Electoral bonds allowed political parties in India to raise money anonymously, but they have also sparked a controversy over political funding. The opposition has described it as "the world’s biggest scam". But Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it has tackled the problem of black money in elections. According to information that has been released, Mr Modi's ruling BJP received the biggest proportion of donations from these bonds. The Supreme Court has ordered donors to be revealed publicly. Priyata Brajabasi reports.

France is aiming to restore calm to its overseas territory New Caledonia soon. It will be sending about 1,000 more security personnel to the Pacific island. Unrest in New Caledonia has been raging for three nights, after a new electoral reform passed by French lawmakers triggered fears that indigenous people's votes would be diluted. This is the latest flashpoint in a decades-long tussle over France's role in the mineral-rich island. A state of emergency, set to last 12 days, has been declared.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Thursday (May 16) for talks with his “dear friend” Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Moscow seeks to deepen ties with its most powerful ally. But the Sino-Russian partnership is not one that is among equals, and Beijing has the upper hand. International relations Professor Aurel Braun from the University of Toronto’s Department of Political Science explains why on CNA’s Asia First. 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

China is Russia’s most powerful ally. Their presidents call each other “dear friends”, and have drawn closer as both their relations with the United States become more antagonistic. CNA's Poh Kok Ing takes a look at the ties that bind the two nations. 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

China and Russia have touted their relationship as one of “no-limits” since February 2022, as they seek to counter the global influence of the United States. But clearly, there are limits, evident in Beijing’s refusal to openly support Moscow in the Ukraine war, says Alexey Muraviev, an associate professor of national security and strategic studies at Curtin University. He explains on CNA’s Asia Now why a limitless friendship does not mean unconditional alliances. 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

The White House announced on Tuesday (May 14) that it is hiking tariffs on US$18 billion worth of imports from China, targeting strategic sectors like electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, steel and critical minerals. These hikes are politically motivated, with about six months to go for the US presidential election, says Dr Derek Scissors, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He tells CNA's Asia First that while there could be some retaliation by China, further tit-for-tat restrictions are unlikely. 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

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), which runs Asia’s third-largest stock exchange, has grappled with low market turnover and a decline in new listings. Its initial public offering (IPO) global ranking fell to eighth place last year when it raised close to US$6 billion. However, newly minted CEO Bonnie Chan tells CNA’s Roland Lim she thinks there is “a lot of optimism in the air”, and that she is confident an IPO revival is inevitable. 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 received a red carpet welcome from Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday (May 16), as he seeks greater support for his war effort in Ukraine and isolated economy. The Russian leader's two-day trip to China is his first since his March inauguration, and the second in just over six months. Mr Putin's arrival follows US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing last month, where he warned that China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine could pose a "threat to Europe". https://cna.asia/3WOrKvL 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 met Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday (May 16), as he seeks greater support for his war effort in Ukraine and isolated economy. The Russian leader's arrival follows US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing last month, where he warned that China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine could pose a "threat to Europe".

In this Makan Kakis instalment, it’s all about biryani for GOLD 905 DJ Denise Tan and Ria 89.7 DJ Zuhairi Idris who visit two established food places in Singapore. Read more on Islamic Restaurant and Allauddin's Biryani: https://cna.asia/3K0Sam3

In this Makan Kakis instalment, it’s all about biryani for GOLD 905 DJ Denise Tan and Ria 89.7 DJ Zuhairi Idris who visit two established food places in Singapore. Read more: https://cna.asia/3K0Sam3 #biryani #AllauddinsBriyani #IslamicRestaurant 00:00 Introduction 00:59 History of Allauddin’s Briyani 02:31 Eating chicken and mutton biryani 04:19 History of Islamic Restaurant 06:57 Islamic Restaurant biryani 08:10 Chicken Mysore 08:23 Roti Mariam 09:18 Eating Islamic Restaurant dishes 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

Food has an outsized impact on greenhouse gas emissions. In this episode of Climate Conversations, Jack Board and Liling Tan tuck into the world of alternative foods and whether they really are better for the environment.   0:00 Intro 2:17 News you can use: Greener flights, less durians 8:54 Has interest in lab-grown meat fizzled out? 16:43 Using nudge theory to eat less meat 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

Alexandra Hospital will more than quadruple the number of patients it can handle. 1,000 more beds will be added as part of its redevelopment, which begins today. The hospital's rich history, which spans more than 80 years, will also be preserved. Three blocks completed in 1940 will be conserved. The new buildings will open in stages from 2028. From next year, the National University Hospital will also undergo a transformation. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the moves are to ensure adequate healthcare capacity to support an ageing population living in the west. Sabrina Ng reports.

Hundreds of Marsiling-Yew Tee residents have gathered to commemorate the swearing-in of Mr Lawrence Wong as Singapore's Prime Minister. He has served as the GRC's MP for nearly a decade. Mr Wong's team won the constituency during the 2015 General Election. After the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Wong made his way from the Istana to the North West with his wife and his GRC teammates -- Mr Alex Yam, Mr Zaqy Mohamad and Ms Hany Soh.

Singapore has started a fresh chapter in its history, with Lawrence Wong sworn in as the country's fourth prime minister at the Istana. In front of more than 870 guests -- including ambassadors, business leaders and frontline workers -- Mr Wong pledged a different leadership style and to serve with all his heart. He added that the best chapters of the Singapore Story lie ahead. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presided over the proceedings. He lauded the country's smooth and orderly political handover. Jeraldine Yap and Richa Mathew report.

"This is my promise to all Singaporeans. I will serve you with all my heart. I will never settle for the status quo," said Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong after he was sworn in. #sgnews #Singapore

ICYMI: A warm moment between new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and former PM Lee Hsien Loong after Mr Wong and his wife, Ms Loo Tze Lui, arrived at the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday (May 15).

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will officially be sworn in as Prime Minister on Wednesday (May 15), taking over from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mr Wong will be sworn in at the Istana at 8pm, along with ministers in his Cabinet. Follow our coverage here. https://cna.asia/3UYHtHc 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

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said US tariff hikes on US$18 billion worth of Chinese imports amount to bullying and that the Americans have "reached the point of losing their minds." Associate Professor of political science Chong Ja Ian from the National University of Singapore tells CNA's East Asia Tonight that despite the friction between Beijing and Washington, neither side wants to escalate things and that angry words can sometimes be part of negotiation tactics.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, at the Istana on Wednesday (May 15), where he expressed “full confidence” in Mr Wong’s ability to lead Singapore. The 51-year-old takes over from Mr Lee Hsien Loong, who will stay on in Cabinet as Senior Minister. Follow our live coverage: https://cna.asia/3UYHtHc More videos on Singapore's leadership handover: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnMTcZEga8TFmVLFsMsTp1AZTk17hBi6 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