Late Monday, a powerful 7.6‑magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan — near Aomori Prefecture in the Pacific Ocean, at a depth of about 50 km. The quake triggered tsunami warnings for coastal prefectures including Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate Prefecture. Initial waves hit ports such as Kuji — the highest recorded wave so far is about 0.7 metres; elsewhere waves of 0.5 m were observed. Around 90,000 people were told to evacuate. Several injuries, widespread power outages, and evacuation orders are reported. Though tsunami warnings were later downgraded to advisories, authorities have mobilized emergency teams and begun damage assessment. (PC: AP)

A strong 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue a major tsunami warning for Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate prefectures. Authorities warned that waves could reach up to 3 metres, urging thousands of residents in coastal areas to evacuate immediately. Initial tsunami waves between 20–50 cm were recorded in several northern ports. The quake’s epicenter was around 80 km off Aomori, at a depth of 50 km. Emergency services are assessing damage, while residents remain on high alert for aftershocks and further tsunami activity.

Delhi’s air quality saw a slight improvement on Sunday but remained in the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 305. Dense smog covered the city as temperatures stayed low. Mundka recorded the worst AQI at 365. Out of 39 monitoring stations, 26 showed ‘very poor’ air and 13 showed ‘poor’ levels. Key areas like RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Chandni Chowk and Rohini also reported very poor readings. Transport was the biggest local pollution source. The IMD forecast a minimum temperature of 9°C and shallow fog in the morning. Cold conditions continued with high humidity across the day. (PC: India Today)

A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck a remote wilderness area along the Alaska–Canada border on December 6, shaking regions near Yakutat, Alaska, and parts of Yukon. According to seismologists, the quake occurred at a shallow depth of around 10 km, intensifying ground movement felt across nearby communities. Residents reported strong shaking and household items falling, but authorities confirmed no major injuries or structural damage. Several aftershocks followed, though experts emphasized there was no tsunami threat. Due to the region’s sparse population and rugged terrain, emergency services reported minimal impact while continuing to monitor seismic activity for potential risks. (PC: AP)

Wet and windy weather is set to hit many parts of the UK this weekend, the Met Office said. A total of 22 flood warnings are in place in England, eight in Scotland, and six in Wales. Heavy rain is expected in South Wales, southwest England, and Cumbria, raising the risk of flooding and travel delays. Some areas, including Northern Ireland, northeast England, and southeast Scotland, may stay dry with mild temperatures. More rain will move across the country from Sunday. The Met Office also warned of a deep low-pressure system early next week that may bring strong winds and further disruption. (PC: PA)

A Russian foreign-policy analyst says that for Vladimir Putin the foremost objective in his upcoming engagement with Narendra Modi is to protect the strategic partnership between India and Russia from external interference, notably from Donald Trump’s push on New Delhi to curb Russian energy and defence ties. The analyst argues Moscow views the relationship as a safety-net in a volatile international system—so maintaining it, even under Western sanctions regime, is critical. India’s balancing act between Russia and the West is therefore being framed by Russia as central to its geostrategic interests. (PC: PTI)

Cyclone Ditwah — a powerful storm sweeping across South and Southeast Asia — has caused catastrophic destruction: at least 465 people have died in Sri Lanka, with 366 still missing, as floods and landslides ravage large parts of the country and displace over 1.5 million people. The overall death toll from the cyclone‑induced disasters across the region — including Indonesia — has crossed 1,300. In India, the cyclone’s remnants brought heavy rain to Tamil Nadu, flooding coastal zones and urban areas near Chennai, inundating homes and roads. The government of Sri Lanka estimates reconstruction costs at around US$7 billion, and neighbouring Indian Air Force under Operation Sagar Bandhu has sent relief materials and rescue teams to support affected populations. (PC: AP)

Delhi reported over 2 lakh acute respiratory illness (ARI) cases across six central hospitals during 2022-2024, with the Health Ministry attributing the surge to worsening air pollution. Emergency ARI cases totaled 67,054 in 2022, 69,293 in 2023, and 68,411 in 2024, while hospital admissions rose from 9,878 to 10,819. Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav identified polluted air as a "triggering factor" for respiratory diseases. Similar trends emerged in Mumbai and Chennai. An ICMR study covering 33,213 emergency patients found strong correlations between pollution levels and respiratory visits. The National Centre for Disease Control now operates 230 surveillance sites nationwide to monitor these health trends.

Severe floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Senyar, Cyclone Ditwah, and Typhoon Koto have killed at least 1,250 people across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, leaving many more missing. Record-breaking rainfall caused rivers to overflow and landslides, devastating communities and infrastructure. Experts link the storms’ intensity to climate change, with warmer oceans fueling heavier precipitation. Over a million people in Sri Lanka alone have been displaced, while emergency services struggle to provide aid. Authorities are mobilizing rescue operations amid warnings of continued rain, highlighting one of the deadliest flood events in recent history. (PC: Reuters)

The air quality in New Delhi has sharply deteriorated as a thick haze blankets the city, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to around 376 early Wednesday, placing it on the cusp of the “severe” category. Some hotspots like Chandni Chowk (431), Jahangirpuri (406) and the area near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (405) have already crossed the 400-AQI threshold. The smog is attributed to stagnant winds, low mixing heights and accumulating pollutants from traffic, industry and regional sources. Health officials warn that prolonged exposure at these levels can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular issues, especially for vulnerable groups. (PC: ANI)