Russian officials have faced accusations of trying to cover up the full details of the accident that killed 14 sailors as they were carrying out what the defence ministry called a survey of the sea floor near the Arctic.

Vladimir Putin admits submarine hit by deadly fire was nuclear-powered

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-terror-group-linked-to-easter-bombings-has-over-rs-140-mn-cash-rs-7-bn-worth-assets-police-216553">Sri Lanka terror group NTJ linked to Easter bombings had millions in cash, assets: Police</a>

The Islamic State-linked Sri Lankan extremist group National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ), blamed for the Easter Sunday bombings, has been found possessing more than Rs 9,70 crore in cash and other assets worth over Rs 7,00 crores, police said on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jet-crashes-in-mountain-region-in-mexico-no-survivors-found-216542">Jet crashes in mountain region in Mexico, no survivors found</a>

A plane crash in a remote mountain region in northern Mexico claimed the lives of all 13 people on board, including a family of five that were flying back from watching a boxing match in Las Vegas, authorities and local media said on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-pattern-of-aggressive-behaviour-elsewhere-informs-how-it-treats-the-arctic-pompeo-216537">China's pattern of aggressive behaviour elsewhere informs how it treats the Arctic: Pompeo</a>

The US on Monday said it planned to beef up its Arctic presence to keep Russia's and China's "aggressive behaviour" in check in the resource-rich region. "The region has become an arena of global power and competition" owing to vast reserves of oil, gas, minerals and fish stocks, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned in a speech in Rovaniemi, northern Finland.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-reneged-on-trade-commitments-sparking-trump-tariff-hike-216534">China reneged on trade commitments, sparking Trump tariff hike: US officials</a>

China backtracked on substantial commitments it made during trade talks with the United States, prompting President Donald Trump to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods slated to go into effect on Friday, top US trade officials said on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-election-body-orders-istanbul-vote-re-run-after-erdogans-akp-defeat-216530">Turkey election body orders Istanbul vote re-run after Erdogan's AKP defeat</a>

Turkey's top election body ordered a re-run of Istanbul's mayoral election on Monday after the party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan complained about its shock defeat in the vote, the state news agency reported.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka terror group NTJ linked to Easter bombings had millions in cash, assets: Police The Islamic State-linked Sri Lankan extremist group National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ), blamed for the Easter Sunday bombings, has been found possessing more than Rs 9,70 crore in cash and other assets worth over Rs 7,00 crores, police said on Monday.

Sri Lanka terror group NTJ linked to Easter bombings had millions in cash, assets: Police The Islamic State-linked Sri Lankan extremist group National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ), blamed for the Easter Sunday bombings, has been found possessing more than Rs 9,70 crore in cash and other assets worth over Rs 7,00 crores, police said on Monday. Jet crashes in mountain region in Mexico, no survivors found A plane crash in a remote mountain region in northern Mexico claimed the lives of all 13 people on board, including a family of five that were flying back from watching a boxing match in Las Vegas, authorities and local media said on Monday. China's pattern of aggressive behaviour elsewhere informs how it treats the Arctic: Pompeo The US on Monday said it planned to beef up its Arctic presence to keep Russia's and China's "aggressive behaviour" in check in the resource-rich region. "The region has become an arena of global power and competition" owing to vast reserves of oil, gas, minerals and fish stocks, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned in a speech in Rovaniemi, northern Finland. China reneged on trade commitments, sparking Trump tariff hike: US officials China backtracked on substantial commitments it made during trade talks with the United States, prompting President Donald Trump to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods slated to go into effect on Friday, top US trade officials said on Monday. Turkey election body orders Istanbul vote re-run after Erdogan's AKP defeat Turkey's top election body ordered a re-run of Istanbul's mayoral election on Monday after the party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan complained about its shock defeat in the vote, the state news agency reported.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Some fishermen in Norway stumbled upon a white beluga whale with a tight harness, which they say appeared to be Russian made.

Beluga whale with Russian harness raises alarm in Norway

Russia stakes its hold on Arctic with army base

Russia reaffirms presence in the Arctic

A federal judge in Alaska has overturned US President Donald Trump’s attempt to open vast areas of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans to oil and gas leasing.

The decision issued late Friday by US District Court Judge Sharon Gleason leaves intact President Barack Obama’s policies putting the Arctic’s Chukchi Sea, part of the Arctic’s Beaufort Sea and a large swath of Atlantic Ocean off the US East Coast off-limits to oil leasing.

Trump's attempt to undo Obama’s protections was “unlawful” and a violation of the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, Gleason ruled. Presidents have the power under that law to withdraw areas from the national oil and gas leasing program, as Obama did, but only Congress has the power to add areas to the leasing program, she said.

The Obama-imposed leasing prohibitions “will remain in full force and effect unless and until revoked by Congress,” Gleason said in her ruling.

Trump’s move to put offshore Arctic and Atlantic areas back into play for oil development came in a 2017 executive order that was part of his “energy dominance” agenda. The order was among a series of actions that jettisoned Obama administration environmental and climate-change initiatives.

The Trump administration has proposed a vastly expanded offshore oil leasing program to start this year. The five-year Trump leasing program would offer two lease sales a year in Arctic waters and at least two lease sales a year in the Atlantic. The Trump plan also calls for several lease sales in remote marine areas off Alaska, like the southern Bering Sea, that are considered to hold negligible potential for oil.

Obama had pulled much of the Arctic off the auction block following a troubled offshore Arctic exploration program pursued by Royal Dutch Shell. Shell spent at least $7 billion trying to explore the Chukchi and part of the Beaufort. The company wrecked one of its drill ships in a grounding and managed to complete only one well to depth. It abandoned the program in 2015 and relinquished its leases.

Gleason, in a separate case, delivered another decision Friday that blocks the Trump administration’s effort to overturn an Obama-era environmental decision.

Gleason struck down a land trade intended to clear the way for a road to be built though sensitive wetlands in Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The Obama administration, after a four-year environmental impact statement process, determined that the land trade and road would cause too much harm to the refuge to be justified. Trump’s then Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke broke the law when he summarily reversed the Obama policy without addressing the facts found in the previous administration’s study of the issue, Gleason ruled.

A federal judge in Alaska has overturned US President Donald Trump’s attempt to open vast areas of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans to oil and gas leasing. The decision issued late Friday by US District Court Judge Sharon Gleason leaves intact President Barack Obama’s policies putting the Arctic’s Chukchi Sea, part of the Arctic’s Beaufort Sea and a large swath of Atlantic Ocean off the US East Coast off-limits to oil leasing.

