Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has said that a digital economy agreement between the EU and ASEAN would give European firms confidence to do business in this region. And Singapore can be a gateway to the markets here. He made the remarks at an awards ceremony organised by the Singapore-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean will be co-chairing the fourth Singapore-China Social Governance Forum in June, which will be hosted by Singapore. Since 2012, the Forum has allowed officials at various levels from both sides to interact and exchange views on common challenges. SM Teo made the announcement in a meeting with senior Chinese officials in Beijing, and said that though Singapore and China differ in size and complexity, both sides share common challenges and mutual exchanges are valuable. Low Minmin reports from Beijing.

World Water Day falls on Mar 22. It is marked every year by the United Nations (UN) and the world to inspire positive ripple effects to tackle the global water crisis. The theme this year, amid growing concerns over wars, is “Water for Peace”. The UN says water can create peace or spark conflict, playing a critical role in stability and prosperity. CNA's Julie Yoo has the details.

Dozens have been detained in India for protesting the arrest of Delhi’s chief minister and a prominent opponent of India's prime minister. Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party is now the subject of a graft probe, in what critics call a crackdown ahead of national polls. CNA spoke to Sumit Ganguly, Distinguished Professor of Political Science from Indiana University Bloomington.

Key allies are putting pressure on Israel to agree to a truce in Gaza. The UN Security Council will vote on a US draft resolution, highlighting the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire. Ahead of the vote, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has landed in Israel on his sixth urgent mission to the Middle East since war broke out. Alex Cadier reports from Tel Aviv.

With national polls just weeks away, India's protesting farmers are back on the streets. They are hoping for a repeat of 2021, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi repealed controversial farm laws after more than a year of mass protests. They are now demanding higher prices for their crops. They say they are struggling to make money due to climate change and rising costs. The situation has even prompted some farmers to work abroad for a better income. Rebecca Bundhun reports from Punjab.

About 43 per cent of Gen Zers and 41 per cent of millennials suffer from a flawed perception of their finances, known as “money dysmorphia”, a recent study in the United States has found. It is a problem that can lead to poor or ill-informed financial decisions. CNA’s Olivia Marzuki explains what is driving the condition. 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

Nuclear power, which is seen as key to fighting climate change, is back in France. It will form a major part of the government’s plan to reduce emissions under new energy legislation to be brought before lawmakers. But the bill has been criticised for not being ambitious enough with renewable targets. CNA's Ross Cullen reports.

The Myanmar army is moving to enlist its first batch of civilians into the military, with summons letters reportedly sent to eligible candidates in Yangon. These are in line with the military’s recently enacted conscription law which has sparked a range of concerns, from brain drain to increased violence amid the ongoing crisis. CNA's Leong Wai Kit reports.

Singapore fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against China in their World Cup Qualifying match. It is a creditable start for new Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura, who has now earned the Lions their first point in Group C. More than 28,000 fans had packed the National Stadium in Kallang. Aslam Shah reports.

Mediacorp is holding its first-ever career event to help fresh graduates, mid-career workers or anyone looking for job options. It is called "Career Forward" and they will get to learn more from industry and HR experts and network with prospective employers. It is organised together with SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore, and will be held at Hall D of the Sands Expo & Convention Centre from Mar 23-24. Dasheng Toh, Head of Industry Solutions at Mediacorp, shared more details.

The agency in charge of greening Singapore is using new gizmos and gadgets to restore the island's forests. It is also not letting up on a pledge to plant a million trees by 2030. Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu on Facebook marked International Day of the Forests, saying the Government will continue to transform the island into a City in Nature. CNA spoke to Lim Liang Jim, Group Director of Conservation at the National Parks Board.

The insurance industry wants people to be clearer about what they buy and how claims are evaluated. A new guidebook has been launched for this purpose by the Life Insurance Association of Singapore. CNA spoke to Chan Wai Kit, Executive Director of the Life Insurance Association Singapore.

Singapore is seeking to expand bilateral ties with China, beyond big cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean said that to get a better understanding of China, deep networks with other provinces and cities are also important. He made the remarks in a meeting with the head of the Central Party School in Beijing, on Day Four of his week-long tour to China to improve bilateral relations. Low Minmin reports from Beijing.

India's main opposition Congress party has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of using the tax department to starve them of finances. The frozen accounts contain more than US$25 million. The funds were locked up last month over claims that the party was late in filing its tax returns. The move comes ahead of general elections that are due to take place in seven phases, starting next month. Priyata Brajabasi reports from New Delhi.

Political uncertainty looms over Vietnam following the resignation of its president Vo Van Thuong. Once a rising star, Thuong appears to be the latest casualty of the so-called "the burning furnace", an ongoing anti-corruption campaign in the country. Analysts say that while no significant changes in policy are expected, the sudden change at the helm of Vietnam’s political leadership has many investors concerned about the level of political stability in the country. Tung Ngo reports.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has unveiled a draft UN Security Council resolution, that seeks an "immediate ceasefire linked to the release of hostages" in Gaza. He made the announcement during his tour of the Middle East that will end with a stop in Israel. Sarah Coates reports.

Indonesia’s General Election Commission has declared Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto and his running mate as the winners of the presidential race, but his rivals say the polling process was riddled with irregularities and fraud. Anies Baswedan has filed a petition with the Constitutional Court challenging the results, while the other candidate, Ganjar Pranowo, said his legal team is also preparing to file a complaint disputing the results. Chandni Vatvani with this report.