Be prepared for warm, humid nights ahead, with temperatures staying above 27 deg C, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said on Monday (Aug 17).In the second fortnight of August, daily maximum temperatures are likely to range between 33 and 34 deg C on most days, with daily maximum temperature possibly reaching a high of 35 deg C on a few days, the weatherman said.It added that most nights may also be warm and humid, with temperatures staying above 27 deg C.But localised short-duration thundery showers are also expected over parts of the island during the late morning and afternoon on some days.There may also be several fair and occasionally windy days, MSS added.Hazy conditions possibleTurning to dry conditions in the region, MSS said it has continued to observe hotspots with smoke plumes, mostly in the southern and central parts of Sumatra and various parts of Kalimantan.It noted that dry conditions are expected to persist in the coming days, adding that Singapore may experience hazy conditions should the fires intensify.This is due to the prevailing south-easterly or south-westerly winds, the agency said.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will make a two-day working visit to Geneva, Switzerland from Aug 18 to 19.He will attend a meeting of the World Economic Forum's Board of Trustees and participate in discussions convened by the International Business Council on economic and geopolitical challenges, according to a statement from the President's Office on Monday (Aug 17).President Tharman will also speak at a roundtable discussion on strategies for job creation in a new era, and meet with business and thought leaders while in Geneva.The President will be accompanied by officials from the Economic Development Board and the President's Office.[[nid:740312]]editor@asiaone.com 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the newly appointed national office-bearers of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He highlighted the team's blend of experience, vitality, and strong grassroots ties. Nitin Nabin leads this refreshed squad, which features thirteen vice presidents and a new treasurer, maintaining prominent positions for individuals like Piyush Goyal and B L Santosh, while introducing new national secretaries to bolster the party's framework.

In defense of Prime Minister Modi's controversial term 'dimagi naxal,' Kiren Rijiju pointed to former PM Manmohan Singh's criticism, asserting that such individuals, associated with Maoism, oppose the Indian Constitution. This sparked backlash from opposition figures like Jairam Ramesh, who likened it to the 'urban naxal' controversy, and Arvind Kejriwal, who humorously embraced the label, declaring his love for patriotism as a 'dimagi naxal.'

Smriti Irani is reappointed as a general secretary for the BJP's national team, a move that highlights the party's strategic push in Uttar Pradesh ahead of upcoming elections. Following setbacks in the recent Lok Sabha elections, her previous success in Amethi positions her as a critical asset. This role will see her coordinating with state units and overseeing candidate selections.

Mariusz Blaszczak acknowledged that Patriot missiles are unable to engage maneuvering munitions, but stated that Poland’s Narew air defense system can handle this task

Esmail Baghaei stressed that Iran has taken all precautionary measures and, if need be, will do everything it can to thwart the United States and Israel’s hostile plans against the Islamic republic

The Russian Armed Forces destroyed a Nova Poshta logistics center on the outskirts of Odessa and hit a Tarantul-class patrol boat at the port of Odessa

Asian republic’s National Disaster Management Agency earlier recorded at least 199 injuries from the quake

Bruke Desalagne, 33, hauled the man off the bench where he had been sitting down before taking him behind a hoarding at St John's church in Harrow and raping him on a grass verge.

Families visiting Graveley Farm in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, were horrified to discover that a children's ride had been based on the ill-fated ship.

Reform UK has pledged to save £21billion a year - part of £50billion in cuts to the welfare bill - by ending the 'immoral' system where British workers' taxes support citizens from overseas.

Rightmove said the current average new asking price of a home in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea was £1,552,970 in August, about £95,000 less than in July.

Bonnie Tyler's nearest and dearest gathered for the star's funeral at Swansea Minster on Monday, following her death in July. 

The government has made an improved offer on key components of the 28-point claim from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), which will be placed before delegates for a decision early this week. Mark Malabver, president of the JTA, told The Gleaner that the government has responded to what he termed “some deal breakers”, and the delegates will decide on them at the association’s 62nd annual conference, which begins in Kingston today.

