The Taylor Swift effect may have played a role in stronger retail and food and beverage sales in March. Latest Government data shows retail sales grew 2.7 per cent year-on-year, while food and beverage jumped 5 per cent. Nicolas Ng reports.

There is a new way for parents to search for preschools without the headache of having to fill multiple forms or deal with waitlist uncertainties. The Early Child Development Agency has launched a new function with more straightforward searches, clearer vacancy information and contact details for preschools. All of this will be available on the existing LifeSG app. Chloe Teo reports.

Sports enthusiasts will soon have a fairer and more transparent way to book public sporting facilities, through a revamped online booking platform in mid-June. Called MyActiveSG+, members will have to use their Singpass to login, or create an account. Sport Singapore says the move prevents people from having multiple profiles and stops bots from gaming the system. Alif Amsyar reports.

More than 15,000 asylum seekers and refugees in Hong Kong do not have the legal right to live or work in the city. And while children can go to school, their status may prevent them from having a bright future.

Thambi Magazine Store, the iconic newsstand in Holland Village, will close by the end of May 5. Its owner Sam Thambi tells us how the store came to be, and why he chose to close up shop. Read more: https://cna.asia/4b0l2qG 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 diplomat has been suspended after he allegedly filmed a teenage boy at a public bath in Tokyo. Japanese media reported that the 55-year-old had multiple photos of naked male customers on his phone. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is prepared to waive diplomatic immunity if the facts bear out.

Drivers in Singapore can now choose where to install the new ERP 2.0 on-board processing unit, such as the driver's side footwell - as long as it's feasible, the Land Transport Authority says.

The unrelenting heat and humidity in Singapore is set to be daunting for professional golfers taking part in this weekend's LIV Golf tournament from May 3 to 5. But on-course commentator Su-Ann Heng is keeping it cool and composed. The Singaporean former pro golfer is now making waves in the world of international sports broadcasting. CNA's Paul Sng catches up with her at the event. Singaporean former pro golfer Su-Ann Heng makes waves in international sports broadcasting. 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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Japan's notorious organised crime syndicates - the yakuza - have seen their power and ranks erode, following decades of crackdowns. They had more than 90,000 members three decades ago. But as of the end of 2022, the number had plummeted to about 22,000, according to the National Police Agency. But those who quit face stigma and legal barriers to rejoining society. CNA's Michiyo Ishida speaks to a former yakuza.

Fans will find themselves much closer to the action at the National Stadium, when the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens tournament kicks off on May 3. This is all because of an integrated moving tier system at the arena that pushes 24,000 seats nearer to the pitch. Aslam Shah goes behind the scenes to find out how it works.

Car owners can now choose where to install the new ERP 2.0 on-board processing unit. They can now have the device fixed at positions such as the driver's footwell. Drivers also have the option of installing the touchscreen display.

A survey on the state of ransomware in Singapore reveals that organisations are now more likely to pay the ransom, as opposed to recovering their data using backups. The study conducted by global security firm Sophos included 165 IT professionals in Singapore, out of 5,000 across 14 countries. CNA spoke to Aaron Bugal, Field Chief Technology Officer for Asia Pacific at Sophos, who explained the possible reasons and talked about systems in organisations that are especially vulnerable to ransomware attacks.

Singapore is looking at ways to expand its trade and business links with the United States. Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong says Singapore is keen to enhance cooperation in areas like artificial intelligence. Mr Gan wrapped up a three-day visit to Washington DC, where he commemorated the 20th anniversary of a free trade agreement between the two countries. Nick Harper reports from Washington.

Japan's organised crime syndicates, the yakuza, have seen their power and ranks erode, after decades of crackdowns. They had more than 90,000 members three decades ago. But as of the end of 2022, the number had plummeted to about 22,000, according to the National Police Agency. But those who quit face stigma and legal barriers to rejoining society. CNA's Michiyo Ishida speaks to a former yakuza.

India's food safety regulator has ordered testing and inspections at all companies making spice mixes in the country. This comes as Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States, for instance, have flagged suspected contamination in the products of two popular India-made spice brands, MDH and Everest. Priyata Brajabasi with this report from New Delhi.

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Hotel chain Hotel101 Global, a subsidiary of Philippine real estate company DoubleDragon, plans to list on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York in the second half of this year. The move will make Hotel101 Global the first Philippine brand to list in the United States. CNA’s Sarah Al-Khaldi speaks to its CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini about the upcoming listing and their expansion plans. Read more: https://cna.asia/3UHAaU4 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