop area, with stops accessible…