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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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Trump launches ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza ceasefire, eyes wider global role

US President Donald Trump on Thursday launched his Board of Peace, initially aimed at solidifying the fragile Gaza ceasefire, but which he envisions taking on a broader role, raising concerns among other global powers. Trump said the board would coordinate with the United Nations. Trump, who will chair the board, invited dozens of world leaders to join, stating that he wants it to address challenges beyond Gaza, stirring misgivings that it could undermine the UN’s role as the primary platform for global diplomacy and conflict resolution. Regional powers, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, along with major emerging nations such as Indonesia, have joined the board, while traditional Western allies and top global powers have been more cautious. Representatives from Israel and the Palestinian Authority were notably absent from the signing ceremony. Read: Trump launches ‘Board of Peace’ as allies fear challenge to UN role Trump said permanent members would be required to contribute $1 billion each. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the board would focus on ensuring the Gaza peace plan is implemented, while also “serving as an example of what’s possible in other parts of the world.” What is Trump's 'Board of Peace'? Trump first proposed the Board of Peace last September when he announced his plan to end the Gaza war. He later made clear the board's remit would be expanded beyond Gaza to tackle other conflicts worldwide. The US president will be ‌the inaugural chairman of the board and it will ‍be tasked with promoting peace ‌around the world and working to resolve conflicts, according to a copy of the draft charter seen by Reuters. Member ⁠states would be limited to three-year terms unless they pay $1 billion ​each to fund the board's activities and earn permanent membership, the charter says. The White House has named US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as members of the initiative's founding Executive Board.

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

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Indian devotees splurge on jets, gold idols as Hindu temple opens

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