Subscribe to our channel here: https://cna.asia/youtubesub In this volatile business environment, how are jobs changing, and which workers are most at risk? Steven Chia finds out what support workers would like to see, ahead of the Singapore Budget on Feb 16.

The number of retrenchments went up in 2023 and workers are facing the brunt of a more volatile business environment. What kind of help do workers need? And what's on their Budget 2024 wishlist? Steven Chia speaks to Cheng Hing-Nan, lead coach at Workforce Singapore, Gerald Tan, projects director at Avodah Solutions and Lai Yong Liang, an urban farmer with Grobrix. 0:00 Intro 1:50 Changes in Singapore's workforce 4:13 Biggest impact on PMETs 12:46 Not everyone can make a career switch 19:56 The end of the "iron rice bowl" mindset 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 into the Israel-Hamas war, about 100,000 people in Gaza have been killed, injured or are missing, according to the United Nations. Palestinian officials have warned of a "triangle of death" for those displaced, referring to hunger, dehydration and disease. Mr Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, tells CNA’s Asia First what he saw during a field visit to the besieged enclave. 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

Israel has been launching retaliatory attacks on Hamas in Gaza since a surprise rampage by militants on Oct 7. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered troops to get ready to move into the southern city of Rafah, which was earlier designated a “safe zone”. Dr Aurélie Godard, a medical team leader in Gaza for Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders, tells CNA’s Asia First that a ceasefire is the only way to meet the needs of the devastated population. 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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday dismissed Hamas' demand for a 135-day ceasefire. However, Mr Ian Parmeter, research scholar at the Australian National University’s Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, tells CNA’s Asia First that it is not surprising that Mr Netanyahu has rejected the plan, adding that he is facing numerous pressures, including from some members of his right-wing government as well as the families of the hostages. 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

The intense campaigning for the Indonesian presidential election is seeing a boom for businesses selling merchandise. Vendors say business has been brisk, as the electoral race heats up with just a week to go before polling day. As CNA’s Chandni Vatvani reports, buying merchandise is a way for people to declare their support for the candidates they are rooting for. 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

The election for a new government in Pakistan - marred by claims of rigging, alleged military interference and other controversies in its leadup - has been set up to be not free and not fair, says Dr Madiha Afzal, fellow at American think tank Brookings Institution’s Foreign Policy Program. Noting that a weakly elected leader will not be able to unite a country struggling under the weight of political instability and economic woes, she tells CNA’s Asia First that the next prime minister needs to be a candidate with a good relationship with the military. 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

The next government to lead Pakistan is likely to be a “weak and fractious” coalition given that no one party is expected to secure a majority of votes, says director of Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute Michael Kugelman. Speaking to CNA’s Asia Tonight on Wednesday (Feb 7), he says that the coalition is likely to include parties that do not get along, spelling continued political instability in the country. 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 parliament on Wednesday (Feb 7), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong responded to clarifications sought by Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh on topics including whether the opposition had changed their tune on the withdrawal of the reserves, the Net Investment Returns framework and the sale of leasehold land. In an earlier speech in Parliament, Mr Lee had said that the opposition's "tune has changed". He cited former Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang's questioning of the government's decision to draw on past reserves during the global financial crisis, and said the opposition was now asking to "draw more from reserves". In response, Mr Singh said that those were "different times, different measures". READ MORE: https://cna.asia/3utv57x More parliament videos at www.channelnewsasia.com/parliament

If any political party thinks Singapore should dip more into its financial reserves, they should “bring it to the ballot box”, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said during a parliamentary debate on Wednesday (Feb 7).

Hundreds of employees and members of the public gathered to bid their final goodbyes to Dr Wee Cho Yaw at UOB Plaza this afternoon. The former chairman and CEO of the Singapore bank died on Saturday aged 95. The banking tycoon helmed UOB for more than 60 years. His cortège arrived just after 3pm with the hearse, followed by the vehicles carrying his family. Dr Wee's five children acknowledged employees and the public. Lauren Ong 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

The Housing and Development Board did not increase the rent for 97% of its rental coffee shops at renewal over the last five years. The government said it is doing its part to keep meals affordable by regulating rental costs at HDB-owned coffee shops. Of the 776 coffee shops at public housing estates, nearly half are owned by HDB and rented out to operators. 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

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said there's no figure for how much is enough for Singapore's reserves, because the country doesn't know the kind of crises it could face in future. He was responding to a motion by the opposition, calling on the government to review its budget and reserve accumulation policies. During the debate, opposition leader Pritam Singh cited a survey from the Institute of Policy Studies on public trust in Singapore's institutions. This drew criticism from other parliamentarians that he was cherry-picking bits from the survey that obscured the fuller context. 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

About 900 people with disabilities benefit every year from help given in their job search. Singapore's Manpower Ministry said, of these, about 500 successfully found jobs. More than 80% of them remained employed for at least six months. In parliament on 7 Feb, several MPs raised queries about the effectiveness of existing strategies to help people with disabilities. 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 median monthly household income rose in 2023 by 7.6% to $10,869. Real median household income, after adjusting for inflation, also increased by 2.8%. The median monthly household income per household member also went up steadily from S$3,287 to S$3,500 for the same period. Meanwhile, household income inequality, or the Gini coefficient, fell for the third year in a row. The lower the Gini coefficient means less income inequality. 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

There have been two deadly blasts near candidates' offices in Pakistan's southwest on the eve of its general elections, which have been marred by violence and allegations of poll rigging. Mr Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Centre's South Asia Institute, shared more about Pakistan's democratic process and his thoughts on voter turnout. 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

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to discuss joint exploration in a disputed, energy-rich area in the Gulf of Thailand. The contested region is estimated to contain 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and large oil deposits. This comes as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet made his first official visit to Bangkok. Mr Hun Manet is also the first ASEAN leader to visit Thailand since Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin was appointed premier about six months ago. Both countries will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations next year. May Wong 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

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, ramping up efforts to secure a new ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the release of hostages. Hamas has submitted a counterproposal that would pause fighting for four-and-a-half months. During that time, all hostages would go free. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has said that it will not open diplomatic relations with Israel, unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised. 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

Two explosions have rocked Pakistan's Balochistan province, killing more than 20 people. This adds to a succession of violent incidents in the run-up to general elections tomorrow. The first blast killed 12 people in front of an independent candidate's party office in Pishin district. The second went off about 150km away near the election office of a candidate from the JUI-F party. Authorities said they are stepping up security at polling booths. More than half a million officers have been deployed ahead of the election. 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