India has announced a slew of measures to boost its manufacturing sector, in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first budget since winning a third term. For a decade now, Mr Modi has urged foreign companies to move their production lines to the subcontinent, in a flagship policy known as "Make in India". Companies said an affordable and large labour pool is what is drawing foreign firms to India. It's also what the government hopes to leverage to create millions of new jobs. Neha Poonia reports.

Recent opinion polls show Democrat Kamala Harris leading Republican Donald Trump by at least one point, ahead of November’s United States presidential election. Observers suggest Harris’ newly-picked running mate Tim Walz could help sustain the momentum, particularly in crucial key battleground states. Louis DeSipio, political science professor at the University of California, Irvine, tells CNA’s Asia First that Walz is likely to appeal to “football dads and older white voters”. 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

Bangladesh remains in a political deadlock as anticipation mounts for a new era of leadership. This, after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and then fled the country. Protest leaders have set a deadline and are expecting members of the interim government to be finalised by today. Incoming leader and Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus said he will work with relevant parties to rebuild Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has called for a general election to be held within the next three months. Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.

On East Asia Tonight (Aug 7), the US to boost forces in Australia, China releases an ex-Taiwan soldier five months after a coast guard rescue, and a US court finds China-born academic Wang Shujun guilty of spying while living a double life as a pro-democracy activist. Also, views from Asia on the Harris-Walz Democratic ticket.

From his teen start in the US military, to teaching in China and on a Native American reservation before entering politics, Kamala Harris’ vice presidential pick Tim Walz packs a full resume - and exudes folksy appeal. Kathryn Schumaker, a senior lecturer at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, tells CNA’s Asia Now that working- and middle-class voters will resonate with Walz’s humble beginnings and lengthy public service record. 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

Ms Tan Su Shan will take over as DBS' chief executive when Mr Piyush Gupta steps down in March next year, the bank announced on Aug 7. At the announcement, Ms Tan was also appointed as deputy CEO, in addition to her current role as group head of institutional banking. More details: https://cna.asia/3yk4V9n 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

DBS chief executive Piyush Gupta will step down from his role when he retires at the bank's next annual general meeting on Mar 28, 2025. Mr Gupta took the top position in DBS in 2009, joining the bank after 27 years at Citigroup. Deputy CEO Tan Su Shan, who is also group head of institutional banking, will succeed Mr Gupta as CEO. More details: https://cna.asia/3yk4V9n 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

India has announced a slew of measures to boost its manufacturing sector, in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first budget since winning a historic third term in office. For a decade now, Modi has urged foreign companies to move their production lines to the subcontinent, under a flagship "Make in India" policy aimed at transforming the world’s fifth-largest economy into a manufacturing hub. CNA’s Neha Poonia 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

Nobel-winning economist and banker Muhammad Yunus will lead Bangladesh’s interim government after longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina’s abrupt exit on Monday (Aug 5). The first major step Yunus should take is to bring back normalcy in the country following weeks of violent student-led protests, says Amit Ranjan, research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Institute of South Asian Studies. He tells CNA’s Asia Now that restoring peace and law will lay the foundation for the next government to run the country. 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

Travellers at Changi Airport will soon be able to clear immigration without presenting their passports. This is part of a trial that began on Aug 5, and it will be progressively rolled out across all terminals by the end of September.

Nobel-winning microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus has been chosen to lead Bangladesh’s interim government, after weeks of violent protests led to longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee. There is “no better person in the world” for the job, says adjunct professor Lutfey Siddiqi from the National University of Singapore Business School. He tells CNA's Asia Tonight that Yunus, an economist credited with lifting millions of his fellow citizens out of poverty, has soft power that can help the country attract foreign investment. 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

US sprinter Gabby Thomas took the gold at the #Paris2024 200m final on Tuesday (Aug 6), denying Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred a second gold.

He is one of the most recognisable diplomats in the world today. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke exclusively to CNA’s Teresa Tang during his whirlwind six-nation tour of Asia. She shares behind-the-scenes moments and gets analysis from correspondents Simon Marks and Leong Wai Kit. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

This year's National Day Parade choreographers said they had to think out of the box to amplify the strengths of each performer. The event is also a way to push themselves and elevate their skills as choreographers. Assistant choreographer Shauna Santa Maria said one of the challenges in navigating such a grand-scale event is thinking about how to integrate all the moving parts seamlessly. Chief choreographer Andy Cai hopes the experience gained by his assistant choreographers will help them have a foot in the door for future parades. Claudia Lim reports.

Room bookings at some local hotels have surged more than 20% this year ahead of National Day, compared to last year. It's not only for the 9 August long weekend, but also in the weeks leading up to it with the eight NDP rehearsals and preview shows. Hoteliers have been capitalising on this demand from locals and tourists. Some have come up with National Day-themed activities for guests. Nikhil Khattar reports.

A man accused of a murder at Block 803 Yishun Ring Road last month has been taken back to the crime scene as part of the investigation. 49-year-old Affendi Yusoff has been charged with the murder of 35-year-old Fiqri Choo Iskandar, believed to be his flatmate. Accompanied by police officers and a translator, he was taken to the unit on the 10th floor. Jeraldine Yap reports.

Businesses and organisations in Singapore that want to donate food will not get penalised if beneficiaries fall sick from eating it, as long they meet four conditions. A Good Samaritan Food Donation bill seeks to protect donors from lawsuits. Firstly, the food must be safe for consumption at the time it was donated. Secondly, donors must inform recipients on how to handle the food so it remains safe for eating. Thirdly, recipients must be told when the donated food expires. And, donors must take reasonable measures to comply with food safety requirements up to the point of donation.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore said fostering a competitive insurance market is key to ensuring access to affordable policy options in the long term. Questions were raised in Parliament today over a proposed acquisition of a majority stake in Income Insurance by Germany's Allianz. The questions were answered by Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, Alvin Tan, as well as Second Minister for Finance and MAS Board Member, Chee Hong Tat. The MAS also assured that there will be no change to the terms and conditions of existing insurance contracts. It added that it will hold both parties to these commitments. Nicolas Ng reports.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has accepted an apology from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over its removal of several of his social media posts on the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The Prime Minister's Office alleged that Meta's actions were a form of discrimination and restriction on freedom of speech. This comes as Malaysia is introducing a new law requiring all social media platforms and internet messaging services with eight million users and above to obtain a class licence. The new law comes into force beginning 2025. Melissa Goh reports.

Four Hezbollah fighters have reportedly been killed in an Israeli strike in the south of Lebanon, threatening to ignite already-fraught tensions. This comes after the killing of a Hezbollah commander and the death of Hamas' political chief Ismail Haniyeh. Lebanon's foreign minister has insisted that the government is trying to prevent an escalation of the conflict. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack on the Hamas leader, vowing "severe" retaliation, but Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination. Sarah Coates reports.