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The Arctic This Week August 8 - August 14, 2016
By Mieke Coppes, Doris Friedrich, and Ryan Uljua August 17, 2016
Welcome and thanks for joining us this week! We hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you can sign up here. As always, all editorial choices, opinions and any mistakes are the authors’ own. Anything that we missed? Please feel free to share material with us if you think it deserves inclusion in TATW.
Photo: Ville Miettinen
Summer is almost over. Winter is coming. The Arctic This Week is back.
Check out our brand new homepage and also read the various articles we write for High North News.
THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES
New Inuit advisor appointed in Canada
Mary Simon, a well-known Canadian Inuit, has been named the federal government’s new special adviser on Arctic issues. Simon has already been the leader of Canada’s National Inuit Organization and has served as the Canadian Ambassador to Denmark. Her mandate will focus on reviewing Arctic policies and strategies (EOTA).
Former NATO leaders call for more US government investment in the Arctic
Two former US generals who both served as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. James Jones and Gen. Joseph Ralston, penned an op-ed calling for the US to invest more heavily in the Arctic (CNBC). Among other initiatives, Gen. Jones and Gen. Ralston encouraged further investment in American icebreaker capacity and an easing of government regulations that impede offshore energy development in the Arctic.
Russian military cloak port of Severomorsk in smog
Russian military authorities covered the entire Kola Peninsula port city of Severomorsk in a manmade defensive smokescreen for several days as part of a training exercise, believed to be the largest such exercise undertaken (Express). The smoke lingered for three days and gave off a “specific smell” (IBO). Russia’s Northern Fleet, which is based in Severomorsk, assured residents that the smog was harmless to humans, although authorities advised locals in the restricted-access city to stay indoors, close their windows, and use caution while driving (NYT).
THE POLITICAL SCENE
Transnational
COP21 Deal Insufficient to Stop Climate Change in Arctic (Sputnik).
Immigration Chief Silent on Asylum Messages (NRK, in Norwegian).
Taking Mayor at Summit with Russians (NRK, in Norwegian).
United States
It is Critical for the US to Invest in the Arctic (NewsDog).
Gov Has Tough Sell That Budget Has Been 'Cut to the Bone' (AJ).
Watch Out: Primary Elections Can Sneak Up on You Without Warning (AS).
Big Spending Among Candidates Looking to Replace Outgoing State Legislators (APM).
Democratic Senate Race: Boyish Professor Vs. Corrupt Hunter (APM).
Russia
PM Theresa May Mark's Importance of UK-Russia Ties Speaking by Phone with Putin (TASS).
Minister Says New Research Backing Moscow's Arctic Claim Possible (TASS)
Finland
Police to Investigate Finns Party Youth Chair Over Claims of Inciting Racial Hatred (Yle).
NCP's Orop Slams Finns Party: You 'Can't be in Gov't and Opposition at the Same Time (Yle).
Parliament Welcomes New MP with a Familiar Name (Yle).
An End to Seven Lean Years? Finns Respond to Budget Proposal (Yle).
Carrots and Sticks in Finance Minister's Maiden Budget Proposal (Yle).
Norway
Mayor: It is a Scandal for the Nation of Norway (NRK, in Norwegian).
Critical to the Representatives From the North Live Most of the Time in the South (NRK, in Norwegian).
Greenland/Denmark
Greenland's Exit from EU Holds History Lessons for U.K: Q&A (Bloomberg).
ENERGY
Canada
N.W.T. gov't wants to charge companies for air contaminants (CBC).
Greenpeace to bring solar panels — and film star Emma Thompson — to Clyde River (CBC).
China
COSL Completes China's First Survey in Arctic Circle (MarEx).
China Completes First 3D Seismic Survey in the Arctic (T66).
Norway
Statoil starts drilling work above Arctic Circle (UPI).
Preparing for Arctic drilling in Kirkenes (IBO).
Statoil drills new Barents wells, expands injection of CO2 (IBO).
Dry well at Barents Sea wildcat (EOTA).
Profiles of Norwegian science: Corporate social responsibility for Arctic oil (The Norwegian American).
Russia
New gas company to focus on Yamal (IBO).
Rosneft builds base on Laptev Sea coast (IBO).
Gazprom Neft Ups Arctic Field Output (OilPrice).
