Canada is rapidly deepening defense cooperation with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to secure the Arctic as U.S. backing appears less certain after Donald Trump’s threats to seize Greenland. Canadian officials say they are moving beyond reliance on American protection, while Russia expands military activity and China grows involvement in Arctic resources. Prime Minister Mark Carney frames the shift as “middle power” alliance-building, including Ranger-style concepts, defense production ramp-ups, and ongoing talks on Greenland security.
Utqiagvik in Alaska has begun its annual “midnight sun” stretch, an 80 day period when true night disappears. After a rare shift at dawn, a brief sunset was recorded at 1:48 a.m., followed by sunrise again at 2:57 a.m., according to timelapse footage shared by the National Weather Service. The bright conditions are expected to continue until August 2.
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Canada’s remote Diavik Diamond Mine has unearthed a rare 158.20-carat yellow diamond as it approaches its 2026 closure. The stone is among the largest yellow diamonds ever found at Diavik, capping more than two decades of production in the harsh Arctic. The discovery underscores the mine’s legacy of extraordinary finds even as operations wind down.
Near the Arctic Circle, Alaska’s Kaktovik is moving to restart its polar bear tourism after a pandemic shutdown and worries about visitor impact. The village once welcomed thousands of tourists each year, and now leaders are trying to revive the local economy while safeguarding polar bears and preserving Inupiat culture—turning the return into a more controlled experience.
Professor Klaus Dodds warns that as warming opens Arctic routes, Greenland has become a prize in great-power rivalry. He says the US is drawn by rare earth minerals, hemispheric security, and emerging shipping lanes, while Asian and Middle Eastern players increasingly join Arctic projects. He urges Europe to back Greenland if US annexation fears grow.
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