Alexandra Hospital will more than quadruple the number of patients it can handle. 1,000 more beds will be added as part of its redevelopment, which begins today. The hospital's rich history, which spans more than 80 years, will also be preserved. Three blocks completed in 1940 will be conserved. The new buildings will open in stages from 2028. From next year, the National University Hospital will also undergo a transformation. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the moves are to ensure adequate healthcare capacity to support an ageing population living in the west. Sabrina Ng reports.

Hundreds of Marsiling-Yew Tee residents have gathered to commemorate the swearing-in of Mr Lawrence Wong as Singapore's Prime Minister. He has served as the GRC's MP for nearly a decade. Mr Wong's team won the constituency during the 2015 General Election. After the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Wong made his way from the Istana to the North West with his wife and his GRC teammates -- Mr Alex Yam, Mr Zaqy Mohamad and Ms Hany Soh.

Singapore has started a fresh chapter in its history, with Lawrence Wong sworn in as the country's fourth prime minister at the Istana. In front of more than 870 guests -- including ambassadors, business leaders and frontline workers -- Mr Wong pledged a different leadership style and to serve with all his heart. He added that the best chapters of the Singapore Story lie ahead. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presided over the proceedings. He lauded the country's smooth and orderly political handover. Jeraldine Yap and Richa Mathew report.

"This is my promise to all Singaporeans. I will serve you with all my heart. I will never settle for the status quo," said Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong after he was sworn in. #sgnews #Singapore

ICYMI: A warm moment between new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and former PM Lee Hsien Loong after Mr Wong and his wife, Ms Loo Tze Lui, arrived at the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday (May 15).

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will officially be sworn in as Prime Minister on Wednesday (May 15), taking over from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mr Wong will be sworn in at the Istana at 8pm, along with ministers in his Cabinet. Follow our coverage here. https://cna.asia/3UYHtHc 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

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said US tariff hikes on US$18 billion worth of Chinese imports amount to bullying and that the Americans have "reached the point of losing their minds." Associate Professor of political science Chong Ja Ian from the National University of Singapore tells CNA's East Asia Tonight that despite the friction between Beijing and Washington, neither side wants to escalate things and that angry words can sometimes be part of negotiation tactics.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, at the Istana on Wednesday (May 15), where he expressed “full confidence” in Mr Wong’s ability to lead Singapore. The 51-year-old takes over from Mr Lee Hsien Loong, who will stay on in Cabinet as Senior Minister. Follow our live coverage: https://cna.asia/3UYHtHc More videos on Singapore's leadership handover: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnMTcZEga8TFmVLFsMsTp1AZTk17hBi6 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

CNA Correspondent podcast host Teresa Tang speaks to Taiwan Correspondent Victoria Jen about the challenges Taiwan's President-elect William Lai and the self-ruled island's allies are facing ahead of Mr Lai's inauguration.

Civilians on board Philippine fishing boats sailed on Wednesday (May 15) towards a disputed reef - Scarborough Shoal -in the South China Sea. This comes two weeks after the latest maritime incident between the Philippines and China. Associate Professor Eduardo Araral from the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy noted that the two countries have taken a strong stance but that they are "nowhere near any solution". The best way forward for now is to go back to the arrangements they have had in the past to allow time and space for diplomatic solutions, he told CNA's East Asia Tonight. 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

Three Singapore para swimmers who have qualified for the Paralympic Games in August are hoping to use the Citi Para Swimming World Series, which runs from Friday (May 17) to Sunday, as a springboard to medal success. They include five-gold Paralympian Yip Pin Xiu, and fellow Paralympians Toh Wei Soong and Sophie Soon. CNA’s Aslam Shah 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

Four months after being elected Taiwan’s next president, William Lai officially takes on the role next week. He’s got a lot on his plate, namely safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Teresa Tang looks at what to expect from him and from Beijing with correspondents Victoria Jen and Olivia Siong.  See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has said that human resource professionals need to build up new skillsets to understand a tech-driven world. Examples are data analytics and talent management specific to tech. Speaking at the World Human Resource Congress, he said this will allow them to understand the needs of the future workforce, so they can better help organisations and people adapt. Loke Wei Sue speaks to Alvin Aloysius Goh, Executive Director at the Singapore Human Resources Institute, and discovers how AI and technology like blockchain can help companies create more efficient and effective teams.

Farmers in Singapore are gearing up to provide for a state reception held as part of the swearing-in ceremony on May 15. Local produce like fish, eggs and vegetables will be featured in about 20 dishes, with the menu reflecting Singapore's multicultural identity. Claudia Lim goes behind the scenes to catch a glimpse at the preparations.

With posts and videos that have garnered millions of views, incoming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is no stranger to producing viral social media content. A social media analyst says Mr Wong has established an online personality as someone who is relatable and in touch with trends. He is also a music lover, who believes in the power of the arts to do good. Sherlyn Seah tells us more about his Internet impact.

Incoming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has said that he is prepared to re-examine all of Singapore’s fundamental assumptions in order to take the country forward. He said the process has already started under the Forward Singapore movement. Mr Wong was speaking to the media ahead of his new appointment, covering topics from politics to his career. Sherlyn Seah reports.

There are efforts to stabilise ties between China and South Korea, following talks on May 13 between their top diplomats, paving the way for a trilateral summit with Japan later this month. If it happens, it will be the first time the meeting has been held since 2019, after it was put on hold due to COVID-19 and deteriorating relations.

A Thai political activist has died from cardiac arrest after more than 15 weeks of a hunger strike. Twenty-eight-year-old Netiporn Sanesangkhom had been prosecuted under the lese majeste law. This is the first death of an activist since massive youth-led protests demanding political reforms broke out in 2020. CNA’s Saksith Saiyasombut reports from Bangkok.

What will Lawrence Wong, Singapore's next prime minister and the designated leader of the fourth generation of the People’s Action Party put in place for Singapore’s future? We take a look. More videos on Singapore's leadership handover: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbnMTcZEga8TFmVLFsMsTp1AZTk17hBi6 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