Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Kim Keon Hee’s arrest has triggered unprecedented political shockwaves in South Korea, with both a former president and former first lady now imprisoned. Authorities detained Kim on Tuesday following a four-hour court hearing where she denied charges of stock manipulation, bribery, and election meddling. The Seoul court issued a detention warrant, citing the risk that she could destroy evidence if allowed to remain free during the investigation. This marks the first time in South Korean history that both a former head of state and their spouse are incarcerated simultaneously. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained in January over allegations…

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has launched the Dall sheep population study, the largest project statewide. Biologists began the project in 2023 in partnership with the National Park Service to examine sheep population dynamics in the Alaska and Brooks Ranges. Researchers use national park lands as un-hunted control areas and nearby state-managed hunting lands as treatment areas for direct comparison. Control areas include Denali and Gates of the Arctic National Parks, while treatment areas include game management units 20A, 24A, and 25A. So far, biologists have deployed 125 GPS collars on rams and 120 collars on ewes across…

President Donald Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, but details about timing remain unconfirmed. Trump announced the meeting last week on social media, framing it as a step toward halting Russia´s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.  Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said the talks aim to create a temporary ceasefire that could stop current fighting. He suggested a potential deal might include land swaps, acknowledging Russia´s control over key Ukrainian territories since the 2022 invasion began. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, excluded from the planned discussions, rejected surrendering land in a Sunday address,…

Juneau officials are urging residents in parts of Mendenhall Valley to voluntarily evacuate ahead of a possible glacial outburst flood. Last year’s flood damaged over 290 homes in the valley, a suburban district near the Mendenhall Glacier, raising ongoing safety concerns.  City crews built temporary HESCO barriers to prevent future flooding, but these have never been tested under actual emergency flood conditions. The Glacier Recreation area, Alaska’s most visited tourist attraction, is preparing to close as water levels continue to rise near the glacier’s base. Officials shut the Nugget Falls Trail on Monday, halting access to the most popular path…

An Israeli drone strike outside Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital late Sunday killed seven people, including several prominent Al Jazeera journalists. Among the victims were correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Moamen Aliwa, and Mohammed Noufal, all stationed in a media tent. Local freelance reporter Mohammed al-Khaldi also died in the attack, while Reporters Without Borders confirmed three additional journalists suffered injuries. Hours before the strike 28 year old Anasal-Sharif had reported on Israel’s heavy bombardment of Gaza, becoming one of the most recognized reports in the enclave. The Al Jazeera Media Network condemned the strike as a targeted…

Crews will start Seward Meridian median installation on Wednesday, August 13, between Palmer Wasilla Highway and Cottonwood Creek in Wasilla, Alaska. During construction, drivers will face closures at East Meridian Loop, North Meridian Place and East Cottonwood Way, significantly affecting normal traffic routes. Motorists must use intersections with traffic signals at East Birch View Drive and East County Field Circle to access closed-off areas safely. All current traffic flows on the west side while crews focus on completing the east side before the project’s September deadline. Once work ends, left turns at non-signalized intersections will be permanently banned due to…

The Nvidia and AMD China chip deal has taken center stage after both companies agreed to pay Washington 15% of Chinese sales revenue. The arrangement allows Nvidia to resume selling its H20 chips in China after a months-long ban citing national security concerns. AMD will also follow the deal by paying the US government 15% of revenue from its ME308 chip sales in China. The Trump administration struck the agreement despite earlier restrictions on AI-focused chips over fears of boosting China’s military capabilities. Security experts previously warned that the H20 chip could enhance China’s AI potential, including autonomous weapons and…

According to the Alaska Earthquake Center, a massive landslide in Southeast Alaska early Sunday morning triggered a small tsunami. The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. in the Endicott Arm area located south of Juneau. While the precise location is still under investigation, scientists estimate that the landslide involved tens of millions of cubic meters of material crashing into the water. Seismic data confirmed the event, and early signs point to it generating a tsunami wave of about one foot in height. No injuries or property damage have been reported, but authorities continue assessing the situation. The Earthquake Center is collaborating…

US Vice President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lamy hosted senior security officials near London to prepare for Trump and Putin’s peace talks in Alaska. The Saturday gathering at Chevening, the official residence of the UK Prime Minister, followed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky.  Steamer said the meeting would serve as a vital forum for advancing discussions on peace in Ukraine amid ongoing Russian military aggression. Senior officials from the US, Ukraine, and Europe attended, aiming to coordinate positions ahead of Trump and Putin’s meeting in Alaska on 15 August. President Zelensky…

Trump’s administration plans for Arctic drilling expansion in a 23 million-acre Arctic Ocean reserve have ignited intense public opposition and concern. On June 2, the Bureau of Land Management proposed rolling back protections for the National Petroleum Reserve, America’s largest public land tract. Over 250.000 people submitted comments during the two-month review period, expressing fears about threats to wildlife, indigenous rights and fragile Arctic ecosystems. One Georgia worker overheard an oil worker shooting another polar bear that was encountered with her two cubs in northern Alaska. An 18-year-old from Denmark pleaded for reconsideration, warning that industrial expansion could destroy the…

President Donald Trump announced plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next Friday for peace talks. Trump revealed the August 15 2025, meeting on social media, calling it a historic opportunity to address the three-year Russian invasion of Ukraine. Within an hour, activists scheduled a protest in downtown Anchorage, urging demonstrators to fight back against Trump during the high-profile event. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy welcomed the meeting, emphasizing Alaska’s long-standing role as a bridge between nations and a vital diplomatic gateway.  If confirmed, the meeting would mark Alaska’s third presidential-level international encounter, following Nixon’s meeting with Emperor Hirohito…

On Friday, August 8, two Richardson Highway work zones will operate between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., affecting traffic flow. At the Tanana River Bridge milepost 275.5, the DOR&PF Bridge team will inspect the bridge and install monitoring equipment. Single lane traffic with flaggers will guide vehicles during the inspection while the boat launch and parking area remain open. Officials said these inspections strengthen safety, maintain infrastructure integrity, and ensure the bridge remains resilient for Alaska´s transportation needs. Near milepost 297.5, crews will assist geologists by providing flagging support during investigations into recurring road damage along the highway. Both projects…