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GENEVA, June 2 — There is an 80-per cent chance of the warming El Nino phenomenon developing between June and August, increasing the risk of extreme weather events, the World Meteorological Organization said today. 

“Fuelled by unusually warm ocean waters in the tropical Pacific, El Nino conditions are developing and are set to influence global temperature and rainfall patterns,” the United Nations’ weather and climate agency (WMO) said.

Forecasts from the WMO global network “indicate a pronounced shift toward El Nino conditions, with probabilities reaching 80 percent for June-August”, the Geneva-based organisation said.

El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, bringing worldwide changes in winds, pressure and rainfall patterns.

It typically takes place every two to seven years and lasts around nine to 12 months.

Conditions oscillate between El Nino and its opposite La Nina, with neutral conditions in between.

The likelihood of El Nino developing by November is “near or above 90 percent”, and most forecast models suggest it will be “at least moderate—and possibly strong”, the WMO said in its quarterly El Nino/La Nina update.

WMO chief Celeste Saulo said the world therefore needed to get ready for an El Nino which could “exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean”.

The WMO says that even a moderate El Nino makes some weather and climate extremes more likely.

The last El Nino contributed to making 2023 the second-hottest year on record and 2024 the all-time high at around 1.55C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.

Urgent climate warning 

In late April to mid-May, the sea-surface temperature in the central-eastern Equatorial Pacific—the area used as a monitoring reference—was approaching El Nino thresholds, the WMO said, with sub-surface temperatures more than 6C above average.

Meanwhile, the Southern Oscillation Index—the atmospheric component of El Nino—is also consistent with El Nino conditions developing.

The WMO said there was no evidence that climate change increases the frequency or intensity of El Nino events.

However, it can amplify the associated impacts, it says, because a warmer ocean and atmosphere increase the availability of energy and moisture for extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall.

“El Nino is arriving on our doorstep,” UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a video message.

“The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Nino conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. Impacts will hit even harder, travel even farther, and cross borders with devastating speed.

“The only effective response is climate action equal to the crisis—ending the addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all.”

Temperatures above normal 

The WMO said that for June to August, forecasts project “a nearly universal dominance of above normal temperatures in nearly all parts of the globe”.

This increases the risk of compounding hazards in some regions, and accelerating the onset of drought conditions where rainfall is reduced, it said.

Regional climate centres are predicting “below-normal” rainfall during the critical June-September rainy season in the northern Greater Horn of Africa; below-average monsoon rainfall in south Asia; and drier and warmer summer conditions in central America.

During the northern hemisphere summer, warm waters associated with El Nino can fuel hurricanes in the central and eastern Pacific, while hindering their development in the Atlantic Ocean.

The WMO hopes advance warning will guide preparedness, especially in climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, water management, energy and health. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — A 14-year-old student was killed after the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car before he was struck by a tanker lorry in Lubok China, Melaka, police said.

The victim, identified as Muhammad Muiszudin Mohamad Yusof, a Form Two student, was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining fatal injuries in the crash, which occurred at about 1.48pm yesterday along Jalan Sungai Siput.

Alor Gajah district police chief Superintendent Ahmad Abu Bakar said preliminary investigations found that the teenager had been riding a Yamaha LC motorcycle from his home in Kampung Sungai Siput Batu Alang towards Lubok China.

He said that upon reaching the scene, the victim’s motorcycle is believed to have struck the rear right side of a Perodua Viva travelling ahead of him.

“As a result of the collision, the victim was thrown into the opposite lane before being run over by a tanker lorry travelling from Lubok China towards Simpang Ampat.

“The victim was confirmed dead at the scene, while the 32-year-old car driver and the 43-year-old tanker lorry driver were unhurt,” he said in a statement today.

Ahmad said the teenager’s body was taken to the Forensic Unit at Hospital Alor Gajah for a post-mortem examination before being released to his family for burial arrangements.

He added that the three vehicles involved in the crash had been seized and would undergo further inspection at the Rembia PUSPAKOM centre.

“Police have also obtained dashboard camera (dashcam) footage believed to have captured the incident, and the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

“Members of the public with information are urged to come forward to assist investigations by contacting the investigating officer, Inspector Loh Gia Xao, at 019-5382353 or the nearest police station,” he said.

Earlier, a 45-second video purportedly showing the crash circulated widely on social media.

ATLANTA, June 14 — Pedri watched his heroes Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta conquer the world from his family’s bar as a boy, now Spain’s latest midfield maestro is chasing the same dream.

The 23-year-old has already proven to be a fitting heir to Xavi and Iniesta at club level with Barcelona, winning three La Liga titles.

He was also part of the Spanish side that became European champions in Germany two years ago, although an injury in the quarter-final win over the hosts saw him miss the final stages.

