An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 struck central Mexico, rattling buildings in the capital and prompting residents to spill onto the streets. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake's epicenter in the central state of Puebla, south of Mexico City, at a depth of 27 miles. Despite earthquake alarms sounding across Mexico City, there are currently no immediate reports of damage. Mayor Marti Batres assured the public in a social media post, and the governor of Puebla confirmed no damage in the state. The quake triggered a brief disruption, with residents feeling the tremors in various parts of the capital.

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit south of Vanuatu, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on Thursday. Initially noted as a 7.3 magnitude quake, the USGS later revised its report. The offshore quake occurred at 1256 GMT, with a depth of 48 kilometers, approximately 123 kilometers south of Isangel and 338 kilometers from the capital, Port Vila. A tsunami warning has been issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, cautioning of potential hazardous waves within 300 kilometers of the epicenter along the coasts of Vanuatu and New Caledonia. No immediate reports of damage have been received.            

The Met Office has raised alarms with yellow warnings and flood alerts across the UK due to heavy rain forecasted to continue on already saturated ground. Homes and businesses are at risk of flooding, prompting search and rescue operations, such as the evacuation of a flooded caravan park near Yeovil. The River Severn's overflow in Worcester amplifies concerns, and there are fears of flooding in regions where snow is melting away. Neil Armstrong, the chief forecaster, underscores the potential for substantial rainfall, reaching up to 80mm in certain areas, with eastern Scotland possibly experiencing up to 100mm. The situation is expected to worsen, exacerbating flood risks.            

The UK is facing the prospect of more snow and icy conditions in the lead up to Christmas, according to the latest predictions from the Met Office. After a week of wintry weather last week that brought up to 30cm of snow in parts of the country, the long range forecast warns of another spell of unsettled and potentially hazardous weather. It says there is an increased chance of cold conditions, snow and ice setting in from late December into early January. Though temperatures are expected to briefly rise this weekend, colder air could arrive next week. The Met Office has told Britons to brace for disrupted travel and slippery conditions over the holidays. Last year saw snow recorded at 9% of monitoring stations on December 25.

New weather maps indicate a massive front of snow and icy rain approaching Britain from the east, set to make landfall within hours. The inclement weather spans over 500 miles across Europe and will blast much of the UK with freezing temperatures, snow, sleet and rain. The system is forecast to dump up to 30cm of snow in parts of Scotland and northern England. Further south, including London and the midlands, will see a wintry mix of rain, sleet and freezing rain that could glaze surfaces in ice and impaired travel. Meteorologists warn the snow and icy conditions could combine with winds gusting up to 80km/h to create blizzard conditions and severely impact transport networks. They urge residents, especially across northern regions, to avoid travel if possible during the storm’s peak over the next 24-48 hours.

Mount Marapi, Sumatra, Indonesia, unleashed its might, spewing a three-kilometer ash column that soared 9,842 feet into the sky. The eruption, occurring at 2:54 pm local time, triggered concern, but initial reports indicate no damage or casualties. Positioned at the third-highest alert level, authorities established a three-kilometer exclusion zone around the volcano. Ash fallout reached Bukittinggi city, prompting officials to advise residents to wear protective gear. Mount Marapi, aptly named the 'Mountain of Fire,' maintains its status as Sumatra's most active volcano. Indonesia, nestled in the seismic Pacific Ring of Fire, faces the recurrent challenge of volcanic activities, with nearly 130 active volcanoes across the archipelago.      

A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines' Mindanao island late Saturday, leaving 1 pregnant woman dead, 9 missing and 4 injured amid ruined infrastructure as over 600 aftershocks followed. The quake unleashed tsunami warnings, later lifted, with hundreds of families impacted per defense officials. Residents evacuated buildings in multiple towns near the epicenter on Mindanao's east coast. Cracked roads were reported in Bilsig City with patients moved out of a hospital in Butuan though no major building damage reported yet. Japan observed 1.3-foot tsunamis on outlying islands after the Ring of Fire temblor. With aftershocks exceeding 6 magnitude, Mindanao reeled from injuries, fear, and a fatality following the intense seismic upheaval.

Andrey Melnichenko, a Russian billionaire, presents an unconventional solution to address methane emissions from thawing Siberian permafrost at COP28. His plan involves recreating a prehistoric ecosystem, complete with woolly mammoths, to slow the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The Andrey Melnichenko Foundation sponsors a pavilion showcasing the project, reflecting the evolving nature of COPs as platforms encompassing diverse climate initiatives. Melnichenko, facing EU sanctions post-Ukraine invasion, aims to address climate challenges, proposing a unique approach that merges ecological restoration with technology. The billionaire is set to lead a COP28 event on sustainability and climate change.              

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for multiple districts in Tamil Nadu as Cyclone 'Michaung' intensifies over the Bay of Bengal and the South Andaman Sea. Expected to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam with winds reaching up to 100 kmph on Tuesday morning, the cyclone is set to become a cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours and set to make landfall. Precautionary measures are underway, with the Puducherry government declaring a holiday for colleges and state response teams on standby. The Southern Railway has canceled 118 trains in Tamil Nadu, anticipating the cyclone's impact from December 3-6.

As the UK goes through a severe burst of cold and snow, agencies across Cumbria are racing to clear roads as heavy snowfall leaves vehicles trapped, forcing police to declare a “major incident”. Amber warning in place, officers urged only essential travel as more difficult conditions loom with possible -12C Scottish lows overnight. Superintendent Andy Wilkinson stated: “We are working at pace, to help clear roads so those currently affected can get moving.” He added, “I would urge anybody considering traveling in Cumbria tonight, only to do so if necessary." Fresh Met Office warnings were issued as brutally icy weather buries parts of Britain, shutting motorists in Cumbria amid scenes of bitterly cold chaos.