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Record-breaking heat wave grips western United States

A record early heat wave striking the western United States on Friday is a one-in-500-year event and almost certainly the result of human-caused climate change, experts say. The heat has been toppling records this week and is set to continue into the weekend across western cities while expanding eastward. Four locations in the desert area near the California-Arizona border registered 44.4 degrees Celsius on Friday, a US national record for March. The readings were recorded near Yuma and Martinez Lake in Arizona, and around Winterhaven and Ogilby in California. Read: Intense heatwave grips US, triggering record-breaking temperatures Already, 65 cities have recorded new March highs, ranging from Arizona and California to Idaho, Weather.com reported. Death Valley reached 40°C on Thursday, while typically cool and foggy San Francisco tied its historic March record at 29°C. In Colorado, skiers were seen hitting the slopes shirtless. The National Weather Service issued extreme heat warni...

China seeks efforts against ‘attempt to roll back globalisation’

China on Thursday sought “resolute” efforts against an “attempt to roll back" globalisation and called for an orderly multipolar world. “China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation,” according to a statement released at the end of a Central Conference on work relating to China’s Foreign Affairs in Beijing. In his address, Xi presented a systematic review of the historic achievements and valuable experience of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, gave a profound exposition on the international environment and historical mission of China's external work on the new journey, and made comprehensive plans for China's external work for the present and coming periods. “In the decade of the new era, we have seen high winds and choppy waters and overcome various difficulties and challenges in China's external work. We have opened up new prospects in major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, and gained much more strategic autonomy and initiative in our diplomacy,” the conference underlined. It was stated that China has become a responsible major country with enhanced international influence, stronger capacity to steer new endeavours, and greater moral appeal. Read more: CPEC further strengthens Pak-China ties: Alvi It was noted at the conference that great transformation is accelerating across the world. “Changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. Yet the overall direction of human development and progress will not change, the overall dynamics of world history moving forward amid twists and turns will not change, and the overall trend toward a shared future for the international community will not change. We must have full confidence in these trends of historical impact,” the statement said. It was highlighted at the conference that looking ahead, China faces new strategic opportunities in its development, adding that major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics will enter a new stage where much more can be accomplished. “We must focus on the central task of the CPC and the country, seek progress while maintaining stability, break new ground while upholding fundamental principles, and firmly safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests. We will explore new frontiers in China's diplomatic theory and practice, foster new dynamics in the relations between China and the world, and raise China's international influence, appeal and power to shape events to a new level. We will create a more favourable international environment and provide more solid strategic support for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese path to modernisation.” It was pointed out at the conference that given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. “An equal and orderly multipolar world is one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, and democracy is truly promoted in international relations.” Also read: Symposium bolsters Pak-China cooperation To keep the progress toward greater multipolarity generally stable and constructive, it was noted that the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter must be observed by all, the universally recognised, basic norms governing international relations must be upheld by all, and true multilateralism must be practised. “A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation is one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalisation and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, firmly promote trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, overcome the structural problems hindering the healthy development of the world economy, and make economic globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.” The meeting said that upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground in the external work is the natural requirement of making new headway in our major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics on the new journey, and of providing a stronger underpinning for Chinese modernisation. “It is important to strengthen the intellectual and theoretical competence of the foreign service, deepen reform of systems and institutions, promote the building of a contingent of personnel involved in foreign affairs, and continue to make our external work more science-based, forward-looking, proactive and innovative,” the participants said. “We must unswervingly uphold the CPC central leadership's ultimate authority over foreign affairs, conscientiously uphold the centralised, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and further strengthen the systems and institutions for the CPC's leadership over external work. All localities and departments should keep in mind the big picture and coordinate with each other to implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee on our external work in both letter and spirit.” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave concluding remarks. Leading officials of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Commerce, the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission and Yunnan Province, and a representative from the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations gave presentations at the conference.  

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