Fitness problems had been a persistent problem after he burst onto the scene as a teenager.

After a superb breakthrough season in 2020/21, Pedri’s starring role as Spain reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 meant he played 73 matches for club and country, a toll which was too much for his developing body.

Barcelona turned to a specialist myopathy laboratory in the USA for solutions and a study of Pedri’s genetics helped create an individual plan that has brought him back to among the world’s best midfielders.

Alongside Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Pau Cubarsi he is part of another hugely talented generation of Barca youngsters that have helped the club overcome financial difficulties to remain La Liga’s dominant force.

‘Like a movie’

Unlike the others, Pedri was not a product of Barca’s fabled La Masia academy.

He made his breakthrough at Las Palmas as a 16-year-old and quickly broke into the first team after joining Barca in 2020.

Yet, his ability to keep possession and vision to cut defences open is reminiscent of Xavi and Iniesta in their prime.

“With Xavi or Iniesta I realised that they are prepared before they receive the ball,” Pedri said in a recent documentary on his rise to stardom.

“I learned that from a very young age and it was natural to me. What makes a good move is knowing what you are going to before you get the ball.”

He will be central to Spain’s attempt to match the feats of the golden generation that won the 2010 World Cup, in between two triumphs at Euro 2008 and 2012.

Back then Pedri watched on admiringly from a bar, founded by his grandad and run by his parents, in Tenerife that was also the first Barcelona supporters’ club on the Canary Island.

“Thanks to God I am living the dream that he had,” Pedri added of his Barcelona fanatic grandfather, who never got to see him play at the Camp Nou. “It’s like something from a movie.”

The next step on the Hollywood script would be for Pedri to make his mark on the World Cup and propel himself into the conversation to win the Ballon d’Or – the prize for the best player on the planet.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente certainly has no doubt that Pedri deserves to be recognised among the world’s best.

“We don’t know what his best version is because he’s so good,” said De la Fuente, whose side are unbeaten in 31 competitive games heading into the World Cup. “He is limitless.”

Spain begin their World Cup campaign against debutants Cape Verde in Atlanta on Monday.

They will also face Saudi Arabia and two-time winners Uruguay in Group H. — AFP

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KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — The future of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition hangs in the balance as PAS will convene a high-stakes central working committee (CWC) meeting tomorrow night to determine its ongoing relationship with Bersatu.

PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed the meeting today, when speaking to reporters following the launch of a book on the Iran-Israel war at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, Free Malaysia Today reported.

“It will be tomorrow, God willing, Monday. We will have a meeting at night,” Hadi said, addressing mounting speculation over when the party leadership would formally decide the trajectory of the PAS-Bersatu partnership.

The alliance between the two PN pillars has been tenuous since Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin was forced to resign as the chairman of the coalition last year.

The rift widened after Hadi publicly signalled that PAS would reassess its cooperation with Bersatu, delivering a pointed warning that the party’s “patience has its limits.”

At the core of the dispute are several high-friction issues that have eroded trust between the two parties.

Chief among these is Bersatu’s move to unseat the Perlis menteri besar, as well as allegations of Bersatu interfering in state-level appointments in the PAS strongholds of Kedah and Kelantan.

Adding to the tension is a strategic disagreement over the coalition's growth; Hadi alleged that Bersatu has consistently opposed the admission of new Malay-Muslim parties into the PN fold whereas the Islamist party has continued its outreach towards such groups.

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Please be aware... Photos are purely for entertainment. I am no expert. Titles are from recognition - what I was told - or a quick search. Polite comments or corrections are welcome.

ShutterNut... posted a photo:

Please be aware... Photos are purely for entertainment. I am no expert. Titles are from recognition - what I was told - or a quick search. Polite comments or corrections are welcome.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Police have arrested a lorry driver after a video appearing to show him driving dangerously and making an obscene gesture along the Kajang SILK Highway towards Bandar Baru Bangi went viral on TikTok.

The 35-year-old local man was detained by officers from the Criminal Investigation Division at the Kajang district police headquarters at about 8.45pm yesterday to assist investigations.

Kajang police chief Assistant Commissioner Naazron Abdul Yusof said police became aware of the footage before a report was lodged at the Kajang police station at 7.15pm.

“Investigations are being carried out under Section 279 of the Penal Code for driving a vehicle on a public road in a rash, negligent or reckless manner that endangers human life.

“The case is also being investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code for intending to insult the modesty of a person by making an obscene gesture,” he said in a statement today.

Naazron also urged motorists to practise courteous driving and adhere to traffic regulations to ensure the safety of all road users.

“Police advise all road users to be considerate, comply with traffic regulations, and drive prudently for the safety of everyone,” he said.