Japanese capital sees hottest June in nearly 150 years
TOKYO: Japan was hit by high temperatures for a fourth successive day on Tuesday, as the capital’s heat broke nearly 150-year-old records for June. Temperatures in the capital hit 35.1°C by 1pm local time on Tuesday , after three successive days of temperatures topping 35°C- the worst streak of hot weather in June since records began in 1875. Highs of 36°C were forecast for Tokyo on Thursday and 35 C on Friday.
Bankrupt Lanka opens oil market to foreign firms COLOMBO: Sri Lanka announced on Tuesday it was opening its oil market to foreign competition, a day after chronic fuel shortages forced a nationwide halt to petrol and diesel sales. A rationing system has been in effect but on Monday night the government banned fuel sales for two weeks to conserve Sri Lanka’s limited stockpiles for emergencies.
Nasa launches mini satellite in Moon landing bid WELLINGTON: Nasa blasted a nanosatellite barely bigger than a microwave oven into outer space on Tuesday, part of a landmark mission to return humans to the Moon. Weighing about as much as a suitcase, the satellite is trial-running an orbit for “Gateway” space station - which will travel around the Moon and serve as a jumping off point for lunar exploration.
Scottish govt sets date for vote on independence LONDON: Scotland’s leader Nicola Sturgeon has told lawmakers that she plans to hold a fresh referendum on Scottish independence on Oct 19, 2023. She said Tuesday that the question to be asked will be the same as that in Scotland’s 2014 independence vote: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” Scottish voters rejected independence in the 2014 referendum, with 55% of voters saying they wanted to remain part of the UK.
Minor Hindu boy abducted in Pakistan: Report KARACHI: Aadesh Kumar, a minor boy from the minority
Hindu community has been kidnapped by two unidentified people on a bike from outside his residence in Pakistan’s Sindh province, a media report said on Monday. The police said they have checked the CCTV recording and started an investigation into the matter, The Express Tribune reported.