There's growing evidence that points to sleep duration as a risk factor in chronic physical and psychological disorders. Whether we are asleep or awake naturally depends on our circadian rhythm -- a 24-hour pattern linked to biological clocks. Researchers have zeroed in on the "master clock" in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Environmental cues like health and nutrition influence the function of the SCN, but most important is the role played by natural light and darkness. CNA looks at ways to create an optimum bedroom environment for consistent, uninterrupted sleep.

In Australia's Darwin, a star attraction at this year's multi-national air combat exercise is the F-35 fighter jet. 20 of them are on show at the biennial Exercise Pitch Black. While Singapore's purchases are still on the horizon, this three-week event is giving its air force personnel the chance to learn more about the jet. Nadirah Zaidi reports.

A small nation with big dreams at the Olympic Games. Since its first appearance in 1948, Singapore has won five medals across three sports. With more action coming up in the next two weeks, Alif Amsyar traces some of Singapore's major Olympic milestones since its first medal in 1960. He also shares how the French are gearing up for this Friday's historic opening ceremony in Paris.

Singapore's military personnel have been urged to think creatively and innovate to maintain their edge. Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How said this at the Ignite Innovation Symposium, which recognised over 120 individuals, teams and units for their work improvement efforts. Nikhil Khattar reports.

Singapore's headline inflation fell to a near three-year low in June, hitting 2.4%. Analysts said this marks the start of an easing momentum in inflation, which will provide some relief for households. The Monetary Authority of Singapore said the full-year forecast range for headline inflation is being reviewed, prompting some economists to lower inflation estimates. Core inflation, which excludes private transport and accommodation, is on a moderating trend. June's figure came in at 2.9%, lower than the 3.1% in May.

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said Singapore needs to strengthen its tripartite partnerships. He was speaking at the Future Singapore Conference, where a report was released on the country's economic transformation over the past eight years. It showed the importance of strengthening Singapore's position as a global Asia node for technology, innovation and enterprise. The report also highlights how Singapore will be doubling down on new growth areas. Singapore Business Federation CEO Kok Ping Soon shared more about Singapore's next phase of economic growth.

Tokyo 2020 was held under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Paris 2024 is taking place in a more deeply divided world, amid ongoing conflicts, big-power rivalry and geopolitical cybersecurity risks. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has long sought to cast the Games as a platform for peace and neutrality, but some say the Olympics are inextricably linked to global politics and tension. Ross Cullen reports.

It's been a week since six foreigners were found dead in a hotel room at Bangkok's Grand Hyatt Erawan. There is still no official conclusion on what happened, although Thai police have found cyanide in the room, indicating possible death by poisoning. CNA's Tung Ngo spoke to the mother of one of the victims, 36-year-old makeup artist Tran Dinh Phu.

More than 2.7 million Singaporeans will be eligible to vote in the next General Election. Not sure what to do? Here's how to check if you’re on the list and other tips.

The Philippines "cannot yield" in territorial disputes, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said in his annual State of the Nation address to Congress on Monday (Jul 22), after escalating confrontations in the South China Sea. Manila is locked in a territorial row with Beijing over parts of the strategic waterway. Dr Aries Arugay, visiting fellow at the ISEAS Yusof-Ishak Institute, shares his thoughts 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

A ministerial task force that has been looking into new community living models for persons with disabilities will give its recommendations later this year. Among the issues it hopes to address is who will provide care for them when their caregivers are gone. CNA’s Chloe Teo 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

In her first campaign speech on Monday (Jul 22), US Vice President Kamala Harris, who was also previously California attorney-general, took a jab at Republican nominee Donald Trump's criminal record. "I will proudly put my record against his," she said. *Video quality is inherent to source

On Monday (Jul 22), United States’ Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle acknowledged that the agency had "failed" in its mission to prevent the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. Cheatle, who is facing bipartisan calls to resign, said the shooting was the Secret Service’s most significant operational failure in decades. University of Minnesota law professor Richard Painter tells CNA’s Asia First there needs to be a revamp of the upper echelons of the Secret Service. Painter, who was the chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W Bush administration from 2005 to 2007, says that president Bush would have fired the Secret Service director immediately if such an incident happened when he was in office. 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

We took a shot with the SAF's new light machine gun - the Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940E-SG. It will replace the Singapore-made SAW Ultimax 100 which has been in use since 1982.

Is the Democratic presidential nomination now Kamala Harris' to lose? And how might Donald Trump recalibrate his campaign against her? The Trump campaign may look to portray Harris "in ways that are not directly anti-female" but could suggest that she's too weak or that she doesn't have the decisiveness, says Bruce Cain, a political science professor at Stanford University. 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

As Singapore athletes gear up for the start of the Paris Olympics this week, it's the second time around for two of them -- former badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew and Southeast Asia's fastest woman Shanti Pereira. They are focused on learning from past mistakes and overcoming challenges like injuries. Alif Amsyar reports.

Some beachfront areas in East Coast Park have been reopened to the public, more than five weeks after a massive oil spill forced authorities to close off beach access for clean up. Non-primary contact water sports, such as kayaking, can resume in the areas.The National Environment Agency has advised the public not to swim in these waters, adding that such activities can only resume when water quality returns to normal.

Of the nine precincts that joined the Urban Redevelopment Authority's pilot Business Improvement District (BID) programme in 2018, only four -- Tanjong Pagar, Raffles Place, Marina Central and Singapore River -- have decided to extend their status by another two years. The five that did not continue are Jurong Gateway, China Place and City Hall, Paya Lebar and Kampong Glam. Dr Tan Wenn Er, postdoctoral fellow at the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, shared why some BIDs thrived while others fell through.

A focus group to support delivery workers has yielded suggestions, such as using QR codes to facilitate entry into buildings. Other ideas include dedicated parking or waiting spaces, and extending parking grace periods. The discussion, which involved more than 60 workers and development representatives, took place last month. Ms Jean See, who is director of NTUC's Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit and also the National Delivery Champions Association's executive secretary, shared more about the tripartite workgroup on last-mile deliveries.

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore's ties with Malaysia are "hard-won and precious", and not to be taken for granted. And while there will be some difficult issues, he said the two sides must not let these get politicised and affect the overall relationship. Mr Lee was speaking to the Kuala Lumpur Business Club at the end of a four-day visit to Malaysia. Jeraldine Yap reports.