A federal judge in Alaska has overturned US President Donald Trump’s attempt to open vast areas of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans to oil and gas leasing. The decision issued late Friday by US District Court Judge Sharon Gleason leaves intact President Barack Obama’s policies putting the Arctic’s Chukchi Sea, part of the Arctic’s Beaufort Sea and a large swath of Atlantic Ocean off the US East Coast off-limits to oil leasing. Trump's attempt to undo Obama’s protections was “unlawful” and a violation of the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, Gleason ruled. Presidents have the power under that law to withdraw areas from the national oil and gas leasing program, as Obama did, but only Congress has the power to add areas to the leasing program, she said. The Obama-imposed leasing prohibitions “will remain in full force and effect unless and until revoked by Congress,” Gleason said in her ruling. Trump’s move to put offshore Arctic and Atlantic areas back into play for oil development came in a 2017 executive order that was part of his “energy dominance” agenda. The order was among a series of actions that jettisoned Obama administration environmental and climate-change initiatives. The Trump administration has proposed a vastly expanded offshore oil leasing program to start this year. The five-year Trump leasing program would offer two lease sales a year in Arctic waters and at least two lease sales a year in the Atlantic. The Trump plan also calls for several lease sales in remote marine areas off Alaska, like the southern Bering Sea, that are considered to hold negligible potential for oil. Obama had pulled much of the Arctic off the auction block following a troubled offshore Arctic exploration program pursued by Royal Dutch Shell. Shell spent at least $7 billion trying to explore the Chukchi and part of the Beaufort. The company wrecked one of its drill ships in a grounding and managed to complete only one well to depth. It abandoned the program in 2015 and relinquished its leases. Gleason, in a separate case, delivered another decision Friday that blocks the Trump administration’s effort to overturn an Obama-era environmental decision. Gleason struck down a land trade intended to clear the way for a road to be built though sensitive wetlands in Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The Obama administration, after a four-year environmental impact statement process, determined that the land trade and road would cause too much harm to the refuge to be justified. Trump’s then Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke broke the law when he summarily reversed the Obama policy without addressing the facts found in the previous administration’s study of the issue, Gleason ruled.

US judge scraps Trump order opening Arctic, Atlantic areas to oil leasing

What would happen if a cruise liner suddenly found itself without power in the middle of the Arctic? After narrowly averting a maritime disaster, Norway is mulling the safety of cruise ships in the Far North.

Thanks to well-trained professionals and a good dose of luck, the 1,373 people on board the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stricken-norway-cruise-ship-reaches-port-after-airlift-drama-205421">Viking Sky, the ship that suffered an engine failure</a> in stormy season Saturday, escaped the experience with just a harrowing tale to tell.

The incident led to a spectacular air rescue operation: almost 500 passengers were winched off the ship by helicopters fighting strong winds, some in the dark.

The vessel, which came close to being swept onto perilous reefs with a potentially catastrophic human and environmental toll, was finally able to make its way to a nearby port, after getting three of its engines running.&nbsp;

The engines are believed to have failed due to low oil pressure, maritime authorities said on Wednesday.

"Most of the people on board the Viking Sky would have died if the ship had run aground, because of the extreme weather conditions, the ship's movements, a severe list, and a slow evacuation," said two professors from the University of Trondheim's department of marine technology.

"What would the consequences have been if this had happened in Finnmark, or near &nbsp;Svalbard?," Ingrid Bouwer Utne and Jan Erik Vinnem wrote in financial daily Dagens Naeringsliv.

Finnmark is the northernmost county in mainland Norway, while Svalbard (also known as Spitzberg) is an archipelago located about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the North Pole.

Both regions are hugely popular in the cruise industry because of their pristine and exotic wilderness, the Northern Lights and polar bears -- but they are poorly equipped for a rescue mission.&nbsp;

Exclude the biggest?&nbsp;

Six helicopters were able to be quickly dispatched to evacuate the Viking Sky, as it found itself relatively close to an area with offshore oil installations.

Svalbard and Finnmark meanwhile each have just two rescue helicopters.

In difficult conditions like those that prevailed last weekend and that prevented a sea rescue, how would hundreds or thousands of passengers be evacuated from a ship in distress?

In 2017, Svalbard registered 30 cruise ship dockings and 45,000 passengers, not including so-called exploration cruises with smaller vessels.

"We were lucky the Viking Sky didn't run aground," Erik Joachimsen, head of the professional association Cruise Northern Norway &amp; Svalbard, told AFP. "But you can't always count on luck."

The Norwegian Hurtigruten cruise company, which promotes itself as more environmental than the big cruise ships that run on heavy fuel oil, has called for size limits on ships navigating in remote and ecologically sensitive waters.

"The giant cruiseliners with thousands of passengers and heavy fuel oil pose a major environmental risk," managing director Daniel Skjeldam said.

"Gigantic cruise ships are not advisable everywhere," he said, insisting on the environmental aspect, which would also have the advantage of eliminating some competitors.

Regulate or ban?&nbsp;

"This summer, similar cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers will sail in Arctic waters and in other vulnerable regions, far from search and rescue facilities," lamented Sian Prior, an advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance campaign.

"In addition to the risk to lives, most of these vessels will be powered by oil-based fuels including heavy fuel oil, which pose a grave risk to the Arctic environment, and to the livelihoods of local indigenous people," she said.

A heavy fuel oil spill would be "likely to take from months to years to be completely cleaned up."

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg admitted Wednesday there were limits to what authorities could do in the event of a disaster.

"It's absolutely correct that in the Far North, we would have been faced with much bigger challenges... &nbsp;We don't have the capacity right now to handle this kind of situation," she said.

"The question will always be whether it's best to have large resources up north in case it happens, or whether we should look into other rules," she told parliament.

The International Maritime Organisation adopted a Polar Code in 2017 for ships operating in polar regions, requiring shipowners to meet a number of security and environmental standards.

But Norway, together with other countries bordering the Arctic, is also considering regulating navigation in the region.

The two University of Trondheim professors advocate a swift solution: "If we're not able to take sufficient measures, should we really allow cruiseships in these zones?"

What would happen if a cruise liner suddenly found itself without power in the middle of the Arctic? After narrowly averting a maritime disaster, Norway is mulling the safety of cruise ships in the Far North.

