Daily Debrief: What Happened Today (Dec 19)

Stories you might have missed

DFI Retail’s Mannings join retail exodus after two decades in mainland China

[SINGAPORE] DFI Retail Group’s beauty and health brand Mannings on Wednesday (Dec 17) announced the closure of all its stores across mainland China, citing “consumer behaviour” changes.

Baht soars to 3-year high against Singdollar -- but can its strength persist?

[SINGAPORE] The baht’s rally has pushed it to hit records and outshine regional peers as Asia’s second-best performing currency for 2025, sparking fears of the impact on the country’s export-driven economy, as well as highlighting tourism implications.

New airports, high-speed rails, Olympic complex: Vietnam shifts into top gear

[HO CHI MINH CITY] On the morning of Dec 19, Vietnam welcomed its first arriving passenger flights at Long Thanh International Airport – a flagship infrastructure project located 40 km east of Ho Chi Minh City and designed to eclipse Tan Son Nhat as the country’s largest aviation gateway.

Singapore arrests former captain of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi’s yacht

[SINGAPORE] Singapore police have arrested a US-sanctioned man who operated a superyacht for the alleged mastermind of one of Asia’s largest scam networks.

Singapore law to cane scammers, mules to take effect from Dec 30

[SINGAPORE] Scammers and mules will face mandatory caning starting from Dec 30 as Singapore steps up its efforts to stem scam losses.

Singapore’s 2023 greenhouse gas emissions fall 5.3% as industrial output declines

[SINGAPORE] The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) on Friday (Dec 19) released data on Singapore’s 2023 greenhouse gas emissions, revealing a 5.3 per cent decrease from the levels recorded in 2022.