Extreme heat wave scorches western and southern US, breaking records

More than 80 million people woke up on Sunday to find themselves under excessive heat warnings or advisories in the western and southern states of the US

These regions are currently experiencing relentless, recordbreaking temperatures that are affecting large areas of the country

Areas bracing for widespread record highs

The National Weather Service (NWS) has cautioned about a “widespread and oppressive heat wave” that extends from the West to the South, with scorching temperatures expected to persist throughout the upcoming week This poses significant health risks for millions of individuals

According to a report from NWS on Sunday morning, it anticipates widespread record-breaking high temperatures and warm daily minimums in various parts of the Southwest, western Gulf Coast, and South Florida

Power conservation measures implemented

In an effort to manage the high demand for electricity, residents of the metropolis have been requested to conserve power from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Saturday through Monday

Southern Californians experienced scorching temperatures on Saturday, with thermometers reaching 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit (41-43 Celsius) They now face another day of similarly brutal temperatures, as the mercury is expected to surpass 115F (46C) in parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona, according to the NWS

By Saturday afternoon, Death Valley in California, considered as one of the hottest places on Earth, had reached a lifethreatening temperature of 124F (51C) Sunday’s peak is predicted to soar as high as 129F (54C)

On Saturday, the town of Idyllwild, located east of Los Angeles and approximately 5,400 feet (1,645 meters) above sea level, surpassed its previous record by reaching 100F. Meanwhile, Imperial, California, situated east of San Diego, tied its daily record of 116F

Leading weather-related cause of death

The NWS has highlighted that heat is the leading weatherrelated cause of death in the United States and has urged Americans to take the risk seriously

As stated by the NWS, as of this morning, more than 80 million people across South Florida, the Gulf Coast, and the Southwest remain under either an Excessive Heat Warning or Heat Advisory

Authorities have been issuing warnings for days, advising people to avoid outdoor activities during the day and to remain properly hydrated, as dehydration can quickly become fatal in such extreme temperatures

In Arizona, the state capital Phoenix has endured 16 consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 109F On Saturday afternoon, temperatures reached 118F, and overnight temperatures remained above 90F (32C)

Brightline clamps down on reckless drivers challenging oncoming trains

In an effort to address the alarming increase in incidents of reckless drivers trying to outpace Brightline trains, the company has taken decisive measures to enhance safety

The company has installed cameras at select railroad crossings and has issued warning letters to drivers caught attempting to pass before an oncoming train has become a key strategy

The warning letters sent by Brightline serve as mere cautionary measures, as the company does not issue tickets to drivers

Videos obtained from the newly implemented Red Camera Program vividly depict drivers making split-second decisions to challenge the train’s speed as the crossing guards descend

Brightline’s initiative aims to educate and inform drivers about the perils associated with disregarding trains

Since 2021, more than 11,000 drivers have received cautionary letters regarding this risky and potentially fatal maneuver

One recent incident that attracted the attention of the Broward Sheriff’s Office occurred in Dania Beach during a late-night collision between a Brightline train and a

Vehicle

A video captures the moment of impact, resulting in sparks scattering along the train tracks Reports are that the three occupants of the vehicle managed to escape seconds before the collision

An eyewitness said that the car turned onto the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train, evoking a sense of panic among the occupants Despite attempting to reverse, they eventually fled the vehicle just moments before the train struck Authorities from the Broward Sheriff’s Office suspect that alcohol or drugs may have played a role in the crash

Data from the U.S. Federal Railroad

Administration’s online database reveals a concerning trend of accidents and incidents involving Brightline trains. Last year witnessed a peak of 43 recorded incidents, and in 2023 alone, 20 incidents have already been documented

To bolster safety measures, Brightline plans to invest approximately $10 million in a South Florida safety enhancement initiative, which is slated for completion by year-end Delineators, commonly employed in the region’s express lanes, have already been installed at 37 crossings in Broward County, serving as a deterrent for drivers attempting to bypass the crossing gates

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Buju Banton reveals new album

BBuju Banton, the GRAMMY winning, multiple Billboard charttopping artiste, is set to release his highly anticipated album, “Born For Greatness,” on September 8, 2023, through Gargamel Music/Roc Nation Records/Def Jam Recordings

