Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Ecuadorian authorities recaptured drug kingpin Adolfo Macías Villamar, known as Fito, during a 10-hour operation in coastal Manta. Fito, head of Los Choneros, had escaped prison in January, which prompted riots and a national emergency across Ecuador.  A combined force of police and military surrounded a luxury three-story home in the Manta Monterey neighborhood early Wednesday morning. After covering the property, officers stormed the house and discovered a trap door disguised as part of the stone floor. The secret door led to an underground bunker with air conditioning, a bed, a refrigerator, and other living essentials. Officials confirmed Fito surrendered…

A 600-foot cargo ship carrying thousands of vehicles sank Monday in the North Pacific weeks after catching fire at sea. Officials confirmed that the Morning Midas cargo ship sank approximately 450 miles southwest of Adak, Alaska, in waters over 16,000 feet deep.  The US Coast Guard said the vessel had been drifting since June 3 when a fire broke out mid-voyage. All 22 crew members safely evacuated into lifeboats and were rescued by a nearby merchant vessel responding to the distress call.  The ship, registered under a Librarian flag, was headed from Yantai, China, to a significant port in Mexico.…

Anchorage police are searching for 30-year-old Sterling Klippenstein, who reportedly left the Cordova Center without authorization on Wednesday morning. Officials say Klippenstein left the residential reentry facility in Anchorage around 8 am, triggering a felony warrant for his arrest.  He was last seen wearing a black shirt, pants, and a gray beanie while carrying a white bag. Anchorage police urge anyone with information to contact their dispatch center by dialing 3-1-1. Court documents show Klippenstein was initially arrested in 2022 for a violent incident in Palmer, Alaska.  Prosecutors initially charged him with two counts of attempted murder and three counts…

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla piloted the Ax-4 mission, becoming the first Indian astronaut aboard NASA’s ISS orbiting lab. India erupted joyfully on Wednesday as the astronaut lifted off successfully from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Shukla, 39, is now the second Indian to enter space and the first to reach the International Space Station (ISS). The mission launched at 02:31 EDT using a SpaceX crew Dragon capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket with global agencies collaborating. The Ax-4 flight, operated by Houston-based Axiom Space, includes NASA, ISRO, ESA, and SpaceX support. Shukla’s crew includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Slawosz…

President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill could significantly change healthcare, especially with Medicaid work requirements in Alaska. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects these changes could lead to 10.9 million more universal Americans by 2034. The bill includes a mandate that certain Medicaid recipients work, volunteer, or train for at least 80 hours each month. CBO estimates that 18.5 million people annually would need to meet the requirement, and 5.2 million would lose coverage by 2034. According to CBO, most losing Medicaid would not qualify for tax credits or employer coverage. Additionally, states would need to check eligibility every…

U.S. Senator Mike Lee revised his land sale proposal to comply with Senate rules governing the Republican tax and spending package. The Utah Republican who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee aims to ensure his measure qualifies for the budget reconciliation process. This fast-track method bypasses the 60-vote threshold and requires each provision to significantly affect spending or revenue. Lee posted that the new version would only apply to Bureau of Land Management lands within five miles of populated areas. He also announced that US Forest Service lands would be excluded entirely, responding to bipartisan backlash over his…

On Tuesday oil prices fell as markets responded to news of the Israel-Iran ceasefire, reducing fears of regional supply shocks. Brent crude dropped by $4.34, or 6.1%, settling at $67.14 per barrel, its lowest level since June 10. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude declined, falling $4.14 to $64.37 per barrel. Both benchmarks had surged in recent weeks due to escalating tensions, peaking near $81 after Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites on June 13. But the sudden truce, though fragile, reversed those gains as traders reassessed geopolitical risks. President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire was “now in effect,” though he…

United States President Donald Trump grew visibly angry at Israel over Iran ceasefire violations on Tuesday, hours after celebrating the truce. The agreement, brokered by the United States and Qatar, had aimed to stop two weeks of mutual air and drone attacks. Late Monday, the ceasefire took effect following days of intense missile exchanges. Israel’s final barrage hit Iranian military bases near Isfahan, triggering drone retaliation from Tehran. By Tuesday afternoon, both sides had paused military action, offering hope the truce might last. However, Trump accused both countries of breaching the deal, but he directed most of his outrage at…

The Trump administration announced Monday that it would repeal Roadless Rule protections in Alaska, ending key restrictions in Tongass National Forest. Officials said the decision aims to boost timber harvests and road building in Southeast Alaska, which affects over 9.4 million acres of forest. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins claimed this move would reduce wildfire risks and improve local management of 59 million forested acres. Supporters of the repeal, including Senator Dan Sullivan and Representative Nick Begich, hailed it as a win for economic opportunity and energy projects. Sullivan argued that the rule blocked Alaska from accessing resources like timber, minerals,…

After resting underwater for over 200 years, researchers have confirmed the discovery of HMS Endeavor, Captain James Cook’s historic ship. The Australian National Maritime Museum released a report after three decades of collaboration between American and Australian researchers finally identified the vessel. Although HMS Endeavor did not travel to Alaska, the discovery still deepens our understanding of Captain Cook’s legacy there. Historians say it connects important chapters in global history with local history in the 49th state. Cook’s third voyage brought him to the North Pacific, where he sought the elusive Northwest Passage. His journey defined the Alaskan coastline and…

President Donald Trump’s decision to strike three Iranian nuclear sites has heightened fears of an expanding Middle East conflict. The United States joined Israel in a coordinated military operation, marking the largest Western assault on Iran since 1979. Analysts warn Iran may retaliate by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, which carries over 20% of the global oil supply daily. This strategic waterway links the Gulf to the Arabian Sea and sees nearly 20 million barrels of crude pass through each day. Iran has recently threatened to pass a resolution supporting closure, but top leadership will ultimately decide to implement…

State crews began urgent Matanuska River flood repairs Sunday after powerful erosion caused significant damage near Maud Road. The river broke through a decades-old revered early Saturdays, ending floodwaters into nearby properties and covering parts of the bike path. According to Mat-Su Borough officials, flooding affected roughly 10 homes or structures between miles 13 and 15 of the Glenn Highway. Water surged within feet of the highway, though no evacuation orders were issued over the weekend. Sandbags helped protect some homes and businesses from advancing water around midday Sunday. Much of the bike path had dried by Sunday morning, but…