Two decades since the Nicoll Highway collapse, regular updates to safety protocols are now a mainstay in the construction industry. It includes more independent checks, supervision and upskilling of engineers. An expert tells CNA these are among reasons why such an incident is unlikely to happen again. 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

Grade A office rents are expected to go up further this year by three per cent. Industry observers say smaller firms such as those in consumer goods and financial services are driving up demand, even as some large tech companies have given up their prime area offices. Rebecca Metteo reports.

Two decades on since the Nicoll Highway collapse, regular updates to safety protocols are now a mainstay in the construction industry. It includes more independent checks, supervision and upskilling of engineers. Several safety measures were introduced only after the collapse. Learning from the Nicoll Highway collapse, the SCDF built a tunnel last year to teach officers how to free victims trapped underwater. On top of using gadgets like underwater rovers to search for victims, officers are also regularly deployed to help in overseas disasters to get first-hand experience on the ground. Aslam Shah reports

Liquidators are seeing more construction companies going under - higher than pre-pandemic levels, with even the big boys biting the bullet. Firms are reeling from the aftermath of the pandemic amid a high interest rate environment, coupled with the jump in manpower and material costs. Private construction output is also down in the first quarter this year, even as public projects prop up growth in the sector. Nasyrah Rohim reports.

Rena Lee, Singapore's Ambassador for International Law, has made it to Time Magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people of 2024 for having led successful talks on a UN treaty to protect the world's high seas. She spoke to CNA about the work that put her on the list and the work that still remains to be done.

Procurement firms looking to go green can now use a new e-book to guide them with the process. It contains tips on driving positive change in supply chains and developing eco-friendly practices. The e-book was launched at this year's Singapore Sustainable Forum.

Noticed something new on Instagram? Here are some of the things you should know about the new AI assistant powered by Meta’s Llama 3 large language model.

Malaysia’s billion-dollar 5G roll-out has hit a bump, as a deal between state-owned operator DNB and private telcos appears to have broken down. "Nothing is moving because telcos are starting to have doubts on the path forward,” said a senior Finance Ministry official.

European Union leaders have taken the first step towards major reforms to the bloc's single market. The two-day summit concluded in Brussels with leaders calling for simplification of the customs union. They have also urged for new frameworks to bring in more investments in the bloc, amid increasing competition from China, India and the US. CNA's Ishan Garg reports from Brussels.

The United States and Britain have unveiled fresh sanctions against Iran. The US Treasury department said Washington will target 16 individuals and two entities enabling Iran's drone production. G7 foreign ministers are in Italy to discuss ongoing tensions in the Middle East, as well as additional support for Ukraine. CNA's Giles Gibson with this report.

As the war in Gaza drags on and the death toll mounts, fear is growing within a small sector of Israeli society opposed to the official stance on the Palestinian issue. In a country that is often referred to as the only democracy in the Middle East, those who dare to share their views have found that freedom of speech can come at a heavy cost. CNA’s Sarah Coates has more from Israel.

As the world's largest democracy goes to the polls, India's opposition parties have formed an alliance, with an aim to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. However, the bloc of more than 25 parties seems to be in crisis. CNA's Priyata Brajabasi brings us this report from New Delhi.

It was business as usual for Tel Aviv residents on Friday (Apr 19) despite reports that Israel had attacked Iran in the latest exchange between the two arch-foes, whose decades-long shadow war has broken out into the open and threatened to drag the Middle East deeper into conflict. Despite the ongoing tension, people in Israel are feeling much more secure compared to a week ago, with surfers and children seen enjoying themselves in Tel Aviv on Friday morning. Sarah Coates with the latest on this shift in sentiment. Read more: https://cna.asia/3xHDNQV 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

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A storm pounded the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (Apr 16), causing huge disruptions to flights as runways got flooded. Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest, is working towards becoming functional again. It was a one in 75-year weather event, and the degree of preparation for something so rare can “never be adequate”, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths tells CNA’s World Tonight. He adds that it would not be economic to have contingencies for such events. Read more here: 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

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely considered the frontrunner as the country embarks on a mammoth, multi-phase election on Friday (Apr 19). Dr Pradeep Taneja, senior lecturer in Asian politics, political economy and international relations at the University of Melbourne, tells CNA's Asia First what the prospects are of Mr Modi winning a rare third term and hitting the target he has set for his Bharatiya Janata Party. 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

Using greener biofuel on ships, and setting up routes among like-minded ports to reduce carbon footprint and improve air quality - these were among key discussions at the Singapore Maritime Week, which closes on Apr 19. More than 10,000 delegates took part in the event. CNA spoke to David Libatique, Deputy Executive Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Port of Los Angeles, and Francois Xavier Accard, Managing Director of international shipping company CMA CGM. They talked about how to get more companies onboard with greener biofuels. They also discussed how to grow a green shipping network in the years ahead.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is in Singapore and he visited a school that serves students with disabilities. Mr Cook spoke exclusively with CNA938's Daniel Martin at the event, explaining how and why technology changes the way people with disabilities can learn. CNA spoke to Daniel and Yap Feng Kai from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore School East, who discussed how assistive technologies and adaptive devices help children with cerebral palsy overcome learning challenges.

The biggest sporting event of the year – the Olympic Games – is exactly 100 days away. Host city Paris is gearing up for hundreds of thousands of spectators, who will be watching some 10,500 athletes compete in 329 events. CNA’s Ross Cullen tells World Tonight the concerns, controversies and what to look forward to at the Games. 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