In Singapore, it's been a mad dash for some logistics firms to complete parcel deliveries ahead of Christmas. Volumes may be up this festive season, but they are not much more compared to the same period last year. One logistics firm said high inflation could have dampened online spending. 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

Malaysia has hardened its opposition to Israel's siege of Gaza, banning all ships bearing the Israeli flag from docking at its ports. It has also banned vessels from other countries from loading cargo in Malaysia, if they are headed for Israel. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has accused Tel Aviv of violating international law through "continuous massacres and atrocities against Palestinians". He singled out Israel's largest shipping firm ZIM, saying it will no longer have permission to land in Malaysia. Global trade has been disrupted as a result of attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. 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

Ukraine has entered its second winter of the war, and Russia is expected to target the country’s critical infrastructure once again. The World Bank says the cost of reconstruction has already risen to more than US$400 billion, and the figure is only set to rise as Russia continues its attacks. Telecom companies say the full scale of destruction to their systems remains unclear. CNA’s Megumi Lim reports from Kiev in the second part of a series on the Ukraine economy. Read more: https://cna.asia/48kSRkg 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 providing respite to caregivers to putting a smile on the faces of seniors at nursing homes, some social organisations in Singapore are trying to help their beneficiaries feel special this festive season. Among them is Boys' Town Sanctuary Care, whose beneficiaries are infants and young children whose parents who, although willing and able to take care of them, are temporarily unable to do so. CNA's Jeraldine Yap 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 charities said donations are down at least 20 per cent this year-end compared with previous years. They are asking donors to give more meaningfully as they look to spread the festive cheer. Some organisations are holding out hope that people will come through in time. CNA's Sherlyn Seah 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

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Students from India and China hoping to study in Singapore need to brush up on their English proficiency so they can qualify for a diploma or degree programme here. But experienced teachers who can guide them are short in supply. One education firm says it is looking to hire beyond 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

Singapore is stepping up enforcement against vapes in schools, public areas as well as at various checkpoints including Changi Airport.

Meet Taters - the star of the first video ever sent by laser from deep space. The video was beamed from NASA's Psyche spacecraft and took less than two minutes to reach Earth.

Several local companies in Singapore have tweaked their business strategies to make the most of year-end festivities. Even so, they have not been spared the effects of higher inflation. Some retailers have been forced to give huge discounts and slash their Christmas inventories just to break even. 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

A Singapore-made 3D film on quantum physics has won a prestigious international award in animation. "Moirai - Thread of Life" picked up the Best in Show award at SIGGRAPH Asia 2023 in Sydney last week, beating nearly 400 submissions from artists around the world. Mr Joshua Tan, director at CraveFX, the local firm behind the animation, and Associate Professor Ina Conradi, one half of the artistic duo behind the film, shared more about the creative concept behind the film. 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

Dengue numbers are up nearly 50% from three weeks before, with about 200 cases reported last week. Researchers are working to fine-tune a method that can help them determine who is more likely to get severe dengue and need hospitalisation. It's based on identifying two compounds in blood. Dr Andrew Teo from NTU's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and Assistant Professor Chia Po Ying, a consultant at NCID and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, shared more about the two compounds -- sST2 and suPAR. 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

Professional services firm PwC has called for more support to help companies in Singapore achieve sustainability goals. That's among proposals by the firm ahead of the upcoming Budget. It also comes on the back of Singapore's push towards net-zero. PwC has suggested a framework that supports businesses' green transition. It will see certain services subsidised by grants. The results could help firms pinpoint areas where carbon footprint can be reduced. Firms looking to switch to clean energy sources like solar can also use the assistance. 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

Seniors living in Queenstown and the Dawson neighbourhood now have a new way to get a workout for their mind, body and soul. The National Heritage Board is partnering up with community care service FaithActs to improve the mental, social and physical well-being of elderly residents through art. It's part of the "Heritage for Well-being" programme for seniors in the heartlands. 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 Singapore Police Force has trained over 460 officers to support the mental health of their colleagues during times of crisis. The pool of paracounsellors has grown from just over 100 officers two decades ago. This complements other support options like a 24/7 helpline, as well as professional counselling and psychiatric services. The police said officers' morale and well-being are also regularly monitored by supervisors and through surveys. There are over 15,000 officers, staff and national servicemen in the Police Force. 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 the rise in passenger traffic, Changi Airport Group said more travellers are using its early check-in services. Nearly one in five bags at Changi Airport were checked in early this year. As part of upgrades to handle growing passenger needs, the newly renovated Terminal 2 has a fully automated baggage storage system. The new facility is the size of four Olympic swimming pools and can handle twice as many bags as a similar facility in Terminal 1. Marcus Tan 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

Motorists using Singapore's two land checkpoints could face a three-hour wait for immigration clearance during the coming festive long weekends. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said that's due to expected high visitor flow and enhanced security checks during the period over Christmas and New Year's Day. Some travellers are already making alternative arrangements to avoid the queues. The weekend of Dec 15-17 saw more than 1.3 million travellers using the Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints -- close to 30,000 more than the same period in 2019. Chloe Choo 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

Ever wondered where your luggage goes when you check in early at the airport? Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the new fully automated baggage storage facility at Changi Airport Terminal 2 in Singapore. Read more: https://cna.asia/3NzDyw6 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

A volcano in southwest Iceland started erupting on Monday (Dec 18) after weeks of earthquakes. Authorities had evacuated thousands of people weeks ago, in anticipation of the eruption.

A volcano in Iceland was erupting on Tuesday (Dec 19), with geysers of molten lava shooting into the pitch-black night sky after weeks of seismic activity had the region southwest of capital Reykjavik on high alert. The eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, just north of the fishing town of Grindavik, began on Monday after an earthquake swarm. Read more: https://cna.asia/3th2Mc2 (Video: APTN/Icelandic Coast Guard) 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