Last month, leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations agreed on an outline deal to provide US$50 billion of loans for Ukraine using interest from frozen Russian sovereign assets. The first tranche of money is expected to be sent to Kyiv this week. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. CNA’s Clara Lee explains. 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

One of the biggest issues for voters on Thursday (Jul 4)’s United Kingdom general election is the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The continuing impact of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have caused economic pain and inflation. Ben Wellings, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at Monash University, tells CNA’s Asia First how the crisis could impact the vote. 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

Some 40 passengers were injured after an Air Europa flight hit severe turbulence on Jul 1. Flight UX045, which was on its way to Montevideo from Madrid, had to be diverted to Natal city in Brazil. Four people were taken to intensive care units.

 The once isolated nation of Bhutan, nestled deep in the Himalayas, is now being forced to reckon with reality. Its government is eyeing cutting-edge technology to stem a brain drain and growing economic unhappiness. Teresa Tang speaks to CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut about how the country can hold onto its past even as it forges a new future. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has reassured the younger generation that the Singapore government will continue to support them and give them opportunities to grow and excel in these challenging times. This includes skills upgrading courses and new platforms for youths to share their ideas.. Addressing students in a dialogue at the Singapore Management University, he also talked about creating more options and diverse career paths for students -- not only for those pursuing traditional jobs, but even those less-conventional ones like full-time athletes or digital content creators.

The iconic former Singapore Badminton Hall at Guillemard Road will boast more courts decked with tech features, when it reopens its doors in August following a nine-month makeover. The revamped venue is set to be a training ground for youth players, in a bid to build a larger talent pool. The venue was reclaimed by the national badminton body last year, after it was closed in 2008. The refreshed facility will sport a new name, KFF Badminton Arena.

Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny has donated to charity S$10,000 from what he received from thankful Chinese football fans. The fans sent money to his hawker business in appreciation of his heroics against Thailand last month. He had made 11 saves against Thailand, which inadvertently helped China qualify for the next round of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers. Hassan presented a cheque to Muhammadiyah Welfare Home, which will help provide holistic activities for at-risk boys.

Data protection a top concern among MPs, as parliament passed a bill to simplify compliance processes for companies. Only third parties -- such as banks -- can access the personal data of individuals who are associated with business entities. Second Finance Minister Indranee Rajah said third parties are required to safeguard the use of such information. Other changes include making it easier and more secure for businesses to submit documents via a filing portal. This will also allow ACRA to collect additional information from firms.

As the war in Gaza drags on, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore is prepared to recognise the state of Palestine in principle. However, he added there needs to be an effective Palestinian government that rejects terrorism and accepts Israel's right to exist. Dr Balakrishnan also reiterated Singapore's long-standing position for a two-state solution between both sides.

Millions of young adults in Britain will have the chance to vote for an MP for the first time on Thursday. The youngest will be unable to remember a government other than one run by the Conservative Party. But in this current atmosphere of uncertainty and pessimism among the young, the Tories aren't expected to win their support. Stuart Smith reports.

Iraq is looking to rebuild after years of occupation and fighting, and China appears to be reaping the rewards of stability. All foreign licences during Iraq's latest oil-licensing round went to Beijing, and none to major European or American players. China imports nearly half of Iraq's oil. But Beijing, too, has something that Iraq wants: Solar technology. Stuart Smith takes a look at what increasing energy interdependence means for the two countries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed parliament, a day after Rahul Gandhi's fiery first speech as leader of the opposition. Opposition members could be heard shouting "Modi government down" throughout Mr Modi's address. Despite that, he continued on, touching on his achievements of his last two tenures, while also criticising the opposition Congress for its "politics of appeasement". Meanwhile, Mr Gandhi has slammed the speaker of the Lower House for removing parts of his parliament speech yesterday. Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.

Move over 'Crazy Rich Asians', China's elite are rewriting the luxury playbook. Loud is out and 'quiet luxury' is in. CNA's East Asia Tonight host Otelli Edwards finds out how China's elites are rewriting the luxury playbook and whether this trend is here to stay.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kazakhstan on Tuesday for a state visit, during which he will attend a meeting of Shanghai alliance nations in the Kazakh capital Astana. The nine-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which encompasses a vast stretch of the globe from Moscow to Beijing, includes around half the world's population. While Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the Astana gathering, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to skip the annual huddle. CNA's Tan Yew Guan unpacks the significance of President Xi's visit to China's relations with Central Asia.

Singapore is "prepared in principle" to recognise a Palestinian state if it renounces terrorism and accepts Israel's right to exist, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Tuesday (Jul 2). "Both sides have legitimate rights, and both peoples have a right to live in peace and dignity within secure borders," he said. Dr Balakrishnan added that Singapore will continue to tap the S$10 million (US$7.4 million) Enhanced Technical Assistance Package to help the Palestinian Authority build capacity and prepare for eventual statehood. https://cna.asia/3XSBlCh 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

Singapore is "prepared in principle" to recognise a Palestine state that rejects terrorism and accepts Israel's right to exist, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Tuesday (Jul 2). "Both peoples have a right to live in peace and dignity within secure borders," he said.

The United States Supreme Court on Monday (Jul 1) ruled that former president Donald Trump enjoys immunity from prosecution for official acts taken while he was in office, but he can be prosecuted for his private conduct. In a landmark ruling that was split along partisan lines, Supreme Court judges recognised for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution. CNA’s Benji Hyer has more from Washington. 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 9 people were killed and 4 others injured when a car hit pedestrians near Seoul city hall on Jul 1. A 68-year-old driver has been arrested, according to South Korean media.