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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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Australia rolls out visa app for Pakistani applicants

The Australian government has expanded digital access for Pakistani visa applicants with the rollout of the Australian Immi App, allowing eligible users to submit passport details and facial biometrics through their smartphones rather than travelling to biometric centres. The Australian High Commission said in a media release on Tuesday that the app was now available to visa applicants in Pakistan. “The process to apply for an Australian visa just got easier in Pakistan, thanks to the rollout of the Australian Immi App.” According to the High Commission, “from today, eligible applicants in Pakistan can use the free Australian Immi App to submit passport details and facial biometrics directly from their smartphones—without needing to travel to a biometric collection centre”. The media release added that “to be eligible, clients must have previously provided their biometrics (facial image and fingerprints) to the Department of Home Affairs, and hold a valid passport”. Applying for an Australian #visa from 🇵🇰Pakistan just got easier! From today, eligible applicants can use the Australian Immi App to provide their passport details and facial biometrics straight from their smartphone. Learn more 👉 Australian Immi App: https://t.co/Nke3N5xX0G pic.twitter.com/RIZlAcy4nW — Tim Kane (@AusHCPak) November 24, 2025 Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane called it “a major step forward in making the Australian visa process easier and more accessible for people in Pakistan". “The Australian Immi App allows travellers, students and skilled workers to provide their details securely from their phone, saving time and travel costs.” The media release noted that the app, “launched in 2024… has already proven to be a success across the Pacific and Asia, helping thousands of applicants complete visa requirements quickly and securely”. With the latest rollout, “the app is now available in 34 countries, including new access across the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America and Europe”. “We encourage all eligible visa applicants in Pakistan to use the app. It’s secure, simple to use, and helps speed up visa applications—making travel to Australia easier and more convenient,” said High Commissioner Kane. According to the release, “This rollout is part of the Department of Home Affairs’ ongoing program to modernise visa services and improve traveller facilitation worldwide”. It added that “the final global implementation of the app across all remaining countries in Australia’s Biometric Collection Program is scheduled for early 2026”. More information, including eligibility details and user guidance, is available on the Department of Home Affairs website: https://ift.tt/V37vIG4

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