What would happen if a cruise liner suddenly found itself without power in the middle of the Arctic? After narrowly averting a maritime disaster, Norway is mulling the safety of cruise ships in the Far North. Thanks to well-trained professionals and a good dose of luck, the 1,373 people on board the Viking Sky, the ship that suffered an engine failure in stormy season Saturday, escaped the experience with just a harrowing tale to tell. The incident led to a spectacular air rescue operation: almost 500 passengers were winched off the ship by helicopters fighting strong winds, some in the dark. The vessel, which came close to being swept onto perilous reefs with a potentially catastrophic human and environmental toll, was finally able to make its way to a nearby port, after getting three of its engines running. The engines are believed to have failed due to low oil pressure, maritime authorities said on Wednesday. "Most of the people on board the Viking Sky would have died if the ship had run aground, because of the extreme weather conditions, the ship's movements, a severe list, and a slow evacuation," said two professors from the University of Trondheim's department of marine technology. "What would the consequences have been if this had happened in Finnmark, or near Svalbard?," Ingrid Bouwer Utne and Jan Erik Vinnem wrote in financial daily Dagens Naeringsliv. Finnmark is the northernmost county in mainland Norway, while Svalbard (also known as Spitzberg) is an archipelago located about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the North Pole. Both regions are hugely popular in the cruise industry because of their pristine and exotic wilderness, the Northern Lights and polar bears -- but they are poorly equipped for a rescue mission. Exclude the biggest? Six helicopters were able to be quickly dispatched to evacuate the Viking Sky, as it found itself relatively close to an area with offshore oil installations. Svalbard and Finnmark meanwhile each have just two rescue helicopters. In difficult conditions like those that prevailed last weekend and that prevented a sea rescue, how would hundreds or thousands of passengers be evacuated from a ship in distress? In 2017, Svalbard registered 30 cruise ship dockings and 45,000 passengers, not including so-called exploration cruises with smaller vessels. "We were lucky the Viking Sky didn't run aground," Erik Joachimsen, head of the professional association Cruise Northern Norway & Svalbard, told AFP. "But you can't always count on luck." The Norwegian Hurtigruten cruise company, which promotes itself as more environmental than the big cruise ships that run on heavy fuel oil, has called for size limits on ships navigating in remote and ecologically sensitive waters. "The giant cruiseliners with thousands of passengers and heavy fuel oil pose a major environmental risk," managing director Daniel Skjeldam said. "Gigantic cruise ships are not advisable everywhere," he said, insisting on the environmental aspect, which would also have the advantage of eliminating some competitors. Regulate or ban? "This summer, similar cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers will sail in Arctic waters and in other vulnerable regions, far from search and rescue facilities," lamented Sian Prior, an advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance campaign. "In addition to the risk to lives, most of these vessels will be powered by oil-based fuels including heavy fuel oil, which pose a grave risk to the Arctic environment, and to the livelihoods of local indigenous people," she said. A heavy fuel oil spill would be "likely to take from months to years to be completely cleaned up." Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg admitted Wednesday there were limits to what authorities could do in the event of a disaster. "It's absolutely correct that in the Far North, we would have been faced with much bigger challenges... We don't have the capacity right now to handle this kind of situation," she said. "The question will always be whether it's best to have large resources up north in case it happens, or whether we should look into other rules," she told parliament. The International Maritime Organisation adopted a Polar Code in 2017 for ships operating in polar regions, requiring shipowners to meet a number of security and environmental standards. But Norway, together with other countries bordering the Arctic, is also considering regulating navigation in the region. The two University of Trondheim professors advocate a swift solution: "If we're not able to take sufficient measures, should we really allow cruiseships in these zones?"

Dramatic Viking Sky rescue a wake-up call for Arctic cruises

A new study by the Indian Institue of the Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune has revealed that the fog formation over the Indo-Gangetic plains of north India is determined by the abnormal air circulation patterns in Arctic and Eurasia.

Cold air coming from the Arctic and Eurasian regions over the Indo-Gangetic plains develops high pressure&nbsp;and further leads to fog formation in the presence of moisture near to the surface.

The fog around the Indo-Gangetic plains commonly develops because of the formation of a high-pressure environment over the Himalayan region.

The study which is based on the analysis of 105 cases of fog events from the period between 1979 and 2013 recorded the daily indicators of local weather phenomena like thunderstorms, fog and dust storms, humidity, winds, surface pressure, rainfall.

A new study by the Indian Institue of the Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune has revealed that the fog formation over the Indo-Gangetic plains of north India is determined by the abnormal air circulation patterns in Arctic and Eurasia.

A new study by the Indian Institue of the Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune has revealed that the fog formation over the Indo-Gangetic plains of north India is determined by the abnormal air circulation patterns in Arctic and Eurasia. Cold air coming from the Arctic and Eurasian regions over the Indo-Gangetic plains develops high pressure and further leads to fog formation in the presence of moisture near to the surface. The fog around the Indo-Gangetic plains commonly develops because of the formation of a high-pressure environment over the Himalayan region. The study which is based on the analysis of 105 cases of fog events from the period between 1979 and 2013 recorded the daily indicators of local weather phenomena like thunderstorms, fog and dust storms, humidity, winds, surface pressure, rainfall.

Air pressure in Arctic responsible for fog in Delhi: Study

Iceland's Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor was in India recently and spoke at length with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal.&nbsp;

Iceland, an Arctic country and will chair the council next year, welcomed India's role in the region and called for increased ties between New Delhi and Reykjavik. He also spoke China's plan to have a polar silk route, Pakistan's status as a Major Non-Nato Ally (Iceland is Nato Country), Climate change, Brexit and future of European Union (EU). He also called on Bollywood (Gerua song from Bollywood movie Dilwale was shot in Iceland) to shoot more movies in Iceland.&nbsp;

WION: What is the focus of your India visit?

Gudlaugur Thor: We want to strengthen ties between India and Iceland. Obviously, we are very different. You are big populated, a superpower in every way. We are a small country but we share many similarities. We share the same values. Relations between India and Iceland always been good with a lot of opportunities.&nbsp;

WION: How do you see India's role in the Arctic Council?

Gudlaugur Thor: Well, in the Arctic Council, we have Nordic countries like Russia, Canada, US. Other large countries, especially in Asia, are very important. When it comes to research and the scientific method, we are not going alone. We also need to have an international law when it comes to transportation and exploring natural resources. Because what we seeing now is shorting of the distances of sailing routes. Routes between Asia and Europe shorten by 40 per cent when the sailing route is open. Same when we saw Suez and Panama canal was opened. Its very important arctic is the peaceful area, low tension area. The only way is we work with all the stakeholder and India is a large stakeholder.

