South Korean gaming powerhouse Nexon is tapping blockchain technology to sustain the interest in its online games, in an era where publishers struggle to prolong their products’ shelf life and with thousands of new titles are released every year. This is “a huge experiment” that the studio is embarking on with blockchain technology, Nexon Universe’s head of strategy Keith Kim tells CNA’s Grace Shin. 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

This may sound familiar - you’ve been asked to do more work but there’s no promotion in sight. Should you say no? The Work It podcast answers a listener-submitted question (thanks Ally!).

The United States Federal Reserve cut its key lending rate by 50 basis points, or half a percentage point, on Wednesday (Sep 18) in its first reduction since the COVID-19 pandemic. William Lee, chief economist at think tank Milken Institute, believes the Fed has enough evidence that inflation is moderating sustainably and is ready to cut interest rates at a gradual pace. He shares his views with CNA's Asia Now on the sidelines of the Milken Institute's Asia Summit. 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

You are taking on more projects every year, yet the career jump remains out of reach. What’s holding your boss back from promoting you and what can you do to break this cycle? Have a work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Email us at cnapodcasts@mediacorp.com.sg 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

PropNex CEO Ismail Gafoor and his wife have a simple financial rule - don’t lend money as that can ruin friendships. The Singapore millionaire shares his philosophy on spending and making money, what he does instead of lending money, and explains why he only gives his children a small allowance.

It has been ten months since Finland closed its border with Russia, and there are still no signs of it reopening soon. Fences are now being built along the border at the eastern edge of Europe, to fight what the Finnish government describes as "weaponised" immigration. Ties between the two sides appear to have deteriorated so much that plans are being drawn to ban Russian citizens from buying property in Finland. John Bevir reports from the border in southeast Finland.

Britain is conducting an audit of its “confusing” relationship with China, one of its largest trading partners, across a range of interests. British Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West says the move will provide businesses more clarity. She also shares with CNA’s Rani Samtani the new Labour government’s position on Taiwan. 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

At least 14 people were killed and 450 injured after electronic devices exploded across Lebanon on Wednesday (Sep 18), a day after a spate of similar explosions from pagers used by Hezbollah. Some Lebanese say they are now afraid to use devices with batteries, while others are undeterred and committed to "stand with the resistance". More details: https://cna.asia/3zAMxJI 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 debts of China’s local governments are vast – 93 per cent of gross domestic product, according to International Monetary Fund figures. Observers say the IMF numbers are probably an underestimate, and are still rising. Ray Dalio, founder of investment management firm Bridgewater Associates, says China’s real estate debt issues and local government debt problems have not been dealt with adequately. He tells CNA’s Roland Lim on the sidelines of Milken Institute's Asia Summit that restructuring local government debt is crucial for China's economic revival. 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

More young Taiwanese are turning to near-expired food items sold at steep discounts as a way to cope with the island's soaring cost of living. It has become a popular topic on social media, with netizens sharing tips and experience of buying these discounted goods. CNA's Victoria Jen with this report.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a “new phase” in the war, with more troops to be deployed to the Lebanese border where Israel has been exchanging rocket fire with Hezbollah. James Gelvin from the University of California discusses the likelihood of Israel opening a second front and factors that could escalate or ease tensions in the Middle East. Read more: https://cna.asia/3BbpCW3 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 roar of the F1 engines is back again this year in Singapore and race organiser Singapore GP says it's on track to halve its energy emissions by 2028. This includes reducing energy use, tapping on green energy sources and limiting their carbon footprint. Jack Board and Liling Tan chat about whether these green goals are achievable as the rubber hits the road.  See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

From an internship with Red Bull Racing to engineering jobs across four Formula One teams. Some Singaporeans have made their mark at the highest level in motorsport. While young Singapore drivers have recently put themselves in pole position for a successful racing career, others are vying for a future in F1 off the tracks. Aslam Shah reports.

Typhoon Yagi – Asia's most powerful storm this year – has ravaged Myanmar and left more than 200 people dead, according to official figures. Communication is a key challenge for humanitarian organisations trying to help communities, says Nadia Khoury, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) head of delegation in Myanmar. She tells CNA's Asia Now what her organisation is up against in trying to help the nation recover. 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

About 120 vehicles have successfully installed vehicle entry permit (VEP) tags since the Singapore office started doing so last Thursday. The centre aims to install tags for about 100 to 150 cars a day from next month, if things go well. But, problems persist ahead of the Oct 1 deadline for foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia by land from Singapore. For example, some drivers with appointments are not able to collect their tags because of issues such as the online processing of payments. Jeraldine Yap reports.

Singapore's Education Ministry has pledged to protect teachers' well-being outside of school. It has set boundaries on sharing personal phone numbers and launched new guidelines to ease teachers' workload. Mrs Tan Chen Kee, MOE's deputy director-general of education (schools) and director of schools, shared more about the latest moves announced at the Annual Work Plan Seminar.

A one-year pilot to give more exposure to local musicians through airplay at public transport spaces has been extended to March 2025. More than 140 local artists have had their songs played around 8 million times across 125 SMRT train and bus stations so far. Talks are also underway to expand the initiative to other public spaces like shopping malls. 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

A staff member of Malaysian firm Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) has been charged with alleged criminal intimidation. Mohamad Riza Makar, 39, allegedly intimidated a woman in a parking lot in Putrajaya, pressuring her to withdraw a police report she had filed. The accused, who has three wives and 10 children, allegedly threatened to disclose the whereabouts of the woman and her family. If convicted, he faces a fine and up to two years' jail. GISB is linked to over a dozen welfare homes that were raided last week, following reports of child abuse. Afifah Ariffin reports.

A record voter turnout expected in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, where precincts have wrapped up the first phase of polling. Reports said turnout passed the 50% mark around three hours before polls closed. Nine million people are eligible to cast their votes for the 90-seat legislature. It's the first voting exercise since India’s only Muslim majority province was stripped of autonomy and special rights in 2019. The region is not particularly known for high vote participation, mostly due to fears of violence from militants and separatist groups. Ishan Garg reports from Anantnag.

Also on East Asia Tonight (Sep 18), Australia, the UK and the US eye cooperation with Japan on autonomous maritime systems; North Korea's ballistic missile launch puts its neighbours on edge for a second time in a week; and some hope for Nippon Steel's takeover bid for US Steel as Washington reportedly delays its decision until after the November presidential election.