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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...
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Four Indian spies quietly removed from Australia in 2020: ABC report

Four Indian intelligence officers were quietly asked to leave Australia in 2020, according to a report by Australia's national broadcaster ABC. The ABC report published on June 16, 2024 is titled 'Infiltrating Australia.' It contends that the "long arm of the Indian state is reaching Australians and threatening national security" The report said the "Indian intelligence officers were trying to gain access to sensitive defence technology and airport security protocols." They also were suspected of targeting politicians, and monitoring the Indian-Australian community. This incident occurred against the backdrop of growing political and economic ties between Australia and India, including defense cooperation aimed at countering China's influence in the region. Despite these strengthening ties, Australian authorities had reportedly raised concerns about the alleged activities of the Indian officers. In 2021, Australia's intelligence chief, Mike Burgess, confirmed his agency had dealt with a group of foreign spies, though he did not specify the country involved. The officers were expelled "quietly and professionally," according to Burgess. ABC's investigation found that at least four intelligence officers, some allegedly working as diplomats, left Australia. These expulsions were not publicly announced. Australian Senator David Shoebridge suggested that a public response from Australia might have strengthened ties with both India and the Indian-Australian community. Other sources indicated that this incident could position India alongside countries like Russia and China, known for their intelligence activities abroad. The report highlighted that since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, he has "amped up India’s intelligence operations." It added that the Indian diaspora is also monitored and targeted under pretext of "defending the country from separatist groups, which his administration has labelled 'terrorists'."

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At least 32 miners dead after bridge fails at cobalt site in southeast DR Congo

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US, Philippines kick off joint military drills in South China Sea with 16,000 troops

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