"Getting our politics right is absolutely crucial. Please understand: we have succeeded, and Singapore has made exceptional economic and social gains, because our system is exceptional," said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the May Day Rally, his last major speech before he hands over leadership to DPM Lawrence Wong. " Even if we just become ordinary, average, we will already be in serious trouble," said Mr Lee. Read more on his speech here: https://cna.asia/3UeM71W 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

Political stability and trust in the government are critical for Singapore in the years ahead, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the May Day Rally on Wednesday (May 1) - his final major speech before stepping down. Mr Lee spoke about the importance of tripartism and looked back at Singapore’s progress in the 20 years that he has been Prime Minister. “I have done my duty,” he said to a standing ovation, calling on Singaporeans to rally behind his successor Lawrence Wong. More details: https://cna.asia/3UeM71W 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 Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave his final major speech on Wednesday (May 1) before handing over the reins to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Here are some key points of his last May Day Rally speech.

After 40 years in politics, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he feels a sense of satisfaction as he prepares to hand over the reins to his deputy Lawrence Wong. “I have done my duty, and I am very glad I chose this path of public service all those years ago,” Mr Lee said to a standing ovation from the crowd at the May Day Rally on Wednesday (May 1). He thanked Singaporeans and asked them to rally behind the new leadership team. “It has been my great honour to have served you,” Mr Lee said. Read more: https://cna.asia/3UeM71W 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

How can we stay healthy as Singapore gets hotter and hotter? Let us know your thoughts and questions as we ask an expert on CNA938’s Health Matters this Thursday (May 2), from 7.45pm to 8pm.

Social cohesion, long-term planning and political stability are critical for Singapore in the years ahead amid global challenges, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the May Day Rally on Wednesday (May 1). It is his last major speech before the leadership handover to his deputy Lawrence Wong. Read more: https://cna.asia/3UeM71W 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’s track record of keeping its own house in order has been key to building up its standing in the world, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the May Day Rally on Wednesday (May 1). “We must zealously uphold our reputation and work hard to build it up, through active, creative, and principled diplomacy,” he added in his last major speech before the leadership handover. Read more: https://cna.asia/3UeM71W 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 a global meeting on a treaty to end plastic pollution wraps up in Canada, some African nations have been spearheading efforts to phase out single-use plastics on the continent. In Uganda, local NGOs are coming up with community initiatives to recycle plastic such as in this village, where the women have been taught how to make eco-bricks using plastic waste. The bricks are then used to build water tanks for their community, which lacks access to clean water. CNA's Isabel Nakirya reports.

What do Singapore's wild boars, owls and sambar deer have to do with the world's biggest art event? CNA Lifestyle was at the Venice Biennale in Italy where artist Robert Zhao Renhui talked about his work, Seeing Forest, at the Singapore Pavilion. (Video: Gaya Chandramohan) Read more: https://cna.asia/44tmShd CNA Lifestyle was in Venice at the invitation of Charles & Keith Group Foundation, a key supporter for the Singapore Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2024. #VeniceBiennale #RobertZhaoRenhui #Singapore 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

Corruption scandals and changing lifestyles see Muslims in Malaysia turning to Islamic party, PAS, and influential religious leaders for guidance, while the recent presidential election in Indonesia suggests political Islam is waning there. Arnold Gay speaks to CNA's Nivell Rayda and Amir Yusof to find out what’s shaping these religious trends. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Singapore HeritageFest returns this year, shining a light on the nation's historical buildings, sites and structures. The festival also marks 35 years of conservation in Singapore with more than 120 programmes, its highest number of events post-pandemic. Nikhil Khattar with more.

Resorts World Sentosa's S.E.A. Aquarium will deep dive into the impact of climate change on our waters with the help of Nanyang Technological University's Earth Observatory of Singapore. A deal between the two institutions will lead to research on rising sea levels and reef restoration, among others. Rachel Teng reports.

Community emergency response leaders in Singapore will begin training to deal with climate emergencies such as extreme heatwaves and extensive flooding. The People's Association and Singapore Red Cross have signed an agreement allowing community volunteers to travel to countries where such disasters have struck. Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling said they will provide aftermath recovery and assurance efforts, and obtain valuable firsthand experience on how to apply such efforts to Singapore if such emergencies should occur. Chloe Teo reports.

The number of corruption-related reports filed has dropped. It fell by eight per cent last year compared to the previous year. But the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau looked into a higher proportion of these cases. The agency received 215 reports. It probed 81 new cases, or about 38 per cent. This is higher than the average of 34 per cent between 2019 and 2022.

Singapore and the US are set to work together to speed up the adoption of emerging tech like artificial intelligence. Other areas include creating innovation systems that are trusted and vibrant, and ensuring the partnership can be a model and a bridge for other countries. Singapore Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong said this in Washington DC as both countries commemorate 20 years of a free trade agreement.

Singapore's employment growth slowed in the first quarter of this year, according to the Manpower Ministry's latest labour report. Total employment grew by 4,900 in the first three months of this year, while unemployment also ticked up slightly to 2.1 per cent in March. Meanwhile, retrenchments in Singapore fell for the second straight quarter, with 3,000 people laid off from January to March this year. The Manpower Ministry said business restructuring remains the top reason for companies axing staff. Nicolas Ng and Richa Mathew report.

China, which is casting an eye on post-war Gaza, has said that it has hosted Palestinian unity talks between Fatah and Hamas in Beijing. It said the two rival factions say they have the political will to find reconciliation through dialogue. Sarah Coates reports from Tel Aviv.

Microsoft has said that it will invest US$1.7 billion in Indonesia to help build up the country's artificial intelligence infrastructure. This is the tech giant's biggest investment in its 29-year history in the country. The spending will take place over four years. CEO Satya Nadella made the announcement after meeting Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his tour of Southeast Asia. Chandni Vatvani reports from Jakarta.