Trade tensions are simmering between China and the European Union as the bloc's provisional duties of 37.6 per cent on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) come into effect tomorrow. CNA's Olivia Siong has more on the latest reactions from Beijing, while Will Denselow reports from Brussels on possible repercussions that the European companies fear.

Over S$6 million worth of vapes were seized by the Health Sciences Authority during raids between Jun 14 and Jun 18. Fourteen vapes suspected to contain THC, which is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, were also found and handed over to the Central Narcotics Bureau.

Remember the monitor lizard that wandered into a 11th-storey Punggol flat last week? It’s not native to Singapore, says NParks. A herpetologist says it’s likely to be a “captive animal”.

Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technology have boosted the fortunes of legacy software companies of late. One of them is German multinational firm SAP, which has seen its market capitalisation soar to more than US$230 billion as it transitions its services to the cloud and incorporates AI tools in its offerings. SAP CEO Christian Klein speaks to CNA’s Elizabeth Neo exclusively on how the company is realising the potential of AI, and what it means for Asia. 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 Wednesday (Jul 3), Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their unity and commitment to deepening ties while at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). It is a Beijing-led regional bloc that covers Central Asia, India and Iran and is designed as a counterweight to US influence in international affairs. Aurel Braun, Professor of International Relations at the University of Toronto, tells CNA’s Asia First that he finds it difficult to see how the SCO could become a successful collective defence organisation, as there are “just far too many differences among the members”. 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

Your boss is asking you to communicate with senior management because they don't feel confident. If you feel uncomfortable, how should you broach the topic? Have a burning work-related question to ask a career counsellor? Send it to us at cnapodcasts@mediacorp.com.sg. Listen to more Work It episodes: https://cna.asia/4barKti 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 this CNA Lifestyle mini-series, we challenge Singapore chefs to whip up a yummy dish using instant noodles. This time, Nae:um’s Chef Louis Han has a ramyeon fix combines two different flavours – seafood- and meat-based. (Video: Joyee Koo, May Seah) Read more: https://cna.asia/4bw1euK #instantnoodles #ramyeon #recipe 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

Oil and water never mix so when there's a spill, all kinds of environmental, financial and even emotional impact ensue. Jack Board and Liling Tan drill deep into the impact of spills and how innovative solutions can prevent them. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

The National Museum of Singapore has launched its latest toy-themed pop-up. From 5 July, visitors can expect large-scale artworks, extensive toy displays and interactive exhibits, curated in collaboration with local collectors and artists. Titled Play:Date - Unlocking Cabinets of Play, the showcase highlights the significance of toys in Singapore's story and sheds more light on the history behind our favourite playthings. The National Museum of Singapore's assistant curator Ruchi Mittal, and Mr Jian Yang, a Barbie doll collector with the second-largest collection in the world, shared more about the exhibit and Singapore's toy-collecting scene.

Singapore teen kitefoiler Max Maeder said he feels a responsibility to keep diligent and disciplined, as he gears up for his big Olympic debut. The medal hopeful said that's because his quest for gold in France is not only about him, but also the village that has helped him get there. Now ranked third in the world, the 17-year-old spoke to CNA's Alif Amsyar from Marseille, where the Olympic sailing events will be held. The Olympic kitefoiling events start on 4 August.

A plastic bag charge that went into effect at major supermarkets a year ago isn't making that big a dent yet. Some manufacturers of plastic bags said supermarket demand for single-use carrier bags have fallen in the past year, but orders remain high among other retailers. The National Environment Agency said it will look at how effective the charge is before deciding whether to expand it beyond supermarkets. Dr Samer Hajjar, senior lecturer of marketing at NUS Business School, shared more about consumer behaviour on single-use plastics.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Singapore will continue to tackle income inequality and ensure the disadvantaged can move upward in life. This, as the gap between Singapore's wealthiest and poorest is at its smallest in over 20 years. He was speaking with 900 students -- his first such chat with young people since taking office. He also shared how his government will communicate unpopular policies with younger Singaporeans, who are increasingly supportive of opposition voices. Alif Amsyar reports.

Yacht charters in Singapore are stuck in limbo, unsure if they qualify for any assistance, while haemorrhaging losses from the oil spill. Some are slashing boat rates and using social media to bring back customers, but they said it's not enough to cover the full extent of losses. With three months to go until the end of the second phase of the oil spill clean-up, yacht owners are hoping for more to be done to help them tide through this period. Claudia Lim reports.

It's the final day of campaigning in UK elections, with the ruling Conservative party downplaying expectations of a Labour victory. Opinion polls still indicate that Labour leader Keir Starmer is on the cusp of victory. Throughout the election campaign, Mr Starmer has reiterated that he won't seek to rejoin the EU, single market or the customs union. But, a change in UK leadership could usher in some changes to foreign policy. Olly Barratt reports from London.

Bilateral talks are underway on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Kazakhstan's capital Astana. Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier met with his Kazakh counterpart, promising deeper cooperation in trade and strategic partnership. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. All eyes are on the upcoming meeting between Mr Xi and Mr Putin. Experts see the meeting as a chance for them to demonstrate their "strategic partnership" amid soaring tensions with the West. Tan Si Hui reports.

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has failed in his bid to serve out the remainder of his sentence at home. The Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed his legal action over the existence of an alleged royal supplementary order permitting house arrest. Najib's defence team has said it would appeal against this decision. Najib is currently serving his sentence in Kajang prison and remains on trial for corruption in several other 1MDB-linked cases. Afifah Ariffin reports.

Taiwan has called on Beijing to release a fishing boat seized by the Chinese coast guard on Tuesday evening. Two Taiwanese and three Indonesian sailors were onboard the squid-fishing boat, which Beijing said was illegally fishing. Taipei noted that detained boats are typically released by China, after paying a fine. The incident happened 44km from Kinmen islands, just 5km from the Chinese mainland. China said the apprehended sailors violated the seasonal fishing ban and illegally trawled in the area. Deborah Wong reports.

Survivors of last night's deadly stampede in northern India have painted a chaotic scene of the moments leading up to the tragedy, which left more than 120 people dead -- most of them women and children. Police said some 250,000 people attended the event, which involved a popular Hindu preacher Surajpal, also known as "Bhole Baba", delivering a sermon. That's more than triple the permitted capacity of 80,000. Authorities added that organisers had tried to destroy evidence of a stampede by throwing away victims' belongings into neighbouring fields. Neha Poonia reports.

Once associated only with wealthy women, luxury skincare is increasingly being bought by children. Last year in the US, teen shoppers spent 19 per cent more on skincare than the previous year according to investment bank Piper Sandler. Driven by social media, the trend sees kids as young as seven using expensive products meant for adult skin. Kate Fisher reports.

A Malaysian court dismissed former prime minister Najib Razak's legal bid to serve his remaining prison sentence under house arrest. Najib had claimed there was an "addendum order" issued by the former king that would entitle him to do so, but the Kuala Lumpur High Court said that proof of such an order is based on hearsay. Najib plans to appeal the decision, according to his lawyer.