Latest news with #MSS
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Singapore's July weather: Less rain, more heat for the rest of the month
SINGAPORE — The second half of July is set to sizzle, with the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) forecasting fewer rainy days and more warm, humid nights. Daily maximum temperatures are expected to climb above 34°C on several days, especially in southern and eastern regions. While the skies will be mostly fair, residents should still brace for short-duration thundery showers in the late mornings and afternoons. Sumatra squalls may also sweep in with gusty winds before dawn on one or two days. Humidity remains high, especially in southern and eastern areas, with nighttime lows around 28°C. The first half of July saw frequent showers due to southwest monsoon winds. On 9 July, Sentosa recorded a whopping 87.6mm of rainfall, the highest for the fortnight. Pulau Ubin hit a high of 34.2°C on 6 July, while Clementi saw rainfall 102 per cent above average. Nighttime temperatures have hovered around 28°C, with warm and sticky conditions persisting across the island. MSS advises residents to stay hydrated and monitor weather updates via the MSS website, NEA website, or the myENV app. Singapore, located just north of the equator, experiences a tropical rainforest climate characterised by consistent warmth, high humidity, and abundant rainfall throughout the year. The nation's climate is influenced by its maritime exposure and equatorial location, leading to minimal temperature variation across months. Singapore's climate is defined by two primary monsoon seasons, each bringing distinct weather patterns: Northeast Monsoon (December to early March) Early Phase (December to January): Characterised by monsoon surges, leading to widespread moderate to heavy rainfall and occasional wind speeds of 25–35 km/h. Late Phase (February to early March): Typically drier and windier, with reduced rainfall. Southwest Monsoon (June to September): Dominated by southeasterly to southerly winds. Frequent "Sumatra squalls" occur during the pre-dawn and morning hours, bringing gusty winds and short-duration thundery showers. Between these monsoons are inter-monsoon periods (April to May and October to November), marked by light and variable winds, intense afternoon thunderstorms, and higher temperatures. Rainfall in Singapore is abundant and well-distributed throughout the year, with no distinct dry season. The average annual rainfall is approximately 2,340 mm. However, rainfall can vary regionally; the western parts often receive more rain than the eastern areas due to the rain shadow effect. Temperatures in Singapore are consistently warm: Daytime highs: Typically range between 31°C and 33°C. Nighttime lows: Generally fall between 24°C and 26°C. Record highs: The highest recorded temperature is 37.0°C, observed in April 1983 and May 2023. Record lows: The lowest recorded temperature is 19.4°C, noted in January 1934. Relative humidity in Singapore is high year-round, often exceeding 90 per cent in the early morning and dropping to around 60 per cent in the mid-afternoon on dry days. During periods of rain, humidity can reach 100 per cent. Singapore receives an average of 1,800 to 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. Despite its tropical location, the country experiences significant cloud cover, especially during the monsoon seasons, which can limit sunshine duration.
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Arts Council: AI a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity
Awang Ikman speaks during the opening of the dialogue. MIRI (July 16): Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept but has become an integral part of daily work and the creative industries, said Sarawak Arts Council (MSS) acting chief executive officer, Awang Ikman Awang Sepian. He pointed out that AI, which has existed since the 1990s, is now widely utilised to optimise repetitive tasks, analyse data, enhance productivity, and even create content such as music, writing and visual arts. 'AI can help artists and creative practitioners produce more innovative works and promote their art to wider audiences. It offers many benefits, from automating routine jobs to generating new creative content,' he said when officiating at the Seri Perdana Dialogue 2025: Preparing the Creative Industry to face the AI Technology Revolution, organised by MSS at a local leading hotel here yesterday. The dialogue brought together representatives from various government agencies, festival and event organisers, associations, and art practitioners from across Sarawak and surrounding areas to discuss how AI can transform the local creative arts scene. However, Awang Ikman also reminded participants that despite the convenience that AI offers in making tasks easier, one must not lose the original spirit and identity of art. Previously, he said, MSS had organised workshops where students were encouraged to brainstorm and explore how AI can assist in promoting their artistic works, while learning about ethical and privacy challenges associated with the use of technology. 'The aim of this initiative is to equip the younger generation with new skills such as data analysis and AI engineering, preparing them for emerging career opportunities,' he said. Looking ahead, he added that MSS plans to collaborate more closely with relevant agencies to strengthen community awareness and understanding of AI applications. He also reminded the audience that AI should serve as a tool to support, not replace human creativity. 'AI can greatly assist and open new possibilities, but it should complement rather than replace human creativity, aligning with MSS' mission to advance local creative industries responsibly,' he concluded. More than 200 participants were given exposure to the use of AI in creating artworks and digital innovations through presentations and forums. AI Awang Ikman Awang Sepian Sarawak Arts Council
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
US-China spy wars intensify under Trump 2.0 as tech competition heats up
When the Federal Bureau of Investigation last week arrested a suspected Chinese hacker for allegedly stealing sensitive American research on Covid-19 vaccines in 2020, the head of America's top law enforcement agency hailed the episode as 'manhunting' the Chinese Communist Party. 'The CCP's relentless attacks on our institutions will not go unanswered,' FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on social media. 'The FBI will hunt down those who threaten our national security – wherever they hide,' he wrote, adding, 'huge ... manhunting the CCP.' Then, soon after the FBI announced taking 33-year-old Chinese national Xu Zewei into custody at Milan's Malpensa Airport, China's Ministry of State Security made a similarly dramatic announcement, saying it had disrupted three foreign espionage plots. It also warned government workers to remain alert. In one of the cases publicised by the MSS, a provincial official identified as 'Li' was allegedly seduced by a foreign intelligence agent while abroad, then blackmailed, using intimate photos, and coerced into stealing 'confidential' documents when back in China. 'Foreign spies have become increasingly aggressive in infiltrating China and stealing secrets,' the MSS said in a statement that did not name any particular country but blamed 'a weakened sense of discipline' among officials for recent lapses.
