The Home Affairs Ministry has said that Singapore cannot loosen its policies on drugs which are based on science and evidence. At a drug abuse prevention seminar, Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim cited the examples of Thailand and the Canadian province of British Columbia, which have seen more addiction or death-related issues. CNA spoke to Dr Leung Chi Ching, lead psychologist at the Home Team Psychology Division. She explained why more young people below 30 are experimenting with drugs and what can be done to help them.

The Philippines is expected to accelerate its economic growth and Singapore wants to make the most of it through their strong bilateral ties. Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan describes the Philippines as “fertile ground”, and Singapore is keen on working with the country in areas like renewable energy, smart cities and artificial intelligence. Aslam Shah reports.

Local firm LionsBot is investing S$12 million in a new factory to boost production of its cleaning robots. The move can potentially help the cleaning industry's labour crunch. The factory expansion is also in line with Singapore's plans to step up robotic capabilities. Nadirah Zaidi finds out more.

Tech giant Apple's latest investment in Singapore is poised to help the country develop as a regional tech hub, according to market observers. The California-based firm is putting in S$340 million to expand its Ang Mo Kio campus. This announcement comes amid CEO Tim Cook’s tour of the region. He visited the company's latest retail store at Marina Bay Sands.

Does it feel warmer than what the thermometer reads? CNA's Jack Board explains why the “feels like” temperature often differs from the actual measured temperature.

Israel's allies are hoping that fresh sanctions on Iran will dissuade Israel from responding militarily to Iran. The European Union has imposed new sanctions on Iran's drone and missile programme, while the US and the UK are calling for targeted sanctions as G7 foreign ministers meet on the Italian island of Capri. Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of the group, says it also expects the bloc to send a message of “solid” support to Ukraine. CNA's Giles Gibson has more on what the leaders are expected to discuss in the coming days.

Former Malaysian PM Najib Razak’s bid to serve his remaining jail term at home has taken a dramatic turn of events, with 2 Cabinet ministers now disputing claims over a supposed royal order that approved the house arrest.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be seeking a rare third term in power, when the country goes to the polls from Friday (Apr 19). Professor Sumit Ganguly, visiting fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, tells CNA's Asia First his predictions for the elections, and the implications of a potential supermajority for Mr Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in parliament. 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

On Apr 19, India will begin an election season spanning two months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting a rare, third term, and surveys show he is widely expected to return to power. If he does, he will become only the second Indian leader to have won three back-to-back terms. CNA's Neha Poonia takes a look at what makes Modi the political phenomenon he is today.

Torrential rains have caused widespread flooding across the United Arab Emirates, dumping more than a year-and-a-half's worth of rain in just a few hours. Associate Professor Roslyn Prinsley, head of disaster solutions at the Australian National University's Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions, tells CNA's Asia First what she believes was the main factor behind the historic downpour. 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

In this instalment of Makan Kakis, Gold 905 DJ Denise Tan and Chef Melvyn Lee visit Guan Hoe Soon at Joo Chiat Road to find out more about its history – over a meal of bakwan kepiting, ayam buah keluak, chap chye, cendol and more. Read more: https://cna.asia/3xP5DdO #Peranakan #MakanKakis #Singapore 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Peranakan dishes 03:42 Preparing food in the kitchen 05:10 Cendol for dessert 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 SG Bike's exit, only two bike-sharing operators remain in Singapore. Cycling is up against a world-class public transport system, says SUTD Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities' Samuel Chng. Read his commentary: https://cna.asia/3IZva6G 0:00 Introduction 0:38 Why is it so hard for bike-sharing to catch on? 1:13 What role can cycling play when the public transport system is so good? 2:17 How can we encourage more to cycle? 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

In this first episode of a brand-new Climate Conversations, hosts Jack Board and Liling Tan tell you why the heatwave will create bigger problems in future than just wilting plants. Plus, quick climate news, a quiz and a sustainability word of the week.   See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Singapore is set to register its first four bulk carriers that use ammonia as marine fuel around 2026. The ships will be among the first in the world to set sail with this alternative fuel, which will still use some amount of diesel to burn. The global maritime industry has set net-zero targets for 2050. Alxis Thng reports.

The labour movement says a fundamental shift in human resource practices, like those to evaluate staff performance and determine bonuses, is needed so that employers can utilise flexible work arrangements (FWAs) more effectively. One key suggestion is to appraise staff based on output rather than their hours worked, as all firms must have a system in place to process FWA requests from December. Richa Mathew reports.

Paintings from Singapore's national collection will be on display at the Venice Biennale for the first time. Eight Southeast Asian works from the National Gallery Singapore will be shown at the main exhibition. CNA spoke to artist Robert Zhao Renhui and curator Haeju Kim.

Snacks made from crickets, and plane rides fuelled by microorganisms - these groundbreaking solutions have won a S$1 million funding boost, as the teams behind them emerged winners of a challenge to solve problems in climate change and food security. Clean aviation fuels venture GAFT won for its work on developing carbon-negative alternatives, while food technology start-up Cricket One is incorporating insects into meat products as a sustainable form of low-cost protein. CNA spoke to Martin Spencer, VP of Business Development at GAFT, and Bicky Nguyen, co-founder of CricketOne.

Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said that Singapore and the Philippines are exploring ways to raise bilateral collaborations to the next level. Speaking to local state-owned firms during his visit to the Philippines, Dr Balakrishnan said he is excited by the Philippines' vision of New Clark City and is glad to see how Singapore has contributed to it. CNA's Philippines correspondent Buena Bernal reports from Clark.

The ongoing violence in Myanmar spilled over to China on several occasions. Beijing publicly slammed the violence, but it worked behind the scenes to mediate peace talks. After rounds of dialogues -- a ceasefire was reached in mid-December between the Myanmar army and the Brotherhood Alliance. But it was an fragile truce, as pockets of fighting continue despite the ceasefire. Aung San Suu Kyi's recent move from prison to house arrest; and a trio of ethnic armies' coordinated attacks against the Myanmar military: How involved is China in these affairs, and what role does China play in resolving the Myanmar crisis?