Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

On Wednesday, India suspended a decades-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan and closed the only operational land border crossing. That treaty had survived two wars, but the latest attack on tourists in Kashmir triggered a wave of diplomatic retaliation.  India followed the move by revoking all visas issued to Pakistani citizens effective Sunday, deepening the standoff. In response, Pakistan canceled visas for Indians, suspended all bilateral trade, and blocked airspace for Indian-operated commercial flights. Hundreds of citizens from both nations crossed back through the Wagah border near Lahore as the standoff intensified further. Pakistan’s government warned that any Indian diversion of…

Alaska lawmakers focused on a new education bill after failing to override Governor Mike Dunleavy’s veto of HB 69. The vetoed bill would have raised the Base Student Allocation by $1000, bringing annual per-student funding to $6,960 statewide.  Legislators fell short of the three-quarters majority needed to override the veto, securing only 37 of the required 45 votes. Following the failed override, a Senate Education Committee hearing featuring school district testimony was abruptly canceled and is expected next week. School officials from the state’s largest districts had prepared to speak about shrinking budgets and their hopes for increased funding. On…

The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels decided to put a hold on hostilities while peace talks in Qatar move toward resolution. The truce follows intense fighting since January, when M23 launched a major offensive and seized key eastern cities in DR Congo.  According to authorities, over 7,000 people have died during this conflict, which has displaced thousands more in the mineral-rich region. In a joint statement, both sides pledged commitment to peace, rejecting hate speech and calling for unity among local communities. The M23 ceasefire agreement emerged from more than a week of direct negotiations, which delegates described…

Alaska airlines reported a $166 million loss in the first quarter of 2025 due to economic challenges and policy changes. The SeaTac-based airline now merged with Hawaiian airlines earned $3.1 billion in revenue, up 42% from Q1 2024´s $2.23 billion. Executives expected a loss this quarter but the $1.35 per share drop slightly exceeded internal forecasts driven partly by international. In April President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on most imports including a 145% tax on Chinese goods.  China retaliated with its own 125% tariff on American imports creating uncertainty across markets including the travel industry. Although airlines don’t…

A deadly Kashmir attack has reignited tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, drawing harsh diplomatic retaliation from New Delhi. On Tuesday, unidentified gunmen shot and killed 26 tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, including 25 Indians and one Nepali. The attackers targeted civilians in a rare high-profile assault at the peak of the region’s tourist season. India responded swiftly by downgrading diplomatic ties, shutting a crucial border crossing, and suspending its participation in the Indus Water Treaty for the first time since 1960. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that those behind the killings would face severe punishment, promising justice in…

The European Union fined Apple and Meta nearly $800 million for breaking new rules outlined in the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Regulators launched the penalties following a yearlong investigation into whether both tech giants complied with the newly enforced legislation. Apple received a 500 million euro fine for blocking developers from sharing alternate offers and payment links with users. Meanwhile, Meta must pay 200 million euros for its pay or consent model on instagram and Facebook across the EU. The model requires users to accept targeted advertising or pay for an ad-free experience, which the Commission deemed coercive. Officials stressed…

President Donald Trump eased up on his rhetoric on both China and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, signalling a shift in strategy. Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump expressed optimism about trade talks and hoped for a deal with China. While he acknowledged imposing high tariffs, he stated that those rates could significantly drop but would not be completely removed. The White House imposed tariffs up to 145% on Chinese goods to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States.  Trump emphasized that he wanted Powell to be more active in interest rate cuts but added that he…

Mike Sfraga took his oath as America’s Arctic ambassador just five weeks before election day in a formal State Department ceremony. Barely three months later, on January 20, he resigned when former President Donald Trump resumed office and replaced ambassadors nationwide.  The now-vacant Arctic ambassador position remains a critical concern as tensions rise over Arctic commerce, climate, and military interests. At recent international Arctic Council meetings, Diane Hirshberg from the University of Alaska Anchorage described the situation as quiet and uncertain. US representatives refrained from sharing details at those meetings, saying only that comments might come later. Experts believe Trump…

Alaska legislators on Tuesday failed to override Governor Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a $1,000 increase to per-student school funding. The joint session vote ended 33-27, seven votes short of the 40 required to overturn the veto. Despite widespread calls from school officials and educators, the effort failed. Governor Dunleavy rejected House Bill 69, saying the legislation lacked meaningful educational policy and would cost $250 million annually.  Many school districts have warned that flat funding will force hundreds of teacher layoffs and program cuts across Alaska. Without additional funding, classrooms are also expected to become more overcrowded. During the session, Democratic…

In a shocking turn of events militants killed at least 26 tourists in a brutal attack in Kashmir´s Baisaran Valley on Tuesday. This massacre unfolded while US vice president JD Vance was visiting India, drawing global attention to the worsening security situation.  The attack began around 3pm when a group of gunmen emerged from the pine forests near the mountain trail in Pahalgam. They fired indiscriminately at the crowd leaving bodies sprawled. The violence marks one of the deadliest civilian attacks in the region in recent years. Videos circulating on social media showed bloodied victims lying helplessly while relatives screamed…

On Easter Monday, Pope Francis died at the age of 88, just hours after addressing worshippers from his wheelchair in St Peter’s Square. His death followed a prolonged period of illness. The Vatican has confirmed Pope Francis’s funeral service will take place on Saturday at 10:00 local time in front of St Peter’s Square Basilica. High-ranking cardinals met Tuesday in Vatican City to finalize the funeral arrangements. From Wednesday, Pope Francis will lie in state in an open casket inside St Peter’s Basilica, where people will be able to pay their final respects.  His body resting at Santa Marta, his…

Barrick Gold exits the Donlin project by selling its 50% stake to billionaire John Paulson and NovaGold Resources for $1.1 billion. The Canadian mining giant confirmed Tuesday’s move, marking a significant shift in Alaska’s gold mining landscape.  Paulson will gain 80% of Barrick’s share in this high-value transaction, while NovaGold will take the rest of the 20%. The Donlin Gold project in Alaska’s remote terrain holds around 39 million ounces of untapped gold reserves. Both Barrick and NovaGold previously owned equal stakes, but this deal shifts complete control to the buyers—Barrick, which trades under ABX.TO said it will use the…