After being closed for a year and a half, Singapore's Central Public Library reopened on Jan 12 with a fresh new look and much more to offer. The revamp is part of the National Library Board's vision to keep libraries relevant and inspire learning. This is the library's first full refurbishment since it opened almost 20 years ago. 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

Nearly 300 young Singaporeans received the National Youth Achievement Award's gold standard on Jan 12 for their contributions to the country and the community. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented them with the Gold Awards for completing the programme that teaches young leaders to serve diverse groups and tackle different issues. 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

Polytechnic graduates earned higher starting salaries in 2023, with more in full-time employment. This is according to a latest survey conducted by the five polytechnics in Singapore. They have been working with industry players to tie their curriculum closer to job needs. CNA spoke to Fann Zhi Jie, Assistant Director, Industry & Partnerships at Singapore Polytechnic. 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 Singapore firms have begun drawing up plans to deepen investments in Johor, as both countries are exploring a new Special Economic Zone. They say facilitating more exchanges of goods and talent could help to solve some manpower and cost pressures. But challenges, like the uncertainty of details of the SEZ and transfer of people and goods, stand in the way. Clara Lee 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

One of the biggest Singapore companies in Jordan is deepening its investment there, as part of a new agreement. BIGO Technology has a market valuation of more than US$2.1 billion and it is bringing along start-ups under its incubation programme to enter the growing tech market in the Middle East. The deal was inked at the Jordan-Singapore Tech Alliance Forum, which brings together more than 300 industry leaders from both countries to explore ideas on technology collaboration. 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

While the strikes by the United States and Britain have been described as a blow to the capacity of the Houthis in Yemen, it has not incapacitated them, and their facilities and weapons stocks will be repaired and replenished with the help of backers in the region, says La Trobe University’s emeritus professor of politics Joseph Camilleri. Tit-for-tat strikes between the Houthis and the western coalition are expected to become a norm, and there looks likely to be a further escalation of the crisis unless there is a very substantial United Nations intervention, Prof Camilleri tells CNA’s Asia Now. 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

Following strikes by the United States and Britain on the Houthis in Yemen, retaliatory strikes from the group and its regional backers should be expected, says Mr Ryan Bohl, senior Middle East and North Africa analyst at global risk consultancy RANE. Such attacks will likely be carefully calculated so that they do not actually result in casualties, hence escalating the situation and drawing a stronger response from the western coalition, something the Houthis want to avoid, he says. Other Iranian-linked militias in countries like Syria, Iraq and Lebanon may also carry out symbolic strikes in retaliation against US and UK forces in the region, Mr Bohl 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

Economic relations between Taiwan and China have fluctuated in tandem with the state of their diplomatic ties since the signing of their only trade deal 14 years ago. With Taiwan’s presidential election looming, trade is being wielded by both Taiwan and China for political advantage. CNA’s Loke Wei Sue takes a closer look at what is at stake. 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 Israel's war in Gaza continues to rage, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, also known as the World Court, is holding hearings on Thursday and Friday in a case brought by South Africa, which claims that Israel's war against Hamas militants in Gaza violates the 1948 Genocide Convention. CNA’s Loke Wei Sue takes a closer look at what will likely be a long legal battle. 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

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There is a chance that relations between the United States and Taiwan could shift following the election, where Mr Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT), China’s preferred contender, has emerged as the main challenger to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate William Lai. Mr Lai wishes to continue Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s strategy of engaging foreign delegations, including those from the US, its most important strategic partner. CNA’s Benji Hyer 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

Senior political scientist Raymond Kuo, director of Taiwan Policy Initiative at Washington-based think tank RAND Corporation says that even if the Kuomintang (KMT), which favours closer ties to China, wins in Saturday’s (Jan 13) presidential race, it will be difficult to unwind the progress that the incumbent Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has made with the United States in terms of security cooperation and military acquisition. Mr Kuo tells CNA’s Asia First that the Taiwanese public will also be a barrier to a potential Hou administration forming closer relations with China. 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

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South Africa accused Israel on Thursday (Jan 11) of breaching the United Nations' Genocide Convention - a treaty signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust. It lodged an appeal to the International Court of Justice to force Israel to "immediately suspend" its military operations in Gaza. Israel has dismissed the case as "atrocious" and "preposterous".

Have you or your loved ones faced a long wait for a bed at a public hospital in Singapore? Health experts say the solution isn't as simple as adding more beds, citing issues such as more longstay cases (patients with comorbidities or more than 1 disease) and need for better alternative care post-discharge.

South Africa accused Israel on Thursday (Jan 11) of breaching the United Nations' Genocide Convention - a treaty signed in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust. It lodged an appeal to the International Court of Justice to force Israel to "immediately suspend" its military operations in Gaza. Israel has dismissed the case as "atrocious" and "preposterous". https://cna.asia/3SeiGgO 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

Rising sea levels and warmer temperatures could potentially mark the end of native animals and plants that have called Singapore home for centuries. Some, like the prehistoric horseshoe crabs, have been around for the past 400 million years. However, new long-term climate projections for Singapore are raising more alarm bells about the species at risk. CNA’s Valancia Siew finds out what is at stake. Read more: https://cna.asia/3vxxU7P 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

Electric vehicles are in the limelight at this year's Singapore Motorshow. A record number of green cars are being featured this year. Traders are also enticing potential buyers with deals amid the recent drop in COE prices. Clara Lee 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

Firecrackers will go off for the first time at Gardens by the Bay to celebrate Chinese New Year. This year's River Hongbao starts on Feb 8 and will feature eye-catching displays and live performances. 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 Singaporeans are snapping up properties near the light rail system across the border as the project takes shape. Analysts are seeing home prices there grow up to 20 per cent in the last couple of years. But those in the industry say that while sales are picking up, some are still more cautious. Rebecca Metteo reports from Johor. 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