Hundreds of Moroccan migrants have rallied in Spain’s Ceuta demanding asylum after a massive influx overwhelmed the North African enclave Read Full Article at RT.com

Russia seeks foreign technology and management expertise, not investment in basic assembly, Kremlin adviser Anton Kobyakov has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Moroccan security forces have reportedly detained 294 migrants and 61 alleged facilitators over an attempted crossing into Spain’s Ceuta Read Full Article at RT.com

Settler incursions and Israeli military restrictions are making life untenable in the Christian village of Taybeh, residents tell RT Read Full Article at RT.com

[allAfrica] Geneva -- Agencies fighting the escalating Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) constantly battle to win the trust of local communities, say international groups in the field calling for the protection of health workers.

Failure to admit migration mistakes is undermining what is left of Europe, Kirill Dmitriev pointed out

Rustam Minnikhanov said the exchange of expertise and joint initiatives can serve as a solid foundation for a long-term Russian-Chinese partnership in this sector

CEO of the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center Alexey Chadayev also mentioned the Knyaz Veshchy Oleg reconnaissance drone which is radio-controlled and has good communication capabilities

Oleg Karpovich views the upcoming visit as an effort by the Trump administration to actively participate in resolving the conflict in Ukraine

The SVR said the fabricated audio and video materials were also being prepared to support alleged «evidence» of Russia's transferring weapons to Latin Americans through intermediaries

Activist Sylvester Namiwa was rushed to hospital while in police custody after falling ill — but has since been taken back behind bars, with the High Court still yet to rule on whether he will be granted bail. The Executive Director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) was dashed to ABC […] The post Health scare for jailed activist Namiwa as High Court still to rule on bail appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

Malawi’s Second Vice President Enock Chihana led a high-level delegation into crunch bilateral talks with Mozambique this week, in a bid to strengthen ties between the two neighbouring nations. The behind-closed-doors meeting took place on the sidelines of the 46th SADC Summit in Durban, South Africa, bringing together some of Malawi’s top political figures for […] The post Chihana’s diplomatic push: Malawi and Mozambique vow to deepen ties appeared first on Malawi News | Breaking News, Politics, Business & Sports | Nyasa Times.

Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed or aligned candidates have won a number of Democratic primaries up and down the ballot this cycle.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz is competing in a racially thorny primary in which everyone seems to think experience is important — but they don’t agree on what kind.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver the National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 23) from 6.45pm.Keeping with tradition, he will speak first in Malay, followed by Mandarin. His English speech will begin at 8pm, said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a statement on Aug 17.The rally, held at the Institute of Technical Education College Central in Ang Mo Kio, will be broadcast on local television channels and radio stations.PM Wong's speech will be broadcast in English on Channel 5, CNA and CNA938; in Mandarin on Channel 8, Channel U and Capital 958FM; in Malay on Suria and Warna 924FM; and in Tamil on Vasantham and Oli 968FM.It will also be live streamed on the YouTube channels of PM Wong and PMO.  The National Day Rally is an important annual platform for Singapore's prime minister to address the nation, report on the progress it has made and share important policies.

Former Minister of State for Finance Tang See Chim died on Saturday (Aug 15), aged 94.A lawyer by training, Tang entered politics in 1966, a year after Singapore became independent. He won the 1966 by-election in Chua Chu Kang —  triggered by the Barisan Socialis boycott of Parliament — going on to represent the constituency for 22 years before retiring in 1988.Tang was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Finance in 1968 and later promoted to Minister of State for Finance in 1970.He was also Deputy Speaker of Parliament between 1972 and 1981.Voice of pig farmersTang, who was 36 when he entered politics, was known for speaking up for pig farmers in the then-largely rural Chua Chu Kang constituency.He pressed the Government to help subsidise swine fever vaccinations for at-risk pigs and also raised parliamentary questions about HDB's resettlement policy in Chua Chu Kang that led to farm land fragmentation. In 1976, Tang was offered a chance to move to another constituency, but declined the offer.

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a 17-year-old teenage girl, Iffah Nur Syaurah Binte Abdullah, who was last seen in Hougang.Police said in a news release on Monday (Aug 17) that Iffah was last seen at about 6.30am on July 30 in the vicinity of 42 Surin Avenue, wearing a black jacket and greyish black pants.The address is the location of the Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.All information will be kept strictly confidential.[[nid:735166]]editor@asiaone.com