Abortion access could be a deciding factor in November's US presidential election. Democrat Kamala Harris has made reproductive rights a cornerstone of her campaign, while Republicans aim to appeal to more conservative and anti-abortion factions. In 2022, the conservative majority US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, ending 50 years of the constitutional right to an abortion. 21 out of 50 US states now have total bans in effect or severe restrictions. Sally Patterson reports from the battleground state of Arizona.

Hong Kong leader John Lee delivered his annual policy address on Wednesday with pledges to reform shortcomings focusing on livelihood issues and positioning the city as a global hub. Emeritus professor John P Burns Emeritus of the University of Hong Kong, shares his views on CNA's East Asia Tonight. 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 trial of Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh entered its third day on Wednesday (Oct 16) with the defence resuming its cross-examination of Ms Raeesah Khan. On the second day of the trial, Singh's lawyer Mr Andre Jumabhoy said Ms Khan told lies "non-stop" and sought to impeach her credibility as a witness. Here are some key moments from Day 2 and 3 of the trial. https://cna.asia/3NNufJ3 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 Monday (Oct 14), Canada kicked out six Indian diplomats - including the High Commissioner - alleging their direct involvement in Canadian citizen and separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder last year. India rejected the allegations as "preposterous" and retaliated by telling six Canadian diplomats to leave. The countries’ differing perceptions of activism surrounding a separate Sikh state called Khalistan is at the core of their deep crisis, Michael Kugelman, director of the US-based think tank Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute, tells CNA’s Asia First. 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

Should Olympic athletes serve National Service differently? MP Poh Li San thinks so and suggested in parliament on Wednesday (Oct 16) a modified NS programme for athletes so they have a better shot at the Olympics Games.

North Korea on Wednesday (Oct 16) said around 1.4 million young people joined the army this week, as tensions in the Korean peninsula soar. Pyongyang also blew up roads connected to South Korea after vowing to permanently seal its southern border. Politics professor Stephen Nagy, from the International Christian University in Tokyo, discusses North Korea’s latest provocation on CNA’s Asia First. 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

Singapore scrambled two F-15SG jets on Tuesday night (Oct 15) after a bomb threat on an Air India Express flight. The airline had received an email that there was a bomb onboard flight AXB684 that was bound for Singapore, according to Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. No threat items were found on board after the plane landed at Changi Airport around 10pm.

"Let’s not do anymore questions. Let’s just listen to music,” said US presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday (Oct 14) as he abruptly ended a Q&A session during a town hall in Pennsylvania. The event veered into an impromptu music session as Trump swayed on stage to his favourite tunes for 39 minutes.

North Korea blew up symbolic roads connecting it to the South on Tuesday (Oct 15), prompting Seoul's military to conduct a "counter-fire" operation. Pyongyang vowed to permanently seal its southern border following Kim Jong Un's declaration of the South as his country's "principal enemy".

The United States on Sunday (Oct 13) gave Israel an ultimatum: Allow more aid into Gaza within the next 30 days, or risk the US dialling back its military support. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivered the warning through a letter which outlined specific steps that Israel must take, including allowing a minimum of 350 trucks to enter Gaza every day. Dr Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics and Director of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of San Francisco, discusses the likelihood of Washington withholding aid on CNA’s Asia First. He also gives his thoughts on how effective the warning will be in getting Israel to increase humanitarian access to Gaza. 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

Ex-offender Alvin Chiong doesn’t shy away from his past. In fact, he uses his life story to talk about Singapore’s own history during his tours around Chinatown’s heritage areas where he once hung out. (Video: Joyee Koo, Grace Yeoh) Read more: https://cna.asia/3NkxLu6 #Chinatown #Singapore #gangster 00:00 Introduction 00:56 How he became a gangster in Chinatown 02:19 His life as a gangster 04:01 His life in prison 04:40 The turning point in his life 06:21 Becoming a prison counsellor 07:21 Reuniting with his family 07:42 Becoming a tour guide in Chinatown 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 a vision, optimism and billions pouring in from major tech firms, Malaysia is fighting to be at the forefront of artificial intelligence. But a shortage of talent stands in the way. CNA's Melissa Goh and Afifah Ariffin speak to Teresa Tang in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo said AI-generated misinformation can seriously harm Singapore's democratic foundation, and this demands an equally serious response. She was speaking during the debate on a law that bans the publication of digitally manipulated online election content created using AI technology. While MPs expressed their support for the bill, several of them brought up suggestions. These include expanding the law to cover false endorsements by public figures or influencers, which could be just as effective in swaying voters.

Higher premiums for MediShield Life will kick in from next April. It will allow expanded coverage to protect Singaporeans against major health episodes. Professor Eric Finkelstein from the Health Services and Systems Research Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School shared more about Singapore's public health priorities and the country's goals towards personalised healthcare.

CPF Special Accounts for those aged 55 and up will close from the second half of January next year, after the law was amended on Monday. Other changes include expanding the Home Protection Scheme, with a hundred more members set to benefit each year. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng shared more about the changes and discussed with CNA about retirement adequacy.

The defence lawyer for Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh is seeking to impeach former MP Raeesah Khan as a witness. Grilling Ms Khan on Day Two of Singh's trial, Mr Andre Jumabhoy called her a "non-stop" liar and poked holes in her testimonies. Singh is accused of lying to a parliamentary committee over a case involving Ms Khan. Earlier in the day, Ms Khan told the court how she felt defeated and betrayed by the people she looked up to and trusted, when the Workers' Party leadership convened a disciplinary committee against her lie in parliament. Jeraldine Yap reports.

The Land Transport Authority will impose penalties on train operator SMRT, if investigations into a six-day disruption last month reveal lapses. Over 2.5km of tracks on the East-West Line were severely damaged and had to be replaced. This affected more than one in six passenger journeys every day. It was the longest-ever service disruption on a major train line. In parliament on Oct 15, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat addressed more than 30 questions from over 20 MPs. The wide-ranging discussion ranged from what investigations would cover to how the system could be improved. Claudia Lim and Richa Mathew report.

Singapore's national health insurance will see higher premiums of up to 35%, starting April. The increase in MediShield Life premiums will be spread out over the next three years. The Health Ministry said this will better protect Singaporeans against major health episodes that lead to large bills. It will also enable people to afford new types of care. Claim limits for inpatient stays and day surgeries will be increased. Daily claim limits for intensive care unit stays will more than double. High-cost treatments that are clinically and cost effective will be covered. To help manage the increase in premiums, the government will provide $4.1 billion worth of support measures. Sabrina Ng reports.

Official campaigning for Japan's general election has kicked off, ahead of polls on Oct 27. More than 1,300 candidates are contesting 465 seats in the Lower House of the Diet. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba kicked off the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's campaign in Fukushima and expressed regret for its slush funds scandal. Meanwhile, former prime minister Yoshihiko Noda, the leader of the biggest opposition party, was at the Tokyo suburb of Hachioji, which was previously represented by an LDP heavyweight linked to the scandal. Michiyo Ishida reports.

Flash floods caused chaos in various parts of Malaysia's Klang Valley on Tuesday morning (Oct 15). Residents of 20 houses were ordered to vacate and a car was damaged after a landslide occurred in Taman Melawati.