A moderate 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Union Territory of Ladakh on Monday afternoon, followed by two strong aftershocks. The initial quake occurred around 3:48PM, with the epicenter located near Kargil at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Just minutes later, Ladakh was rattled again by subsequent 4.8 and 3.8 magnitude tremors. Nearly an hour after the first quake, Jammu and Kashmir also endured ground shaking, as a small 3.6-magnitude earthquake struck Kishtwar. No immediate casualties or infrastructure damage have been reported so far. Seismic activity remains elevated across the remote Himalayan region, though assessment is still underway.

Unexpected cold weather disrupts China, with Guangdong province experiencing rare snowfall while the northern regions reach historic lows. Roads, rail, and air transport face challenges due to extreme conditions. Despite earlier predictions of a warmer winter, the cold wave surprises many, impacting daily life and transportation. Health advisories are issued, warning the elderly and young of potential "cold wave illnesses." President Xi Jinping's call for an emergency response in Guangxi highlights the severity. The weather shift follows unprecedented floods in July, marking another episode of extreme weather in China.

Over a month after heightened seismic activity forced its closure, Iceland's renowned Blue Lagoon geothermal spa began a phased reopening on Sunday. The spa, facilities, and some dining reopened to limited daytime visitors, with hotels to follow on December 21 pending reassessment. Located on the volatile Reykjanes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon's restart came after new specialized protective barriers were installed, though infrastructure damage was reportedly minimal. Shutdown since November 9th amid risk of a volcanic eruption triggered by earthquakes, Iceland's authorities and the spa now deem partial operations safe to resume with tightened precautions. However, opening hours remain reduced as the geologic threat has faded but not fully passed.

Delhi experienced a warmer Sunday with the mercury reaching 24.7 degrees Celsius, three notches above average. The minimum temperature dipped to 6.5 degrees Celsius, below normal, while the air quality index (AQI) stood at 331, categorizing it as 'very poor.' Humidity levels ranged from 35% to 100%. Monday's forecast predicts a mainly clear sky with shallow morning fog, expecting temperatures around 24°C maximum and 7°C minimum. The persistently 'very poor' air quality raises concerns for residents as winter settles in the national capital.

The Icelandic Met Office warns of a likely volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula as crustal uplift persists near Grindavík. Evacuated since November 10, over 3,000 residents await news on when it's safe to return. Damages to homes and infrastructure in Grindavík could hit ISK 10 billion, with 230 properties reported damaged. Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist spot, extends closure amid uncertainty. Seismic activity remains stable near Hagafell, but the risk persists. Authorities must reassess zoning plans before compensating damages. The community's fate hinges on when, or if, the impending eruption materializes.

United Nations climate negotiations approved a historic deal on transitioning away from fossil fuels, despite worries over loopholes. The COP28 summit's central accord directs the world to move from planet-warming fuels in line with climate science to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Although falling short of demands to "phase out" fossil fuels, the pact marks the first time they are explicitly targeted. It calls for emissions to peak by 2025 but allows wiggle room for nations like China. Critics say vague language still enables expansion. But the president dubbed it an "enhanced, balanced" breakthrough. Island states complained it lacks transformational change, as activists decried continued loopholes allowing major producers to keep increasing output.

The UK will remain pounded by heavy rains this week as twin storms Elin and Fergus combine forces, prompting four yellow weather warnings for rain in place for Monday. The Met Office warned of downpours across Scotland, northwest England and West Yorkshire. It said though a brief respite may come on Monday, "further unsettled weather likely Tuesday" when another low-pressure moves in, potentially bringing heavy rainfall and strong coastal winds. Elin caused rail disruptions Saturday while motorists were left stranded in surface flood water in various places. "Although there will be a brief drier interlude for many on Monday, further unsettled weather is likely on Tuesday," the Met said. Sunday brought Storm Fergus with two rain bands over most of Britain, worst hitting Northern Ireland and Scotland.

At least six people were killed across two Tennessee counties after gut-wrenching tornadoes barrelled through the state on Saturday. Multiple twisters were sighted with residents reporting them in Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. Three confirmed deaths were in Montgomery County, including a child, with over 20 injured being treated. Nashville Emergency Center separately confirmed another three storm-related fatalities. Municipalities reported injuries, homes destroyed, and power outages as the severe weather ravaged Tennessee. Several videos emerged on social media showing the tornadoes wreaking havoc across the South, including one from a wrestling school in Madison showing a huge explosion caused by the tornedo.

The UK is facing a wet and blustery weekend as the Met Office issues multiple weather warnings across the country. Areas near the Irish Sea could see gusts up to 70mph, with 45-55mph winds likely for much of England and Wales. Heavy rains up to 80mm are also expected in parts of the UK, raising flood concerns. The stormy weather arises from a band of wind and rain moving northeast throughout Saturday. While the rain and wind should subside by Saturday night, more unsettled weather is forecast through Sunday and into next week. Northern Ireland, Scotland and northwestern England are poised to bear the brunt of the storm's impacts, though flooding and travel delays could occur more widely. Residents are advised to brace for power cuts and avoid non-essential travel.

In a seismic double whammy, Rajkot district in Gujarat and Vijayapura district in Karnataka experienced earthquakes today. The Rajkot tremor, measuring 3.9 on the Richter Scale, struck at 9 am, with the epicenter located 133km NNW of Rajkot. Simultaneously, Vijayapura felt the impact of a 3.1 magnitude quake at 6:52 am. The National Center for Seismology reported the details, emphasizing the depth of 20 km for Rajkot and 10 km for Vijayapura. Thankfully, no major damages have been reported, but the incidents highlight the seismic activity in these regions.