Iceland declared an emergency after hundreds of quakes, but UK flights landed as usual despite volcano fears. easyJet said "Our flying schedule is currently operating as normal" though monitoring closely. The UK Foreign Office raised advisory levels but stopped short of warning against Iceland travel. It stated "Earthquakes and indications of volcanic activity have increased" and "it is increasingly possible that one could occur." But the advice means airlines continue operating, with no automatic cancellation rights. Flights departed the UK Monday morning and landed in Iceland without incident so far. Iceland says eruption risk is rising after quakes, but UK flights continue as authorities monitor the situation. Meanwhile, Italy's Mount Etna erupted lava into the sky on Sunday, 12 November, spewing ash high over the Mediterranean island of Sicily. According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, “the height of the eruptive column is estimated to be about 4500m above sea level.” Catania Airport nearby remained open despite the volcano’s activity and ash precipitation. [Video: Mt. Etna on Sunday, The Independent]

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director, Laurie Leshin, commends India's space achievements, citing heightened respect after the success of Chandrayaan-3. In an interview with NDTV, Leshin reveals the imminent launch of the joint India-US Earth imaging satellite, NISAR, in early 2024. NISAR, a collaborative effort by ISRO and NASA, aims to revolutionize climate change study and predict natural hazards. Leshin underscores the significance of the partnership, emphasizing the extensive collaboration between NASA and ISRO engineers. The director expresses admiration for India's space program, reaching new heights post-Chandrayaan-3, and anticipates further impactful collaborations in the future.           

As the ICC men's 50-over World Cup reaches its crucial semifinal stage, Rohit Sharma's Indian team gears up to confront familiar foes, New Zealand, at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Despite a recent victory against the Black Caps, history favors New Zealand in past ICC events, including the 2019 World Cup heartbreak. Memories of Martin Guptill's brilliance linger as India aims to avenge past defeats. With key players like Rachin Ravindra shining, New Zealand poses a formidable batting lineup. The clash holds significance as India seeks redemption, aiming to level the historical tally against the Kiwis in Wednesday's encounter.

A report by the Work Rights Centre exposes alarming exploitation risks faced by migrant workers under the UK's post-Brexit employer sponsorship system. Prioritizing immigration control, the Home Office system leaves workers vulnerable, as revealed in 40 cases. Notably, an Indian nurse paid £20,000 to an agent for a promised UK work visa and job, only to find no employment upon arrival. With looming deportation and debts, she highlights the distressing consequences of the flawed system. Urgent reforms, including ending dependency on sponsors, a reporting body, and a migrant commissioner, are recommended. The report spotlights systemic issues demanding immediate attention.

As Storm Debi sweeps across the UK, London and southern England face a barrage of thunderstorms, torrential downpours, and severe gale-force winds. The Met Office issues yellow warnings, cautioning of potential building damage from lightning strikes and gales. "Danger to life" flood alerts persist, with road closures and disruptions in Northern Ireland. Rail chaos ensues nationwide, with landslips and overhead wire damage. Flight cancellations hit the UK due to 70mph gusts. Meteorologists warn of a week's worth of rain in hours, emphasizing safety measures amid the relentless weather onslaught. Storm Debi marks a turbulent start to the storm season.    

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received his first formal call to stand down on Tuesday in a no-confidence letter from Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns. The letter comes a day after Sunak sacked Home Secretary Suella Braverman in a cabinet reshuffle, drawing backlash from some Conservatives. Jenkyns slammed Sunak for ousting "the only person in the cabinet with the balls to speak the truth" on issues like crime. She urged Sunak's replacement with a "real Conservative leader." 15% of Tory MPs submitting no-confidence letters would trigger a vote on Sunak’s leadership. Jenkyns expressed hopes her colleagues would follow suit, as Sunak faces rising dissent within his party over the cabinet shakeup.

As the conflict escalates between Israeli forces and Hamas, Al-Shifa Hospital emerges as a critical point of concern. Despite heavy fighting prompting evacuations, hundreds remain trapped inside, warns Palestinian health officials. President Biden calls for Israeli restraint at Gaza's main hospital. Meanwhile, IDF advances deepen into Gaza, capturing the parliament building. Hamas proposes releasing 70 hostages for a five-day truce, demanding a halt in hostilities and aid distribution. Al-Shifa Hospital, without power for three days, faces a dire humanitarian crisis, with 32 deaths reported. The IDF alleges Hamas weapon storage beneath a Gaza hospital, intensifying the complex situation.

A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sri Lanka on Tuesday afternoon. The quake occurred around 12:31 pm IST, with an epicenter located 1,326 km southeast of the capital Colombo. Tremors were felt across parts of Sri Lanka, including in Colombo. According to the National Center for Seismology, the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 km in the Indian Ocean. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. Authorities are assessing the impact of the seismic activity. [ photo courtesy: NCS_Earthquake/X ]

In a race against time, rescue teams in Uttarakhand are intensifying efforts to free 40 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway. Following a landslide, authorities maintain contact with the workers, providing food and oxygen through a water pipeline. The men are currently in a buffered area, with 400 meters to navigate. Despite removing 21 meters of debris, 19 meters remain. Rescue teams plan to deploy a 900mm diameter pipe, utilizing a new drill to expedite the process. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assures close monitoring and support for the ongoing mission. [ photo courtesy: airnewsalerts/X ]

The Israeli military has accused Palestinian militant group Hamas of storing weapons and holding hostages in the basement of a children's hospital in Gaza. In a video released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), spokespeople alleged that Hamas converted parts of al-Rantissi pediatric hospital into a "command center" with an armory of explosives. The IDF claims to have found evidence of hostages and says the hospital's tunnel system led to a senior Hamas commander's home. Hamas has denied the allegations. With over 11,000 Gazans killed in recent fighting, Israel's claims have prompted outrage from Palestinian groups and calls from the UN to avoid targeting healthcare facilities. [ photo courtesy: screengrab from IDF/X ]