Canada Asserts Arctic Authority

In the wake of this summer's record-shattering Arctic melting, Canada is asserting its control over the Northwest Passage, increasing patrols, and planning to build a military base, the BBC reports. Apparently undeterred by competing claims to the legendary waterway, the head of the Canadian Coast Guard says it's "important to assert your control over your country and your territorial waters."

Canada is standing firm against claims by the US and other nations that the route unveiled by the unprecedented melting falls in international waters. The geopolitical tussle continues as scientists are still struggling to understand this summer's conditions and as the Canadian government launches a series of research projects to explore the Arctic environment. (More climate change stories.)