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Security Council Renews UN's Haiti Mission Amid Spiralling Crises
14 July 2025 By adopting resolution 2785, the Council renewed the authorization of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), reaffirming support for a Haitian-led solution to the island nation's overlapping crises. The decision comes as armed gangs maintain their grip on most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, with over 1.3 million people displaced and more than 4,000 killed in the first half of 2025 alone, according to UN figures. Conditions have deteriorated dramatically amid growing food insecurity and the erosion of public institutions. Of particular concern is the safety of women and girls, with a sharp rise in reports of sexual violence since the start of the year – including rape, gang rape, and sexual enslavement. Time is running out The Security Council also 'expressed its intention to consider, without delay' the recommendations by the Secretary-General on possible future roles for the UN in sustaining security and stability in Haiti. In February, António Guterres presented the Council with a range of options. ' Each new wave of criminal attacks against the communities and institutions of Haiti is a distressing sign that time is running out,' the UN chief said in a letter. He urged Member States to support the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which the Council authorized in October 2023 to assist Haiti's national police in tackling gang violence and restoring order. He also emphasized that international efforts to improve security must be matched by national progress toward resolving the political crisis. Several Council members voiced willingness to engage on the Secretary-General's proposals. The Chinese representative, for instance, said Beijing was open to working with others to chart a constructive way forward. 'With regard to how to improve the situation in Haiti, including how to respond to the Secretary-General's recommendations, we are ready to have candid communication with all parties, explore viable solutions and seek the broadest possible consensus,' said Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN. Mission critical The Council's action was welcomed by Haiti's Ambassador, who underscored the political and security stakes ahead of a critical 2026 transition timeline. ' This extension should help Haitian authorities undertake a real, genuine political dialogue, to strengthen good governance, bolster security and bring about justice and promote human rights,' said Pierre Ericq Pierre, Permanent Representative to the UN. He also expressed his Government's expectation that the UN mission will support implementation of the national roadmap, including constitutional reforms and elections. Emphasizing national ownership, he added: 'BINUH must work as part of a holistic plan to support Haitian authorities in confronting the grave crisis shaking the country to its core.' The United States, which led negotiations on the resolution alongside Panama, stressed the urgency of political progress and called on international partners to increase support. 'Less than one year remains on the Transitional Presidential Council's planned roadmap for the restoration of democratic institutions,' said Ambassador Dorothy Shea, acting representative. ' Supporting the security of elections and the participation of all sectors of society is key to sustainable political progress in Haiti. Without BINUH, realizing the vision of a stronger, more resilient society would be less likely. ' New mission leadership Council members also welcomed Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu, appointed as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of BINUH, succeeding María Isabel Salvador. Mr. Ruiz Massieu, who currently leads the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, brings decades of diplomatic and political experience, including in peace negotiations and institution-building. The UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) – a special political mission – was established in 2019 to advise and support Haitian authorities on political dialogue, justice, human rights and governance. It succeeded a series of UN peacekeeping and political missions on the island, dating back to 1993, including the large-scale MINUSTAH operation, which wrapped up in 2017 after 13 years.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
MSS students who cleared JEE feted
Lucknow: Students of Mahamana Shikshan Sansthan (MSS), who cleared the JEE Main exam in the first attempt, were felicitated at the Indian Sugarcane Research Institute on Monday. Keynote speaker and RSS joint general secretary Krishna Gopal said: "This project is shaping the future of students by providing them with free residential and educational facilities for JEE and NEET exams along with their classes 11 and 12 studies for the last six years. The sansthan was started so that talented children from poor families are not deprived of education as intelligence and talent in society should not remain neglected. " He further said: "Wherever you live, live with full values, with honesty, duty, care for the teachers and parents, and spread the fame of your resolve far and wide. We should serve our motherland as much as possible. Earlier, students from all over the world used to come to India to get an education. Today, students of India are going abroad." IIT Kanpur director Prof Manindra Agarwal said: "We should always be ready to identify the goal and achieve it while preserving scientific values and our culture." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like U.S. Cardiologist Warns Aging Seniors About Blueberries for Breakfast GundryMD Learn more Undo Expressing concern over the current education system, he said: "Today's education is not providing happiness and peace to students." He also shed light on the innovations in modern education and gave the message to the students to continuously move forward in research and innovation. Institute patron Pramod Tiwari made all the successful students take a pledge to move forward with the spirit of nation first and moral values. MSS secretary Ranjeev Tiwari said: "Over 60 students from the institute did BTech from the prestigious institutes of the country. "
