Local small confectioneries in Singapore are switching up their business models to offer experiential services like chocolate-making workshops, instead of just selling chocolates. These small players are facing increasing pressure on their profit margins, amid skyrocketing prices in the cocoa market. Cocoa supplies from the world's two leading producers -- Ghana and Ivory Coast -- are drying up, thanks to climate change and disease outbreaks. The International Cocoa Organisation says new cocoa trees take as long as three to four years to produce beans.

The Traffic Police will raise penalties for certain offences in the second half of the year as the number of speeding violations is "of concern". More than 800 new offences were captured in the first three weeks of April, since the speed enforcement function was activated in some red-light cameras. There are close to 250 red-light cameras across the island, but the authorities will not reveal how many have had their speed enforcement function activated, or their exact locations. The number of speeding-related fatal accidents in 2023 jumped by more than 80% from the previous year.

A multinational rush for a ceasefire in Gaza, as the Palestinian Authority expects Israel to launch an offensive into Rafah city in the coming days. Top diplomats from the US and France are in Saudi Arabia holding talks with other Gulf nations, while a Hamas delegation is expected in Egypt for another round of negotiations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reiterated Washington's stance that it will not support Israel's plans to invade Rafah if civilians cannot be "effectively protected". Sarah Coates reports from Tel Aviv.

In Malaysia, temperatures of more than 40°C in the northern states of Kedah and Perlis have forced many farmers to alter their routines and work in the evenings when the weather is cooler. The hot weather has also resulted in bush fires in several states. The country's disaster management agency is on high alert, monitoring 650 hotspots nationwide to prevent more bush fires from breaking out. Melissa Goh reports from Perlis.

Dangerous heat levels are forecast to continue in the Philippines until mid-May -- up to a scorching 37°C. In-person classes have been suspended from Monday to Tuesday for primary and secondary state schools, due to excessive heat and a transport strike. The authorities have advised the public to stay indoors between 10am to 4pm. Buena Bernal reports.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has picked a new foreign minister, who has not been named. Mr Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara resigned after losing his deputy prime minister portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle. Mr Thavisin has also relinquished the finance minister portfolio, appointing his advisor Pichai Chunhavajira. The 75-year-old had recently quit as the chairman of the Thai Stock Exchange. Overall, there has been a lukewarm reaction to the cabinet reshuffle. Analysts and citizens said the moves are minor and will not have a significant impact on public confidence. May Wong reports.

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea that sought to disqualify Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from contesting any elections for six years. The petitioner had accused Mr Modi of violating the Model Code of Conduct by allegedly seeking votes in the name of "god and place of worship" during a rally in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, the deadline has passed for the ruling BJP and main opposition Congress to respond to the Election Commission. Both parties have accused each other of inciting hatred and spreading false claims during the election campaign. Neha Poonia reports.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the Republic and Indonesia have achieved much over the last 10 years and have kept the bilateral relationship in good shape. He met President Joko Widodo at the seventh Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat -- the last for both men, as they will be stepping down this year. Mr Lee said the close relationship has enabled both sides to resolve problems and move forward on cooperation. He highlighted the three landmark deals on airspace, defence and extradition. Saifulbahri Ismail reports from Bogor.

Authorities are issuing health warnings as parts of Asia bake under sweltering heat. The Philippines has suspended in-person classes, while Bangladesh has extended its heatwave alert. Soaring temperatures in Thailand have led to a record surge in power usage over the weekend. Professor Kathryn Bowen of the University of Melbourne shares with CNA’s Asia First what needs to be done to alleviate the effects of extreme heat on people. 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

Global warming is raising big questions for the future of tourism in Australia and how to handle extreme weather conditions. A report by the country's Centre for Integrated Sustainability Analysis found that the so-called Black Summer of bushfires, which started in 2019, wiped US$1.8 billion from tourism supply chains. Australia now faces the challenge of making the industry more sustainable. CNA's Roger Maynard reports from Sydney.

Out of 14 disciplinary cases that the Football Association of Singapore dealt with in 2023, 10 involved verbal abuse or violent conduct towards referees. To tackle this, the association is considering allowing referees to wear video cameras. It has also begun holding educational sessions with Singapore Premier League clubs, and aims to do so for lower and amateur leagues from this year onwards. CNA’s Aslam Shah reports. 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

Sweating bullets? It's scorching in this region, with temperatures soaring as high as 45°C in parts of South and Southeast Asia, prompting school closures in the Philippines and extreme heat warnings in Thailand.

America’s energy future could be at stake in November's presidential election. United States President Joe Biden has pledged to wean the country off fossil fuels, while Republican hopeful Donald Trump has indicated he will do the opposite. In the state of New Mexico, there are concerns that a change in administration could impact its potential as a source of both renewable and non-renewable energy. CNA's Will Denselow reports. 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

With new guidelines for flexible work arrangement requests kicking in by the end of the year, how can living and working spaces change to make hybrid work more accessible for all? Associate Professor Lilian Chee from the National University of Singapore and Associate Professor Ada Wong from the Singapore University of Social Sciences share their research.  This podcast episode is in partnership with the inaugural Ideas Festival. You can find out more at www.ideasfestival.edu.sg (http://www.ideasfestival.edu.sg/) See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Demonstrations at colleges across the United States over the situation in the Middle East have posed a major challenge to university administrators, who have been trying to balance free speech with complaints of anti-Semitism and hate speech at campus protests. Sally Patterson with more from Columbia University in New York.

It's just over a month before the US state of New Mexico holds Republican and Democratic presidential primaries. New Mexico has the highest percentage of Latinos of all US states - and both parties are heavily courting this voter demographic ahead of November's election.

A few days before his father died, Singaporean lieutenant Nicholas Tang pledged to win the International Sword at the British Royal Military Academy in his honour. The prestigious award is given to the best international cadet. Months later, the 26-year-old fulfilled his promise and made a special request - to have his late father's name engraved on the sword.

Just how much does it cost to groom an Olympic champion, and should the Singapore government fund it all? On this week’s Deep Dive podcast, hosts Steven Chia and Crispina Robert chat with Sport Singapore CEO Alan Goh and former national swimmer Mark Chay to find if there’s enough support for national athletes.

Heart of the Matter is now called Deep Dive! A new look and sound, and 2 hosts to bring you fresh perspectives on the hottest news coming out of Singapore and beyond. ========= In this first episode of a brand-new CNA podcast called Deep Dive, hosts Steven Chia and Crispina Robert talk sports. How has the Singapore sporting infrastructure changed since Joseph Schooling won gold in 2016? Former national swimmer Mark Chay and CEO of Sport Singapore Alan Goh are guests. 0:00 Message to Heart of the Matter subscribers 4:03 Reaction to Joseph Schooling's retirement 10:40 Does Singapore have the right sporting infrastructure? 17:25 Is there enough money? 18:50 What Singapore can learn from other countries 23:54 How National Service impacts athletes 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 first conviction for marital rape took place in the courts of Singapore in April. When it comes to sexual relations, whether in a marriage or not, both parties need to know that consent is non-negotiable, says TSMP Law Corporation's Stefanie Yuen Thio. 0:00 Introduction 1:03 What is the significance of this case? 1:26 Why is consent important in a marriage? 1:53 What are the challenges in proving consent in marital rape cases? 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