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The City Council voted unanimously last week to approve a settlement in the amount of $2.5 million in the case brought last March by Heriberto Sanchez-Mayen, 62. 
According to the lawsuit filed last year in federal court, Sanchez-Mayen was not secured to a seat in a jail transport van after he was arrested on a trespassing charge in 2023, so a sudden stop sent him flying and knocked him unconscious. Surveillance video showed an officer dragging an unconscious Sanchez-Mayen from the van and onto a concrete floor at the county jail. 
Sanchez-Mayen sustained injuries to his cervical spine, which paralyzed him and resulted in the amputation of both legs above the knee, the lawsuit said.
The council voted unanimously at its April 3 meeting to pay Sanchez-Mayen $200,000 within seven days and the rest of the settlement amount after a claims bill is approved by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The lawsuit named as defendants the city and two officers, Sarah Gaddis and Michael Thacker. The suit alleged in part that Gaddis falsely arrested Sanchez-Mayen and that Thacker battered him and used excessive force by intentionally driving the transport van recklessly and dragging him out of the van.
The city denied the claims and asked a federal judge to dismiss the case. 
In a ruling last month, U.S. District Judge William Jung dismissed Gaddis as a defendant, finding that she acted appropriately and had probable cause to arrest Sanchez-Mayen on a trespassing charge. Jung dismissed all but two counts against Thacker, the claims of battery and excessive force, and ruled that Sanchez-Mayen could pursue those.
Jung dismissed the case on March 14 after the parties reached an agreement through mediation. 
“Ultimately, all allegations involving intentional acts by the officers were dropped,” city attorney Joseph Patner told the council before the vote. “What was ultimately settled here was one count of negligence, which is an accident... I think it’s as good a deal as we’re going to get.”
The council approved the resolution without discussion.
Tom Scolaro, an attorney for Sanchez-Mayen, said in an interview that the settlement with the city “reflects both their contrition as well as the severity of plaintiff’s injuries in what is truly just a very sad and unfortunate situation that never should have occurred.” 
According to the lawsuit, Sanchez-Mayen, who was homeless at the time, was “unlawfully detained” and placed under arrest by Gaddis on June 8, 2023, for trespassing on private property in the 200 block of 15th Street North. 
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</a>Body camera footage provided by the police department shows Sanchez-Mayen sleeping on a cardboard box in an open green space before Gaddis rouses him.
In the video, Gaddis appears to recognize Sanchez-Mayen, as she addresses him by his first name and asks what he’s doing there. 
“Oh, I fell asleep,” he replies. “You know, you’re trespassing out here,” Gaddis says to him. Before he responds, Gaddis tells him to gather his belongings and meet her at her police car so she can write him a ticket. 
The two walk to Gaddis’ police car, and she shows Sanchez-Mayen the sign that says “no trespassing,” which he says he didn’t see.
Sanchez-Mayen then asks if Gaddis is going to give him a ticket.
“I’ve decided that you’re actually going to go to jail today. I’ve had far too many problems with you,” she says.
Gaddis is seen on video calling for a police transport van. That’s when Thacker arrives.
A screenshot from video recorded by the body camera of St. Petersburg police Officer Sarah Gaddis shows Officer Michael Thacker securing Heriberto Sanchez-Mayen in belly chains before transporting him to jail on a trespassing charge on June 8, 2023.  [&nbsp;St. Petersburg Police Department&nbsp;]While putting chains around Sanchez-Mayen, Thacker says: “After a certain amount of these crimes, you should be a felon.”
Gaddis agrees with him in the video. “He keeps coming in contact, doesn’t change his ways. What can we do?” she says.
“A year in jail would probably settle it,” Thacker says.
Officers load Sanchez-Mayen into the police transport van, which had no seat belts or safety restraints, the lawsuit stated. The lawsuit alleged that Thacker drove the van in a “reckless manner” at an “unsafe rate of speed” and at one point made a hard stop.
A video recording provided by police shows Sanchez-Mayen slide across the bench he was sitting on, fall and hit his head on a metal partition.
Thacker noticed on his video feed from the back of the van that Sanchez-Mayen was facedown on the floor, but did not pull over, according to the lawsuit. When Thacker arrived at the Pinellas County Jail, he opened the doors and noticed Sanchez-Mayen’s body was limp. Thacker shook him and said “wake up” several times, video shows.
When Sanchez-Mayen didn’t wake up, Thacker tried to lift him, then grabbed his feet and dragged him out of the van. Footage shows that Sanchez-Mayen’s head hit the bumper and the ground.
Shortly afterward, video shows that Sanchez-Mayen was attended to by medical personnel and taken to a hospital by ambulance.
In his summary judgement ruling, Jung wrote the allegation that Thacker drove in a way to injure Sanchez-Mayen appeared unlikely but “is not implausible or so far-fetched to be rejected, out of hand, at this stage of the proceedings.”
Jung wrote that the most “disturbing” aspect of Thacker’s conduct was the way he removed Sanchez-Mayen from the van, which the judge called “reckless, callous, and something every Boy Scout with a First Aid merit badge would know is entirely improper.”
Responding to questions from the Tampa Bay Times, police spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez said in a email that supervisors reviewed the incident. Neither officer was disciplined and both remain in their same assignments.
“We are thankful everyone involved could come to a mutually agreeable settlement in this unfortunate accident,” Fernandez said.
Timing was a key factor in deciding to settle, said Dan Faherty, another attorney for Sanchez-Mayen. 
The lawsuit could have taken years to resolve, and their client had already outlived the average life expectancy for a person of his age who’d undergone a double amputation above the knee, Faherty said. 
Florida law caps civil judgements against governments at $200,000. Higher amounts require approval by the Legislature and the governor. Scolaro said they are working to assemble sponsors for a bill for the 2026 session. 
Sanchez-Mayen is now in a rehab center in Pennsylvania, where his sister lives. Scolaro said the settlement money would be placed into a trust to supplement gaps in Medicaid coverage. 
“The man is grateful to be alive, given the gravity of the injuries that he sustained and the fact that he was on death’s doorstep,” Scolaro said. 
The attorneys said they hoped the case would prompt the St. Petersburg Police Department to consider requiring that detainees be restrained in seatbelts as they are when transported in patrol vehicles.
Fernandez, the police spokesperson, said there is no plan to change department policy, which require detainees be handcuffed in the front of their body with a “belly chain” while in the back of the van, which do not have seatbelts.
Patner, the city attorney, noted that a deposition Thacker gave in the case revealed that by that point he’d transported more than 5,300 people and only one other person besides Sanchez-Mayen had been injured in an incident.
“I think those numbers speak for themselves,” Patner said.
</a>Tony Marrero is the criminal justice and breaking news reporter. Reach him at tmarrero@tampabay.com. 
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
A cow rests near a park bench and trash bins on August 12, 2002 on Australia’s remote Norfolk Island. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)
The meteorological station on the NorwegIan island Jan Mayen in the Arctic Sea on Sept. 23, 2009. (Heiko Junge/NTB Scanpix via AP)
A group of Vietnamese asylum seekers are taken by barge to a jetty on Australia’s Christmas Island on April 14, 2013. (AP Photo, File)
A few countries like Russia, which is facing U.S. sanctions, and Canada and Mexico — which face separate U.S. tariff measures — were left off. The Holy See, for example, got a pass too from being listed among the dozens of countries and territories targeted by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Here’s a look at some target territories that have little to no production, exports or role in the global economy. There was no immediate explanation as to why these places made the cut in a list presented on the White House-affiliated “Rapid Response 47” account on the X social media platform.
This small Arctic island, possibly featuring more polar bears than people, figures among the more peculiar places on the U.S. target list.
