A 'bomb cyclone' has killed two people and left over 500,000 homes without power in the northwest U.S., as strong winds and rain hit the region, closing schools and downing trees.

A juvenile fin whale stranded at Moncks Bay in Christchurch, New Zealand, has died, with recovery operations underway. Last Sunday, a pod of false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins were euthanised after becoming stranded twice on a reef near Māhia.

A 52-foot fin whale carcass appeared on a San Diego beach with no clear cause of death; it was towed back to sea.

An extremely rare Spade-toothed Beaked Whale Mesoplodon traversii washed ashore in Otago, providing the first chance to dissect and study such a specimen, with DNA analysis underway to confirm its species.

Seven more pilot whales died after becoming re-stranded at Golden Bay, Tasman, following their initial rescue. Six perished naturally, while one was euthanised due to poor condition.