United States
State fund for renewable power falls prey to budget woes (APM).
Dillingham takes part in spill drill (APM).
Prudhoe plan only one ruled incomplete (AJC).
CP still on schedule for Mooses Tooth project (AJC).
State proposes additional royalty oil sales to Petro Star (AJC).
Slope drilling down (PN).
ASRC advancing Placer (PN).
Grant Lake hydro project a step closer (PN).
Caelus is evaluating its plans; oil price & fiscal issues at fore (PN).
Alternate AKLNG route through Denali (PN).
AKLNG sets Mat-Su community meetings (PN).
Cleanup underway after Drift River spill (PN).
SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Earth sciences, climate and weather
Point Lay (Alaska) faces water issue, fire over the weekend (AS).
Coastline of Russian Arctic Island Eroding Rapidly Due to Climate Change (Sputnik).
In Russia’s warmest summer ever, Arctic ice reaches record low (EOTA).
July sea-ice loss falls off record pace (AJ).
Guest post: Piecing together the Arctic’s sea ice history back to 1850 (Carbon Brief).As northern peat bogs burn, a climate threat rises (AD).In Russia’s warmest summer ever, Arctic ice reaches record low (IBO).New report says 2015 was hottest year on record on Earth (APM).
Wildlife and ecology
Suddenly this lizard showed up in the airport arrival hall (introduced species) (NRK, in Norwegian).
Monitoring shows birds flying farther and faster than previously thought (EOTA).
Warming climate expected to reduce Arctic bird habitat (AS).
Trapped by bears all weekend: - They threw our barbecue around (NRK, in Norwegian).
Mixing oil and water - Crucial fish species highly vulnerable to oil, study finds (AJ).
Ice loss surpasses poaching as largest threat to Barents Sea polar bear (Glacier Hub).New Inventory of Arctic Fish Species Provides Unprecedented Look at Arctic Food Web (USGS).Specialized life forms abound at Arctic methane seeps (EurekAlert!).This shark can live up to 400 years, making it the oldest known vertebrate (Science Alert).
Environmental management
Increase in number of culled grouse in Finnmark (NRK, in Norwegian).
Believes reindeer avoid grazing areas around wind farm (NRK, in Norwegian).
Seven bears shot in four years in Helgeland (NRK, in Norwegian).
Bear killed five sheep - specially trained dogs contributed to quick shooting (NRK, in Norwegian).
Our Land encourages environmental stewardship (AS).
Predator control push prompts limits on refuges (AS).
Haven’t killed as many polar bears on Svalbard since 1998 (NRK, in Norwegian).
Park Service ended a wolf study in Alaska, since so many have been killed (High Country News).
Northwest Territories UNESCO reserve a model for sustainable living (G&M).
Frozen superfund - Search for responsibility after Camp Century revelations (AJ).
USACE winds down Attu cleanup until next year (APM).
Polar bear provincial park still a possibility (Winnipeg Free Press).
Wrangell sewer mainline breaks, allowing 20,000 gallons of raw sewage into harbor (APM).
Mercury is Falling: Arctic Quicksilver Huge Environmental Threat (Sputnik).
Research and university news
Cutter Healy in Seward Preparing for 2nd Leg of Arctic Scientific Mission (ANN).
Why sonar needs to adapt to new sound highways in the Arctic (ZME Science).
Ongoing Arctic Research in a Post-Brexit World (News Deeply).
25 years of German research in the Arctic (DW).
Why students and scientists spend summer on ice (APM).
Archaeology and history
Expedition finds another place where Dyatlov Group bodies could be (TASS).
Has extracted 800 kg bones from Svalbard (NRK, in Norwegian).
Expert inspection of vandalized petroglyphs: - It's so terribly sad (NRK, in Norwegian).
Stephen Hume: Ancient cold-busting techniques live on in the Arctic (Vancouver Sun).
What killed St. Paul’s woolly mammoths? (APM)
Russian Researchers Find Ancient British Shipwreck in the Arctic Almost 140 Years Later (The Weather Channel).
Mystery Of ‘Mummified Monster’ Found In Sub-Arctic Siberian Diamond Mine (HP).
British steamship found beneath Russian Arctic after 139 years (Telegraph).
MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE
Russia continues icebreaker dominance
The US continues to fall behind Russia in icebreaker capacity. In June this year, Russia launched its first new military icebreaker in half a century (Daily Signal).
Canada
Canada Deploys 2 Ships to Arctic to Conduct Surveillance Patrols (Sputnik).
Greenland/Denmark
Disaster averted: 23 cruise passengers rescued after local boat sinks (AJ).
Russia
Russia will deploy the Tor-M2 short-range surface-to-air missile system to its Arctic territories mounted aboard on new Arctic-capable vehicles (Pravda Report).
The Border Service of the FSB, the Russian agency tasked with securing land and maritime borders, opened a new facility in Sabetta, the Ob Bay port that is home to Yamal LNG (IBO).
Military companies bankrupt, Murmansk is left with the debts (IBO).
No breaks on Russia’s warship program, but experts question timeframes and social consequences (IBO).
United States
Alaska National Guard honors country’s first Iñupiaq two-star general (EOTA).
Alaska Air Guard saves rafters stranded in Susitna Valley for 5 days (AD).
Transnational
'Weather war' in the North Atlantic has lessons for Arctic cooperation (AD).
How solar storms put the world on the brink of nuclear war in 1967 (CBC).
Unearthing the Arctic’s Toxic Past: Camp Century and Cold War Secrets (HNN).
MINING
Short film on Norilsk mining pollution
Documentary filmmaker Victoria Fiore traveled to the Russian Arctic mining city of Norilsk and produced a stark, compelling 11-minute film on the area’s severe pollution caused by the mining industry, but also on the pride Norilsk residents have in their home. The film, The Hidden City, was published by the New York Times as an “Op-Doc” and a full-length film is in development (NYT).
Canada
COMMENTARY: Let’s put out the welcome mat for exploration and mining investment (Nunavut) (NN).
GOLD: Victoria raises $25M for Eagle project in Yukon (CMJ).
Drilling Strategic gold properties in the Yukon (PN).
Klondike Gold doubles its position in historic district (Yukon) (PN).
Atac finds additional oxide gold mineralization adjacent to Tiger (Yukon) (PN).
A bonanza of gold discoveries at Plateau South, drilling begins (Yukon) (PN).
Christie takes Banyan Gold’s helm (Yukon) (PN).
Ryan’s GroundTruth begins to reveal Ballarat potential (Yukon) (PN).
Increased exploration, bridge, roads in the cards for 3 Aces (Yukon) (PN).
Silver Range stakes gold claims near Lupin Mine (Nunavut) (PN).
Summer drilling taps Faraday kimberlites at Kennady North (NWT).
Greenland/Denmark
Nuuk-lear power: Greenland gets a green light to export yellowcake uranium (Geographical).
United States
Alaska Miners Association to protest BLM plan for Eastern Interior (APM).
A historical survey of Alaska's mining technology (NM).
Novacopper Incorporated (NYSEMKT:NCQ) Short Interest Decreased By 6.86% (Consumer Eagle).
Soaring zinc prices? Shrinking supplies seems to overcome gravity of slowing base metals demand (PN).
FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS
Fisheries
In Kiana, netting fish and strengthening a subsistence lifestyle (AD).
Proposals in, 2017 board meeting to revisit Inlet battles (AJOC).
FISH FACTOR: Second straight season of strong sockeyes; pinks few but big (AJOC).
More cooperation needed with Russia on aquaculture says Norwegian minister (EOTA).
Greenland fish firm expands Norway operations (AJ).
“Russia and Norway have a common interest in ensuring responsible aquaculture development” (IBO).
Arctic char farmer Matorka ready to break ground on new site (Undercurrent News).
Shipping
Ship orders boost Finnish export figures (Yle).
Critical camera data call for shipping impacts in the Canadian Arctic (Green4Sea).
Hopes for Arctic Shipping Cool Amid Other Interests (Bloomberg).
Tourism
23 cruise passengers rescued after local boat sinks (AJ).
Crystal Serenity Goes to Arctic (Marine Link).
Risks Of Arctic Climate Change Cruise Highlighted By WWF (blue & green tomorrow).
Arctic expeditions sail through a very different world (Canada.com).
What Tourists Should Consider When Visiting the Canadian Arctic (News Deeply).
Construction on Iqaluit's next hotel could begin next year (CBC).
