Japan Records Second-Hottest September

 Visitors wait to see the giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo, a day before their return to China, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP)
Visitors wait to see the giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo, a day before their return to China, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP)
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Japan Records Second-Hottest September

 Visitors wait to see the giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo, a day before their return to China, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP)
Visitors wait to see the giant pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin at Ueno Zoo, a day before their return to China, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tokyo. (AP)

Japan had its second-hottest September since records began with some regions the warmest yet, the weather agency said, in a year likely to become the warmest in human history.

Across the archipelago the month's average temperature was 2.52 degrees Celsius higher than usual, the Japan Meteorological Agency said Tuesday.

This was "the second highest figure since the start of the statistics in 1898, after last year's high", a statement said.

But some regions, including eastern and western parts of mainland Japan, logged the highest ever average temperatures for September since comparable data began available in 1946, the agency added.

The subtropical jet stream's peculiar northward movement, as well as the Pacific high pressure system that extended towards Japan, made it easier for warm air to shroud the archipelago, the agency said.

"The temperature of the ocean surface near Japan was also markedly high, which possibly contributed to high temperatures on the ground," it added, citing the "long-term effect of global warming" as well.

The average global temperature at the Earth's surface was 16.82C in August, according to the EU's climate monitor Copernicus, which draws on billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations.

June and August global temperatures broke through the level of 1.5C above the pre-industrial average -- a key threshold for limiting the worst effects of climate change.

Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are warming the planet, raising the likelihood and intensity of climate disasters such as droughts, fires and floods.



Red Sea International Film Festival Reveals Arab Short Film Lineup for 2024

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF)
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF)
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Red Sea International Film Festival Reveals Arab Short Film Lineup for 2024

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF)
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF)

The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has announced the lineup of Arab short films participating in the Red Sea Shorts Competition. These films will be screened from December 5 to 14 in Jeddah.

A total of 15 short films have been selected, featuring talent from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Jordan, and Lebanon.
The competition aims to provide a platform for both emerging and established local and regional talents to showcase their creativity on an international stage, connecting them with global audiences and industry experts.
RSIFF Director of Arab Programs and Film Classics Antoine Khalife said that this year's program features great films and talents that mirror the sophistication and maturity of the film and entertainment landscape in the region. He highlighted that filmmakers have conveyed powerful messages through an innovative cinematic approach, addressing a range of topics including self-discovery, identity, and mental health.
So far, RSIFF has screened more than 120 Arab and Saudi films between 2021 and 2023.