The only inhabitants on Jan Mayen, part of Norway since 1930, are staff of the Norwegian military and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. The island — 600 kilometers (370 miles) northeast of Iceland — is partly covered by glaciers.
The Norwegian military’s main role there is to oversee Norway’s claim to sovereignty over the island, it flies C-130 Hercules cargo planes to Jan Mayen about a dozen times a year from Norway. 
The planes are able to land only if visibility is good as the airport doesn’t have any instrument landing capabilities.
Norway’s Foreign and Environment Ministries did not immediately reply to requests for comment Thursday from The Associated Press.
The nation made up of three tropical coral islands and home 1,500 people on a combined land area of 4 square miles (10 sq. km), is also facing 10% U.S. tariffs.
One of the smallest economies in the South Pacific, Tokelau survives on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and finance from New Zealand, which counts the islands as one of its territories.
Roland Rajah, lead economist at the Lowy Institute, an Australian foreign policy think tank, said officials in small island nations would likely struggle to change Washington’s mind.
“If those countries didn’t get much consideration in terms of what tariffs were imposed on them given their size and obscurity to the Trump administration, that also could make it difficult for them to do anything about negotiating their way out of those tariffs,” he said.
The leader of Christmas Island, which has fewer that 2,000 people, said the Indian Ocean atoll exported nothing to the United States.
“There’s no trade between Christmas Island and America except that we do buy mining equipment through Tractors Singapore,” said Christmas Island Shire President Gordon Thomson, referring to the regional dealer for the Texas manufacturing giant Caterpillar Inc.
The Australian outpost located 360 kilometers (225 miles) south of the Indonesian capital Jakarta has used U.S. heavy machinery to mine phosphate for decades. 
“The trade, if anything, is U.S. product into Christmas Island. The only thing that we export is phosphate and that goes to Malaysia, Indonesia, maybe Thailand and a bit to the Australian mainland,” Thomson said.
The Heard and McDonald Islands in the remote Antarctic, which together form another Australian territory — this one uninhabited — is also on the list and subject to 10% tariffs. 
The mostly barren islands between Madagascar and Antarctica have two active volcanoes and can only be reached by sea.
Contacted by the AP, the Australian government’s Antarctic Division did not immediately respond when asked about how the tariff might affect its operations in the islands.
Norfolk Island in the Pacific, another Australian territory with a population of around 2,000 people, received more severe tariff treatment.
The Trump administration, in its calculation, said the former British penal colony charges the United States 58% tariffs — and it responded with a tariff rate of 29% on Norfolk Island, whose economy revolves around tourism. It’s about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) east of Sydney.
Norfolk Island Administrator George Plant, the Australian government’s representative on the island, was looking into what was behind it.
“To my knowledge, we do not export anything to the United States,” he told the AP. “We don’t charge tariffs on anything. I can’t think of any non-tariff barriers that would be in place either, so we’re scratching our heads here.”
Speaking to reporters, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese quipped: “I’m not quite sure that Norfolk Island, with respect to it, is a trade competitor with the giant economy of the United States.”
“But that just shows, I think, exemplifies, the fact that nowhere on Earth is exempt from this.”
Keaten reported from Geneva. Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, and Vanessa Gera in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.
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The National Basketball League acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, live &amp; play. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present &amp; emerging as well as all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Community.
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An operator works during the mooring of an undersea fiber optic cable
2025 at 8:02 AM ESTBookmarkSaveNorway plans to build a new undersea data connection with the Arctic archipelagos of Svalbard and Jan Mayen
partly to improve the national defenses of Russia’s Nordic neighbor
It’s asking lawmakers to authorize the cable
at an estimated cost of 2.8 billion kroner ($250 million)
These are some of the most storied names for sprinters in state history
Laveen Cesar Chavez junior Mayen Usoro’s name could be ahead of them
Usoro is mere milliseconds away from surpassing these athletes and their best times
Usoro is at 11.50 entering her third season
Both Onyepunuka and Westbrook went on to have successful careers at USC while Wilson shined at LSU
“I definitely focus on the records,” Usoro said
my coach is a record holder and she wants me to do the same thing as her."
Chasing coach HallThat coach is Eureka Hall
an athlete ahead of her time while competing at Safford in the early 1990s
Hall is the state record-holder in the 400 at 52.99
That record was set in 1992 – the third-longest standing record on the books – and is still the only time an Arizona athlete has ever run under 53 seconds for the event
one of the schools that has targeted Usoro in her college recruitment
Fellow SEC schools Florida and Tennessee have also been in contact with Usoro
Division I schools used to visit Cesar Chavez for football recruits
“We know she’s going to have a bright future in this sport
“Do I think of her being different than everybody else
Not that I treat her differently than anybody else
Mayen has the ability to run so smooth without even having to try hard.”
Usoro is ranked in the top 15 in the nation among returners for the 100 (No
Usoro ran 7.38 for the 60 meters at an indoor meet in Flagstaff at the end of January
A lot of the athletes on Cesar Chavez’s roster come from different clubs around the area
which happens to be run by the most famous sprinter in state history – Dwayne Evans from Phoenix South Mountain
Evans memorably ran 20.22 in the 200 (then a national record) and made the 1976 Montreal Olympics as a 17-year-old
Where talent and mechanics come togetherUsoro
a former soccer and basketball player now fully focused on track
has been one of the fastest among her peers since starting the sport at five years old
Her running mechanics are almost perfectly sound to the point where it looks effortless
She comes from a family with a background in track and field with her mother
“She’s a generational talent,” sprints coach Jamar Howard
While the 100 and 200-meter state records are the focus
Hall even thinks Usoro can pull off the sprinting triple crown and get the 400 as well – the one Hall owns
Usoro hasn’t put much focus into the event in high school but has managed to run 56.29
I want Mayen to beat my record,” said Hall
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, ASU and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@gannett.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: <a href=https://twitter.com/LSscribe target=_blank rel="noreferrer noopener">@LSscribe</a>
South Sudan have won two out of their three AfroBasket qualifiers in Morocco over the weekend to book their place in the August tournament in Angola
South Sudan had to wait until the last minute to book their place in the AfroBasket
but on Friday night they beat the qualifying window hosts with two games to spare
Adelaide 36ers duo Sunday Dech and Lat Mayen played their role for the Bright Stars in a big 69-37 win over Morocco on Friday night
