HEADLINES: MYANMAR: Junta helicopter shot down in Karen State, killing brigadier general
CAMBODIA: Cambodia Property Outlook 2024
Although there is a wait-and-see attitude from first-time buyers looking for the right development, investment groups could be taking advantage of some of the opportunities with certain sectors of the property market hoping to buy up stock at lower prices.
The global and regional uncertainties still weigh on investors, and construction carries on, especially in Cambodia’s capital. The back end of 2023 saw a few large sites hold their topping out and launch ceremonies, with at least three condo developments (when completed) due to be among the tallest buildings in Phnom Penh.
Tom O’Sullivan, Director and CEO of Realestate.com.kh, shared his expectations for the real estate market in Cambodia in 2024 with B2B Cambodia, saying he expects the market to marginally improve in 2024. “We will see fewer launches and buyers soak up the existing stock which is needed, and among the confirmed launches this year I have seen in the pipeline, they are well suited for where the demand is in the market.”
MYANMAR: Junta helicopter shot down in Karen State, killing brigadier general
The KNLA and Cobra Column claimed responsibility for downing the helicopter, which was reportedly carrying officers from the military’s southeastern command in Mawlamyine to a nearby base
At least five regime officers including a brigadier general were killed in a helicopter crash in Myawaddy Township, Karen State on Monday, spokespersons for the Karen National Union (KNU) said.
The KNU—the political wing of one of Myanmar’s oldest and most powerful ethnic armed organisations, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)—claimed that the KNLA and its allies had shot down the helicopter.
Brig-Gen Aye Min Naung, who was among the deceased, was reportedly serving as the newly assigned commander for the Myanmar army’s Light Infantry Division 44 at the time of the crash.
Three majors and a captain were also killed in the crash according to the KNU, and a sixth officer was injured.
The KNU identified the downed aircraft as a Eurocopter 365, a twin-engine helicopter used for transport, and said it was accompanied by an MI 35—a combat helicopter produced in Russia—at the time of the crash.
The Eurocopter crashed outside the village of Thin Gan Nyi Naung, Myawaddy Township. It had been carrying military personnel from the military’s southeastern regional command headquarters in Mawlamyine to the Light Infantry Battalion 355 base located near the village, KNU spokespersons said.
SINGAPORE: Retrenchments in Singapore doubled in 2023 even as unemployment dipped slightly
SINGAPORE – Retrenchments in Singapore doubled in 2023 from the previous year to 14,320, even as overall unemployment rates fell slightly.
Total employment growth here for the full year of 2023 slowed amid weaker economic conditions, following a sharp, post-pandemic rebound in 2022.
According to preliminary estimates released by the Ministry of Manpower on Jan 31, the more muted pace of growth was seen for both residents and non-residents.