North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged his party to "accelerate" war preparations including its nuclear programme, state media reported on Thursday (Dec 28). Speaking at the North's ongoing year-end party meeting, Kim stressed that the "military situation" on the Korean peninsula had become "extreme" due to "unprecedented" anti-North confrontations with the US. https://cna.asia/3vgeiVx 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

Transport groups in the Philippines are protesting against the government’s plans to eventually phase out old versions of the country's iconic jeepney. The government had set a Dec 31 deadline for jeepney operators to surrender their franchises and consolidate into cooperatives, but activists have petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the move. There are concerns that the looming consolidation could put thousands of drivers and operators out of work if they do not join a cooperative, while also raising transport costs. CNA’s Buena Bernal 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

Were you a cyclist, a go-karter or a pedestrian? Singapore's Road Safety Community Park saw generations of school children on field trips - and now, it will be redeveloped to allow families to visit as well. Read more: https://cna.asia/48hn7xa 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

Fifty-two schools will be receiving new principals next year, all part of an effort to broaden their experiences as well as to share best practices across Singapore's schools. The contributions of retiring principals will also be acknowledged at an annual ceremony on Dec 28. CNA spoke to Peter Tan, former principal at Queensway Secondary School, who just retired last week after serving four decades in the education sector. 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

Hundreds paid their final respects to a Singaporean woman who died on Dec 22 after slipping off a cliff in New York. Her body was laid to rest following a 22-hour flight back home from the US. Many say she will be remembered as a kind spirit and passionate animal lover. Alif Amsyar has this report. 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

When it comes to driving Singapore's adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), many will cite the new jobs and business opportunities this will bring. But as CNA found out, some businesses are gearing up for the shift to EVs, while others say it is getting hard to cope. Marcus Tan with more. 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

It is all hands on deck for healthcare groups in Singapore, as they redeploy manpower and pay staff extra to meet a spike in demand for medical care. Patient loads have surged by up to 50 per cent, as Singapore grapples with the latest COVID-19 wave. As Sherlyn Seah finds out, keeping clinics well-staffed requires meticulous planning and quick reactions. 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 begun combat operations in the central area of the Gaza Strip, home to several large refugee camps. The uptick in attacks comes on the back of Tel Aviv's latest warning that a long war lies ahead, one that could last for many more months. Talks between senior US and Israeli officials suggest that plans to transition to a "different phase of the war" are on the horizon. 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 1,000 South Korean military, police and emergency personnel have joined defence drills that simulated a possible attack by North Korea on Seoul. The exercise comes amid heightened tensions on the peninsula. The South Korean government added that it learned a big lesson on vulnerability, when Hamas successfully launched its surprise attack on Israel, despite its world-class defence system. 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

People in India's capital, New Delhi, woke up to another day of extreme fog. Visibility has been reduced to just 25 metres in some areas, causing travel chaos. More than 110 flights and about 50 train services were delayed or cancelled. Officials have issued a red alert over very dense fog, as a cold wave grips the region. 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

Researchers in the Philippines are scrambling to develop a local vaccine for leptospirosis as cases hit a five-year high in the country. CNA's Buena Bernal looks at prospects for its development and how this disease is affecting the nation's underprivileged groups. Read more: https://cna.asia/3RGy0Bc 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

Parasite actor Lee Sun-kyun was found dead in a car on Wednesday (Dec 27) by authorities following up a report that he had gone missing. He was 48 years old.

Car-sharing companies are enjoying brisk business in Singapore this festive season. Some firms in the sector are seeing up to a 60 per cent surge in demand from the same period last year. However, as Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations get underway with more drivers on the road, these companies are also making greater efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of drink driving. CNA’s 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

This container ship's arrival in Singapore marked a record 3 billion gross tonnage in ship arrivals for the country in 2023.

A woman in India shielded her two children from a moving train on Dec 24, after they were pushed off the platform by a crowd. All three survived without a scratch.

A woman in India shielded her two children from a moving train on Dec 24, after they were pushed off the platform by a crowd. All three survived without a scratch. https://cna.asia/4aD03uj 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 car owners in Singapore are switching to electric vehicles (EVs). There are about 11,000 EVs on the roads, 40 per cent more than last year. But they only make up a small percentage of all cars on the roads. Still, a survey shows that EV adoption is picking up pace, even though a majority of car owners in Singapore still do not know much about EVs. Marcus Tan with more. 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

Another pet-friendly mall is welcoming crowds of the two- and four-legged variety. But keeping these venues clean from pet waste and safe for patrons is a balancing act, and one that requires everyone to play their part. Richa Mathew 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

Zion Road in Singapore's River Valley district has been identified for potential road repurposing projects. This means it could see wider footpaths and more greenery, aimed at creating a more walkable Singapore. A survey by the Land Transport Authority shows more people walking and cycling. Eighteen per cent are doing so during peak hours, compared to about 14 per cent in 2016. 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

Singapore's factory output grew by one per cent on-year in November, the second straight month of growth. Still, growth is down from the 7.6 per cent seen in October. This is largely due to a decelerating electronics sector. 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