WION: Gerua song from Dilwale movie was shot in Iceland. Would like more Bollywood movies to be shot in Iceland?&nbsp;

Gudlaugur Thor: Gerua is a very beautiful video, well recognised. We didn't know how famous these actors are. We realized it when they come to Iceland. People who knew them, Indian tourist were very interested. &nbsp;We see a beautiful video. We know that Iceland film industry interested in working with the Indian film industry. Its been very successful. We see a lot of opportunities. Things you see in the video are not far away and it is easy to go.

WION: How popular is yoga in Iceland?

Gudlaugur Thor: It is not only yoga. Indian cuisine very popular. My favourite restaurant in Iceland is an Indian restaurant. Indian spices and Icelandic lamb go hand in hand.

WION: India has been calling for reforms at UN. Do you back India's bid at UNSC seat?

Gudlaugur Thor: We totally agree when it comes to UN reforms. It is good that Secretary-General emphasised on that. We have supported India at the security council. Actually, we find it is important that India has a regular role. We are not optimistic changes will happen. When it comes to value, Iceland and India do agree. That is why we both support UN reforms and support India to UNSC.

WION: But you don't sound optimistic?&nbsp;

Gudlaugur Thor: Well, there is someone who is dragging the reforms. We want UN to be a much more efficient instrument. Security Council should not block things.

WION: Your take on China's Polar Silk Road?

Gudlaugur Thor: In general its good that we are building infrastructure project around the world. But very important that all multilateralism based on values we have built so far. Find it essential, the multilateralism should be based on rule of law, human rights and democratic values.

WION: China says its a near arctic country. Do you think so?

Gudlaugur Thor: Well it is important we work together on multilateralism when it comes to the Arctic. Of course, when we look at the Arctic, we need to look at the people. there are 4 million people in the Arctic. Can't make decisions without them. we also need transportations when it comes to exploiting resources. we need some kind of structure. That is why we supported India, China's observer status at the Arctic Council. Everyone needs to be on the table when you are discussing those topics. Otherwise, we won't succeed. The main thing is that the Arctic remains a low tension and peaceful area.

WION: Your take on Arctic report saying the Arctic faces danger?

Gudlaugur Thor: Well, the challenge is there. No doubt about it. &nbsp;I am an optimist. We need to address it and do it together. Iceland can't do alone. Even India can't do alone. I see the positive sign, lot of enthusiasm when it comes to fighting against climate change.

WION: But a Major country has withdrawn from the Paris Climate deal?

Gudlaugur Thor: Yes, but at the same time, both states in the US and huge firms and cities are more enthusiastic than ever when it comes fighting climate change. It is not all bleak. It needs to be discussed and we need to listen to voices who are concerned. We can't ignore that. Because if we do we can do in an open and transparent manner based on scientific knowledge.

WION: Europe is not going through a positive phase?

Gudlaugur Thor: Europe is not about institutions. There are challenges they need to sort out. European nations working together. Europe has layers of cooperation. It's not only EU. there is EFTA, NATO, EEA, EUROZONE. We have layers of cooperation. The best way is to approach is via the a la carte way. &nbsp;If we do that it will lower the tension. It's not me who makes a decision. We are outside EU.

WION:&nbsp;What are the advantages of staying away from EU. You are not part of EU?

Gudlaugur Thor: These are challenges we hope are resolved. Its very important they are resolved. We are not part of EU, these are our friends and allies, we wish them all the best so that they can try to find some solution. Its clear advantage we not part of EU. we have access to European markets. Very important for us. We need free trade all around the world. A perfect example of the importance of free trade. We used to be poor and we would still be poor if we didn't have access to others markets and our markets are not open. Every once in while this idea of protectionism comes up. It is always a bad idea. We are just emphasizing the importance of free trade.

WION: Would you like to sign FTA with India. ?

Gudlaugur Thor: &nbsp;Defiantly. The policy is to have a free trade agreement between EFTA and India. It is a good idea. you will only benefit from it. you will never lose by having FTA with EFTA.&nbsp;

WION: What suggestion would you like to give to British PM May?

Gudlaugur Thor: &nbsp;From the start, Brexit has been a priority for us. The UK is our 2nd most important trading partner. Fifth largest economy. We are saying do not put any trade restrictions in Europe. Think in a constructive way. If we can be part of the solution. For example, if UK would like to be part of EFTA or EEA we should look in a positive way. It will be awful if we see trade restrictions in Europe in future. It is just, we should try to work in a constructive way and look long term. We should think about people in Europe and not institution.

WION: You are part of NATO. US president is calling for budget cuts. Your take?

Gudlaugur Thor: &nbsp;NATO is an extremely important organization. NATO is the cornerstone of our foreign policy, a stronger supporter of NATO and it needs to be strengthened. And we are seeing that, since 2014 increase in the defence budget. It going in the right direction. And we need to have to strong defence, for reasons we all know.&nbsp;

WION: Voices in Washington say Pakistan should be removed from its status of major non-NATO ally. Your thoughts?

Gudlaugur Thor: &nbsp;We need to fight terrorism. NATO has emphasised on Europe 360 degree. But also emphasising on the fight against terror &amp; cyber attacks. We can not forget we need to fight terror every way we can, only message we give.

Iceland's Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor was in India recently and spoke at length with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal. Iceland, an Arctic country and will chair the council next year, welcomed India's role in the region and called for increased ties between New Delhi and Reykjavik.

