Month: March 2025

Source: Assainir, relancer et développer ensemble : les orientations du 18e gouvernement

Source: Cleaner Neighbourhoods With Stepped-Up Efforts In The Year Of Public Hygiene

Singapore, 4 March 2025 – The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), under the National Environment Agency (NEA), has launched a $25 million Weather Science Research Programme (WSRP). The new programme aims to enhance Singapore’s ability to understand and predict our tropical urban weather, including extreme weather arising from climate change. The WSRP, funded under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan, is now open for research proposals from local research institutions.

2          Climate change poses significant challenges for Singapore and the wider Southeast Asian region. Singapore’s Third National Climate Change Study, led by the Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS) [1] under MSS, projects higher temperatures, more extreme wet and dry periods, and rising mean sea levels by the end of the century. Singapore is located in the deep-tropics where weather prediction is particularly challenging, due to the complexity of dominant local weather processes like thunderstorms and fine-scale interactions with local features such as coasts and the urban landscape. Recent advancements in weather research and technology, such as high-resolution modelling, artificial intelligence and enhanced remote-sensing observational networks, present opportunities to tackle the challenges of tropical local weather prediction.

3            Through the new programme, MSS aims to build weather science capability in the national research ecosystem. CCRS will work with Institutes of Higher Learning and Research Institutes to improve weather prediction for Singapore and the region by incorporating the latest scientific and technological developments in this area.

4          For example, researchers will use artificial intelligence (AI) to combine data from various sources, potentially enhancing predictions of heavy rainfall and strong winds. The programme will also develop advanced weather prediction systems that consider how local weather is affected by ocean and land conditions, which could improve our ability to forecast phenomena like Sumatra squalls. Scientists will also investigate new ways of incorporating weather observations, such as those from polar-orbiting environmental satellites and ground-based radars, for more accurate and timely weather forecasts.

5          A key initiative under the new programme is to create a detailed historical weather re-analysis over recent decades for Southeast Asia – the first of its kind in the region. This comprehensive dataset will offer valuable insights into past weather patterns and provide a valuable dataset to leverage AI for local weather prediction. WSRP projects are expected to be awarded in the second half of 2025.

 

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[1] CCRS is a research centre under MSS and part of NEA. It was officially launched in March 2013, with the vision to be a world leading centre in tropical climate and weather research focusing on the Southeast Asia region.

 

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 For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Source: Cleaner Neighbourhoods With Stepped-Up Efforts In The Year Of Public Hygiene

Source: Cleaner Neighbourhoods With Stepped-Up Efforts In The Year Of Public Hygiene

Singapore, 17 March 2025 – The prevailing Northeast Monsoon conditions are expected to continue in the second fortnight of March 2025, with winds blowing mainly from the northwest or northeast.

2             Between 19 – 21 March 2025, a surge of north-easterly winds (or monsoon surge^[1]) is expected over the South China Sea. The surge could bring windy and cooler conditions with periods of moderate to heavy showers over Singapore and the surrounding vicinity. For the rest of the fortnight, short-duration thundery showers are forecast in the afternoon on most days. Overall, the rainfall for the second half of March 2025 is expected to be above average over most parts of the island.

3             Lower daily minimum temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius can be expected during the monsoon surge.  Subsequently, daily temperatures may range between 24 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius on most days.

4        For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.

 REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (1 – 16 MARCH 2025)

5        In the first fortnight of March 2025, Northeast Monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region. The winds blew from the north or northeast.

6        Thundery showers fell over parts of the island in the afternoon on most days in the first half of March 2025. The showers extended into the evening on a few occasions. On 8 March 2025, strong solar heating of land areas coupled with localised convergence of winds brought moderate to heavy thundery showers over many parts of Singapore in the afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 72.8mm recorded around Kranji area that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the first half of March 2025.

7        In the first half of March 2025, the daily maximum temperature ranged between 28.2 degrees Celsius and 35.1 degrees Celsius. There were six days when the daily maximum temperature reached 34 degrees Celsius or more. The highest daily maximum temperature of 35.1 degree Celsius was recorded at Newton on 4 March 2025.

