Winters

New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency as a Nor'easter storm sweeps the region, forcing the cancellation of events and disrupting travel. Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as heavy snow, coastal flooding and strong winds are expected across the Northeast.

Formula 1 fans are searching for the latest driver and constructor standings ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the sport's season-opening race. Interest is high across multiple countries as viewers look up where to watch the action live and check current championship positions after the winter break.

Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson is making headlines after speaking candidly about her falls on the trails, describing them as a matter of 'mental blocks' rather than bad luck. Her comments, reported by Norra Skåne, are drawing attention in Sweden, where interest in her form and preparation remains high among winter sports followers.

A sudden weather downturn is hitting Austria, with meteorologists now forecasting an early wintry breakdown and fresh snow. A forecaster is reported to have surprised the public with a snow announcement as temperatures plunge. People in the region are reacting to the abrupt shift from mild conditions to winter weather, sharing forecasts and warning of the season's first snowfall arriving sooner than expected.

Russian gardening media are advising people to prepare their geraniums (pelargoniums) for winter no later than October 15. The piece outlines three simple steps said to keep the plants bright through the cold months. Advice like this circulates widely each autumn as gardeners bring potted plants indoors before frost.

The coach of Russian figure skater Lev Lazarev has commented on his athlete's prospects of taking part in two competitions in December. The remarks, reported by Vecherny Petersburg, concern Lazarev's readiness and scheduling for the winter starts, a topic drawing attention from Russian figure skating fans as the season reaches a busy stretch.

El Niño has intensified to extraordinary levels, with meteorologists describing conditions as an off-the-charts 'perfect storm.' A massive planetary-scale Kelvin wave of warm water is moving through the Pacific, raising fears of heavy rain, flooding and powerful storms for California this winter. Experts are watching whether this event could rival the strongest El Niño years on record, with major implications for weather across the Americas.

Discussion in Germany is turning to the clock change, with reports noting that only around 70 countries still switch between summer and winter time and that the EU has made no move to abolish the practice. Outlets are also reminding readers when the 2026 winter time change falls, keeping the twice-yearly routine and its uncertain future in public focus.

Italian football talk is centred on Serie A as the league heads into a long winter break, with supporters looking for ways to cope without matches. Pundit Carlo Longhi praised Inter's squad depth, saying the club could change a striker from game to game, but cautioned that being labelled Scudetto favourites means carrying the obligation to win every match in the title race.

Germany is gearing up for the switch to winter time in 2026, with clocks due to go back one hour as usual. German media are explaining when the change happens and how it works, while debate continues over whether the twice-yearly time change should be abolished altogether. In Austria, a new regulation on scrapping the time change has drawn particular attention, adding to confusion about what rules will apply in future.

French media report that the switch to winter time comes earlier than usual this year. Ouest-France details the date of the clock change and what people need to know as France prepares to set clocks back one hour. Readers are checking when exactly the change happens and what it means for their schedules.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised Ukraine one billion euros in additional military aid, plus 350 million euros for the country's battered energy sector. The support is also framed as beneficial for Germany itself: new arms industry projects and knowledge transfer between the two countries are central to the package. The pledge comes as Ukraine continues to face Russian attacks on its infrastructure and energy supplies heading into winter.

Italy's top ski racers are training on a slope while a nearby volcano is active, with fire visible in the background, according to a report by German news channel n-tv. The footage shows the athletes continuing their training sessions despite the dramatic volcanic activity close to the piste. The unusual combination of elite winter sport preparation and an erupting volcano is drawing attention.

Germany is once again debating the twice-yearly time change. A report notes that only about 70 countries worldwide still switch between summer and standard time, and describes Europe as stalled on abolishing the practice. The EU agreed years ago to end the clock changes, but member states have failed to agree on whether to keep permanent summer or winter time, leaving Germans to change their clocks as usual.

Russian gardening publications are advising what to do with blackcurrant bushes at the end of September to ensure a heavy crop of large berries next summer. Recommendations circulate about autumn feeding, pruning and soil care, as gardeners prepare their plots for winter and look ahead to the next season.

