- Sculptor Gormley hopes art can be bridge to China despite curbs
- UN nuclear chief in Iran to 'reach diplomatic solutions'
- Israel face France in Paris football match under tight security
- Beijing's fears after Trump fills key posts with China hawks
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil's Supreme Court
- South Korea exam sees record number of re-takes after medical reforms
- Asian markets mixed as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin above $90,000
- Pumas seek historic win over 'hurt' Irish
- Advantage Martin as MotoGP reaches gripping climax in Barcelona
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil Supreme Court
- Mike Tyson, 58, back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
- Hunger in G20 host Brazil is Lula's unfinished fight
- Biden, Xi arrive in Peru ahead of face-to-face at Asia-Pacific summit
- Mysterious diamond-laden necklace fetches $4.8 mn in Geneva auction
- Lawmakers clash, protesters arrested in wake of Amsterdam violence
- Global diabetes rate has doubled in last 30 years: study
- Six Israeli troops killed, deadly strikes in Lebanon
- US envoy says Mexico's 'hugs not bullets' strategy failed
- Lyon and Chelsea stay perfect in Women's Champions League
- Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account, Ruud misses last four chance
- Another clean sheet for Onana as E. Guinea, I. Coast qualify
- From 'Little Marco' to 'Mr Secretary': Rubio shows Trump China push
- Sri Lanka president eyes parliament win in snap election
- Spain flood epicentre braces for fresh deluge
- New York drought conditions fan flames, spur water saving
- Football 'world order' is changing, says Brazil coach
- Maiden century by Varma gives India unbeatable series lead
- Buy now, pay later: Latin America pressured by Chinese online shops
- Republicans complete power takeover with House majority
- Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals
- Trump victory signals golden era for crypto industry
- 'First Buddy': Musk takes unusual star role with Trump
- Workers stage walkout at US maker of Fallout video game
- England will not change 'DNA' against South Africa, says Slade
- Sri Lanka beat New Zealand to go 1-0 up in ODI series
- Biden, Xi to meet in Peru on Saturday: US official
- Spurs coach Popovich suffered 'mild stroke', says NBA team
- Spain flood epicentre under highest alert for fresh rain
- Turkey scrubs up its baths to keep hammam tradition alive
- 'Very humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus seethes over climate cash fight
- 'Welcome back': Trump, Biden shake hands in White House
- Tech's green wave hits choppy waters
- Fernandes hopes Amorim can 'change the energy' at Man Utd
- Trump, Biden shake hands in White House, vow smooth transfer
- Gatland battling 'pain' during tough Wales rebuild
- COP29 fight for climate money 'humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus
- McIlroy aims for glory on happy hunting ground in Dubai
- Spain evacuates thousands in fresh flood alarm
- US death row inmate stages jazz protest for release in London court
- Markets stall, inflation and bitcoin rise amid Trump fears
Thousands of flights canceled as Eastern US braces for winter storm
Thousands of flights in the United States were canceled Saturday as parts of the East Coast braced for a shellacking by a powerful winter storm packing heavy snow and high winds.
Places in the North East, including New York and Boston, were expected to bear the brunt of the far-reaching system, which is also predicted to pummel the Mid-Atlantic.
Salt machines and snowplows were at the ready in New York, where Mayor Eric Adams tweeted that a foot (30 centimeters) of snow was predicted, but warned that "Mother Nature has a tendency to do what she wants."
Some 3,400 flights were already canceled for Saturday traveling within, into or out of the United States, according to flight tracker FlightAware.
Cancellations on Friday totaled more than 1,450.
The National Weather Service warned of "whiteout conditions and nearly impossible travel at times," along portions of the Mid-Atlantic and New England coasts, with snowfall accumulations greater than a foot expected in parts of the same region.
The governors of New York and New Jersey declared a state of emergency while Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency.
The storm will produce extremely cold temperatures with dangerous wind chills Saturday night into Sunday morning, the NWS said.
"Get home safely tonight, remain home over the weekend, avoid any unnecessary travel," New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement, singling out Long Island, New York City and the lower Hudson Valley for particularly deep snow.
The National Weather Service Eastern Region reported that the storm was expected to intensify rapidly over the next 24 hours, with pressure expected to fall around 35 millibars by Saturday evening.
This rapid intensification is sometimes referred to as a "bomb cyclone."
The blizzard comes on the heels of a similar winter storm that blanketed a swath of Eastern North America -- from Georgia to Canada -- just two weeks ago, cutting power to thousands of homes and also disrupting thousands of flights.
K.Thomson--BTB