Iceland's Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor was in India recently and spoke at length with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal. Iceland, an Arctic country and will chair the council next year, welcomed India's role in the region and called for increased ties between New Delhi and Reykjavik. He also spoke China's plan to have a polar silk route, Pakistan's status as a Major Non-Nato Ally (Iceland is Nato Country), Climate change, Brexit and future of European Union (EU). He also called on Bollywood (Gerua song from Bollywood movie Dilwale was shot in Iceland) to shoot more movies in Iceland. WION: What is the focus of your India visit? Gudlaugur Thor: We want to strengthen ties between India and Iceland. Obviously, we are very different. You are big populated, a superpower in every way. We are a small country but we share many similarities. We share the same values. Relations between India and Iceland always been good with a lot of opportunities. WION: How do you see India's role in the Arctic Council? Gudlaugur Thor: Well, in the Arctic Council, we have Nordic countries like Russia, Canada, US. Other large countries, especially in Asia, are very important. When it comes to research and the scientific method, we are not going alone. We also need to have an international law when it comes to transportation and exploring natural resources. Because what we seeing now is shorting of the distances of sailing routes. Routes between Asia and Europe shorten by 40 per cent when the sailing route is open. Same when we saw Suez and Panama canal was opened. Its very important arctic is the peaceful area, low tension area. The only way is we work with all the stakeholder and India is a large stakeholder. WION: Gerua song from Dilwale movie was shot in Iceland. Would like more Bollywood movies to be shot in Iceland? Gudlaugur Thor: Gerua is a very beautiful video, well recognised. We didn't know how famous these actors are. We realized it when they come to Iceland. People who knew them, Indian tourist were very interested. We see a beautiful video. We know that Iceland film industry interested in working with the Indian film industry. Its been very successful. We see a lot of opportunities. Things you see in the video are not far away and it is easy to go. WION: How popular is yoga in Iceland? Gudlaugur Thor: It is not only yoga. Indian cuisine very popular. My favourite restaurant in Iceland is an Indian restaurant. Indian spices and Icelandic lamb go hand in hand. WION: India has been calling for reforms at UN. Do you back India's bid at UNSC seat? Gudlaugur Thor: We totally agree when it comes to UN reforms. It is good that Secretary-General emphasised on that. We have supported India at the security council. Actually, we find it is important that India has a regular role. We are not optimistic changes will happen. When it comes to value, Iceland and India do agree. That is why we both support UN reforms and support India to UNSC. WION: But you don't sound optimistic? Gudlaugur Thor: Well, there is someone who is dragging the reforms. We want UN to be a much more efficient instrument. Security Council should not block things. WION: Your take on China's Polar Silk Road? Gudlaugur Thor: In general its good that we are building infrastructure project around the world. But very important that all multilateralism based on values we have built so far. Find it essential, the multilateralism should be based on rule of law, human rights and democratic values. WION: China says its a near arctic country. Do you think so? Gudlaugur Thor: Well it is important we work together on multilateralism when it comes to the Arctic. Of course, when we look at the Arctic, we need to look at the people. there are 4 million people in the Arctic. Can't make decisions without them. we also need transportations when it comes to exploiting resources. we need some kind of structure. That is why we supported India, China's observer status at the Arctic Council. Everyone needs to be on the table when you are discussing those topics. Otherwise, we won't succeed. The main thing is that the Arctic remains a low tension and peaceful area. WION: Your take on Arctic report saying the Arctic faces danger? Gudlaugur Thor: Well, the challenge is there. No doubt about it. I am an optimist. We need to address it and do it together. Iceland can't do alone. Even India can't do alone. I see the positive sign, lot of enthusiasm when it comes to fighting against climate change. WION: But a Major country has withdrawn from the Paris Climate deal? Gudlaugur Thor: Yes, but at the same time, both states in the US and huge firms and cities are more enthusiastic than ever when it comes fighting climate change. It is not all bleak. It needs to be discussed and we need to listen to voices who are concerned. We can't ignore that. Because if we do we can do in an open and transparent manner based on scientific knowledge. WION: Europe is not going through a positive phase? Gudlaugur Thor: Europe is not about institutions. There are challenges they need to sort out. European nations working together. Europe has layers of cooperation. It's not only EU. there is EFTA, NATO, EEA, EUROZONE. We have layers of cooperation. The best way is to approach is via the a la carte way. If we do that it will lower the tension. It's not me who makes a decision. We are outside EU. WION: What are the advantages of staying away from EU. You are not part of EU? Gudlaugur Thor: These are challenges we hope are resolved. Its very important they are resolved. We are not part of EU, these are our friends and allies, we wish them all the best so that they can try to find some solution. Its clear advantage we not part of EU. we have access to European markets. Very important for us. We need free trade all around the world. A perfect example of the importance of free trade. We used to be poor and we would still be poor if we didn't have access to others markets and our markets are not open. Every once in while this idea of protectionism comes up. It is always a bad idea. We are just emphasizing the importance of free trade. WION: Would you like to sign FTA with India. ? Gudlaugur Thor: Defiantly. The policy is to have a free trade agreement between EFTA and India. It is a good idea. you will only benefit from it. you will never lose by having FTA with EFTA. WION: What suggestion would you like to give to British PM May? Gudlaugur Thor: From the start, Brexit has been a priority for us. The UK is our 2nd most important trading partner. Fifth largest economy. We are saying do not put any trade restrictions in Europe. Think in a constructive way. If we can be part of the solution. For example, if UK would like to be part of EFTA or EEA we should look in a positive way. It will be awful if we see trade restrictions in Europe in future. It is just, we should try to work in a constructive way and look long term. We should think about people in Europe and not institution. WION: You are part of NATO. US president is calling for budget cuts. Your take? Gudlaugur Thor: NATO is an extremely important organization. NATO is the cornerstone of our foreign policy, a stronger supporter of NATO and it needs to be strengthened. And we are seeing that, since 2014 increase in the defence budget. It going in the right direction. And we need to have to strong defence, for reasons we all know. WION: Voices in Washington say Pakistan should be removed from its status of major non-NATO ally. Your thoughts? Gudlaugur Thor: We need to fight terrorism. NATO has emphasised on Europe 360 degree. But also emphasising on the fight against terror & cyber attacks. We can not forget we need to fight terror every way we can, only message we give.

India is a large stakeholder in Arctic: Iceland FM Gudlaugur Thor to WION

The Arctic had its second-hottest year on record in 2018, part of a warming trend that may be dramatically changing earth's weather patterns, according to a report released on Tuesday by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

"Arctic air temperatures for the past five years have exceeded all previous records since 1900," according to the annual NOAA study, the 2018 Arctic Report Card, which said the year was second only to 2016 in overall warmth in the region.

It marks the latest in a series of warnings about climate change from US&nbsp;government bodies, even as President Donald Trump has voiced scepticism about the phenomenon and has pushed a pro-fossil fuels agenda.

The study said the Arctic warming continues at about double the rate of the rest of the planet, and that the trend appears to be altering the shape and strength of the jet stream air current that influences weather in the Northern Hemisphere.

"Growing atmospheric warmth in the Arctic results in a sluggish and unusually wavy jet-stream that coincided with abnormal weather events," it said, noting that the changing patterns have often brought unusually frigid temperatures to areas south of the Arctic Circle.

Some examples are "a swarm of severe winter storms in the eastern United States in 2018 and the extreme cold outbreak in Europe in March 2018 known as 'the Beast from the East.'"

Environmentalists have long warned of rapid warming in the Arctic, saying it threatens imperiled species like polar bears and is a harbinger of the broader impacts of climate change on the planet.