A winter storm is expected to dump up to 11 inches of snow on parts of the United States, accompanied by gusts reaching 60 mph. Weather maps highlighting the heaviest-hit states are circulating widely, with forecasters urging residents to prepare for hazardous travel and possible power outages as the storm moves through.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is urging residents to keep their decorative pumpkins indoors. Wildlife officials warn that pumpkins left outside on porches and in yards can attract bears, deer and other animals looking for an easy meal, creating potentially dangerous encounters as animals grow active before winter.

A contributor to a local paper argues that Quebec's government failed, whether by oversight or choice, to recognise that cutting emissions requires dramatically reducing winter energy demand. The piece calls for new buildings to be designed to the Passivhaus standard, a high-efficiency construction approach, and is prompting discussion about energy policy and building codes in the province.

Saif al-Din Khader, known online as "Rey" and "Hikki-Chan," has been arrested in Jordan, according to reporting by Reuters journalists Raphael Satter, Dana Winter and Aj Vicens. Accounts in the cybersecurity community are circulating the news, saying he is allegedly cooperating with the FBI. Details about the charges remain limited so far.

December 1 marks the deadline for Quebec drivers to have winter tires installed, and searches for "pneu hiver" are climbing as the date approaches. Local media are publishing guides on installation and the legal cutoff, while automotive outlets compare winter and all-season tires, with Swiss testing body TCS ratings cited to help buyers decide which models to choose or avoid in 2026.

Russian gardeners are swapping advice on preparing roses for winter. A popular tip from Yaroslavl says just one simple manipulation in October is enough for rose bushes to survive frosts without losses. As cold weather sets in across Russia, readers are discussing which covering methods work best and sharing their own preparation routines.

The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) has published an update on the condition of skier Sofia Goggia. The announcement, shared in Italian, is drawing attention from alpine skiing fans in Italy who follow the Olympic champion's health and competition status closely. No further details about her condition were included in the available information, and the nature or outcome of the update has not been made clear.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv will intensify its strikes on Russian oil refineries in response to Moscow's winter strategy targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The escalation aims to undermine Russia's ability to fuel its war effort and sustain attacks through the cold months as the conflict grinds on.

The International Energy Agency will coordinate the release of 100 million barrels of oil and fuel products over the next four months in response to a global fuel shortage. The move is being framed alongside energy and geopolitical concerns, as governments attempt to ease tight supplies and stabilize prices heading into the winter season.

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series held its Men's Elite cross-country short track race at Lake Placid, New York, the venue set to host mountain biking at the 2026 Olympic sites. Highlights were distributed alongside TNT Sports Cycling coverage, drawing strong engagement. Fans are watching closely as riders race on the same terrain that will feature at the Winter Olympic venues next year.

German media are reporting a seasonal surge of stink bugs (Wanzen) entering homes as temperatures drop. Outlets including Der Standard, T-Online, Stern and Nordbayern explain why the insects seek warmth indoors in autumn and how to get rid of them. One key warning recurs: don't vacuum them up, as crushed bugs release their characteristic foul smell and can clog vacuum filters. Recommended measures include sealing cracks, gently relocating the bugs outside and avoiding chemical sprays.

A Covid strain being referred to as the 'American Covid' variant is driving a new autumn wave of infections in the United Kingdom, according to reports. Health observers are tracking rising case numbers as the variant spreads, with questions growing about its transmissibility and whether it could affect other European countries heading into winter.

Search interest in 'резина' (tyres) is rising in Russia, with the seasonal changeover to winter tyres driving attention. Auto.ru has published a guide to the top six friction winter tyres for compact cars in the 2026/27 season, aimed at drivers choosing non-studded options. Russian road rules require winter tyres from December to February, prompting annual buying surges as cold weather sets in.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine will step up its strikes on Russian oil refineries over the winter, framing the campaign as a way to cut the revenues Russia uses to fund its war effort. The statement comes as attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have already disrupted fuel supplies, and it signals Kyiv plans to keep pressure on Moscow's economy through the cold months.