BBC: Sea ice in the Arctic appears to have passed its minimum extent for 2008 without breaking last year’s record. The US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) says the ice covered 4.52 million sq km (1.74 million sq miles) at its low on 12 September. Last year’s minimum was 4.13 million sq km (1.59 million sq miles). This summer’s ice cover was the second lowest since satellite records began 30 years ago, which NSIDC says emphasises the “strong negative …