Scientists have warned that the region could suffer trillions of dollars worth of climate change-related damage to infrastructure in the coming decades.

But the melting of Arctic ice has piqued the interests of polar nations like the United States, Canada and Russia by opening new shipping routes and expanding access to a region believed to be rich in petroleum and minerals.

The United States and Russia have both expressed an interest in boosting Arctic drilling, and Russia has bolstered its military presence in the north.

The NOAA report comes weeks after more than a dozen US government agencies released a study concluding that climate change is driven by human consumption of fossil fuels and will cost the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century.

Trump, who has been rolling back Obama-era environmental and climate protections to maximize production of domestic fossil fuels, said of the update to the National Climate Assessment: "I don't believe it."

Trump last year announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Deal agreed by nearly 200 nations to combat climate change, arguing the accord would kill jobs and provide little tangible environmental benefit.

The Arctic had its second-hottest year on record in 2018, part of a warming trend that may be dramatically changing earth's weather patterns, according to a report released on Tuesday by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Arctic had its second-hottest year on record in 2018, part of a warming trend that may be dramatically changing earth's weather patterns, according to a report released on Tuesday by the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. "Arctic air temperatures for the past five years have exceeded all previous records since 1900," according to the annual NOAA study, the 2018 Arctic Report Card, which said the year was second only to 2016 in overall warmth in the region. It marks the latest in a series of warnings about climate change from US government bodies, even as President Donald Trump has voiced scepticism about the phenomenon and has pushed a pro-fossil fuels agenda. The study said the Arctic warming continues at about double the rate of the rest of the planet, and that the trend appears to be altering the shape and strength of the jet stream air current that influences weather in the Northern Hemisphere. "Growing atmospheric warmth in the Arctic results in a sluggish and unusually wavy jet-stream that coincided with abnormal weather events," it said, noting that the changing patterns have often brought unusually frigid temperatures to areas south of the Arctic Circle. Some examples are "a swarm of severe winter storms in the eastern United States in 2018 and the extreme cold outbreak in Europe in March 2018 known as 'the Beast from the East.'" Environmentalists have long warned of rapid warming in the Arctic, saying it threatens imperiled species like polar bears and is a harbinger of the broader impacts of climate change on the planet. Scientists have warned that the region could suffer trillions of dollars worth of climate change-related damage to infrastructure in the coming decades. But the melting of Arctic ice has piqued the interests of polar nations like the United States, Canada and Russia by opening new shipping routes and expanding access to a region believed to be rich in petroleum and minerals. The United States and Russia have both expressed an interest in boosting Arctic drilling, and Russia has bolstered its military presence in the north. The NOAA report comes weeks after more than a dozen US government agencies released a study concluding that climate change is driven by human consumption of fossil fuels and will cost the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century. Trump, who has been rolling back Obama-era environmental and climate protections to maximize production of domestic fossil fuels, said of the update to the National Climate Assessment: "I don't believe it." Trump last year announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Deal agreed by nearly 200 nations to combat climate change, arguing the accord would kill jobs and provide little tangible environmental benefit.

Arctic posts second warmest year on record in 2018

Watch: WION Your Story, 12th December, 2018

In a tweet last year, US president Donald Trump had said in the East, it could be the coldest New Year’s Eve on record, perhaps we could use a little bit of that "good old Global Warming that our country", but not other countries, was going to pay trillions of dollars to protect against.

Trump's tweet had caused global outrage with several scientists and environmentalists hitting back at the President asserting that global warming couldn't be taken lightly.

Now, a Finnish NGO, Melting Ice, has decided put Trump's face on ice, literally.

The initiative known as "Project Trumpmore" will reportedly itch Trump's face in a 115-foot iceberg in the Arctic in an attempt to show that global warming actually exists.

Melting Ice is looking for a place to put Trump's mammoth structure in place, inspired by Mount Rushmore national memorial which has 60-foot granite faces of US presidents - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.&nbsp;

Last year, Trump had announced the US would be pulling out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, an initiative of the United Nations, saying it would undermine the US economy with several experts criticising the US president's move.

In a televised address, Trump had said: "The bottom line is that the Paris accord is very unfair at the highest level to the United States, it undermines our economy, hamstrings our workers and "effectively decapitates our coal industry."

The Finnish NGO is reportedly looking funding, once they are able to get it, the organization&nbsp;says&nbsp;Mongolian and Finnish ice sculptors will carve the statue which would be broadcast live on the web.

Now, a Finnish NGO, Melting Ice, has decided put Trump's face on ice, literally.

In a tweet last year, US president Donald Trump had said in the East, it could be the coldest New Year’s Eve on record, perhaps we could use a little bit of that "good old Global Warming that our country", but not other countries, was going to pay trillions of dollars to protect against. Trump's tweet had caused global outrage with several scientists and environmentalists hitting back at the President asserting that global warming couldn't be taken lightly. Now, a Finnish NGO, Melting Ice, has decided put Trump's face on ice, literally. The initiative known as "Project Trumpmore" will reportedly itch Trump's face in a 115-foot iceberg in the Arctic in an attempt to show that global warming actually exists. Melting Ice is looking for a place to put Trump's mammoth structure in place, inspired by Mount Rushmore national memorial which has 60-foot granite faces of US presidents - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Last year, Trump had announced the US would be pulling out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, an initiative of the United Nations, saying it would undermine the US economy with several experts criticising the US president's move. In a televised address, Trump had said: "The bottom line is that the Paris accord is very unfair at the highest level to the United States, it undermines our economy, hamstrings our workers and "effectively decapitates our coal industry." The Finnish NGO is reportedly looking funding, once they are able to get it, the organization says Mongolian and Finnish ice sculptors will carve the statue which would be broadcast live on the web.

Project Trumpmore: Now, Trump's 115-foot face to be carved in the Arctic

Not for the first time in recent years, Europe has descended into a deep freeze while the Arctic experiences record high temperatures, leaving scientists to ponder the role global warming may play in turning winter weather upside down.

The reversal has been dramatic.

A Siberian cold front has spread sub-zero temperatures across Europe, carpeting southern cities and palm-lined Mediterranean beaches with snow.

On Sunday, meanwhile, air temperatures at the North Pole -- which won&#39;t see the Sun until March -- rose above freezing.

&quot;In relative terms, that&#39;s a 30 C (54 degrees Fahrenheit) temperature anomaly,&quot; Robert Rohde, lead scientist at Berkeley Earth in Washington, tweeted.

