Arctic

The leaders of the United States, Denmark and Greenland have signed a new security agreement covering Greenland, according to a breaking announcement. The deal would touch on the Arctic island's defence arrangements, an issue of renewed attention given Washington's strategic interest in Greenland and Denmark's sovereignty over the autonomous territory.

The United States is strengthening its military presence in Greenland as part of a broader strategy to monitor Chinese activity in the Arctic. The island's strategic location makes it increasingly valuable for American defence planning, as melting ice opens new shipping routes and Beijing shows growing interest in Arctic resources and influence.

Donald Trump has signed an agreement with Greenland giving the United States broad military authority on the island. The deal expands the American defense footprint in the Arctic territory and is already drawing attention for its implications for Denmark, which holds sovereignty over Greenland, and for NATO's northern defenses amid growing strategic competition in the region.

The European Union has ruled out new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic, reaffirming its position against fossil fuel expansion in the polar region. The move aligns with the bloc's climate commitments and its long-standing push to protect the environmentally sensitive Arctic from extractive industries. Commenters are weighing what the decision means for energy security, climate policy and the EU's role in Arctic affairs.

Peter Barrett, a leading figure in Antarctic science in New Zealand and internationally, has died. Colleagues describe him as a legend in the field, noting that even in death he left behind a list of tasks and challenges, reflecting his lifelong commitment to Antarctic research and climate issues. Tributes have come from across Aotearoa and the wider scientific community.

Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to speak at the United Nations General Assembly at around 5 p.m. eastern time. Her address comes during the annual high-level week in New York, where world leaders and foreign ministers deliver set-piece speeches. Expect her remarks to touch on Canada's priorities, with observers flagging the Arctic, Ukraine, Gaza and the wider Middle East as likely themes.

Korean shipbuilders are pushing to develop technology that allows ships to navigate safely through Arctic ice, as melting sea ice opens new shipping routes and access to energy resources. The race positions South Korea's major yards against international rivals to supply ice-class vessels and equipment for polar shipping, a market expected to grow as Arctic traffic increases.

New radar technology is being developed to improve naval operations in the Arctic, where melting ice is opening shipping routes and drawing growing strategic interest. As major powers expand their polar presence, advanced sensing systems capable of working in extreme cold, sea ice and harsh weather could change how navies monitor and operate in the region.

Chile is reinforcing its military presence in the Magallanes Region and the Chilean Antarctic Territory, according to MercoPress. The move points to a strengthened defence posture in Chile's far south, a zone of growing strategic interest for its proximity to Antarctica and key maritime routes, and is drawing attention across regional and defence-focused outlets.

A robotic submarine deployed beneath Antarctic ice mapped unusual structures on the seafloor before disappearing without a trace. The lost vehicle reportedly recorded strange formations under the ice shelf before contact was cut off. The disappearance has drawn attention because the sub was gathering rare data from one of the least explored environments on Earth, raising questions about what it found and why contact was lost.

Environmental surveys in East Greenland have been completed, marking a key step before any decision on oil or gas drilling in the region. The findings are expected to inform authorities weighing whether to approve exploration off Greenland's east coast. The announcement is likely to draw attention from both energy firms and environmental groups concerned about Arctic drilling.

Expedition travel company Lindblad has made an acquisition that strengthens its position in Antarctica travel and broadens its luxury offerings. The move signals continued consolidation in the expedition cruise sector, where demand for polar and high-end small-ship voyages has been growing. Details of the acquired company and the deal's value were not provided.

Scientists are examining the inner workings of Antarctic fish cells to understand how these animals survive in water barely above freezing. The research aims to reveal the biological mechanisms, likely involving specialized proteins or cellular adaptations, that keep their bodies functioning in conditions that would freeze most fish. The findings could inform broader work on cold tolerance in biology.