<a href="https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=ttbasket25&amp;EP=BASKETBALLSA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>
the contest transformed into a one-sided affair as the Bright Stars closed the game out with a remarkable final 20 minutes
Dech dished five assists for the Bright Stars in the 32-point win
Jo Lual Acuil Jr led the way for South Sudan with a game-high 21 points and nine rebounds
while three-point specialist Peter Jok added 11 points off the bench
finished with 11 points in a game that the Maghreb side shot themselves in the foot in the third period
Mayen scored four points and Dech dished two assists in the 75-70 loss to Mali on Saturday
before the Bright Stars finished the three-game tournament with an 89-58 win over Congo on Sunday
<a href="https://linktr.ee/36ersapp?mc_cid=eb07a5005b&amp;mc_eid=213b8b4ac0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>
Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells has praised the impact of &lsquo;Swiss army knife&rsquo; Lat Mayen after <a href="https://www.adelaide36ers.com/news/import-duo-star-but-36ers-fall-to-wildcats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Friday night&rsquo;s 112-104 loss to Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena</a>
Mayen had an impact at both ends of the floor for the 36ers
finishing with 13 points and four rebounds
highlighted with one huge block on Wildcats centre Keanu Pinder
After swishing a three-pointer to tie the game in the final quarter
Mayen then came up with the big defensive play before swishing another triple to give Adelaide the lead
Wells said Mayen&rsquo;s play and move to starting small forward has been one of the catalysts to the 36ers making a late season surge
&ldquo;He has turned into a Swiss army knife for us,&rdquo; Wells said post-game
&ldquo;If there is one player that has impacted our team more than anybody over this run since December 30
it&rsquo;s been Lat at the three (small forward)
&ldquo;His length and what he has been able to do against some of the top scorers
unfortunately Bryce (Cotton) got hot today
but his length and his ability to switch and protect the rim from the weak side
Wells said he has been able to switch some of his side&rsquo;s defensive rotations by giving Mayen a lock down assignment
&ldquo;What Lat has been able to do is change our defense and impact us on the defensive end and in the rebounding,&rdquo; Wells said
I don&rsquo;t care if he shoots it or drives it
I just don&rsquo;t want him to hesitate and I thought he played that way tonight
Wells said he&rsquo;s excited to see the trajectory of Mayen&rsquo;s career beyond NBL25
&ldquo;I think his future is extremely bright and multiple different positions,&rdquo; Wells said
went to the four (power forward) and unfortunately when we had fouls he had to be a five (centre).&rdquo;
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South Sudan has won two of their three 2025 FIBA Afro Basket qualifiers in Dakar across last weekend
who had Adelaide 36ers power forward Lat Mayen on its roster
going down 76-69 in over time to Congo to end Window 2
Congo&rsquo;s victory snapped a seven-game winning streak by the Bright Stars on the continent
South Sudan's last loss was in August 2022 in Monastir
South Sudan started the three games in four days stretch with a solid 82-66 victory against Morocco last Friday
<a href="https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=ADL36ERS25" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>
The Bright Stars made it two-from-two with a comprehensive 85-60 win against Mali on Saturday
Saturday&rsquo;s 25-point win the biggest for South Sudan since their 101-58 win over Congo in August
Mayen did not see much court time over the three-game stretch
the Bright Stars now move to 2-1 in Group A of the qualifying tournament with three games remaining
The Bright Stars will play the same three countries in the final phase of Window 2 during the next FIBA international break starting on February 21
Adelaide 36ers will be looking for their first win of the NBL25 season when the team travel to Far North Queensland to battle Cairns Taipans on Saturday night
who had a career-high 23 points against the Kings
will be playing against his former team for the first time
Mayen said head coach Mike Wells hasn&rsquo;t asked for the Cairns playbook yet but expects the Taipans will be out to rebound after their opening round loss to Illawarra Hawks at HoopsFest
Fordey (Taipans head coach Adam Forde) is a great coach,&rdquo; Mayen said
&ldquo;We just got to go out there and do what we need to do
&ldquo;This will be the first time I will be on the other side
it&rsquo;s going to be a new experience for me
but I&rsquo;m ready for the challenge.&rdquo;
Mayen knows his side need to adjust in a few areas after the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adelaide36ers.com/news/36ers-fall-short-to-kings-in-season-opener" target="_blank" rel="noopener">102-94 loss to the Kings</a>
so we got to take care of the ball.&rdquo;
Wells said he expects a tough contest in what will be his first road game experience in the NBL
the guys that are on the floor are always competing,&rdquo; Wells said
&ldquo;They get up and down the floor really well and coach Forde has them well prepared.&rdquo;
After early foul trouble plagued Isaac Humphries in the opening round
Wells expects his star big man to respond against the Taipans
&ldquo;Sydney had a plan with Ice straight away
&ldquo;There was a plan there to not get him going
&ldquo;Once they put two to the ball there will be a mismatch somewhere on the back side to get the ball to him.&rdquo;
&nbsp;<a href="https://adelaide36ers.memberlink.net.au/memberhome" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>
CAIRNS TAIPANS vs ADELAIDE 36ERSCairns Convention Centre, Saturday 5pm ACST<a href="https://www.kayosports.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports</a> &nbsp;
LAST FIVE MATCHESJan 27, 2024 &ndash;36ers 88 def Taipans 71 at AECJan 13, 2024 &ndash;Taipans 111 def 36ers 101 in overtime at Cairns Convention CentreDec 9, 2023 - Taipans 116 def 36ers 101 at AECJan 30, 2023 &ndash;36ers 99 def Taipans 96 at Cairns Convention CentreDec 31, 2022 &ndash;Taipans 86 def 36ers 83 at Cairns Convention Centre
LIKELY STARTERSCairns: Rob Edwards, Jonah Antonio, Pedro Bradshaw, Sam Waardenburg, Tanner GrovesAdelaide: Kendric Davis, DJ Vasiljevic, Sunday Dech, Lat Mayen, Isaac Humphries.
Space Norway is set to establish new high-speed connection from the Norwegian mainland to Jan Mayen and Svalbard.
Space Norway has signed a contract with SubCom for the full system supply of the Arctic Way Cable System, including survey, design, manufacturing and installation. Scheduled to commence service in 2028, this new system will become a critical asset for transmitting data traffic between the mainland, Jan Mayen, and Svalbard archipelago.
&quot;While establishing new fibre infrastructure, we will continue to utilise the two existing cables to Svalbard as long as they remain functional, serving as a backup for Arctic Way. Although these cables are approaching the end of their 25-year service lifespan, we expect them to remain operational for several years past 2028,&quot; said Rune Jensen, Director of Subsea Cable Systems at Space Norway.
The trunk-and-branch, repeatered subsea cable system will have direct shore end landings in Bod&oslash;, Norway, Jan Mayen and Longyearbyen, Svalbard. The 2,350-kilometer cable will be situated entirely within the Arctic Circle, between 67-78&deg;N.
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, a 170-year-old French family-owned company operating across a broad swath of maritime and offshore energy… 
Belgium-based offshore installation services company DEME has completed the acquisition Havfram, an offshore wind installation… 
Space Norway and SubCom announced that a contract is in-force for the survey, design, supply and installation of the Arctic Way Cable System. 