At the Longyearbyen weather station on the Island of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean, temperatures were 10 C above average over the last 30 days, according to Zack Labe, a climate modeller at the University of California Irvine.

At the same time, sea ice is covering the smallest area in the dead of winter since records began more than half a century ago.

In one region, around Svalbard, the area covered by sea ice -- 205,727 square kilometres -- on Monday was less than half the average for the period 1981-2010, the Norway Ice Service reported.

&quot;Positive temperatures near the North Pole in winter are thought to have occurred during four winters between 1980 and 2010,&quot; Robert Graham, a climate scientist at the Norwegian Polar Institute, told AFP.

They have now occurred in four out of the last five winters.&quot;

This acceleration, experts said, circumstantially points to climate change, which has -- over the same period -- warmed the Arctic region twice as fast as the global average.

Transform the planet 
Another clue may be the Arctic thaw/European deep freeze pairing.&nbsp;

&quot;The surge of mild weather at the North Pole and the cold front in Europe are directly linked,&quot; Etienne Kapikian, a scientist at Meteo France, the national weather service, told AFP.

&quot;Just how hot is the Arctic now?&quot; tweeted Peter Gleick, president emeritus of the Pacific Institute and a member of the US National Academy of Science.

&quot;Hotter than ever measured in winter. Human-caused climate change is beginning to radically transform our planet.&quot;

Gleick&#39;s larger assertion is no longer seriously contested, but the link between the &quot;warm Arctic, cold continent&quot; phenomenon and global warming has yet to be proven, other scientists say.

If the connection with global warming remains speculative, the mechanics of what scientists call &quot;sudden stratospheric warming&quot; -- the weird winter weather&#39;s immediate cause -- is well understood.

Strong winds in the stratosphere circulate west-to-east over the Arctic some 30 kilometres above Earth&#39;s surface. This is the polar vortex.

The jet stream, meanwhile, races in the same direction at bullet-train speed 10 kilometres overhead at the upper boundary of the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere.

Sometimes the vortex dramatically warms and weakens, with winds slowing down and even reversing, explained Marlene Kretschmer, a climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.&nbsp;

A cooling tendency 
&quot;When this happens, it can affect the jet stream where our weather is made,&quot; she told AFP. &quot;That is exactly what has happened now.&quot;

Freezing Arctic air that is normally &quot;locked&quot; in the polar vortex breaks out, creating the Siberian cold front that has blanketed Europe.&nbsp;

Sudden stratospheric warming occurs, on average, every other year, so it is not a rare phenomenon.&nbsp;

But over the last two decades, the vortex&#39;s breakdowns have become deeper and more persistent.

&quot;Overall, the global warming trend is clear,&quot; said Kretschmer. Earth&#39;s average surface temperature has gone up by one degree Celsius since the mid-19th century -- enough to unleash deadly drought, heatwaves, and storms engorged by rising seas.

&quot;But if you just look at winter temperatures since 1990, you see a cooling tendency in winter over northern Eurasia.&quot;

Still, the question remains: What drives changes in the intensity and duration of sudden stratospheric warming?

One theory holds that newly ice-free ocean surface -- which absorbs the Sun&#39;s rays rather than bouncing them back into space like snow -- releases warmth into the air that eventually disrupts the stratosphere.&nbsp;

&quot;It is hard to say that any one event is linked to global warming,&quot; said Kretschmer.

&quot;But there are a lot of studies now suggesting this pattern -- warm Arctic, cold continent -- could be linked to climate change.&quot;

&quot;This much is certain -- there is overwhelming evidence that changes in the Arctic will affect our weather,&quot; she added.

Parts of Europe are at the moment colder than the Arctic

Not for the first time in recent years, Europe has descended into a deep freeze while the Arctic experiences record high temperatures, leaving scientists to ponder the role global warming may play in turning winter weather upside down. The reversal has been dramatic. A Siberian cold front has spread sub-zero temperatures across Europe, carpeting southern cities and palm-lined Mediterranean beaches with snow. On Sunday, meanwhile, air temperatures at the North Pole -- which won't see the Sun until March -- rose above freezing. "In relative terms, that's a 30 C (54 degrees Fahrenheit) temperature anomaly," Robert Rohde, lead scientist at Berkeley Earth in Washington, tweeted. At the Longyearbyen weather station on the Island of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean, temperatures were 10 C above average over the last 30 days, according to Zack Labe, a climate modeller at the University of California Irvine. At the same time, sea ice is covering the smallest area in the dead of winter since records began more than half a century ago. In one region, around Svalbard, the area covered by sea ice -- 205,727 square kilometres -- on Monday was less than half the average for the period 1981-2010, the Norway Ice Service reported. "Positive temperatures near the North Pole in winter are thought to have occurred during four winters between 1980 and 2010," Robert Graham, a climate scientist at the Norwegian Polar Institute, told AFP. They have now occurred in four out of the last five winters." This acceleration, experts said, circumstantially points to climate change, which has -- over the same period -- warmed the Arctic region twice as fast as the global average. Transform the planet Another clue may be the Arctic thaw/European deep freeze pairing. "The surge of mild weather at the North Pole and the cold front in Europe are directly linked," Etienne Kapikian, a scientist at Meteo France, the national weather service, told AFP. "Just how hot is the Arctic now?" tweeted Peter Gleick, president emeritus of the Pacific Institute and a member of the US National Academy of Science. "Hotter than ever measured in winter. Human-caused climate change is beginning to radically transform our planet." Gleick's larger assertion is no longer seriously contested, but the link between the "warm Arctic, cold continent" phenomenon and global warming has yet to be proven, other scientists say. If the connection with global warming remains speculative, the mechanics of what scientists call "sudden stratospheric warming" -- the weird winter weather's immediate cause -- is well understood. Strong winds in the stratosphere circulate west-to-east over the Arctic some 30 kilometres above Earth's surface. This is the polar vortex. The jet stream, meanwhile, races in the same direction at bullet-train speed 10 kilometres overhead at the upper boundary of the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere. Sometimes the vortex dramatically warms and weakens, with winds slowing down and even reversing, explained Marlene Kretschmer, a climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. A cooling tendency "When this happens, it can affect the jet stream where our weather is made," she told AFP. "That is exactly what has happened now." Freezing Arctic air that is normally "locked" in the polar vortex breaks out, creating the Siberian cold front that has blanketed Europe. Sudden stratospheric warming occurs, on average, every other year, so it is not a rare phenomenon. But over the last two decades, the vortex's breakdowns have become deeper and more persistent. "Overall, the global warming trend is clear," said Kretschmer. Earth's average surface temperature has gone up by one degree Celsius since the mid-19th century -- enough to unleash deadly drought, heatwaves, and storms engorged by rising seas. "But if you just look at winter temperatures since 1990, you see a cooling tendency in winter over northern Eurasia." Still, the question remains: What drives changes in the intensity and duration of sudden stratospheric warming? One theory holds that newly ice-free ocean surface -- which absorbs the Sun's rays rather than bouncing them back into space like snow -- releases warmth into the air that eventually disrupts the stratosphere. "It is hard to say that any one event is linked to global warming," said Kretschmer. "But there are a lot of studies now suggesting this pattern -- warm Arctic, cold continent -- could be linked to climate change." "This much is certain -- there is overwhelming evidence that changes in the Arctic will affect our weather," she added.