Other business and economic news
United States
In Alaska, young foreign workers on "cultural exchange" visas wash the dishes and make hotel beds (AD).
Market fear can mean profit, but know the risks (AJOC).
More than 100 names on list to fill marijuana board seat (AJOC).
Don’t tell Delta farmers that 1980s project was a bust (AJOC).
Fairbanks restaurant passing off elk as ‘reindeer tenderloin’ gets hit with $50,000 in fines (EOTA).
Rents across Alaska are holding steady (AS).
Alaskans spend more than most Americans (AS).
Without state budget solution, GCI (Alaska telecommunications) plans to roll back expenditures (AS).
Alaska village, long dry, in close vote on whether to allow a city liquor store (EOTA).
Alaska Communications grows business segment in 2Q (AJOC).
Telecom CEOs offer differing takes on Alaska economy (AJOC).
Homesteaders take over Arctic Roots Farm (NM).
Canada
NTCL (Northern Transportation Company Limited) selling off some of its barges, property in Hay River (CBC).
Nordics
Good grouse hunting season in Arctic Norway (EOTA).
On Kirkenes waterfront, an alliance of local industry (IBO).
Uptick in construction leads to high demand for concrete in Finland (EOTA).
Gloomy lingonberry forecast for northern Sweden (EOTA).
Soviet Clunkers Dumped by Refugees Take Curtain Call in Finland (Sputnik).
Farmers threaten new "tractor march" to protest gov't budget (Yle).
Lender: Finnish housing market picks up (Yle).
Peer support networks aim to help hard-pressed farmers (Yle).
Drop of 12.3 percent in new manufacturing orders (Yle).
Greenland and the wolf (AJ).
Greenland sealskin tannery to idle workers (AJ).
HEALTH, YOUTH & EDUCATION, SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Deline celebrates UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation
The Dene people of Deline have long believed in the importance of Great Bear Lake and their role in protecting it. They have now received international recognition that they are the caretakers of this land through the Tsá Tué International Biosphere Reserve (CBC).
Nuuk Art Museum offers residency program
Four Nordic artists will be spending time in Greenland as part of a newly-established residency program at the Nuuk Art Museum, Greenland’s largest art museum (AJ).
Anchorage museum rebuilds its most popular exhibit
The Alaska Gallery in the Anchorage Museum is being revamped. The gallery, which is devoted to Alaska’s distant and recent past, will reopen in September 2017 with a new addition where more art from the museum’s permanent collection can be displayed (AD).
Health
A conference exploring the challenges of nursing in the north wrapped up last week. The conference, which was organized through the University of the Arctic, included students from Canada, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Finland, and Norway (EOTA).
New Support Group Connects Nunavut 'Suicide Survivors' in Iqaluit (CBC).
Surgeon General Witnesses Front Lines of Rural Health Care in Alaska's Opioid Epidemic (APM).
Nuuk Looking to Nip Drug Tide in the Bud (AJ).
Federal health official Praises Kenaitze Programs (APM).
New Nonprofit Seeks Awareness and Housing for Mentally Ill (APM).
Youth & Education
A young group of Inuit artists from Cape Dorset traveled to Montreal and painted a mural about climate change (CBC).
Schools Report: Tens of Thousands of Finnish Children at Risk of Marginalisation (Yle).
Study: Moving House a Lot When Young Linked with Marginalisation (Yle).
University Plagued by Islamophobic Notes (Yle).
Basic School Students Must Commute 40 Min (NRK, in Norwegian)
Government Must Ensure the Same School Existence (NRK, in Norwegian).
Minister: Norwegian School Needs More Hours (NRK, in Norwegian).
Minister Supports Union Idea to Offer Free Early Childhood Education (Yle).
Society
Three men were acquitted of rape in Norway last week and many people are upset about the verdict and have been protesting (NRK, in Norwegian).
A Two-Class Arctic Society? (HNN).
More and More Newcomers Need Help (Yle).
EU Seal Ban Has Had a Lot of Negative Consequences for Greenland (HNN).
Alaska Villages Without Running Water or Health Aides: Federal Officials Hear About Challenges (EOTA).
Anchorage Housing for Seniors Opens in East Anchorage (APM).
