Author: The Tundra Drums Staff

Israel declared a wildfire emergency on Thursday after massive wildfires forced evacuations and closed roads west of Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a national emergency as flames swept through forests and fields fueled by strong winds. Firefighters worked overnight to reopen the key Jerusalem Tel Aviv highway, which police had shut down to protect fleeing residents. More than 150 firefighting teams and 12 aircraft battled the blazes that threatened seven towns, prompting thousands to evacuate urgently. Israel’s fire service confirmed that 23 people were treated for injuries mainly from smoke inhalation and burns sustained on Wednesday. Seventeen firefighters were…

Nick Begich pushes the federal ban on ranked choice voting through new legislation to eliminate the system in federal elections nationwide. On Monday, the Republican congressman from Alaska released a statement criticizing ranked choice voting for adding confusion and uncertainty to the election. Begich has completed Alaska´s ranked-choice voting system three times and believes traditional ‘One person, one vote’ works best. Alaska voters narrowly approved ranked choice voting and open primaries through a 2020 ballot measure changing how state and federal races work. Supporters argue the system elects more consensus candidates, but opponents say it confuses voters and complicates the…

Jared Isaacman, nominated as NASA chief, has taken a significant step forward after winning Senate committee approval by a 19–9 vote. The 42-year-old billionaire entrepreneur, known for walking in space as a civilian, must now face a full Senate vote. Lawmakers from both parties questioned him about conflicts of interest, fiscal priorities, and plans for future space missions. At the confirmation hearing, Isaacman emphasized support for the Artemis lunar program while backing human exploration of Mars. He told senators that NASA could simultaneously pursue both Moon and Mars missions without sacrificing one for the other. Senators expressed concern that Mars’s…

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated sharply after Islamabad claimed India plans to launch a military strike within 36 hours. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said intelligence agencies had credible information that India would attack using Kashmir violence as a pretext.  India has accused Pakistan of aiding militants responsible for the recent Pahalgam massacre that killed 26 tourists. Pakistan has denied all allegations and warned of a decisive response to any aggression. On April 22, armed militants ambushed buses near the tourist town of Pahalgam in Indian administration Kashmir. Survivors said the attackers identified and targeted Hindu men before shooting…

A dog on the runway may have caused the deadly Cessna crash that killed two people in Nanwalek Alaska, Monday. The plane struck the runway while attempting to land then slid off into the water, according to a preliminary Federal Aviation Administration report. The crash killed 48 year old pilot Daniel Bunker and 37 year old passenger Jenny Irene Miller, state troopers confirmed. Alaska State Troopers said a third man on board sustained serious injuries and was flown to an Anchorage hospital for treatment. National Transportation Safety Board investigators said early findings suggest Bunker may have tried avoiding a loose…

Lawmakers in the Alaska House rejected a set of proposed amendments to increase Alaska’s dark money disclosure rules. The amendments, introduced by Representative Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, targeted third-party political groups that often influence elections without full donor transparency. McCabe argued that independent expenditure groups wield significant political power yet operate without meaningful oversight or disclosure requirements. McCabe’s proposals included faster reporting of donations to independent groups, clear ad disclosures and a cap on out-of-state contributions to ballot measure groups. The House’s multi partisan majority voted these measures down ahead of a decision on House Bill 16. Traditionally, Republicans have…

Adidas has warned that US import tariffs could increase trainer prices due to limited American manufacturing capabilities. The company relies heavily on Asian factories, especially in Vietnam and China, where production remains vulnerable to trade restrictions. Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden said tariffs will raise costs, which Adidas cannot avoid due to a lack of US facilities. He explained that the United States lacks both specialized equipment and skilled labor to produce trainers like the Samba and Gazelle.  During a call with reporters, Gulden said the tariff warning reflects uncertainty around long-term trade outcomes with exporting countries. Tariffs of up to…

Alaska bars and liquor stores must display Alaska alcohol cancer warning signs starting Alaska alcohol cancer warning signs starting August 1 under a new state law. This health warning requirement marks the first time a US state has ordered signage linking alcohol consumption directly to cancer. The new notices will expand existing mandatory warnings, which already inform parents about birth defect risks during pregnancy from alcohol consumption. Alaska lawmakers passed the requirement as part of Senate Bill 15, which lets employees under 21 serve alcoholic drinks.  A similar bill passed last year, but Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed it after lawmakers…

This year, Palmer will permanently remove a historic stretch of rail from its downtown, signaling a significant shift in the city’s priorities. The railroad track removal will make way for a long-needed, handicapped-accessible crosswalk for Fireweed Avenue without pulling up the steel rails embedded in the road.  The exposed metal has damaged vehicles and caused falls near the Alaska Veterans and Pioneer Home, promoting widespread safety concerns. Public works officials say the rails prevent lowering the road grade, making the crosswalk installation impossible without their removal. As confirmed by the officials during a recent council meeting, this project will cost…

North Korea has officially confirmed that its soldiers are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war against Ukraine. According to state news agency KCNA, North Korean troops helped Russian units completely liberate the contested Kursk region near Ukraine’s border. This announcement followed praise from Russia’s Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, who applauded the heroism shown by North Korean forces. Western officials previously stated that at least 1,000 North Korean soldiers died within three months of fighting in Ukraine. Gerasimov also claimed Russia regained full control over the western Kursk region, although Ukraine strongly disputed these battlefield claims. Following the…

Alaska’s battle against tobacco use has made gains, but rural communities continue to face stubborn obstacles, state officials reported. The use of smokeless tobacco, especially iqmik, a traditional mixture of tobacco, ash and fungus, remains steady in some Alaska Native populations. Among smokeless tobacco users statewide, nearly 16% reported using iqmik, a statistic highlighting strong regional and cultural patterns. State data showed about a third of Alaska Native adults using smokeless tobacco between 2021 and 2023 favored iqmik products.  According to the health department findings, two-thirds of residents of Southwest Alaska use smokeless tobacco turned into iqmik. Despite these persistent…

Jera, the world’s largest LNG buyer, is considering participation in the Alaska LNG project as Japan negotiates a trade deal with the US. Naohiro Maekawa, an executive officer at Jetra, stated in a press conference on Monday that Alaska remains a promising procurement source. The long-delayed $44 billion LNG project targets Asian markets, especially Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. President Donald Trump has backed the Alaska LNG plant, which has struggled to secure contracts and significant investments for decades. The project demands the construction of a pipeline over 1,300 kilometres across the rugged Alaskan landscape. Earlier this month, Prime Minister…