Delhi's air quality has slipped back into the 'severe' category on Friday after briefly improving earlier this week. Thick smog enveloped the city as the 24-hour average AQI rose to 412 in multiple areas. This marks the tenth 'severe' air day this November for the capital. Morning walkers claimed breathing difficulties due to the pollution which intensifies in winter. Authorities have reimplemented lower GRAP stages after withdrawing the highest stages few days back when air quality had relatively improved. However, forecasts predict no significant meteorological changes in the coming days to disperse smog. Despite recent intermittent fluctuations, Delhi's average November AQI this year matched previous years signaling sustained pollution crisis.

A recent study published in The BMJ discloses a startling impact of outdoor air pollution in India, attributing 2.18 million deaths annually to various sources. Fossil fuel-related emissions, including those from industry and transportation, contribute significantly. Globally, 5.1 million deaths annually are linked to such air pollution. The study suggests that phasing out fossil fuels could prevent a substantial number of these deaths, surpassing previous estimates. The health implications are profound, with common conditions like heart disease and stroke accounting for a majority of deaths. As COP28 climate change negotiations unfold, the study emphasizes the critical need for urgent policy actions prioritizing clean energy and public health.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) predicts 2023 to be the warmest year on record, surpassing 2016 and 2020, citing a 1.40°C rise above the pre-industrial baseline. The provisional report, presented at the UN Climate Summit (COP28), underscores severe warming consequences. WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas urges immediate action, emphasizing the risk to glaciers and rising sea levels. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for leaders to act, presenting a roadmap to limit global temperature rise. CO2 levels at 50% higher than pre-industrial era contribute to irreversible climate damage, prompting urgent calls for decisive action at COP28.

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a severe level at 420, marking the third most polluted November since 2015. The Central Pollution Control Board reported an average AQI of 372 from November 1 to 29. As the city faces deteriorating air quality, the Union earth sciences ministry's Safar predicts light rain and overcast conditions. With concerns rising over pollution, Delhiites hope for relief as the mercury drops to 13°C. The situation remains critical, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained efforts to address the capital's air quality crisis.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has activated a “severe weather emergency protocol” for London as snow is predicted to hit later this week. He implemented measures to shelter the homeless during the below-freezing nights. Khan stated the protocol means, "emergency accommodation across the capital would be opened for homeless people, with 'charities and local councils...working around the clock to help them'." Britain's Met Office warned parts of Scotland could see up to 5cm of snow. England could also get fairly widespread snowfall in the unusual cold blast from the Arctic. Though rare, officials prepped for London getting measurable snow too as bitter winds brought wintry conditions down from Scandinavia. Khan initiated the emergency protocol for the worst as experts predicted flash freeze and snow, hitting London amid nationwide winter warnings.

Britons endured the coldest November night since 2010, with -8°C recorded in the Scottish Highlands and multiple areas dropping below -5°C. Snowfall reached as far south as Norfolk, England, while freezing fog threatened transport from Northern Ireland to Cumbria. More snow is forecast, especially in eastern Scotland and the southwestern England moors. Sleet and frost also create slip dangers as bitter Arctic winds flow from Scandinavia where nearly record lows prevail. The Met Office issued yellow warnings for snow and ice lasting into Friday that could also close roads and rails. With wintry temperatures and snow depth rivaling 2010, early winter maintains a harsh grip on the UK with three additional days of frigid, hazardous conditions ahead as more retaining snow accumulates widely.

The Met Office issues a stark forecast, anticipating a polar blast affecting England and Scotland with -8°C conditions in Scotland and temperatures plummeting to -5°C in England. Snowfall is set to commence tomorrow, lasting until December 11, marking a prolonged winter spell. Deputy Chief Meteorologist David Oliver states, "Weather models indicate varied outcomes, from wet to dry, with dry conditions presently more probable." Wintry showers could result in ice formation, and the Met Office predicts snow accumulation, with up to 5cm in higher routes of northeast Scotland. Residents are urged to exercise caution and prepare for potential disruptions amid this icy episode. RAC Breakdown anticipates increased breakdowns during the cold spell, emphasizing the importance of vehicle checks.

The UK braces for potential disruption as the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings, forecasting snow and ice that could lead to hazardous conditions. Affected regions, including Central Scotland, Tayside, Yorkshire, and more, are advised to prepare for longer journey times on roads and railways. With an emphasis on potential slips and falls on icy surfaces, residents are urged to exercise caution. Snow accumulation of 1-3cm is expected, reaching up to 5cm in northeast Scotland. The warnings, spanning from Tuesday evening to Thursday morning, prompt safety measures, including checking on vulnerable neighbors and adopting extreme caution for unavoidable travel.

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake rocked northern Papua New Guinea, striking off the coast near Wewak, the capital of East Sepik Province. The US Geological Survey reported the epicenter at a depth of 12 kilometers. While no tsunami threat was issued, residents in sparsely populated jungle highlands described the ground swaying for almost a minute. Despite no reported damage, Papua New Guinea, situated on the seismic "Ring of Fire," frequently experiences earthquakes. In April, a 7.0-magnitude quake claimed seven lives, emphasizing the region's vulnerability to seismic activity. Search-and-rescue challenges persist due to rugged terrain and limited infrastructure.

In the early hours of Tuesday, seismic activity rattled regions across the globe. Pakistan experienced a magnitude 4.2 earthquake at 3:38 am IST, reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). Simultaneously, a 6.5 magnitude quake struck Near N. Coast of New Guinea at 3:16 am, preceding the Pakistani tremor. Xizang, too, felt the earth move with a magnitude 5.0 quake at 3:45 am. No casualties have been reported. These events echo a similar seismic occurrence in Pakistan in September. The world remains vigilant as nature's forces remind us of their unpredictable impact.