An exam scandal is rocking India following last month's highly competitive National Eligibility Cum Entrance test - a gateway for admissions to undergraduate medical programmes. Multiple tests have been cancelled or postponed since then. More than 3.5 million people have been affected, with the government admitting to institutional failure and firing the official in charge of the testing agency. Prerna Singh, Mahatma Gandhi Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Brown University, tells CNA’s Asia First how serious the situation is and why an anti-cheating law that was recently passed has not been effective. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

US President Joe Biden stumbled over his words several times during the first presidential debate with former president Donald Trump on Thursday (Jun 27). Two White House officials said Biden had a cold. The two presidential candidates will return for a second and final debate scheduled for September. https://cna.asia/3XDgSRG Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Singapore and Malaysia celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Causeway on Friday (Jun 28). Key officials released 100 pigeons, signifying peaceful relations between the two countries, and exchanged framed mementos of the Causeway. #sgnews #singapore

Jun 28 marks the 100th anniversary of the Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia. How has it evolved over the decades and what does it mean to its commuters? Read: https://cna.asia/3L4tWYO Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Singapore and Malaysia celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Causeway on Friday (Jun 28). Key officials released 100 pigeons, signifying peaceful relations between the two countries, and exchanged framed mementos of the Causeway. The event was joined by Johor regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and Johor chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi. https://cna.asia/3L4tWYO Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

At this year's National Day Parade, pyrotechnics will be used for the first time at the Padang. Fireworks will also go off from surrounding buildings for an immersive experience to spotlight the collective strength of Singaporeans. The show will also feature local talent through original songs and some new faces. Over 3,000 people from all walks of life -- ranging from six to 84 years old -- will take part in this year's show segment. Charlotte Lim reports.

Singaporeans can look forward to a series of activities and special promotions at Lau Pa Sat from July until the end of the year, as the hawker-market celebrates its 130th anniversary. This includes an immersive heritage trail using augmented and virtual reality tech, as well as a three-metre long commemorative mural showcasing the transformation of Singapore's skyline. A melody will also be played every hour from Lau Pa Sat's iconic clock tower. First declared a national monument in 1973, Lau Pa Sat was relocated in 1894 and built on reclaimed land, where it still stands today.

Mushroom farms are springing up in Singapore, and the latest one by Finc Bio-Tech is bringing in expertise on automation and artificial intelligence to boost crop yield. This means double the yield, better quality, and mushrooms that could be cheaper. To be built on a land parcel at Sungei Tengah Close that is the size of three football fields, the farm is expected to meet more than a third of local demand for white button mushrooms. The Singapore Food Agency said there are about seven mushroom farms in Singapore. Rebecca Metteo reports.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said there is a strong desire for European countries like Italy, Finland and Estonia to strengthen their relations with Singapore. That's as all sides see eye to eye when it comes to multilateralism and holding up the international rule of law. On the last day of his European tour, Mr Tharman had lunch with Estonian parliamentary speaker Lauri Hussar, visited local start-ups and a paper factory owned by Singapore's Tolaram. Claudia Lim reports from the Estonian capital city Tallinn.

Even as the artificial intelligence scene gets more regulated, policymakers have to try and ensure that innovation will not be stifled, said Ms Cathy Li, head of AI, data and metaverse at the World Economic Forum (WEF). Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Large parts of southern Pakistan have been gripped by an intense heatwave. Thousands have been hospitalised and reports suggest more than 500 people have died in the city of Karachi alone in the past week, but no official figures have been released. Temperatures have been as high as 40°C, but experts said the high levels of humidity make the city feel as hot as 49°C. Despite contributing less than 1% to global carbon emissions, Pakistan is severely impacted by climate change. Hira Mustafa reports from Islamabad.

The stage is set for the first 2024 US general election debate, which will take place tomorrow. The mental agility and energy of President Joe Biden, 81, and his rival Donald Trump, 78, will be closely watched as they face each other on the debate stage. Immigration, inflation, Ukraine and Gaza are all likely to dominate the discussion. This marks the first time the debates take place before either man is formally confirmed as his party’s nominee. Nick Harper reports.

China's planned reforms at its long-awaited third plenum next month may not necessarily solve the country's sluggish economy in the short term, Dr Jin Keyu, associate professor of economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, tells CNA on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Dalian. She also weighs in on the overcapacity debate and where China-United States ties may be headed. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Singapore has been intensifying clean-up efforts along its southern coastline following an oil slick spanning more than 30km. Hundreds of workers are involved in the effort with dispersants, booms, skimmer machines, satellite imagery and more. They are racing against time to stop the spread of the oil, and ensure that one of the world's busiest global shipping hubs can return to business as soon as possible. CNA’s Arnold Gay explains in this special report how thorough the process needs to be. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Singapore's tabletop gaming scene is enjoying a revival, with more young people opting for in-person play experiences. Gamers are also spoilt for choice, with more collaborations between tabletop game producers and digital game makers to bring more online games offline, and to the table. CNA’ Alxis Thng reports. Read more: https://cna.asia/3xHUzzy Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Sri Lanka on Wednesday (Jun 26) finalised a deal to restructure US$5.8 billion of debt owed to a group of creditor nations. It also signed an agreement with China’s Export-Import Bank to restructure more than US$4 billion worth of debt, helping to meet a key condition for an International Monetary Fund bailout. The cash-strapped South Asian nation had declared bankruptcy more than two years ago amid a severe crisis. CNA’s Tan Si Hui speaks to Jeevan Kumaravel Thondaman, Sri Lanka’s Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister, at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum held in Dalian, China. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

All eyes will be on United States President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump as they face each other on the debate stage on Thursday (Jun 27). It is their first head-to-head in the 2024 race for the White House. Immigration, inflation, Ukraine and Gaza are likely to dominate the topics. CNA’s Nick Harper reports from Washington. Read more: https://cna.asia/4ciwZZq Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia

Mie lethek atau "mie kusam" yang terbuat dari singkong kian populer karena dianggap lebih sehat ketimbang mie instan. Namun produsennya kesulitan memenuhi meroketnya permintaan karena pembuatannya masih menggunakan cara tradisional, salah satunya menggunakan penggiling tepung yang digerakkan oleh sapi. Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub Subscribe to our news service for must-read stories: Telegram - https://cna.asia/telegram WhatsApp - https://cna.asia/whatsapp Follow us: CNA: https://cna.asia CNA Lifestyle: http://www.cnalifestyle.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/channelnewsasia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelnewsasia Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/channelnewsasia TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@channelnewsasia