The nation's returning Olympians, including bronze medallist Max Maeder, have received a warm welcome home. CNA speaks to Max, along with Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong. Max talks about his experience and being able to share his success and joy with people. Mr Tong discusses Max's growth and the support he was given and whether this could be a formula for success in other sports.

Nine in 10 HDB households who sold part of their lease back to HDB received between S$100,000 and S$300,000. Giving an update on the Lease Buyback Scheme, HDB says that as of June, about 12,600 households have taken it up. It was introduced in 2009 to allow seniors to unlock the value of their flats while still living in them. HDB says that over the past five years, the take-up rate has remained steady at around 1,700 households per year. Claudia Lim with more.

Bicycles and kick scooters will be banned from footpaths that are next to cycling lanes from the fourth quarter of this year. They must stick to the cycling lane instead. Only personal mobility aids like motorised scooters will be allowed on these pedestrian-only paths. These have a speed limit of 6 km/h. The Land Transport Authority says this is to keep paths safer for all, especially seniors and young children. CNA speaks to Koh Juay Meng, Member of the Active Mobility Advisory Panel and Chairman of RSVP Singapore.

Thailand is searching for a new leader after Srettha Thavisin was removed from office by the Constitutional Court, which found he had breached ethics standards. CNA speaks to Mathis Lohatepanont, a Thai political scientist from the University of Michigan.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has decided not to run for re-election for leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) next month. Mr Kishida says this is an obvious first step to show the LDP will change, as public trust in the party tanks to record lows following a series of political scandals. Michiyo Ishida reports.

Thailand, in a fresh bout of political turmoil, is set to choose a new prime minister after a court removed Srettha Thavisin over an ethics violation that breached the constitution. Mr Srettha says he is saddened by the ruling and is confident of his honesty. The Constitutional Court found Mr Srettha guilty over his nomination of a Cabinet minister with a criminal record. Thai law prohibits those with a criminal conviction from holding a public post. Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.

On East Asia Tonight (Aug 14), Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida steps down over political scandals and sinking polls; a Thai court removes Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Also, why Malaysia wants in on BRICs, and who is bearing the brunt of Hong Kong’s scorching summer?

With the dismissal of Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a new prime minister in a caretaker capacity will have to be appointed, alongside a new Cabinet. The latest development will be further fuel to the fire for Thais who are already angered by the Constitutional Court's ordered dissolution of the opposition Move Forward Party. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut with the latest on the possible personnel changes in the Government House. https://cna.asia/3WZHgE 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

Thailand’s Srettha Thavisin was removed as prime minister by the constitutional court on Wednesday (Aug 14) for breaching ethical rules, raising the spectre of more political upheaval and a reset of the governing alliance. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut with the latest on the potential ramifications from the "major political earthquake". Read more: https://cna.asia/4fCACeV 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

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday (Aug 14) dismissed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for appointing to his Cabinet a former lawyer who served jail time, raising the spectre of more political upheaval and a reset of the governing alliance. His removal after less than a year in power means parliament must convene to choose a new premier. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut reports from outside the Government House in Bangkok as the event unfolds. 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

Malaysia could use the BRICS grouping of emerging economies to help expand the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) reach, when the country takes over the chairmanship of the regional bloc next year, said economists. Malaysia is working towards BRICS membership amid growing geopolitical uncertainties, including tensions between China and the United States. Analysts said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would want to seize various platforms to speak up for ASEAN and the developing world against economic injustices. CNA’s Melissa Goh reports. 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

Team Singapore Olympians, including bronze medallist Max Maeder, soaked in the love from cheering crowds during a wet but jubilant celebratory open-top bus parade on Wednesday (Aug 14). Fervent fans braved the rain and thronged cheer points along the route that took the athletes through Bayfront Avenue, Chinatown, Orchard Road, Serangoon Road and Victoria Street. https://cna.asia/3yCXQkg 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 has the world’s most extensive high-speed railway network, and it is still rapidly expanding. But the system has come under scrutiny, with 26 decommissioned train stations scattered across the country. Observers point to over-investment, low passenger flow and remote locations as key reasons. CNA’s Tan Si Hui visits some of these so-called ‘ghost’ stations. Read more: https://cna.asia/3X67oxO 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

Team Singapore Olympians are going around central Singapore as part of a celebratory open-top bus parade on Aug 14. The athletes on the bus are: Kitefoiler and Paris Games bronze medallist Max Maeder, sailing's Ryan Lo, sprinter Marc Brian Louis, badminton’s Yeo Jia Min, Terry Hee and Jessica Tan, kayaker Stephenie Chen, swimmer Gan Ching Hwee, and table tennis players Izaac Quek and Zhou Jingyi. The bus parade started at 11.30am and has gone past Marina Bay Sands, Chinatown, Orchard Road, Serangoon Road. It will end at Victoria Street. Read our live blog: https://cna.asia/4cwG408 More details on the parade: https://cna.asia/46Juo8N 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

Olympic bronze medallist Max Maeder says being able to positively uplift others is “really the beauty of why I do this sport”. Cheering crowds have greeted the young kitefoiler and other Team Singapore Olympians on their celebratory open-top bus parade. Follow our live blog for the latest updates: https://cna.asia/3yCXQkg Watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/lg-Ll8EtitY 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

Students at the School of the Arts Singapore (SOTA) cheered loudly for Team Singapore Olympians, as the open-top bus parade for the athletes passed by the school. The celebratory parade on Aug 14 went around central Singapore, including Marina Bay Sands and Chinatown. (Video: CNA/Justin Ong Guang-Xi)

Two astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, are stranded at the International Space Station after arriving on Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft in early June. They were meant to stay for about a week, but their return to Earth has been repeatedly delayed due to technical issues. NASA said it is exploring options, including using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon to bring them home in early 2025. Professor David Barnhart, director of the University of Southern California’s Space Engineering Research Center, tells CNA’s Asia First what a prolonged stay could do to the astronauts’ wellbeing. He also shares his thoughts on the potential repercussions for Boeing’s reputation and its commercial spaceflight programme. 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

Noisy neighbour driving you up the wall? A new government unit could soon be created to tackle such disputes in severe cases after a proposed law is passed. The Community Relations Unit will also use special noise sensors when conducting investigations that can measure the intensity, direction and level of sound produced.

Britain's new government has launched a "root and branch" review of the country's armed forces. Despite a tight squeeze on public spending, the new prime minister has promised a "cast iron'" commitment, to spend 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product on defence and maintain the country's nuclear capability. From recruitment to commitment, some defence experts warn Britain no longer has a "tier one" military force, and there are no quick fixes. CNA's John Bevir reports.

Students aspiring to become medical professionals in India are furious because the crucial NEET-exam has been hit by accusations of fraud and paper leaks. Teresa Tang discusses who is responsible and what's next with correspondent Ishan Garg in New Delhi.  See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.