Sumatra has 42 million votes up for grabs. President Jokowi can't run again in the next election - but how will his infrastructure and welfare programmes there affect how locals vote? Read more: https://cna.asia/49rk9Gv 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

Gold and other precious metals, certain currencies and some defensive stocks are often considered safe haven assets. But are they really zero risk? Vasu Menon, managing director of investment strategy at OCBC, explains why these assets are a popular choice during an economic downturn.

Singapore will host the World Para Swimming Championships in October next year. Held every two years, it is the sport's most prestigious event after the Paralympics. It's the first time the competition will be held in Asia. World Para Swimming said this marks the growth of the sport in the Republic and the region. The event is set to draw some 600 elite para swimmers from over 60 countries. In May, Singapore will also launch 'SwimTogether' -- a global programme that teaches local coaches to train people with disabilities to swim. Alif Amsyar 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

Members of the public are advised not to swim at Pasir Ris and Sembawang beaches until further notice, after the National Environment Agency detected elevated levels of Enterococcus. The bacteria can cause infections of the digestive system, if swallowed. One doctor said the bacteria is difficult to treat, as it is resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. NEA said other water activities like sailing, kayaking and canoeing can continue at Pasir Ris and Sembawang beaches. 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 must allow for cross-border flow of data and access to global talent in order to drive the growth of local artificial intelligence capabilities. Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Janil Puthucheary said this in response to Workers' Party MP Gerald Giam's adjournment motion on global leadership in AI. Mr Giam also proposed for Singapore to create an advanced healthcare AI model, which would then help local start-ups build their own applications to sell to the world. He said this would give Singapore an advantage in the race for global tech leadership. 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 introducing a definition of Muslim religious schools that the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, or MUIS, will regulate. It's under changes to the Administration of Muslim Law Act to make sure that only accredited institutions and religious teachers teach Islamic education in Singapore. Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said this will help preserve the trust and confidence in Singapore's religious education. 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 next not-for-profit private acute hospital will be designed with affordability in mind. The Health Ministry will impose bill-size restrictions and place the hospital and staff on a single licence. This will help its services become cost-effective while ensuring there is strong oversight over doctors. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung was responding to a question in parliament about the industry consultation launched last month. Mount Alvernia is currently Singapore's only private, not-for-profit hospital. Mr Ong said the new one will give the public more options. 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

Violence has escalated in Pakistan, ahead of nationwide elections on Thursday. At least 10 police personnel were killed and six more injured in an attack on a police station in the country's north-west region. Authorities said more than 30 militants launched the assault at 3am local time in the Dera Ismail Khan district. The exchange of fire lasted for more than two hours. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TPP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. 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 3 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. As Chandni Vatvani reports, buying the merchandise is a way for people to declare their support for the candidates they are rooting for.

France’s biggest farmers' unions say they are suspending the road blockades for the moment, after the government announced new measures for the agriculture sector. Thousands of tractors have been parked on highways up and down the country for several days as part of protests over cheap imports, fuel taxes, and the impact of the green transition. Their calls for action have been echoed by fellow farmers in other European countries, as Ross Cullen reports.

The upcoming Indonesian presidential election looks “very likely” to go to a runoff based on opinion polls? that show that front-runner pair Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka may not secure more than 50 per cent of votes, says Emeritus Professor Greg Fealy from Australian National University's Department of Political and Social Change. This means they are likely to face Anies Baswedan and his running mate Muhaimin Iskandar in a second round of voting scheduled for June 26, he tells CNA’s Asia First. 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

From the sale of illegal drugs and vapes, to sex crimes and money mule activities, popular messaging app Telegram has been a hotbed for criminal activities. But it's not the only one. Why do criminals flock to chat apps for illegal activities? CNA speaks to lawyer James Gomez and cybersecurity tech expert Edwardcher Monreal to find out. 00:00 Introduction 00:40 What is Telegram? 01:17 What tactics do criminals use to carry out illegal activities on Telegram? 02:29 Privacy features on Telegram 03:13 Telegram vs WhatsApp 03:53 Should chat apps be held responsible for criminal activities? 04:35 What is the Online Criminal Harms Act? 05:14 What can be done to deter criminal activities on chat apps? 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

With a total of 28.2 million voters this year, Central Java will contribute about 14 per cent of total ballots cast nationwide for the Indonesian presidential elections on Feb 14. It trails only West Java, which has 35.7 million voters registered, and East Java with 31 million voters. Although Central Java has traditionally been a Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) stronghold, the province’s undecided voters could change the political tide. CNA’s Olivia Marzuki 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

Meet the members of the public who helped to arrest a chopper-wielding man after he attacked people at Commonwealth Avenue. The 20-year-old suspect was charged in court on Monday (Feb 5) and faces up to seven years' jail, a fine, caning or a combination of these punishments.

Indonesia is home to one of the world’s most active users of social media. While technology has helped empower political participation, elections have also become more vulnerable to manipulation. CNA's Olivia Marzuki reports. Read more: https://cna.asia/47YpJyJ 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

Episode 8: Deepfakes on the Israel-Hamas war are proliferating on social media to manipulate your feelings. How do you spot the fakes? Watch the full series: https://cna.asia/israel-hamas-war #deepfake #IsraelHamaswar #cnanews #socialmedia

Retrenchments in Singapore more than doubled in 2023 compared to a year before, according to the Ministry of Manpower. But what goes into the decision to cut jobs and which workers are more at risk? Jerviel Lim, head of people and culture at Tatsu Works, is this week’s guest.  See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

East Java makes up 15 per cent of Indonesia's 204.8 million eligible voters nationwide - so whoever wins this swing province could be Indonesia’s next president. Read more: https://cna.asia/3SjiSKA 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