The Mediterranean Sea Emission Control Area (ECA) for sulphur oxides enters into effect on 1 May.This will make the Mediterranean… 
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who has played professionally in Australia and New Zealand since graduating from Nebraska in 2022
is currently playing for the Wellington Saints in the New Zealand National Basketball League
5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in nine games this summer
He played for Cairns in the Australian National Basketball League in each of the last two seasons
South Sudan has two games scheduled before the Olympics
when they will travel to London for matchups with Germany (July 18) and the United States (July 20)
This will be South Sudan&rsquo;s first Olympic appearance
as the country has been recognized by FIBA since 2018.&nbsp;
Previously Mayen played for the Australian U18 team in 2016 FIBA Oceania Championships
averaging 7.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in helping Australia to a runner-up finish.&nbsp;
Mayen started 57 games for the Huskers during his two-year career (2020-21 to 2021-22)
averaging 7.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in that span
averaging 5.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game
He had a season-high 13 points in the Huskers&rsquo; win at Penn State and had 11 points in a loss to No
He was one of two Huskers to start all 27 games in 2020-21
as the junior college transfer averaged 8.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game
He ranked fourth on the team in scoring and topped NU with 48 3-pointers while shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc
He also spent one season at TCU and Chipola (Fla.) College
“This is a project with great significance for Norway and the Norwegian Armed Forces,” head of the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency Thorbjørn Thoresen says in a <a href="https://www.forsvarsbygg.no/no/nyheter/klart-for-bygging-pa-jan-mayen--storkontrakt-inngatt/" target="_blank">comment</a>
“Jan Mayen is an isolated island located far out at sea
geographical and logistical challenges,” he explains
The investments include the building of a brand new main building, as well as the renovation of two existing smaller buildings. A new garage facility and two new boathouses will be erected, and local infrastructure facilities upgraded, the Defence Estates Agency <a href="https://www.forsvarsbygg.no/no/nyheter/klart-for-bygging-pa-jan-mayen--storkontrakt-inngatt/" target="_blank">informs</a>
“The decision to build new facilities is very important for the strengthening of Norwegian presence and sovereignty at Jan Mayen in the future,” says Brigadier General Halvor Johansen
He underlines that the upgrades will allow the Armed Forces to offer its local staff a safe and modern work place
The investments amount to 830 million kroner (€72,4 million), defense news magazine Forsvarets Forum <a href="https://www.forsvaretsforum.no/forsvarsbygg-jan-mayen-langtidsplanen/har-signert-jan-mayen-kontrakt-verdt-820-millioner-kroner/386427" target="_blank">reports</a>
The 377 square kilometer volcanic island is located at 70° North and is managed by the Norwegian Armed Forces
Almost all of the island has status as nature reserve
But the local Arctic climate is unpredictable and there are significant challenges related to supplies and logistics
Norway today has a staff of 17 people on the island
of whom 15 are employed by the Norwegian Armed Forces and two by the Meteorological Institute
More people might soon be employed. “Are you ready for the most exotic work place in Norway,” a <a href="https://www.forsvaret.no/jobb/jan-mayen" target="_blank">job add</a> from the Armed Forces reads
“If you are versatile and good at solving challenges, like to cooperate and take initiative - then you might be the one we are looking for,” the Norwegian Defense <a href="https://www.forsvaret.no/jobb/jan-mayen" target="_blank">informs</a>
Published by: The Independent Barents Observer AS 
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Adelaide 36ers pair&nbsp;Sunday Dech and Lat Mayen have been selected to play for South Sudan in this weekend&rsquo;s FIBA AfroBasket qualifying stage
The Bright Stars will play three games in this FIBA window in Rabat
starting tomorrow night against host country Morocco
South Sudan will then battle Mali on Saturday before finishing the window against Congo on Sunday
Dech returns to the Bright Stars roster after missing the recent FIBA window
will Mayen retains his spot in the 12-man roster which is loaded with NBL talent
To qualify for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket tournament
the Bright Stars only have to beat Morocco
but South Sudan will be focusing on three wins to get back into top spot in Group A
🇸🇸 Final 1️⃣2️⃣ &amp; Game Schedule <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfrobasketQualifiers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfrobasketQualifiers</a>! <a href="https://t.co/RaVYrgP0FW">pic.twitter.com/RaVYrgP0FW</a>
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 by <a href="https://thefishingdaily.com/author/editor/" title="Posts by Oliver McBride" rel="author">Oliver McBride</a> | Feb 18, 2025 | <a href="https://thefishingdaily.com/category/latest-news/" rel="category tag">Latest News</a>, <a href="https://thefishingdaily.com/category/norwegian-fishing-industry-blog/" rel="category tag">Norwegian Fishing Industry</a>
The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research advises against cod fishing in Jan Mayen for 2025 due to declining stocks and uncertain recruitment patterns
Photo: Erling Svensen/Havforskingsinstituttet
Havforskningsinstituttet (The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research) has recommended a continued ban on cod fishing in the Jan Mayen fishing zone for 2025
citing sustainability concerns and declining catch rates
The recommendation follows new findings indicating that the stock may be self-reproducing
necessitating a cautious management approach
saw a dramatic drop in catches between 2018 and 2023
Initial exploratory fishing in 2018 revealed high concentrations of cod
leading to a regulated fishery in subsequent years
with the total reported catch falling from 441 tonnes in 2018 to just 181 tonnes in 2023
only six tonnes of cod were recorded as bycatch in the blue halibut fishery
Havforskningsinstituttet’s analysis highlights the challenges in assessing the true size and sustainability of the cod population in the region
Due to the short data time series and reliance on survey fishing rather than comprehensive stock assessments
the institute has been unable to establish clear reference points for sustainable exploitation
The institute now takes a føre-var (precautionary) approach
advising that the fishery remain closed in 2025
One of the most significant findings influencing the decision is the potential for Jan Mayen’s cod stock to be self-reproducing
Previous studies suggested that cod larvae from the region were largely carried southwest toward East Greenland
indicating that the stock depended on immigration from other regions
found that a notable proportion of larvae remain in the Jan Mayen area
suggesting the population might be self-sustaining
This has shifted the balance towards conservation rather than exploitation
Havforskningsinstituttet also points to worrying trends in age distribution
The 2007 and 2008 year-classes have dominated the fishery in recent years
but there has been little evidence of strong new recruitment to replace these older fish
The 2016 year-class appears to be the most recent significant addition to the stock
With no clear signs of consistent recruitment
overfishing could risk depleting the population beyond recovery
The recommendation to keep the fishery closed has drawn mixed reactions from the fishing industry
While some operators acknowledge the need for sustainable management
others argue that a tightly regulated survey fishery could still provide valuable stock data without endangering the population
The Norwegian government will ultimately decide whether to adopt Havforskningsinstituttet’s advice
the institute has suggested reopening survey fishing in 2026 to reassess the status of the stock
this will depend on whether new data shows improved recruitment and stable catch rates comparable to those seen between 2019 and 2022
the institute is also calling for tighter controls on cod bycatch in the Greenland halibut fishery in Jan Mayen
to prevent unintended overexploitation of the struggling cod population
Jan Mayen’s cod stock represents a unique and relatively unexplored fishery
Unlike the well-established and heavily managed Barents Sea cod fishery
the Jan Mayen stock has only recently been identified as a potentially distinct population
Its long-term sustainability remains uncertain
the question remains whether Norwegian authorities will heed the advice of their marine scientists—or whether economic pressures will lead to a reopening of the fishery
it appears that Jan Mayen’s cod will remain off-limits
in the hope that future assessments will bring greater clarity on its status
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Coal was traditionally the largest export product the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard could offer
The Russian coal mine in Barentsburg can hardly produce enough to keep the local power plant running
What exactly Donald Trump has in mind when he Wednesday introduced a 10% tariff on the Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard is unclear.&nbsp;
There is no permanent population at Jan Mayen
Less than 40 people are on rotation basis serving the Meteorological Station and the Norwegian Armed Forces presence at the tiny island which is located between northern Norway and Greenland
