Four trade associations in Singapore have launched an anti-vaping campaign. This, as a study has found the number of people who use e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products is on the rise. This includes those who regularly or occasionally smoke traditional cigarettes, and even those who don't. At least one doctor said vaping is not necessarily a better alternative to smoking cigarettes. Aslam Shah reports.

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean has cautioned that Singapore's new public service leaders will face scrutiny. Speaking at the Administrative Service Dinner, he said they will be tested to see if they remain united, resilient and dedicated, as well as how well they partner the 4G leadership to safeguard Singapore's interests. Mr Teo added that leaders must have courage to make decisions that are in the best interest of Singapore.

CNA is marking its 25th anniversary this month. We take the opportunity to look ahead to the next quarter century in Asia. Today's focus is on tech. Here's a look at China's long-term semiconductor ambitions and the new frontier of quantum computing.

No let-up in fighting across the Gaza Strip, even after the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the besieged enclave. Dozens of Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles have reportedly surrounded the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Talks for a truce are reportedly still moving ahead. Sources said Hamas has sought to parley any ceasefire into an end to the war and withdrawal of Israeli forces. However, Israel has ruled out such terms, saying that it will pursue efforts to dismantle Hamas. Sarah Coates reports from Tel Aviv.

New Zealand is the latest to join the US and UK in accusing China of a sweeping cyberespionage campaign. China said it has issued a strong complaint to Washington and relevant parties, slamming them for "political manoeuvring". New Zealand said its communications security bureau had established links between Advanced Persistent Threat 40 (APT40) -- an alleged Chinese state-sponsored actor -- with malicious activity targeting the country's parliamentary services. Olly Barratt and Olivia Siong report.

A major bridge in the US city of Baltimore, Francis Scott Key Bridge, collapsed on Tuesday (Mar 26) after a Singapore-flagged container ship collided with it. Officials say up to 20 people may be in the water and rescue efforts are underway. Ship tracking data shows a Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, at the location along the Key Bridge where the accident occurred. https://cna.asia/4axOrYJ 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

Former United States president Donald Trump’s criminal hush money case is set to go to trial on April 15. His legal team wanted the trial dropped or substantially delayed. But in a reprieve for Mr Trump, his bond in a separate civil case has been substantially reduced. CNA's William Denselow has more from New York. 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 United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday (Mar 25) demanding an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after the United States abstained from the vote. https://cna.asia/3TQh0e7 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

Access to private markets may be expanding, but they remain opaque to the regular investor. In this episode of the Money Talks podcast, co-founder and CEO of investment platform StashAway, Michele Ferrario, takes us through the differences between public and private markets, and how access to private markets still has its limits.  0:00 Intro 00:31 Labour report, rental prices 03:41 Public markets vs private markets 09:22 Advantages of investing in private markets 13:00 Democratising access to private markets 20:20 What are the risks involved?

Where others see bits and pieces of scrap metal destined for the trash heap, Thai artist and designer Saruta “Pin” Kiatparkpoom uses them for her awe-inspiring art installations. Read more: https://cna.asia/3PyZeK1 #artisans #artist #bangkok 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

“Bae” - a new AI-powered digital "tour guide" - was one of two winners at the recent national AI challenge on using artificial intelligence and Singapore’s updated OneMap geospace. CNA’s Dawn Tan and Loke Wei Sue spoke to Bell Beh, CEO and co-founder of metaverse start-up BuzzAR, the brains behind the digital avatar, on how it works and what the future holds for this developing tech.

The latest job vacancies report shows nearly half of them are for newly created positions. The Manpower Ministry said this is largely due to businesses expanding into existing and new functions. One such example is the constantly evolving AI sector. The ministry is urging employees to continue upskilling and reskilling so that they can fill these new positions.

Singapore's foreign minister has said that the city-state will continue to engage Israel and the Middle East region, amid calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was speaking after a week-long visit to the region, where he met leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, as well as the heads of some Gulf states. Sherlyn Seah reports.

The Israeli embassy in Singapore has "harshly punished" a staff member for putting up an unauthorised social media post that Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam labelled as "completely unacceptable". The post had compared the mentions of Israel and Palestine in a religious text. The Singapore Government told the embassy to take it down, saying it undermines safety, security and harmony here, and it was removed immediately. Rebecca Metteo tells us more.

CNA is marking its 25th anniversary this month. We are taking the opportunity to look ahead to the next quarter century in Asia. This week, we focus on five topics - defence, tech business and work, healthcare, and climate change. We begin with defence, with a focus on the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

Singapore's former transport minister S Iswaran pleaded not guilty to eight new charges on Mar 25 morning, handed to him as part of a corruption case. Iswaran is accused of obtaining valuable things from Lum Kok Seng, who is the managing director of property and construction group Lum Chang Holdings. Its subsidiary Lum Chang Building Contractors was disqualified from bidding for a Land Transport Authority contract in November 2021. This is after two workers died at a worksite for addition and alteration works to Tanah Merah station and existing viaducts in December 2020 and September 2021. Iswaran now faces a total of 35 charges and is accused of obtaining over S$402,000 worth of items as a public servant. He will contest all charges. The Attorney-General's Chambers said it will take a decision on Lum Kok Seng after the case against Iswaran has been completed. Sherlyn Seah and Sabrina Ng report.

Israel's army has blockaded two Gaza hospitals as it continues to fight Hamas. Israeli officials allege the Palestinian group is using these facilities as bases. As the war in the enclave continues, the UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on a new draft resolution seeking an immediate end to fighting. Sarah Coates reports from Tel Aviv.