Singapore's factory activity grew by 0.2 points in December to reach 50.5, marking the fourth straight month of expansion. A reading above 50 of the Purchasing Managers' Index means growth. The performance was due to higher new orders, new exports and factory output. Electronics expanded by 0.1 point from last month to reach 50.2, with new exports growing for the first time in 16 months. Market watchers said the increase in global electronics demand drove the growth, and they are optimistic about the outlook for the new year. 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 smell of burning rubber in the air. After a quick check on social media, a group of passengers at Tokyo's Haneda airport suddenly realised they were near the disaster zone where a Japan Airline plane had collided with a coast guard aircraft and burst into flames. Aslam Shah spoke to some passengers who were among those on at least three delayed flights heading to Singapore. 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 Singaporeans stretch their CDC vouchers, supermarket chain Giant has joined a host of retailers in absorbing the 1% GST hike that kicked in this year. Giant said the discount will apply to 700 of its essential products for the first six months of 2024. Community, Culture and Youth Minister Edwin Tong joined representatives from Giant to distribute rice and cooking oil to some 3,000 low-income households in Marine Parade. 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 government is studying extra measures to help Singaporeans as part of the upcoming Budget, amid possible challenges in the year ahead. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said this includes ideas surfaced during the Forward Singapore exercise. He was speaking at the launch of the latest tranche of Community Development Council vouchers. Every Singaporean household will receive $500 in CDC vouchers. This year's total disbursement of $635 million is the largest since the scheme was rolled out. 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

The last boat to complete the Sydney to Hobart yacht race crossed the finish line today -- four days after the winner. The dock was lined with well-wishers to cheer on a feline crew member taking part in one of the world's most gruelling races. Oli the cat was carried up on deck to greet adoring fans, as its owner Bob Williams crossed the finish line in Hobart onboard the oldest boat in the race that began on Boxing Day. The two have been sailing together for the past five 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

Caregivers of people with dementia are calling for more support to cope with burnout and rising costs. More than 100,000 people in Singapore are estimated to suffer from dementia by 2030, up from just over 82,000 in 2018. Their caregivers are facing increasing challenges. CNA’s Sabrina Ng 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 speed of evacuation by the 367 passengers and 12 crew members from the Japan Airlines plane in just 90 seconds was an amazing feat, helped by the light smoke in the cabin and passengers not trying to take their belongings with them, which is typically a major hindrance when evacuating an aircraft. Assistant professor of aviation and integrated systems engineering Shawn Pruchnicki from Ohio State University shares more on 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

Central to investigations on Tuesday’s (Jan 2) Haneda Airport crash would be the aircraft cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders, which will give investigators a clue into the final moments before the mishap. The recorders are built to withstand such impacts and circumstances, and can be retrieved and accessed despite the charred extent of the wreckage. Mr Desmond Ross, managing director of aviation and air transport consultancy Ireland Pegasus Aviation Advisors, shares more on CNA’s World 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

Eyewitness footage showed seated passengers listening to flight crew instructions while orange flames blazed outside their windows. All 379 people on board JL516 escaped. (Video: Obtained by Reuters) Read more: https://cna.asia/3S2EifW 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

Animated sketches by an Indonesian YouTube family have proved to be an unexpected hit in the country. Animasinopal was created in 2018, with a cast of characters such as Nopal, Cuty, Bunda (Mum) and Abah (Dad), which tells stories of everyday life as well as film parodies. Three siblings in Bogor found fame with the cartoon, which now rakes in millions of hits. Their channel now has more than nine million subscribers. In the first part of CNA Lifestyle's series on content creators in Southeast Asia, we learn how the family keeps its creative juices flowing. 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

Price growth in Singapore's private residential market slowed to 6.7% last year. The number of home sales also fell by 15% as compared to 2022. Based on Urban Redevelopment Authority figures, just over 18,500 homes were sold -- the lowest volume in seven years. Analysts said the slowing price growth is deterring investors, who see limited room for upside. And with more supply of homes coming from recent and upcoming condominium launches, buyers are adopting a wait-and-see attitude. Claudia 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

According to flash estimates released by the Housing Board, HDB resale flat prices rose in 2023 at a much slower pace. Resale prices grew 4.8% last year -- less than half the 10.4% increase in 2022. HDB says this is expected as more Build-To-Order flats were launched and cooling measures were introduced to promote a more stable market. HDB resale volume fell in 2023 by about 3.8% as compared to 2022. HDB launched some 24,500 flats last year. Claudia 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

The payment performance of firms in Singapore has improved for the second straight quarter. According to 4Q2023 data from the Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau, prompt payments are on the rise, while slow payments are down. Compared to the previous quarter, prompt payments increased by 0.09 percentage points. But on-year, there is a dip of 0.03 percentage points. Analysts said even with the GST hike, the changes are quite small and should not affect firms' ability to pay their bills. 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

An aviation expert has described the escape of 379 people from the JAL plane at Tokyo's Haneda airport as an "amazing feat". Geoffrey Thomas of AirlineRatings.com was speaking on CNA's Asia Tonight. Read more: https://cna.asia/48Fozc7 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 and Thai citizens will soon be able to visit each other's countries without a visa, as both nations are set to permanently waive visa requirements from March. A Thai government spokesperson said visitors of both countries can travel to China and Thailand for 30 days without a visa for each trip. However, it must not exceed 90 days within a time frame of six months. An agreement is expected to be in place by the end of February. Over 3.5 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand last year. Both countries have lauded this agreement. 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

India's capital New Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The city's government plans to tackle the problem by promoting the use of electric vehicles. In a city known for traffic chaos as well as traffic pollution, it is the emblematic rickshaws that have the highest EV adoption rates. India has set the target of 2030 for a third of all new vehicles to be electric. But experts warned New Delhi will face problems in sustaining its EV transition. 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

All runways have been closed at Tokyo's Haneda airport, after a Japan Airlines plane caught fire. The Airbus A350 had collided with a Japanese coast guard aircraft, reportedly on its way to deliver aid to quake-hit areas in central Japan. NHK said five coast guard members have been confirmed dead. More than 70 fire engines were deployed to put out the blaze. All 396 passengers and crew on board flight JL516 survived. One traveller CNA spoke to said the situation at Haneda is calm, even as hundreds of passengers were left stranded due to the flight delays. 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 said it has taken control of Hamas military infrastructure in central Gaza and killed dozens of militant fighters, as its aircraft and tanks stepped up bombardments in Khan Younis. The ongoing war is set to enter its fourth month, with no let up in fighting. Gaza's health ministry said more than 22,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its operations on Oct 7. Tel Aviv has announced plans to pull back some troops, signalling a new phase of the war. 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