Europe is icy cold, the North Pole is balmy: Global warming turns world upside down

An increasingly warm Arctic, where temperatures rise twice as fast as the rest of the planet and ice melts at an alarming pace is the &quot;new normal,&quot; warned a global scientific report Tuesday.

In 2017, winter sea ice around the Earth&#39;s northern pole cover fell to the smallest extent on record, said the Arctic Report Card, released annually by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The year was the second warmest in modern times for the fragile Arctic, said the peer-reviewed report compiled by 85 scientists from 12 nations.

&quot;The magnitude and pace of the 21st century sea ice and surface ocean warming decline are unprecedented in at least the last 1,500 years and likely much longer,&quot; said the report.

&quot;There are many strong signals that continue to indicate the Arctic environmental system has reached a &#39;new normal.&#39;&quot;

The consequences of this continued warming are dire -- harming valuable fisheries in the eastern Bering Sea, compromising roads, homes and infrastructure due to permafrost thaw and risking increasing wildfires at high altitudes, said the report.&nbsp;

Even though fewer heat records were shattered than in 2016, the &quot;Arctic shows no sign of returning to the reliably frozen region it was decades ago,&quot; it said.

&quot;Arctic temperatures continue to increase at double the rate of the global temperature increase.&quot;

Scientists released the Arctic Report Card, now in its 12th&nbsp;year, at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.

In 2017, winter sea ice around the Earth's northern pole cover fell to the smallest extent on record

An increasingly warm Arctic, where temperatures rise twice as fast as the rest of the planet and ice melts at an alarming pace is the "new normal," warned a global scientific report Tuesday. In 2017, winter sea ice around the Earth's northern pole cover fell to the smallest extent on record, said the Arctic Report Card, released annually by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The year was the second warmest in modern times for the fragile Arctic, said the peer-reviewed report compiled by 85 scientists from 12 nations. "The magnitude and pace of the 21st century sea ice and surface ocean warming decline are unprecedented in at least the last 1,500 years and likely much longer," said the report. "There are many strong signals that continue to indicate the Arctic environmental system has reached a 'new normal.'" The consequences of this continued warming are dire -- harming valuable fisheries in the eastern Bering Sea, compromising roads, homes and infrastructure due to permafrost thaw and risking increasing wildfires at high altitudes, said the report. Even though fewer heat records were shattered than in 2016, the "Arctic shows no sign of returning to the reliably frozen region it was decades ago," it said. "Arctic temperatures continue to increase at double the rate of the global temperature increase." Scientists released the Arctic Report Card, now in its 12th year, at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.

Warming, melting Arctic is 'new normal'

A search continued Friday in the Arctic for a Russian helicopter that went down at sea with eight people on board, off Norway&#39;s Svalbard archipelago.

Two Norwegian helicopters and several vessels have been searching the area since Thursday, and more help was on the way, including a coast guard vessel and a sea patrol plane, the head of the rescue operation Tore Hongset told AFP.

A small robot submarine was deployed overnight to investigate an area where an oil patch and bubbles were observed, but it hasn`t yielded any results yet,&nbsp;Hongset said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/59f2e74fd8405_6c7bc747a927d074f1cb3ece2c0bad8a35674620-20171027082056.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
The aircraft went down off Norway&#39;s Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The aircraft, a Russian Mil Mi-8, went down in the afternoon two or three kilometres from Barentsburg, a Russian mining community in the archipelago.

Its eight occupants, five crew and three scientists, were all Russian nationals.

&quot;The chances of finding people alive fade considerably over time,&quot; Hongset said. &quot;But we&#39;re continuing. This morning, we&#39;re maintaining our search for possible survivors, who could be on a floating object such as a survival raft.&quot;

Norway was afforded sovereignty of Svalbard, located around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the North Pole, under the 1920 Treaty of Paris.

Nationals of all signatory states enjoy equal liberty of access and entry&nbsp;to Svalbard and its waters.

As a result, Russia operates a coal mine in Barentsburg, a community home to several hundred Russian and Ukrainian miners.

In 2008, another Mil Mi-8 crashed near Barentsburg, killing three of its nine occupants and another crash near Pyramiden of the same type of helicopter left two dead in 1991.

Two Norwegian helicopters and several vessels have been searching the area since Thursday, and more help was on the way, including a coast guard vessel and a sea patrol plane

A search continued Friday in the Arctic for a Russian helicopter that went down at sea with eight people on board, off Norway's Svalbard archipelago. Two Norwegian helicopters and several vessels have been searching the area since Thursday, and more help was on the way, including a coast guard vessel and a sea patrol plane, the head of the rescue operation Tore Hongset told AFP. A small robot submarine was deployed overnight to investigate an area where an oil patch and bubbles were observed, but it hasn`t yielded any results yet, Hongset said. The aircraft went down off Norway's Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic (AFP) × The aircraft, a Russian Mil Mi-8, went down in the afternoon two or three kilometres from Barentsburg, a Russian mining community in the archipelago. Its eight occupants, five crew and three scientists, were all Russian nationals. "The chances of finding people alive fade considerably over time," Hongset said. "But we're continuing. This morning, we're maintaining our search for possible survivors, who could be on a floating object such as a survival raft." Norway was afforded sovereignty of Svalbard, located around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the North Pole, under the 1920 Treaty of Paris. Nationals of all signatory states enjoy equal liberty of access and entry to Svalbard and its waters. As a result, Russia operates a coal mine in Barentsburg, a community home to several hundred Russian and Ukrainian miners. In 2008, another Mil Mi-8 crashed near Barentsburg, killing three of its nine occupants and another crash near Pyramiden of the same type of helicopter left two dead in 1991.

Search continues for Russian helicopter missing in Arctic

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