Storm Floris will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the UK on Monday, the Met Office said. A yellow warning is in place for northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Winds could reach 70mph in coastal areas and up to 85mph in parts of Scotland. The warning lasts from 6am Monday to 6am Tuesday. The Met Office warned of damage to buildings, flying debris, and power cuts. Travel may be delayed or cancelled. Rain may add to the problems. “There is some uncertainty in the storm’s path,” said the Met Office. The weekend will stay mixed with sun and showers. (PC: PA)

A devastating summer storm unleashed flash flooding across the U.S. East Coast on July 31, forcing states of emergency in New York City and New Jersey. The Clearview Expressway in Queens turned into a river, trapping vehicles—including a semi-truck—where rising waters rescued all occupants safely . Subway stations like Grand Central and Jay Street‑MetroTech were inundated with water cascading onto platforms, halting commuter rail and LIRR services and prompting evacuations from an overheated train in Queens . Airports from JFK to Newark and LaGuardia saw over 1,170 flight cancellations, while major highways including the Long Island and Staten Island Expressways were closed. Forecasts call for up to 5 inches of rain, with continued flood watches and safety advisories in effect.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast above-normal rainfall for the second half of the 2025 monsoon season, with expected precipitation reaching 106% of the long-period average during August and September. While August rainfall is likely to remain normal (94–106%) in most parts, some regions—particularly the Northeast, East, Central, and southwestern Peninsula—may see below-normal rain. September, however, is predicted to bring surplus rainfall, which could positively impact kharif crop sowing, groundwater recharge, and reservoir levels. IMD has also launched a real-time rainfall monitoring system across 7,200 administrative blocks to aid local planning. (PC: PTI)

Born at Chester Zoo (England) on July 11, 1978, Motty was the only confirmed hybrid between an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) father, Jumbolino, and an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) mother, Sheba . Recognized by Guinness World Records, Motty displayed mixed traits—African-like long legs, ears, head shape, and body, combined with Asian-like single trunk-finger and specific toenail count (five front, four back) . Tragically premature and underweight, Motty died just 10 days later on July 21, 1978, due to necrotizing enterocolitis and E. coli infection . His preserved remains are displayed at the Natural History Museum in London, and his brief life continues to intrigue scientists about interspecies genetics and hybrid viability. (PC: Money Control)

Hours after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering Pacific-wide tsunami warnings, the Klyuchevskoy volcano—Eurasia’s tallest active volcano—erupted explosively. The Russian Academy of Sciences reported “burning hot lava flowing down the western slope,” a “powerful glow above the summit crater” and multiple explosions . Ash rose up to 3 kilometers during daylight observation, and night-time glows had appeared even before the quake, indicating heightened volcanic restlessness . The earthquake, recorded as one of the six strongest globally, prompted widespread evacuations across Japan, Hawaii, Chile, Ecuador, and beyond, though no fatalities have been confirmed so far. (PC: X)

A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering a volcanic eruption and prompting tsunami alerts across the Pacific. The Klyuchevskoi volcano, one of the world’s tallest, began spewing lava on its western slope soon after the quake. “A descent of burning hot lava is observed… powerful glow above the volcano, explosions,” said the Russian Academy of Sciences. While tsunami alerts for the US and Asia are being downgraded, South American countries remain on high alert. The quake ranks among the six strongest ever recorded. Massive landslides and volcanic activity are being reported in the region. (PC: X)

A strong earthquake shook Russia’s far east on Wednesday (30 July), causing panic among sea lions near Antsiferov Island. The quake measured 8.8 in magnitude and hit off the Kamchatka Peninsula. A tourist caught the moment on camera as sea lions quickly jumped into the water for safety. The earthquake triggered tsunami waves up to 16 feet high. People across the Pacific, including in Hawaii, were told to leave coastal areas. Some people were hurt, but no one was seriously injured. So far, there is no major damage reported. It is one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded.

A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering a volcanic eruption and prompting tsunami alerts across the Pacific. The Klyuchevskoi volcano, one of the world’s tallest, began spewing lava on its western slope soon after the quake. “A descent of burning hot lava is observed… powerful glow above the volcano, explosions,” said the Russian Academy of Sciences. While tsunami alerts for the US and Asia are being downgraded, South American countries remain on high alert. The quake ranks among the six strongest ever recorded. Massive landslides and volcanic activity are being reported in the region. (PC: X)

Russia’s massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake on July 29, centered 119 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the Far East, triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific but had no impact on Moscow. The Russian capital, 6,800 km from the epicentre, lies on the stable East European Platform, far from active tectonic zones. This seismically quiet zone insulated Moscow from the tremors. In contrast, the Kamchatka Peninsula sits atop the volatile Ring of Fire and frequently experiences powerful quakes. The July 29 quake ties for the sixth strongest ever recorded, alongside Chile’s 2010 and Ecuador’s 1906 earthquakes, and was followed by aftershocks and tsunami waves. (PC: NDTV)

Tsunami waves triggered by a massive earthquake near Russia reached Hawaii, prompting thousands to evacuate coastal areas across Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami warning, later downgraded to an advisory, though flooding and dangerous currents remain a threat. Governor Josh Green urged residents in low-lying zones to seek higher ground. Waves of up to 5.7ft were recorded. Similar advisories were issued for California, Alaska, and British Columbia. No major damage reported yet, but concerns persist. Residents recalled trauma from past disasters, including Maui’s 2023 fires, and prepared for a long night. (PC: BBC)