Sami Flag has for 30 Years Gone From Being Controversial to be Unifying (NRK, in Norwegian).
Population Growth in Greenland (NRK, in Norwegian).
Jordin Tootoo Returns to Rankin Inlet with Baby Daughter (CBC).
Dump, Pipes and a New Vision Statement: Iqaluit Charts City's Future (CBC).
'Least Worst; Golf Players Take a Swing in Yellowknife's Mediocre Golf Tournament (CBC).
The Simple (Subsistence) Life (APM).
Anchorage Residents Celebrate Salmon Day (APM).
Spectacular 150-Year Anniversary of Norway's Most Exposed Lighthouses (NRK, in Norwegian).
Closing Down Homeless Camps Creating Short-Term Problems, Long-Term Solutions (APM).
49 Voices: Elissa Brown of Anchorage (APM).
Culture
Teachers are working to pass on Tlingit language as the number of speakers is dropping (CBC).
Natalie Portman's Jackie Kennedy Film, New Zacharias Kunuk Tale Make TIFF’s Platform Lineup (CBC).
Anthropologist Jean L. Briggs' Books on Inuit Became Classics (Globe and Mail).
Small Fort Chipewyan Film Earns Place at Toronto International Film Festival (CBC).
Getting to the Olympics is an Achievement in Itself (Yle).
Sky's Moscon Claims First Pro Win, Takes Lead at Arctic Race of Norway (EuroSport).
Sami Tradition in a New Guise: Important to Preserve Verdde Ratio (NRK, in Norwegian).
Sami Stage Lab (NRK, in Norwegian).
Wisconsin Author's Arctic Tale Prompts Conversations About Sexism (WKOW).
Confidentiality on Gender in Research on Indigenous Peoples (Forskning, in Norwegian).
Over a Thousand Guests to Attend Arctic Festival in Teriberka (Sputnik).
Trending: #FirstSevenJobs Started with Juneau Musician Marian Call (APM).
World's First Arctic Buddhist Stupa Opens in Russia (Russia and India Report).
INFRASTRUCTURE
Greenland/Denmark
Internet use pushing Greenland network to limit (AJ).
Russia
In the making, a new integrated info system for Russian Arctic (IBO).
With airships between Europe and Asia across Russian Arctic (IBO).
Futuristic airship scheme plan unveiled to transform Siberia and the Arctic (ST).
Russia Prepares $240Bln Project to Connect Siberia, Arctic Involving Airships (Sputnik).
United States
Denali Park Road reopened after mudslide debris cleared (AD).
After four days, power returns to village of Aniak (APM).
Fast internet bypasses Unalaska (Bristol Bay Times).
Upgrades continue on Dalton Highway (PN).
Abbreviation Key
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)
Aftenbladet (AB)
Alaska Business Monthly (ABM)
Alaska Dispatch News (AD)
Alaska Journal of Commerce (AJOC)
Alaska Native News (ANN)
Alaska Public Media (APM)
Arctic Info (Russian) (AIR)
Arctic Institute (TAI)
Barents Nova (BN)
Bristol Bay Times (BBT)
BusinessWeek (BW)
Canadian Mining Journal (CMJ)
Christian Science Monitor (CSM)
Eye on the Arctic (EOTA)
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (NM)
Financial Times (FT)
Globe and Mail (G&M)
Government of Canada (GOC)
Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)
Huffington Post (HP)
Independent Barents Observer (IBO)
Indian Country Today Media Network (ICTMN)
Johnson’s Russia List (JRL)
Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR)
Lapin Kansa (LK)
Maritime Executive (MarEx)
Moscow Times (MT)
National Geographic (NG)
Natural Gas Europe (NGE)
Naval Today (NT)
New York Times (NYT)
NORA Region Trends (NORA)
Northern Journal (NORJ)
Northern News Service Online (NNSO)
Northern Public Affairs (NPA)
Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI)
Nunatsiaq News (NN)
Oil & Gas Journal (OGJ)
Ottawa Citizen (OC)
Petroleum News (PN)
RIA Novosti (RIAN)
Russia Beyond the Headlines (RBTH)
Russia Today (RT)
Voice of Russia (VOR)
Wall Street Journal (WSJ)
Washington Post (WP)
Whitehorse Star (WS)
Winnipeg Free Press (WFP)
Yukon News (YN)
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