Singapore Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean says that maintaining harmony in its diverse society means giving every citizen a stake in the country's progress. This is so they feel a collective sense of responsibility to each other. He shared this at a high-level forum between Singapore and China to exchange perspectives on common issues in both countries. Jeraldine Yap with more.

Dutch scientist Professor Gertjan Medema was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize this year. The prize recognises individuals or organisations for their contributions towards solving water challenges. Professor Medema was honoured for his work in wastewater-based epidemiology, which Singapore used to monitor traces of COVID-19. He shares with CNA what this award means to him. He also spoke about how his work could be applied to pick up other types of diseases and the lessons learnt during the pandemic that could impact public health surveillance policies.

Singapore's first underground service reservoir in a housing estate is set to supply water to close to 9,000 households in Bidadari. Why was Bidadari chosen to be the pilot for the project? How is this underground service reservoir different from existing ones built on high ground? Angela Koh, Director of the Water Supply Network Department at national water agency PUB, shares more about the development of this project, including how the team overcame challenges faced.

Singapore is looking to extract more value out of waste through technology. The National Environment Agency has issued what is called a Request for Information - a formal process for gathering information from potential suppliers - for new disposal technology that can treat mixed waste, while reducing carbon emissions and residues that go to landfills. Aslam Shah reports.

Indonesia's Aceh province has been a safe haven for thousands of Rohingyas for more than a decade. They undertake perilous sea journeys from Myanmar and Bangladesh to seek refuge there. But the sudden influx of boat arrivals has resulted in growing hostility from local residents. Chandni Vatvani spoke with refugees, locals and officials to find out more about their plight.

In the latest spat between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea, China has defended its move against Philippine ships near a flashpoint reef after it was accused of taking direct measures against Philippine personnel.

As China and Malaysia mark half a century of diplomatic ties, trade and investment relations take centrestage. China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with total trade in 2023 reaching nearly US$100 billion. CNA's Loke Wei Sue speaks to Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow from the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, for more analysis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will make his way to Vietnam after wrapping up his visit in Pyongyang. His arrival in Vietnam casts a spotlight on Russia’s influence in Southeast Asia, where Hanoi remains one of Moscow’s few friends, following its invasion of Ukraine. President Putin is expected to push for closer ties with Vietnam through cooperation in defence, energy, trade and bilateral payment, building on longstanding bilateral relations. Dasha Chernyshova and Tung Ngo report.

Russian President Vladimir Putin received a grand welcome in Pyongyang on Wednesday (Jun 19). This is his first visit to North Korea in 24 years. The two leaders held summit talks and signed a comprehensive strategic partnership pact. https://cna.asia/4b70vjj 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

Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Pyongyang on Wednesday (Jun 19), where he met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a rare summit aimed at countering US pressure and sanctions. Robert Manning, distinguished fellow with the Strategic Foresight Hub at US-based think tank Stimson Center, tells CNA’s Asia First why deepening military and political ties between the two countries are "very concerning". 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

Thailand is set to be the first Southeast Asian country to recognise same-sex marriages after its senate passed the final reading of a marriage equality law on Tuesday (Jun 18).

Thailand is set to be the first Southeast Asian country to recognise same-sex marriages after its senate passed the final reading of a marriage equality law on Tuesday (Jun 18). The law, which needs royal approval, gives same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual ones when it comes to adoption and inheritance. It also changes references to "men", "women", "husbands" and "wives" in marriage laws to gender-neutral terms. https://cna.asia/45qc04l 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

Nvidia became the world's most valuable company after its share price rose on Tuesday (Jun 18), giving it a market value of about US$3.34 trillion - pushing it ahead of Microsoft and Apple.

Singer-actor Justin Timberlake was arrested and charged with drunk driving on Tuesday (Jun 18). The 43-year-old allegedly told police he "had one martini" and was following his friends home.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit Malaysia on 18th June, after wrapping up a four-day trip to Australia. He'll be marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. CNA's Melissa Goh with this report on how people-to-people ties have been further enhanced through cultural and education exchanges.

South Sudan's government says it's concerned that elephants could become extinct in the East African country due to illegal wildlife trade. It says the number of elephants in the country has fallen from 5,000 to less than 2,500 in the last 15 years. Patrick Oyet reports from South Sudan.

South Korea’s largest group of doctors is staying away from hospitals, in protest against the government's plans to reform the medical sector. The Korean Medical Association, which represents 140,000 doctors, says they are taking collective action to help junior doctors who walked out of hospitals four months ago - a move that has left the healthcare system in disarray. CNA's East Asia Tonight delves into the reasons behind the prolonged walkout by doctors in South Korea, and why Seoul is moving forward with its medical reform plans despite the protests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive in North Korea for a two-day visit on Tuesday, as the countries deepen their alignment in the face of separate, intensifying confrontations with Washington. CNA's East Asia Tonight examines what Mr Putin could be hoping to achieve with the trip and how the trip may be viewed by other countries in the region.

Shores that were once welcoming are now hostile to Rohingya refugees looking for a better life. CNA’s Chandni Vatvani tells Teresa Tang about her visit to a refugee camp in Aceh, Indonesia and what authorities are doing to maintain the peace. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Singapore's 15-year-olds are top in the world for creative thinking, but they don't necessarily believe that's the case. This, according to results from the Programme for International Student Assessment. PISA judged students' ability to generate creative ideas and come up with novel solutions to problems. The assessment showed about 60% of the 6,600 Singaporeans who took part were top performers, more than twice the OECD average of 27%. Ms Liew Wei Li, director-general of education at MOE, discussed the findings.