The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries, along with his partner and a third man, were charged on Tuesday (Oct 22) with sex trafficking and prostitution involving dozens of men. The victims were said to be lured with promises of modelling jobs and subjected to abuse at events hosted in Jeffries' homes in the US and hotels around the world. Read more: https://cna.asia/40bCi9T

As governments grapple with the burgeoning global scam problem, artificial intelligence has been going some way in helping, said head of tech giant Google’s government affairs and public policy in Singapore Rachel Teo. Speaking to CNA's Syahida Othman on the sidelines of the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia, she said the firm puts in AI-powered defences to prevent scams from even reaching Gmail inboxes as much as possible. 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

An eyewitness captured the moment an Israeli missile struck a building in Beirut on Tuesday (Oct 22). Israeli military did not explain why the buildings in the area were being targeted, other than to say they were near “interests and facilities” associated with the Hezbollah militant group. Read more: https://cna.asia/3Y9oXfm

Oil demand will peak by 2030 as previously projected, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) reiterated on Tuesday (Oct 22). Speaking to CNA’s Roland Lim on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week, Dr Fatih Birol cited reasons like the economic slowdown in China - which was behind over 60 per cent of oil demand growth for the past decade - and the rising acceptance of electric vehicles. His comments came a day after Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser said oil consumption is likely to increase until 2050 due to demand from developing economies. 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

Immigration is a top issue for American voters this November, after border crossings hit record levels last year. While apprehensions have dropped significantly in recent months, the Biden-Harris administration has been criticised for not doing enough to stem the flow sooner. Donald Trump has promised "mass deportations" if reelected, repeatedly stoking fears of a migrant-fueled crime wave. As CNA's Toni Waterman explains from the Texas-Mexico border, many believe that claim is true - even if the facts don't back it up. 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

China's pet population will be nearly twice that of its young children by 2030. The pet economy is worth billions and has spawned trends never seen before. Teresa Tang sits down with CNA's Shanghai correspondent Tan Yew Guan in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Jakarta, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur all face major water challenges, from the sea, sky or rivers. Will it be mega-engineering or nature itself that could save them? Read: https://cna.asia/4feUfZq 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

Turning traditional video content into games - such trans-media formats were the focus of Singapore companies at a gathering of international TV and content executives in the south of France. About 30 local media companies were part of Singapore’s pavilion at the annual MIPCOM conference, inking deals with their international counterparts. Giles Gibson reports from Cannes.

Singapore has given a conditional nod to Sun Cable import enough low carbon power to meet about nine per cent of Singapore’s electricity needs. This will come from a solar farm in Australia. Mitesh Patel, Interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer of Sun Cable, talks about his company's next steps beyond gaining conditional approval - including working with other countries in the region to lay cables, checking and minimising environmental impact, how the project will support Singapore's intent to be a regional clean energy trading hub, and keeping electricity affordable for all.

The Singapore Government has rejected claims that Mr Lee Hsien Yang and his family are victims of political persecution, calling it "without basis". This comes after Mr Lee said he is now a political refugee seeking asylum in the UK. Responding to queries from UK media outlet The Guardian, the Government said legal findings against Mr Lee by an independent judiciary are well-documented and public. It also addressed other allegations on political repression and money laundering. Jeraldine Yap and Alif Amsyar with more.

Singapore has granted conditional approval to renewable energy firm Sun Cable to import 1.75 GW of solar energy from Australia. With plans to import more clean energy, Singapore is working with countries like Australia to recognise such green energy imports via Renewable Energy Certificates that offset greenhouse gas emissions. CNA speaks to Mitesh Patel, the Chief Operating Officer and interim CEO of Sun Cable. He talks about his company's next steps beyond gaining conditional approval, including working with other countries in the region to lay cables, checking and minimising environmental impact, how the project will support Singapore's intent to be a regional clean energy trading hub, and keeping electricity affordable for all.

Singapore has blocked 10 websites linked to foreign actors that could spread harmful information. This action, taken by the media authority, labels the sites "inauthentic", making them unavailable to users in Singapore. Since the current foreign interference law does not cover these sites, the Government plans to review the law for updates. Dr Shashi Jayakumar, Executive Director of SJK Geostrategic Advisory, weighs in on 10 websites blocked in Singapore. He talks about what could lead to these websites turning harmful, and how the choice of content and name for these sites would help their operators further their causes. He also discusses whether changes to FICA would be needed to address such incidents and the pre-emptive decision to block these sites.

The US presidential election is just around two weeks away and millions of people have already registered to vote across the states. Texas consistently ranks as one of the hardest states in which to register and cast a ballot. But this year, it is more onerous and legally risky than ever. Texas - along with at least 29 other states - has enacted stricter voting laws, some of which are already having an impact on minority groups. Toni Waterman has more.

It was lacklustre debut on the Indian market for South Korea's Hyundai Motor after it raised US$3.3 billion in the country's biggest-ever initial public offering. It received a lukewarm response from retail investors. It was subscribed 2.37 times on the final day, with institutional buyers coming to the rescue, as the three-day sales window drew to a close. Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai.

A train fault on Tuesday (Oct 22) evening disrupted service on Bukit Panjang LRT line in Singapore. Operator SMRT says a “rescue” train was deployed to move a faulty LRT train from Teck Whye station but it, too, stalled on its way back to the depot. https://cna.asia/3BSq8bX 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

BRICS members and their partners are gathering in the Russian city of Kazan for their first summit since the group's expansion. It will take place over the next three days. Representatives from about two dozen countries are set to attend. A wide range of issues are on the agenda, including the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Moscow is billing the meeting as its biggest foreign policy event ever and is looking to position it as a counterweight to the G7, as well as dispel the notion that it is isolated. Dasha Chernyshova in Kazan tells us what we can expect.

The world’s nuclear energy capacity needs to at least triple to meet climate goals under the Paris Agreement as demand for electricity and clean energy grows, said the World Nuclear Association. Dr Sama Bilbao y Leon, director general of the international organisation, speaks to CNA at the Singapore International Energy Week. Read more: https://cna.asia/48eeggp 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

Southeast Asia is highly vulnerable to climate change. To take proactive measures to address the crisis, it needs to bridge the climate financing gap. Ramesh Subramaniam, director general and group chief of the sectors group at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), tells CNA the challenges facing the region when it comes to financing climate action. 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 September 2024, hundreds of children in charity homes across Malaysia were rescued from abuse. The police reported that some were sexually abused by their caretakers and were also taught to abuse other children. Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings, or GISB, has been linked to these homes. The conglomerate is widely known for having ties to Al-Arqam, an outlawed sect. What is the story behind GISB and the alleged child abuse cases? Here's all you need to know. More on how GISB managed to stay under the radar: https://cna.asia/4ePIeti More CNA Explains videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnMTcZEga8RZkFnvrVbOlyleVMcz1-vR 00:00 Introduction 00:34 What is GISB? 01:38 Why did Malaysian police raid welfare homes? 02:39 GISB's response 04:23 How are GISB and Al-Arqam linked? 05:45 How have the Malaysian authorities reacted? 07:30 What's next in this case? 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

Mr Lee Hsien Yang, the younger brother of Singapore's former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, said on Tuesday (Oct 22) that he is now a political refugee in the UK. Citing the Singapore government's "attacks" against him, Mr Lee said he sought asylum protection in 2022 “as a last resort”. In response, the Singapore government said there is "no basis” to Mr Lee's allegations of persecution. Read more: https://cna.asia/3BRvG6m