There are three weeks to go before the Year of the Dragon roars in and Chinatown is rolling out the red with its annual Chinese New Year celebrations. Jeraldine Yap was at the official street light-up and opening ceremony. 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 world leaders and business chiefs wrap up talks at the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam says investing in the carbon market is the way forward to a more sustainable future. He says there are opportunities in developing green energy industries and creating sustainable growth. But he emphasises that such investments are needed from major players. 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

Firms may have to fork out tens of thousands of dollars for cybersecurity measures on their apps. This is if new mobile app guidelines are fully implemented. Industry players say that despite the high costs, companies stand to benefit when their customers feel more secure and safe when using their 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

The Institute for Adult Learning aims to work with 40 partners to come up with new ideas to help workers pick up skills. The initiative will be housed in a new facility that will open in the Lifelong Learning Institute in the second half of this year. CNA spoke to Associate Professor Yeo Li Pheow, Executive Director of the Institute for Adult Learning. 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

Fresh divisions are appearing in the US-Israel alliance, with both sides airing differing views on the creation of an independent Palestinian state following the war. This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that the idea of Palestinian sovereignty directly contradicts Israel's security. Sarah Coates reports from Tel Aviv. 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 Ukraine, a group of Russians is training to go into battle against their fellow citizens. The new unit, which is officially part of Ukraine's armed forces, is known as the "Siberian Battalion". Megumi Lim has more from Kyiv. 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

More than 90,000 NATO troops are due to take part in the alliance's largest drills since the Cold War, aimed at defending against a possible attack from Russia. The training will kick off with a simulation of US troops' reinforcing European allies bordering Russia, what NATO calls its "eastern flank". 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 automaker BYD is continuing its push into Southeast Asia, with its sole Thai distributor looking to triple the number of dealerships in the country within two years. 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

China's exporters have said that the Red Sea crisis is threatening the survival of their operations, amid cargo delays and mounting freight costs. Weeks of attacks by Houthi rebels on ships and tankers in the waterway have cast a shadow on global maritime trade. 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

Iran and Pakistan traded strikes on each other’s territories this week, raising fears of greater turmoil in a region already grappling with instability and conflict. But although there appears to be numerous flashpoints occurring at the same time in the Middle East, they are not part of a wider coordination, says Mr Michael Singh, managing director and a Lane-Swig senior fellow at think-tank The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. However, he tells CNA’s Asia First why he believes Iran will continue to escalate tensions in the region. Read more: https://cna.asia/3S1lpJj 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

Iran on Jan 16 launched missile and drone raids on Pakistan’s Balochistan province, killing two children. Tehran said the attack was aimed at Jaish al-Adl, which it labels a terrorist group. However, by conducting a military operation on Pakistani territory, Tehran has damaged its relationship with its neighbour, which shares a common interest in fighting against separatist groups along their border, Mr Ali Vaez, project director of Iran at the International Crisis Group, tells CNA’s World Tonight. Read More: https://cna.asia/3S1lpJj 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

Iran and Pakistan traded tit-for-tat strikes on each other’s soil this week, with both sides insisting they were targeting separatists hiding in each other's territory. Such escalation of hostilities between the neighbours is unprecedented, given the relatively cordial ties between Tehran and Islamabad, says Dr James Dorsey, adjunct senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). He tells CNA’s Asia Now why he believes it is in the interest of both countries to control rising tensions. Read More: https://cna.asia/3S1lpJj 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

Traditional craftsmen in Thailand are finding it more challenging to preserve their art forms, especially in some of the rural provinces. Increasing globalisation and economic pursuits have driven young Thais, who are digitally savvy, towards the latest trends on social media today, instead of partaking in cultural craft such as building longboats or handmade lanterns. However, some in the community are still striving and making efforts to preserve the traditional art forms in Thailand. CNA’s 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

Some Russian citizens who oppose President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine are taking up arms to fight alongside Ukrainians against their own homeland. These volunteers are part of the Siberian Battalion, a new unit formed last summer and is officially part of Ukraine's armed forces. CNA’s Megumi Lim 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

Singapore’s former Transport Minister S Iswaran has been handed 27 criminal charges for receiving items worth more than S$384,000 (US$285,000) from billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng. Here's what is known about what he received. 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

To help with your resolution-making for 2024, here are some tips on how to improve your financial well-being.

A seed fund of S$5 million over the next five years is aiming to support the efforts of changemakers in the community. It will be backed by a multi-sector partnership to rally them to start, sustain and scale ground-up efforts. 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

Drivers now have the cheaper option of fast charging their electric vehicles at two HDB carparks - in Toa Payoh and Punggol. Most fast charging points are currently located at commercial malls and offices. The Transport Ministry said more will be rolled out, especially helping those who primarily depend on driving for a living. 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