Among them are 297 inhabitants in the two Russian settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden
A few hundred are on rotational basis at the science town of Ny-Ålesund
while Longyearbyen is the largest settlement with about 2,500 people.&nbsp;
The main businesses in Longyearbyen are tourism
The small Svalbard brewery offers beer for export
but the United States is unlikely high up on the sales statistics for it's online shop.&nbsp;
While the Arctic islands under Norwegian&nbsp;sovereignty get a 10% tariff
president slapped a 16%&nbsp;tariff on mainland Norway for everything exported to the United States.&nbsp;
Svalbard and Jan Mayen are not the only far-away islands
uninhabited or with very little population
that were included as the White House on April 2nd opened for a global trade war
The sub-Antarctic Australian external territory of Heard and McDonald islands
face a similar 10% tariff from Donald Trump like the Norwegian Arctic islands.&nbsp;
Another remote location on the 10% list is Tokelau island
Two dictatorships in Europe are excluded from Trump's <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and-persistent-annual-united-states-goods-trade-deficits/" target="_blank">global-hitting sweeping tariffs</a>; Russia and Belarus.&nbsp;
Editing by Peter Thal Larsen and Oliver Taslic
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<a href="https://www.navalnews.com/">Home</a> &raquo; Norwegian Coast Guard Christens 3rd and Final Jan Mayen-class OPV
With the naming ceremony of the third vessel in the Jan Mayen class
one of Norway&#8217;s largest maritime acquisitions ever is about to be completed
Norway&#8217;s new coast guard vessel KV Hopen is very important for guarding Norway&#8217;s interests in the Norwegian economic zone (NØS) and the protection zone around Svalbard
The vessel will contribute to strengthening the Coast Guard&#8217;s preparedness
and endurance along the coast and throughout Norway&#8217;s maritime area of interest
&#8220;The Coast Guard&#8217;s presence and exercise of authority in Norwegian waters provides security
both in peaceful times and in the more turbulent times we are experiencing now
The Coast Guard solves a variety of tasks and is a visible actor preventing environmental crime on the coast and at sea
Functional and modern equipment together with solid crews is important to do the job
I am excited to become godfather of KV Hopen
Congratulations to the Coast Guard on a new vessel,&#8221; 
Her er øyeblikket KV Hopen ble døpt ????– Dette er en milepæl for havnasjonen Norge. Med disse fartøyene får vi en moderne flåte designet for å operere i de krevende nordområdene med den teknologien dagens forsvar krever, sier sjef Sjøforsvaret Kontreadmiral Oliver Berdal. <a href="https://t.co/ocpel3TZQx">pic.twitter.com/ocpel3TZQx</a>
&#8220;This is a big day for us in the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency and the Norwegian coastline
the third and final coast guard vessel in the Jan Mayen class
we have supported the Navy and the Coast Guard with the North Cape class
We are looking forward to supporting KV Hopen and the Jan Mayen class throughout its service to Norway,&#8221;
&#8220;The Coast Guard is a very important resource for Norway as an official authority at sea
With the three vessels in the Jan Mayen class
we strengthen our ability to keep the overview and control in Norway&#8217;s vicinity in the serious security situation we are in
KV Hopen completes the class and will contribute to this important task for our country,&#8221;
the vessels have a total cost of NOK 8 billion NOK and are a large and important maritime acquisition
&#8220;This is a milestone for Norway as a maritime nation
we will have a modern fleet designed to operate in the demanding High North with the technology that today&#8217;s defence requires,&#8221; 
The contract to build three coast guard vessels was signed between the <a href="https://www.fma.no/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency</a> and <a href="https://www.navalnews.com//?s=vard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VARD</a> on June 25th
were handed over from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to the Navy in 2023
Mainly Norwegian suppliers have been used for finalizing the Jan Mayen class
This contributes to further developing national expertise and capacity in the maritime industry
&#8220;We are very pleased to be able to complete the last of the three Coast Guard vessels on time
and with the quality that was requested when the contract was signed
VARD proves that we are a leading shipbuilder and integrator of advanced defence vessels important for the strategic security of Norway
We would like to thank the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency and the Coast Guard for their trust in this assignment,&#8221; 
Naval News brings you news coverage of the latest naval defense shows &amp; events
We are also reporting on naval technology from all over the world
<a href='javascript:history.back()'>&laquo; Back</a>
The current submarine fiber connection to Svalbard was established in 2004 and reaches its technical lifespan in 2008
The Norwegian Government want to enter into an agreement with Space Norway to establish a new submarine fiber connection to Svalbard and Jan Mayen
it is urgent to start seabed surveys," says Cecilie Myrseth (Labor)
<a href="https://www.highnorthnews.com/nb/vil-ha-nytt-sjofibersamband-til-svalbard-og-jan-mayen-haster-med-komme-i-gang">Les på norsk.</a>
The current submarine fiber connection to Svalbard was established in 2004 and reaches its technical lifespan in 2028
the risk of errors and service interruptions increases
and it may be difficult to obtain spare parts
there are two fiber cables connecting the mainland and Svalbard
They provide internet and other communication to the archipelago and stretch 1400 kilometers between Longyearbyen and Harstad in northern Norway
The cable was broken and destroyed by outside forces
but the case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence
"It is urgent to start seabed surveys if we are to have a new connection by 2028," says the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry
Instead of waiting for the revised national budget in June
the Government has asked the Parliament for funding through a separate proposition so that seabed surveys can start in the summer of 2025
Important part of the digital foundation in Norway
The submarine cable to Svalbard is considered critical infrastructure and essential to maintaining a modern family community on Svalbard
"I am very happy that we are moving forward in the work of establishing a new submarine fiber connection," says the Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen (Labor)
which owns the current connection to Svalbard
has worked on developing a solution to replace today's submarine connection
which has a cost framework of NOK 2.8 billion
will ensure robust telecommunications connections under Norwegian state control to Svalbard and Jan Mayen
"We are now facilitating digital communications services
The fiber connection to Svalbard and the new connection to Jan Mayen is an important part of the digital foundation in Norway," says the Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance
"Instead of waiting for the revised national budget in June
we are choosing to ask the Parliament for funding through a separate proposition so that seabed surveys can start in the summer of 2025," says Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth (Labor)
The fiber connection to Svalbard is central to the satellite operations
there is no submarine fiber cable connection to Jan Mayen
and communication with the island takes place through satellite
responsible for the operations of the community of Jan Mayen
Compared to establishing two separate connections
"Establishing a submarine fiber cable to Jan Mayen is important because it will strengthen the ability for situational awareness and overview in a strategically important area for Norway and our allies
This strengthening is part of the long-term plan for the Armed Forces," says the Government's new MoD
Space Norway's solution consists of a sea fiber cable from Bodø to a connection point in the Norwegian Sea
Seabed surveys are planned to start in the summer of 2025
and the connection will become operational in 2028
will conduct the surveys and establish the connection
Space Norway will be the general contractor and lead the establishment project on behalf of the state
"It is of central significance that the submarine fiber connection and its establishment is under Norwegian state control
The Norwegian state-owned company Space Norway will ensure such control by implementing the project," says MoD Sandvik
Space Norway has negotiated with customers in Svalbard on conditions for establishing a new submarine fiber connection on a market basis
it has not reached an agreement with the customers on a price that makes it possible for Space Norway to establish the connection as a market-based investment
establishing a new connection at this time must take place as a state project
The solution proposed to the Norwegian Parliament will make the Ministry of Trade
and Fisheries the owner of the new fiber connection
The Ministry is working to find an appropriate organization for future ownership and operational responsibility
"It is a fundamental prerequisite that there should be a user payment for the future use of the connection
Commercial customers in Svalbard must expect to pay market prices," says Minister of Trade
High North News is not responsible for the content or opinions expressed on external web pages
Editor in Chief:<a href="mailto:trine.jonassen@nord.no" class="elf-mailto elf-icon">Trine Jonassen</a>
<a href="mailto:hinn@nord.no" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="elf-mailto elf-icon">E-mail High North News</a>
