Arctic is Top Priority for Homeland Security-But One of Many. Homeland Security is the Swiss Army Knife of government departments. It has a huge range of duties, so when its $38 billion budget request came before a Senate panel today, Secretary Jeh Johnson heard a wide range of pleas. Senators emphasized the need to protect the border, encourage trade and improve disaster response. For Sen. Murkowski, though, it's all about the Arctic. With ocean travel increasing, Murkowski told Johnson the world is looking to the United States for leadership in the region. Alaska Public Radio

Shell Cuts Spending in US to Lower Shale Exposure. The spending cuts announced on Thursday follow Shell's decision in January to suspend its controversial Arctic drilling programme and pledge to cut capital expenditure and streamline operations worldwide after the company's least profitable fourth quarter in five years. "I don't think it is a matter of trying to reinvent the company in a fundamentally different way; it is a matter of tackling some of the issues that we know need tackling," van Beurden told journalists on a conference call after Thursday's strategy update. Reuters

Arctic: EU Must Stake Its Claim. In a Resolution today, the European Parliament requested the development of a proper EU strategy for the Arctic. Michael Gahler MEP, Rapporteur on the Arctic, said: "The EU must address its interest and responsibilities towards the Arctic which is a region facing not only drastic changes and challenges, but also increased engagement of new political and business actors, not least from Asia." Gahler was responsible for drafting the 2011 EP Report and coordinated negotiations for an updated Resolution paying attention to both the EU's ambitions on a diplomatic level to participate in the Arctic Council, but also to the significant amount of European engagement in the Arctic and resulting European interests in contributing to sustainable development, environmental protection and cooperation in research and development. EurActiv

Why Barents Cooperation Needs a Makeover. In a time of unprecedented Arctic change, one of the best-established international cooperation structures in the area is increasingly in need of revitalization and organizational reform. With new and fresh looks at regional cooperation, the organizational structures can become the much-needed tool for enhanced coordination and joint action across the borders in the European High North. Barents Observer

Scientists Discover Pygmy Tyrannosaur That Once Roamed Arctic Alaska. A previously unknown meat-eating dinosaur -- a petite tyrannosaur related to the much-larger Tyrannosaurus rex -- roamed Alaska's North Slope during the late Cretaceous period, scientists said on Wednesday. The discovery was announced by paleontologists from the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, the same scientists who have made other major dinosaur finds in Alaska's farthest-north region. The findings are detailed in a study published online in the journal PLOS ONE. Alaska Dispatch

How Curbing Climate Change Can Prevent Russia From Becoming a Superpower. [Opinion] On Monday night, Democratic senators held an all night "talk-athon" on the Senate floor to bring increased attention to the issue of climate change. Predictably, their efforts were mocked by the Republican leadership. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky called the Democratic efforts "30 hours of excuses" for why "families are losing work because of government attacks on the coal industry." Los Angeles Times

Animals See Power Lines as Glowing, Flashing Bands, Research Reveals. Power lines are seen as glowing and flashing bands across the sky by many animals, research has revealed. The work suggests that the pylons and wires that stretch across many landscapes are having a worldwide impact on wildlife. Scientists knew many creatures avoid power lines but the reason why was mysterious as they are not impassable physical barriers. Now, a new understanding of just how many species can see the ultraviolet light - which is invisible to humans - has revealed the major visual impact of the power lines. The Guardian