In a surprising turn, a volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted, sending lava fountains high into the air. The 2.5-mile fissure, located near the evacuated town of Grindavík and the Svartsengi Power Plant, is larger than anticipated, posing immediate threats despite prior evacuations. Volcanologists express concern over the fast-expanding fissure's unpredictability. Although no reported risk to residents, authorities caution against approaching, emphasizing this is "no tourist volcano." Despite weeks of seismic warnings, the eruption caught Iceland off guard. Airports remain open for now, but the unpredictable lava flow raises concerns about potential disruptions. Iceland, with its history of volcanic activity, faces yet another challenge in managing the aftermath.

A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked northwest China's Gansu and Qinghai provinces, leaving at least 111 dead and over 230 injured. The quake struck near the border at 11:59 pm local time, causing extensive damage, collapsing houses, and disrupting power and water supplies in some villages. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive search and rescue efforts, emphasizing the proper resettlement of affected individuals. Emergency response teams are on the ground, tackling the aftermath of the disaster. The region, already grappling with the aftermath, braces for the challenges of rebuilding and recovery.

The Icelandic Met Office reported an eruption 4km northeast of Grindavik, revealing a 3.5km crack with lava flowing at 100-200 cubic metres per second—far exceeding recent Reykjanes peninsula eruptions. Vidir Reynisson, a senior police officer described it as a "quite large event" with lava flowing in all directions from a substantial crack. He also added, "The jets [of lava] are quite high, so it appears to be a powerful eruption at the beginning." Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir expressed hope in recent defenses, while President Gudni Johannesson prioritized life protection but emphasized efforts to safeguard structures. [Video: @Amr10062 on X]

The Icelandic Met Office confirmed the volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland, stating, "An eruption has started on the Reykjanes peninsula... about 3 km north of Grindavik." The eruption commenced at 22:17 following an earlier earthquake swarm. Unverified data suggests the triggering quake was a magnitude 4.2. A livestream displayed a fiery spectacle, with magma shooting into the sky. Volcanologist Þorvald Þórðarson noted, "There are super-high plumes of magma... the highest plumes are probably 150 metres. This may be close to the worst case imaginable. Unfortunately." The situation remains uncertain as experts monitor the volcanic activity. In response to escalating seismic activity, authorities evacuated Grindavik and has temporarily closed the Blue Lagoon spa. [Video: @shaksper on X]

After weeks of heightened seismic activity, a volcano erupted in Iceland, prompting the evacuation of nearly 4,000 people from Grindavik. The Meteorological Office issued a warning, stating, "Eruption has started north of Grindavik by Hagafell." Livestreams and images captured lava spewing from fissures. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa was closed as a precaution. A coastguard helicopter was dispatched to assess the eruption's location and size. Despite the eruption, Reykjavik's international airport, located nearby, remained open. The incident follows concerns about potential volcanic activity in the Reykjanes peninsula.

Amid global fears of a Covid-19 resurgence, a sub-variant of the Pirola strain raises alarms. In the UK, a worrisome 26.5% increase records 5,227 cases in the week ending December 6, with a notable 300% rise in influenza-related hospitalizations. Meanwhile, the EU reported 874 deaths in the week of December 4. India confronts escalating cases, with four deaths and 1,444 cases in a day in Kerala, prompting government deliberations. Despite attempts to downplay severity, health officials stress vigilance, emphasizing that while most cases don't require hospitalization, concerns persist, particularly for older individuals and those with co-morbidities.

In an extraordinary move, 79 MPs were suspended on Monday amid ongoing protests over last week's Parliament security breach, totaling nearly 100 suspensions. The list of those suspended includes the Congress' Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal, and Randeep Surjewala from the Rajya Sabha. From the Lok Sabha, the Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who is also Leader of the Opposition, and Gaurav Gogoi have been suspended. The suspended MPs, constituting a quarter of opposition members, expressed outrage at the government's handling of the issue. Gaurav Gogoi criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah's "sheer arrogance" for addressing the issue through media rather than Parliament, highlighting the opposition's frustration over the lack of accountability following the security lapse.

The US State Department's pilot program, set to begin in January, allowing 20,000 H-1B visa holders to renew without leaving the country, has received White House approval. The initiative aims to streamline the visa renewal process, benefiting Indian workers who often face high wait times for consular services. The program, limited to foreign workers and excluding dependents, targets visa reform, reducing uncertainty for H-1B workers and their employers. While specific details remain undisclosed, the pilot addresses a significant concern, potentially alleviating travel disruptions and simplifying the renewal experience for Indian workers.

Former Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane disclosed that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh granted him a free hand to handle a tense situation with China in August 2020. Singh's directive, "Jo ucchit samjho woh karo" (Do whatever you deem appropriate), was revealed in Naravane's memoir, 'Four Stars of Destiny.' The memoir details a night of high tension, with phone calls between Singh, the external affairs minister, the national security advisor, and the chief of defence staff. Naravane, tasked with a critical decision, reflected on the gravity of the situation before taking action in response to the Chinese PLA's movements in Ladakh.

Ram Temple Trust's general secretary, Champat Rai, confirmed that BJP stalwarts LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, key figures in the Ayodhya Ram temple agitation, are unlikely to attend the consecration ceremony on January 22 due to health and age considerations. Rai stated, "Both are elders of the family, and considering their age, they were requested not to come, which was accepted by both." The preparations for the ceremony, slated to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are in full swing and expected to be completed by January 15, with puja rituals for "pran pratishtha" commencing from January 16 to 22.