Editor/Commentator: <a href="mailto:arne.o.holm@nord.no" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="elf-mailto elf-icon">Arne O. Holm</a>Tel: (+47) 905 29 472
Journalist:<a href="mailto:hilde-gunn.bye@nord.no" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="elf-mailto elf-icon">Hilde-Gunn Bye</a>
Journalist:<a href="mailto:astri.edvardsen@nord.no" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="elf-mailto elf-icon">Astri Edvardsen</a>
Translator:<a href="mailto:birgitte.a.martinussen@nord.no" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="elf-mailto elf-icon">Birgitte Annie Molid Martinussen</a>
The RMS Titanic is certainly the most famous ocean liner of all time
She was only at sea for four days until she collided with an iceberg on her way to New York and sank within two and a half hours
This most spectacular of all maiden voyages became world-famous thanks to the film adaptation by James Cameron
The Hollywood director needed over 200 million US dollars
around 86 million liters of water and an unmanageably large team to realize his Titanic film
it can all be done on a smaller scale and far less tragically
Let's go on a somewhat different journey on the Titanic
There will be no shortage of anything except lifeboats
The Norwegian Coast Guard had held a naming ceremony for the third and last Jan Mayen-class vessel
the vessel was christened at Vard Langsten in Norway on June 12
the vessel will contribute to strengthening the Norwegian Coast Guard&#8217;s preparedness
We are looking forward to supporting KV Hopen and the Jan Mayen class throughout its service to Norway,&#8221; said Gro Jære
Director General of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency
The contract to build three coast guard vessels was signed between the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency and VARD on June 25
the vessels have a total cost of NOK 8 billion ($756 million)
were handed over from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to the navy in 2023
KV Hopen is built under strict environmental and emission requirements
and the three new vessels have CBRN protection
which means collective protection against chemical
The Jan Mayen class is a significantly larger vessel than the Nordkapp class and has capabilities such as ice reinforcement
and can go eight weeks at sea without resupply of fuel
Like the other two vessels KV Hopen is 136.4 meters long and 22 meters wide and will be able to operate throughout Norway&#8217;s area of interest
the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has designed the vessels together with LMG in Bergen
The hulls are built by Vard Shipyards Romania – Tulcea and outfitted
and delivered from Vard Langsten in Norway
Daily news and in-depth stories in your inbox
Norway&#8217;s maritime strength gets a major boost with the Jan Mayen-class OPVs
enhancing security in icy waters and asserting sovereignty
The Norwegian Coast Guard has recently welcomed the KV Bjørnøya (W311)
a state-of-the-art Jan Mayen-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV)
This addition represents a crucial enhancement for the force
which has faced increasing demands for its missions while dealing with aging vessels and the cancellation of the Norwegian NH90 helicopter order intended to support larger vessels
The Jan Mayen-class OPVs are designed to replace the aging Nordkapp-class ships and assert Oslo&#8217;s sovereignty in the challenging waters of the Norwegian Sea
These meticulously crafted vessels can endure up to eight weeks at sea without replenishment
making them the cornerstone of the Norwegian Coast Guard&#8217;s operations within its exclusive economic zone
is responsible for safeguarding Norwegian coastal waters and extending its offshore presence to vast areas in the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic
Onsdag 1. november inviterer Sjøforsvaret, VARD og Forsvarsmateriell (FMA) til dåp av Kystvaktens nye fartøy KV Bjørnøya. Dåpen finner sted ved Vard Langsten i Tomrefjorden. <a href="https://t.co/zd8eV0Byqh">https://t.co/zd8eV0Byqh</a>
&mdash; Norwegian Armed Forces | Forsvaret (@Forsvaret_no) <a href="https://twitter.com/Forsvaret_no/status/1717865018731954438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2023</a>
This maritime operation includes critical tasks such as fisheries protection obligations within the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission and ensuring the territorial integrity of Norwegian islands
with a primary focus on the Svalbard Archipelago
Aging Nordkapp-class OPVs – with their first ship
following suit last month – have long been the workhorses in the Arctic region
The retirement of the Nordkapp-class from coast guard duty is part of a planned transition
with the leadship KV Nordkapp now serving in the Norwegian Navy as KNM Nordkapp
fulfilling the role of a minesweeping flagship and tender with Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 during 2024
While the number of vessels remains constant
the introduction of the Jan Mayen-class represents a significant upgrade in capabilities
The Jan Mayen-class OPVs are <a href="https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/11/vard-group-hands-over-jan-mayen-class-opv-kv-bjornoya-to-norwegian-coast-guard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">notably</a> larger
displacing 10,400 tons compared to the 3,200 tons of the Nordkapp-class
This enhanced size enables the new vessels to operate at sea for an impressive eight weeks
they have the capability to deploy the AW101 &#8216;SAR Queen&#8216; heavy search and rescue helicopter
in addition to the NH90 helicopters that previously served on the Nordkapp-class
In addition to their vital policing duties
a modern sensor suite featuring the Hensoldt TRS-3D air and sea surveillance radar
&mdash; Naval Analyses (@D__Mitch) <a href="https://twitter.com/D__Mitch/status/1700466776029487464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a>
The Jan Mayen-class OPVs play a crucial role in protecting Norway&#8217;s maritime interests and <a href="https://sofrep.com/news/us-tests-its-nuclear-capabilities-against-russia-in-the-arctic">territorial integrity</a> in an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape
These vessels are part of Norway&#8217;s strategy to assert its sovereignty and enhance its preparedness in the Arctic region
a key area of focus for the country&#8217;s security and economic interests
The new vessels are a testament to Norway&#8217;s commitment to ensuring its maritime security, as <a href="https://www.vard.com/articles/naming-ceremony-of-kv-bj%C3%B8rn%C3%B8ya-at-vard-langsten" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emphasized</a> by Fisheries and Ocean Policy Minister Cecilie Myrseth
&#8220;Norway is a small country in the world
It is crucial that we have good control and preparedness in our own sea areas.&#8221;
She underscored the importance of these new coast guard vessels in strengthening Norway&#8217;s ability to oversee and protect its waters
highlighting the government&#8217;s substantial investment in this endeavor
The introduction of the Jan Mayen-class OPVs represents a significant milestone in enhancing the capabilities of the Norwegian Coast Guard
especially given the ambitious schedule and unique characteristics of these vessels
While <a href="https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/november/13741-norway-coast-guard-receives-jan-mayen-class-opv-kv-bjornoya.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">progress</a> has been generally smooth
there was a minor setback as the third and final ship
experienced a fire last month during its fitting out at the Vard shipyard in Norway
it appears that this incident will not significantly affect the vessel&#8217;s handover process
All three vessels in the Jan Mayen-class are named after Norwegian Arctic islands, all of which lack a permanent population. This, in a way, reflects the vessels&#8217; vital role in safeguarding the remote and challenging maritime regions surrounding these <a href="https://amzn.to/3u9NeH5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arctic islands</a>
The Jan Mayen-class OPVs are equipped with state-of-the-art features that make them well-suited for their missions in the demanding Arctic environment
Their ice-strengthened hulls allow them to operate effectively in icy waters
making them valuable assets for search and rescue
and oil recovery operations in challenging conditions
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Jan Mayen-class vessels is their endurance
enabling them to remain at sea for extended periods
This capability is a game-changer for the <a href="https://amzn.to/3wYKWMN">Norwegian</a> Coast Guard
as it allows them to conduct prolonged operations without the need for frequent resupply missions
ensuring continuous coverage and support in their designated areas of operation
These vessels are also adaptable—capable of handling a wide range of missions
from fisheries protection to safeguarding Norway&#8217;s territorial interests
provides advanced capabilities for air and sea surveillance
ensuring that they can effectively monitor and respond to various situations in their operational areas
The addition of the AW101 &#8216;SAR Queen&#8217; heavy search and rescue helicopter to their capabilities further enhances their ability to respond to emergencies and conduct search and rescue missions in the challenging Arctic environment
In summary, the Norwegian Coast Guard&#8217;s acquisition of the Jan Mayen-class OPVs marks a <a href="https://sofrep.com/news/strengthening-ukraines-defense-norways-typhon-anti-drone-system-could-be-a-game-changer">significant advancement</a> in the force&#8217;s capabilities and a critical step in maintaining Norway&#8217;s maritime security and territorial integrity in the Arctic region