The album, consisting of 17 brand-new tracks, takes listeners on a captivating journey through various vibes Opening with the cinematic track “Ageless Time” and concluding with the triumphant finale of “Let My People Go,” Buju showcases his musical prowess and artistry Notably, he collaborates with Victoria Monét on the sultry and seductive “Body Touching Body” and joins forces with Stephen Marley on the emotionally charged “Feel A Way ”

As a prelude to the album, the Jamaican reggae icon recently released the infectious dancehall anthem “Coconut Wata (Sip) ” Vibe magazine describes the track as “powered by a breezy backdrop,” with Buju urging listeners to let go of life’s troubles and embrace the moment Rap Radar praises the song for its fresh sound and acknowledges Buju’s resilience during challenging times

“Coconut Wata (Sip)” follows the success of the global hit “High Life,” featuring Snoop Dogg The track received praise from HYPEBEAST, TMZ, and REVOLT, with HotNewHipHop highlighting the perfect blend of both artists’ styles Rap Radar commends the collaboration, stating that Buju and Snoop Dogg spread good vibes with their music, while Rolling Stone simply describes it as “bumping ” GRAMMY nominations and historic concerts

Buju Banton is no stranger to critical acclaim and accolades His previous album, “Upside Down 2020,” released in 2020, received a GRAMMY Award nomination for “Best Reggae Album” and garnered rave reviews from The Guardian and Rolling Stone, earning a solid “4-out-of-5 star” rating from both publications

Kicking off 2023 with a bang, Buju joined forces with reggae legend Beres Hammond for a concert on New Year’s Day in Jamaica This historic event marked the first time the two reggae stars headlined a concert together on the island Prior to this, Buju made a triumphant return to the stage with a highly acclaimed performance at Kingston’s National Stadium The Long Walk to Freedom Concert, one of Jamaica’s biggest music events, served as the launch for the subsequent tour of the same name

Jamaican-Nigerian team wins inaugural JAHFROBEATS competition

Veteran producers, Chimney Records, and independent Nigerian starlet, Zasan, secured first place in the inaugural JAHFROBEATS competition held on the Cyphr app platform.

The team took home $2,500 in winnings

The competition ran through this past June and brought together musical talents from Jamaica and Africa The rules were simple — each team had to consist of a Jamaican and an African, either could be the producer or the artiste and had to create a track After a month, the track with the most listens won

The competition played to the unique strengths of the Cyphr platform, which not only connects producers with artistes but streamlines the process from collaboration to releasing a single The winning team of Zasan and Chimney Records had their song aired on the British radio station WestSide Radio 89 6 It was Zasan’s first time hearing herself on the radio “We’re very pleased with how it went,” shared Cyphr CEO and founder Dylan Brennan “Our intention was to drive collaboration see what kind of magic could have been created between African and Jamaican artists ”

JAHFROBEATS pulled in over 30 entries While the winning track won with over 18,000 listens, the difference between the 1st and 2nd was in the 100s. “The artists really rallied their fanbases,” explained Brennan “I was blown away, even by the ones that didn’t win ”

JAHFROBEATS executes on the Cyphr team’s vision and has led to the birth of a new sub-genre Additionally, the competition has shone a light on emerging talents While Chimney Records are stalwarts of the Jamaican dancehall scene, boasting the likes of Mavado, Vybz Kartel, and Aidonia among their collaborators, Zasan is an emerging talent in the truest form “You go on their Instagram, and they barely have any followers or likes, but their talent is through the roof ”

Looking Forward

The Cyphr team is looking to push the JAHFROBEATS initiative further, with a series of in-person parties in Jamaica “It’s a party series where we’ll be playing dancehall, afrobeats, and Jahfrobeats music,” Brennan explained over the phone The Cyphr team intends to do more competitions in the future exploring even more genre collaborations

Cyphr is a mobile app available on iOS devices worldwide and coming soon to Android devices The app creates an environment for musicians to connect, collaborate, and selfpublish their music, bringing the ethos of ‘work from home’ to the studio space and allowing anyone to make music

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