A strong winter storm disrupted travel across New York City and the northeast United States during a busy holiday weekend. About four inches of snow fell in New York on Saturday. At least 1,500 flights were cancelled or delayed since Friday night, flight tracking data showed. JFK, Newark and LaGuardia airports issued snow warnings and said more delays were possible. New York and New Jersey declared states of emergency. The storm also affected travel in Florida, San Francisco and Orlando. In California, heavy snowfall triggered avalanches. Two ski patrollers were injured at Mammoth Mountain, and a backcountry skier was rescued near Mount Rose. (PC: HT)

Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano on Sicily’s east coast, erupted on 27 December 2025, casting dramatic plumes of lava, ash and smoke into the winter sky against a backdrop of snow-capped slopes. Scientists issued a red Volcano Observatory notice warning aviation authorities of potential air travel risks, though Catania-Fontanarossa Airport remained open with no immediate disruptions reported. Volcanic ash has been carried by winds over nearby towns and ski resorts, creating striking contrasts between fiery eruptions and snowy terrain while drawing attention from residents and visitors alike. 

A strong winter storm covered New York City with its heaviest snow in nearly four years. National Weather Service said Central Park recorded 4.3 inches of snow. Some areas of the state saw over seven inches. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in many counties. Nearly 700 flights were cancelled in the region, data from FlightAware showed. Thousands more were delayed nationwide. Roads were slippery and temperatures stayed below freezing. Authorities activated a code blue to shelter homeless people. Meanwhile, California faced damage from severe storms and flooding. (PC: AFP via Getty Images)

A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.0 struck off the northeastern coast of Taiwan late Saturday night. The quake hit near Yilan county at a depth of about 73 km, according to the Central Weather Administration. Strong tremors were felt in Taipei, where buildings swayed. Authorities said the quake reached intensity four, which may cause minor damage. The fire department began checks for damage and injuries. No major destruction was reported. Over 3,000 homes in Yilan briefly lost power. Taiwan is prone to earthquakes due to its location near tectonic plates. (PC: News18)

Satellite-tagged Amur falcons from Manipur have completed remarkable long-distance migrations to Africa, covering up to 6,100 km in about six days. Three tagged birds — Apapang, Alang and Ahu — flew nonstop across India, the Arabian Sea and the Horn of Africa to reach countries like Zimbabwe, Kenya and Somalia. Apapang’s journey is one of the longest uninterrupted flights recorded for a small raptor. Their epic journey highlights the endurance of these tiny birds, the interconnectedness of global ecosystems, and the importance of conserving migratory routes across continents. (PC: India Today)

An American resident in Delhi shared how she manages dangerous seasonal pollution, especially in winter months. Kristen Fischer posted on Instagram that while outdoor air quality often reaches unhealthy levels, she keeps her indoor air safe by running four air purifiers, drastically reducing indoor AQI compared to outside readings. She emphasized that controlling indoor air is crucial for health, as outdoor pollution cannot be changed easily. Fischer noted that Delhi’s worst pollution is seasonal (November–January) and that limiting time outside helps her family cope with the city’s hazardous air.

Delhi authorities have lifted the strict GRAP-4 pollution curbs after air quality improved across the region. The decision was taken at a meeting of the GRAP sub-committee on Wednesday. The Commission for Air Quality Management said the Air Quality Index showed a clear improvement since Tuesday night. It added that strong winds and better weather helped reduce pollution levels. GRAP-4 measures were imposed a week ago after the AQI fell into the severe category. These steps included limits on construction work and vehicle use. Officials said they will keep monitoring the situation and may reapply controls if pollution rises again in the coming days. (PC: HT)

The Delhi government said the “No PUC, No Fuel” rule will stay in force even after GRAP-IV restrictions are lifted. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate will not be allowed to operate. The rule came into effect on December 18 to curb rising pollution. Sirsa said anti-pollution steps will continue as air quality remains poor. Inspections found several PUC centres closed or using faulty equipment. Twelve centres were suspended and issued notices. Delhi’s Air Quality Index stayed in the severe range on Tuesday amid dense fog and low visibility. (PC: HT)

Dense fog disrupted travel across Delhi and the National Capital Region on Tuesday, delaying over 200 flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport, officials said. Visibility dropped to about 50 metres in the morning, with near-zero levels reported in parts of Ghaziabad and Noida. The India Meteorological Department said foggy conditions are likely to continue during morning hours over the next few days. Air quality remained poor, with the Air Quality Index at 414, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Temperatures showed only a slight rise, while traffic and flight operations continued to face delays.

The Centre has rejected claims that new rules will allow large-scale mining in the Aravalli region. It said over 90 per cent of the area will remain protected. The government cited a Supreme Court-approved framework that freezes new mining leases. Mining will stay banned until a full management plan is ready. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said no relaxation has been given. He added that only 0.19 per cent of the region may be eligible for mining. The Centre said the new definition removes confusion and stops misuse. Illegal mining remains the main concern. (PC: NDTV)