these vessels are poised to play a pivotal role in safeguarding Norwegian waters and asserting the country&#8217;s sovereignty in this strategically vital area
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in Geography from the University of Melbourne
where her research focused on the resilience-enhancing role of urban green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic
She also holds a Master's in Development Practice from Columbia University
where she was awarded the Lewis Perry Award for integrating environmental considerations into her capstone project
Carolina has made significant contributions to international development organizations such as IFC and the Inter-American Development Bank
and she is currently a consultant at the World Bank
Her work mainly revolves around research and development
with a particular focus on environmental and gender-related initiatives
Carolina is also an Associate Researcher at the University of Edinburgh
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The Wellington Saints Lat Mayen has received a one-game suspension from the Leagues Game Review Commissioner (GRC) following an incident that occurred during the Saints June 8th game versus the Taranaki Airs
With 3 minutes and 45 seconds left in the 2nd quarter Lat Mayen was given a disqualifying foul due to a head-butting incident between Mayen and Taranaki Airs forward Quintin Bailey
Following the game this footage was reviewed by the GRC and the preliminary finding was that Lat Mayen had committed a classifiable offence
namely head-butting involving intentional contact with the opponent that was of low impact to the head
A base sanction of a $600 fine and a 1 game suspension was handed down
which was reduced to a 1 game suspension with an early plea
The suspension will take effect when the Wellington Saints host the Franklin Bulls this Sunday the 16th of June
after which the matter will be concluded and Mayen will be available for all team activities
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The Jan Mayen-class (P6615 Project) vessels are being built for the Norwegian Coast Guard (Kystvakten)
The vessels can perform a range of operations
The P6615-class vessels will operate in the Arctic zone and will replace the ageing Nordkapp-class coast guard ships
The <a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/features/royal-norwegian-navy-comes-under-fire-in-hnoms-helge-ingstad-collision-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Norwegian</a> Government announced plans to construct three new coast guard vessels in September 2016
Upon reviewing offers from three shipyards
Vard Langsten shipyard was selected for further negotiations in October 2017
The Norwegian parliament approved the investment for the vessels in June 2018
Vard signed a Nkr5bn ($617m) contract for the construction of three coast guard vessels for the Norwegian Coast Guard in the same month
The hulls of three vessels will be built at the Vard Tulcea shipyard in Romania
Deliveries are expected to be completed by VARD Langsten shipyard in Norway
The coast guard ship will feature an ice-strengthened hull and will have an overall length of 136.4m
The full load displacement of the vessel will be 9,800t
The ship will have the capacity to accommodate up to 100 people
The vessel can accommodate a AW101 size rotorcraft on stern deck while its hangar can house two NH90s
It will also feature hospital facilities and operation rooms for supporting both military and civilian operations
A telescopic TBD-10000L davit system and two PLR-5003KV units will be installed on each vessel
Both the units will have the capability to handle fast rescue boats (FRBs) of up to 8.5m-long
The davits will be winterised for full functionality in lower temperatures up to -25°C
The ship will also feature a wagon-based boat transfer system on deck-mounted rails
which integrates components of the MissionEase multi-boat transfer system
It will also have the ability to house two special-purpose rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs)
The Jan Mayen vessels will incorporate a 9LV fire control system (FCS) which helps the vessel to detect
The multi-role ship will be equipped with a main gun and machine guns. It can also provide storage support for <a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/saab-lightweight-torpedo-slwt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">torpedoes</a> and mines for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters
The Jan Mayen-class coastguard vessel will be installed with a range of navigation systems
including Marins Series inertial navigation system (INS)
Quadrans gyrocompass and Netans navigation data distribution and computation system (NDDCS)
The navigation equipment will allow the vessel to continuously receive reliable navigation information and address the cybersecurity challenges faced by the naval forces
The ships will feature a TactiCall integrated naval communication system
which will enable the crew to control both internal and external communications
The coast guard ships will be equipped with SS1221 <a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/sonar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sonars</a> which will have the capability of detecting torpedoes or other small objects
The vessels will be fitted with TRS-3D radars that also include a secondary radar MSSR 2000 I for identification-friend-or-foe (IFF)
The three-dimensional TRS-3D naval radar can locate and track both aerial and sea targets and safeguard on-board helicopters
The vessel will be powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system which will allow it to sail at a maximum speed of 22k
The endurance of the ship will be more than 60 days
iXblue was contracted by Vard Group to deliver navigation technologies for the P6615 Jan Mayen class vessels in January 2021
Kongsberg Maritime secured a contract from Vard to supply sonars for the coast guard vessels in August 2020
The sonars will be delivered with retractable hull units and gate valves for ice protection
Vard placed an order with Saab for the 9LV FCS
including the Ceros 200 fire control director in February 2019
Saab also signed a contract for providing communication systems for the vessels in January 2019
LMG Marin received an order from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) to design the three Jan Mayen-class coastguard vessels
Vestdavit is responsible for providing davits equipped for polar conditions
HENSOLDT was contracted to supply the latest versions of radar and IFF system
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Several hundred million kroner will be spent on a major refurbishment of buildings and infrastructure at the remote Norwegian island
“This is a project with great significance for Norway and the Norwegian Armed Forces,” head of the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency Thorbjørn Thoresen says in a <a href="https://www.forsvarsbygg.no/no/nyheter/klart-for-bygging-pa-jan-mayen--storkontrakt-inngatt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comment</a>
The investments include the building of a brand new main building, as well as the renovation of two existing smaller buildings. A new garage facility and two new boathouses will be erected, and local infrastructure facilities upgraded, the Defence Estates Agency <a href="https://www.forsvarsbygg.no/no/nyheter/klart-for-bygging-pa-jan-mayen--storkontrakt-inngatt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">informs</a>
The investments include the building of a brand new main building
as well as the renovation of two existing smaller buildings
A new garage facility and two new boathouses will be erected
and local infrastructure facilities upgraded
The investments amount to 830 million kroner (€72,4 million), defense news magazine Forsvarets Forum <a href="https://www.forsvaretsforum.no/forsvarsbygg-jan-mayen-langtidsplanen/har-signert-jan-mayen-kontrakt-verdt-820-millioner-kroner/386427" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>
Challenges related to supplies and logistics
More people might soon be employed. “Are you ready for the most exotic work place in Norway,” a <a href="https://www.forsvaret.no/jobb/jan-mayen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">job add</a> from the Armed Forces reads
“If you are versatile and good at solving challenges, like to cooperate and take initiative &#8211; then you might be the one we are looking for,” the Norwegian Defense <a href="https://www.forsvaret.no/jobb/jan-mayen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">informs</a>
Canada: <a href="https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2023/10/13/csis-warning-inuit-leaders-about-covert-foreign-investment-in-arctic-documents-show/">CSIS warning Inuit leaders about covert foreign investment in Arctic, documents show</a>
Finland: <a href="https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2022/03/29/russian-cyber-attacks-espionage-pose-growing-threat-to-finnish-national-security/">Russian cyber attacks, espionage pose growing threat to Finnish national security</a>
Iceland: <a href="https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2023/04/19/iceland-authorizes-u-s-submarine-service-visits/">Iceland authorizes U.S. submarine service visits</a>
Norway: <a href="https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2024/02/27/russian-jamming-disrupting-gps-signals-for-norwegian-aviation-almost-daily/">Russian jamming disrupting GPS signals for Norwegian aviation almost daily</a>
Russia: <a href="https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2024/03/01/as-nato-forces-move-north-for-exercise-northern-fleet-sails-out-frigates/">As NATO forces move north for exercise, Northern Fleet sails out frigates</a>