8        Most parts of Singapore recorded below average rainfall in the first half of March 2025. Somerset registered rainfall of 69 per cent below average, and Kranji registered rainfall of 76 per cent above average.

[1] A monsoon surge refers to a strengthening of winds over the South China Sea, causing extensive rainclouds to form over our surrounding region.

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For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

Source:

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu were honoured to be invited to the Taiwan Association in Australasia’s inaugural event commemorating the 228 Incident. The keynote speech by Ms. Maysing Yang-Huang, a pivotal advocate for Taiwanese democracy and human rights, alongside the film A Letter to Grandmother, directed by Hui-Ling Chen, highlighted the event’s theme: “We Are Home in History: Remembrance Through Love, Resistance Through Memory.”
In his remarks, DG Wu emphasised that our history is our foundation. Today, Taiwan stands as a global model of democracy. We must not only cherish our hard-earned freedoms but also remain committed to promoting transitional justice, fostering social reconciliation, and transforming the pain of history into momentum for progress.
Deepest gratitude to all who care about Taiwan’s democratic development. Let’s stand together to safeguard democracy, cherish freedom, uphold the truth, and pass these values on to future generations.

Source:

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu, Mrs. Wu, and colleagues attended the celebration banquet organized by the Association of Overseas Alumni in Australia.
DG Wu expressed his gratitude to President Paul Huang and the team for organizing this year’s LNY Gala Event. Not only did it bring together all Taiwanese and families to celebrate the Year of the Snake, but the Alumni Association’s tireless efforts in organizing this for 30 consecutive years are truly commendable.
DG Wu particularly conveyed a formal statement from Hon. Dr. Hugh McDermott MP, Permanent Secretary to the Attorney General, which was introduced and included in the Hansard of the NSW Parliament. The statement recognized President Huang and the Alumni Association for their long-standing and outstanding contributions to the Taiwanese community in Australia. This marks the first time a New South Wales Cabinet member has issued an official statement recognizing the contributions of our overseas Taiwanese community. What a great honour.

Source:

Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu attended the KMT Australia branch’s Centennial Commemoration of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the ROC. In his remarks, DG Wu highlighted that Taiwan’s latest achievements in democracy and freedom exemplify Dr. Sun’s ideals and vision, including:

The Freedom in the World 2025 report, released by Freedom House, once again designates Taiwan as a “Free” country. Taiwan ranks 2nd in Asia, trailing only Japan.
The Democracy Index 2024, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit, categorizes Taiwan as one of the world’s 25 Full Democracies. Taiwan maintains its position as the No.1 democracy in Asia and ranks 12th globally.
The 2025 Index of Economic Freedom by the Heritage Foundation ranks Taiwan 4th among 184 economies, securing 2nd place in Asia, behind only Singapore.

DG Wu also addressed China’s recent live-fire drills in Australian waters, indicating that Taiwan’s experience has demonstrated how China employs ‘grey zone’ tactics to create a ‘new normal’—a strategy now being used in Australia’s front yard. Citing the Will of Dr. Sun, DG Wu stressed that like-minded countries, including Taiwan and Australia, must stand together against aggression and authoritarian expansionism.

Source:

Australian Taiwanese Friendship Association (ATFA) hosted a Taiwan Charity Movie Night featuring the film Cape No. 7, raising a total of AUD 6,500 in ticket sales and donations for Mary’s House Services. The funds will assist families and individuals who suffer the domestic violence.
President Kathy Sieh expressed gratitude for the strong support from the community and the collective efforts of the ATFA team.
Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu said that Cape No. 7 is the highest-grossing Taiwanese film in history, depicting the intertwined histories of Taiwan and Japan and their enduring friendship. Tonight marked the second time the Taiwanese community has donated to Mary’s House Services, demonstrating their sincere care for Australian society.
ATFA also invited Ommi’s Food & Catering to showcase exquisite Taiwanese cuisine, paired with a special “Ma La Sun Millet Wine” cocktail from the movie, bringing the flavor of “the southernmost border” to life.