The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is hoping for more donations this festive season, with cases of pets being abandoned doubling in the past year to more than 120 this year. Nearly three times more animals were also ditched by their owners. SPCA says many of the 278 pets were smaller animals such as cats, hamsters and guinea pigs. CNA spoke to SPCA Singapore's Executive Director Aarthi Sankar. 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

Industry watchers are calling for stricter rules and penalties governing directorships in Singapore. This follows news that a director of 980 companies was jailed for failing his duties, after more than S$7 million was laundered through some of those firms. But analysts caution that a balance must be struck between tighter rules and ease of doing business. 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 year-end festivities going into full swing, police are looking to curb criminal activity. A month-long, islandwide crackdown has resulted in nearly 1,400 people being brought under investigation for offences including illegal gambling, drug use and gang activities. 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 newest hospital, Woodlands Health, will add up to 1,800 beds when it fully opens next year. This is in line with the Health Ministry's target of boosting hospital bed capacity by year-end, to ease the bed crunch facing the country's healthcare system. Sabrina Ng with more. Some facilities at the hospital opened on Dec 22, including 40 community beds and specialist clinics. Sabrina Ng 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

Giant pandas on loan from China are winning the hearts of South Koreans and getting them to open their wallets. China sent a pair of giant pandas to South Korea in 2016 on a 15-year loan agreement. The family has since expanded to five. In recent months, they are enjoying a surge in popularity. CNA's Lim Yun Suk 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

Say hi to ElliQ. This AI-powered robot helps senior citizens fight loneliness by talking to them. It can even tell jokes, play music and provide inspirational quotes.

Meet ElliQ, a robot powered by artificial intelligence to help senior citizens fight loneliness through personalised conversations, music and more. Its creators Intuition Robotics says none of the conversations are heard by the company, with the information staying on each owner's device. Read more: https://cna.asia/47YJKGl (Video: AP) 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 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many foreign brands announced their departure from the country. Since then, consumers have turned inwards, boosting Russia’s domestic fashion and retail sector. CNA’s Dasha Chernyshova 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

Malaysia's Ilham Tower, a prime commercial building owned by the family of former Malaysia finance minister Daim Zainuddin, was on Thursday (Dec 21) seized by the country's anti-graft agency, sources said. The move is part of an ongoing probe into controversial transactions by corporate entities previously controlled by UMNO.

Unemployment in Russia may be at historic lows, but finding workers for jobs has now become the country's real challenge. With thousands of troops on the frontline in the war with Ukraine, Russia is battling a labour shortage that could hamper economic growth in the coming years. CNA’s Dasha Chernyshova 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 multimillion-dollar Ilham Tower, a prime commercial building owned by the family of former Malaysia finance minister Daim Zainuddin, was on Thursday (Dec 21) seized by the country's anti-graft agency, sources said, in a sharp escalation to an ongoing probe into controversial transactions by corporate entities previously controlled by UMNO. CNA Digital's Leslie Lopez, who broke the story, has more on the deal linked with the seizure. Read more: https://cna.asia/3GORU8m 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 24-year-old Czech student shot dead his father then killed 14 people at his university in Prague on Thursday (Dec 21) before possibly killing himself, police said, marking the country's worst-ever mass shooting.

A 24-year-old Czech student shot dead his father then killed 14 people and wounded 25 others at his Prague university on Thursday (Dec 21) before possibly killing himself, police said, marking the country's worst-ever mass shooting. More details: https://cna.asia/3GSb7pz (Videos: Ivo Havranek, CTK/AP, AP) 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

Here’s a first look at Restaurant Air at Dempsey in Singapore. Set to open in January 2024 and featuring an edible garden, cooking club and research space, it’s an ambitious project by Room4Dessert’s Will Goldfarb, Matthew Orlando of Amass and Potato Head’s Ronald Akili. (Video: Joyee Koo, May Seah) Read more: https://cna.asia/4785kXC #Singapore #restaurant 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 UAE, which hosted this year's United Nations-led climate talks, is tapping its solar assets as it faces a delicate balancing act in powering its economic growth while accelerating its green energy transition. CNA’s Julie Yoo was in Dubai to cover the COP28 negotiations, and she got a glimpse of the Emirates' quest for sustainable energy. 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 petty criminals to hardened terrorists, security personnel and workers at tourist hotspots are looking for tell-tale signs that give them away. It is the result of training by the police, who also recommend that technology like CCTV cameras is used in tandem to help in crowd situations. Aslam Shah tells us how this framework called Topsis, or the Threat-Oriented Person Screening Integrated System, is making a difference this holiday season. 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

Several Christmas markets are popping up and making their merry way around the island. But when it comes to sales, some vendors have been left out in the cold. Still, others are doing what they can to make this season a jolly one. 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

Training providers in Singapore are saying that interest to learn how to provide mental health support to peers is staying strong, after rising during the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrew, a clinical psychologist and associate trainer at the Academy of Human Development, spoke to CNA about what para-counselling entails. 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 average number of people hospitalised for COVID-19 per day has spiked. Latest data from the Health Ministry shows that it is now at 560, up from 350 the week before. The majority are aged 60 and above, the age group accounting for over four in five of all cases in hospital. 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

Training providers say that interest in learning how to provide mental health support to peers has stayed strong, after rising during the COVID-19 pandemic. Academies say para-counselling courses remain popular as people find such skills useful, whether at work, with friends, or at home. One training provider says para-counselling students have made up more than half its enrolment every year since 2021. With rising awareness of mental health, it is also seeing interest from a wider range of industries, such as security companies and cleaning services. Claudia Lim 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