United States: <a href="https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2024/05/14/blog-how-alaskas-little-known-spaceport-revolutionized-military-conflict/">How Alaska’s little-known spaceport revolutionized military conflict</a>
For more news from the Barents region visit <a href="https://thebarentsobserver.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Independent Barents Observer</a>
and website in this browser for the next time I comment
the crew of a German whaling ship peered out at an extraordinary sight
Great plumes of ash were rising from the strange
uninhabited island of Jan Mayen—an isolated sliver of land between northern Norway and Greenland
What the whalers saw was the eruption of Beerenberg
a cataclysmic volcanic event that reshaped Jan Mayen and caused a small population of Arctic char
The fish and their descendants have been stuck in Nordlaguna
this population of thousands of Arctic char has had to cope with confinement—and go to extreme lengths just to survive
a geologist at the Geological Survey of Norway
“It’s basically in the middle of nowhere,” he laughs
and is home to just a handful of military and research personnel
Their settlements lie in the shadow of Beerenberg—the northernmost active volcano above sea level in the world
The eruption on Jan Mayen in 1732 caused significant changes to the island, Larsen explains. This included the reshaping of land by lava flows and the deposition of ash. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jqs.3280">In new research</a>
Larsen and his colleagues analyzed the age of sediment and debris on the island to show that this is what caused Nordlaguna to become landlocked in the span of just a few weeks or months
“It’s really a violent and dramatic event,” says Larsen
The swift change is quite unlike that experienced by other populations of landlocked char
which were trapped more than 10,000 years ago because of melting glaciers
It is extremely rare to find a case in which char became isolated so recently and so suddenly by a natural process
a biologist at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s University Museum
the vast majority of Arctic char migrate between the ocean and freshwater lakes and rivers
These isolated populations are the exception
but they show something dramatic about Arctic char’s resilience
Even though Nordlaguna is a tiny habitat—just 1.6 kilometers long and 40 meters deep—with little beyond a few freshwater invertebrates to eat
This isn’t the first place where isolated char have become cannibalistic
the shift in diet has had a pronounced effect on the fish’s physiology
Some of the Nordlaguna char grow huge—up to 70 centimeters or so—while others stay small
an evolutionary biologist at the Czech Academy of Sciences who was not involved in the research
says that when char populations turn cannibalistic
the large fish are noticeably different in appearance from the smaller ones
“They look like completely different species,” she says
cannibalistic char tend to have more streamlined body shapes and mouths positioned right at the front of the head instead of lower on the skull
which suits their lifestyle of hunting fellow fish
Only the most successful char get to take on this form
“If they can reach a decent size […] they can change to start feeding on other fish.” In this particular lake
the char are “living on the edge,” he adds
The curious thing is that this situation has not doomed the fish
Only a handful of the char grow big enough to become cannibals
they continue reproducing at a high enough rate to sustain their population
The char of Jan Mayen once lived very different lives
until the eruption of 1732 trapped them in a natural experiment
Davidsen says the Nordlaguna population seems stable
even when faced with extreme and sudden change
the Arctic char is a fish that is primed to survive—even if at a grisly cost
Part of the <a href="http://www.tula.org/" class="footer_tula">Tula Foundation</a> and <a href="https://www.hakai.org/" class="footer_hakaiinstitute">Hakai Institute</a> family.
The future NoCGV Jan Mayen is the lead ship of a new class of three OPVs that will replace the coast guard's 1980s-built Nordkapp-class vessels
The newer vessels will form part of the coast guard's outer fleet
which consists mainly of ocean-going ships
it will be deployed in the colder waters of the Norwegian Arctic thanks to its ice-strengthened hull
Named after a volcanic island in the Arctic Ocean
Jan Mayen was designed by LMG Marin and built by Vard at its Vard Tulcea facilities in Romania
Primary missions will include maritime sovereignty patrols
radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) incident response
It will also be equipped for secondary functions such as towing of disabled vessels and oil spill response
and a diesel-electric propulsion system that delivers a speed of 22 knots
In addition to accommodating helicopters via its flight deck
Jan Mayen is capable of refueling helicopters even while they are hovering
Deck space is also available for two 8.5-metre fast rescue boats that are launched into and recovered from the water via two winterised davits
The OPV's armament includes a naval gun and machine guns with threat detection
and monitoring done with the aid of a Saab 9LV fire control system
Specialised sonars from Kongsberg Maritime will enable the vessel to detect and avoid hostile torpedoes
The other sensors consist of iXblue navigation equipment and Hensoldt search and tracking radars including one with an IFF interogator
The accommodations are for a 100-strong crew with facilities that include cabins
The stores spaces can hold enough provisions to allow the vessel to stay out at sea for eight weeks before requiring resupply
<a href="https://www.navalnews.com/">Home</a> &raquo; Vard Group hands over Jan Mayen-class OPV &#8220;KV Bjørnøya&#8221; to Norwegian Coast Guard
The state-of-the-art vessel represent a significant leap in capability for the force
which has seen increased demand for its missions while at the same time struggling with ageing vessels and the cancellation of the Norwegian NH90-order which was to provide the helicopter capability for the larger vessels of the force
The <a href="https://www.forsvaret.no/en/organisation/navy/coastguardnorway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian Coast Guard</a>
which organisationally is a part of the Norwegian Navy
is responsible both for the Norwegian coastal waters
but also through their offshore component for significant areas in the Arctic Ocean and North Atlantic
This includes both fisheries protection duties as part of the Norwegian commitments to the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission
as well as safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Norwegian islands in the region &#8211; prime among these being the Svalbard Archipelago
The workhorse in the Arctic has long been the three-strong Nordkapp-class OPVs built in the early 1980s
and while according to most accounts these have been successful vessels
their age has been showing for quite some time
The Jan Mayen-class now replaces the Nordkapp-class on a one-to-one basis
though the retirement of the Norkapp-class from coastguard duty is already a done deal with the first to go being KV Senja retired in late 2021
was transferred over to the navy as KNM Nordkapp this week
and will function as a minesweeping flagship and tender
serving with Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 during 2024
But while the number of vessels remain the same
The significantly larger Jan Mayen-class – displacing 10,400 t compared to the 3,200 t of the Nordkapp-class – allows the ice-strengthened vessels to have an endurance of eight weeks
while also being able to operate the AW101 ‘SAR Queen’ heavy search and rescue helicopter in addition to the NH90 which saw service onboard the Nordkapp
With KV Bjørnøya now following KV Jan Mayen within twelve months of the leadship being handed over
the project has so far come along rather well
in particular considering the ambitious schedule and somewhat unique nature of the vessels
did however suffer a minor fire last month while being fitted out at the Vard shipyard in Norway
It currently seems like the accident will not cause any delays with the handover
All three vessels are named after Norwegian Arctic islands
all three of which lack permanent population
The Frogs are down to just eight scholarship players with the loss of the redshirt freshman
After redshirting in his first year on campus because of injury
the redshirt freshman will finish his second year on the shelf as well
as it was announced Saturday after the Oklahoma game that his season was over
whose playing time had fluctuated as his health issues persisted
was averaging just under eight minutes per game with a season-high of 26 against West Virginia
connecting on just seven of his 20 attempts
but hit a handful of big shots when the opportunity presented itself
Mayen follows Angus McWilliams (concussion issues followed by an announced transfer to UC Riverside)
Kaden Archie (battled numerous small injuries before announcing a transfer to UTEP)
Yuat Alok (was out for the season with a hand injuries before announcing a transfer to UCF)
and Jaylen Fisher (out for the season with knee issues before announcing his intent to leave the program)
The Frogs have already put Owen Aschieris on scholarship and burned Russell Barlow’s redshirt
but are currently down to just seven healthy players with Kouat Noi out for an undisclosed period of time with an ankle injury (he was in a walking boot Saturday)
As Jamie Dixon said following the loss to Oklahoma
no one will be feeling sorry for the Horned Frogs
who will need to find a way to get a road win Monday night in Stillwater to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes off of life support