(For subscribers) Chinese social media apps like Xiaohongshu and Douyin have grown in popularity in Singapore. 📱 Here's why: https://str.sg/ESXK

Which of these apps do you use?

Malaysia is looking at allowing a casino to operate in the Forest City project off Singapore’s western coast, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions.

Such a development is among proposals for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, they said.

UPDATE: PM Anwar Ibrahim said later on April 25 “the casino… not true, it’s a lie” when quizzed by reporters. https://str.sg/diJy

2019 Orchard Towers murder: A 32-year-old man who was holding a knife when he punched the victim has been sentenced to life imprisonment and caning. https://str.sg/tymV

🌌 The "Northern Lights" are coming to Singapore. A new light installation called Borealis will make its debut at Gardens by the Bay on May 5. https://str.sg/GAYW

Changi Airport's passenger traffic surpassed pre-pandemic levels on a quarterly basis for the first time in Q1 2024. https://str.sg/nZmB

A new 255-room hotel under the boutique Hotel Indigo brand will open at Changi Airport Terminal 2 by 2028. https://str.sg/qxMd

⛈ News for your morning!

Business
NTUC aims to step up support for PMEs amid layoffs, tech advancements
READ: https://str.sg/npLm

Singapore
More universities using artificial intelligence in class but some students have mixed feelings
READ: https://str.sg/qRhA

Waste to plate: Fish feed from soybean processing run-off spells hope for cheaper fish
READ: https://str.sg/B9S3

Asia
ByteDance prefers TikTok shutdown in US if legal options fail, sources say
READ: https://str.sg/mfPi

Stay in the know: https://str.sg/wyYP

Cardboard coffins are gaining ground in Singapore as a sustainable alternative to wooden coffins. Here's why: https://str.sg/mwCi

🏠 HDB resale prices have climbed for the 16th straight quarter: Price growth increased and more flats were sold in the first quarter of this year. https://str.sg/6DFu

🏠 Private residential property prices have continued to moderate: Price growth slowed and fewer units were sold in the first quarter. https://str.sg/ybqo

A critically endangered monkey species in Singapore has welcomed a new member with the birth of a male infant. 🐒

It is the first baby of the Raffles’ banded langurs sighted here in the wild this year. https://str.sg/HY4L

Clarke Quay has officially reopened as a day-and-night destination after a $62 million revamp.

There are new F&B additions, a FairPrice Finest and an upcoming fitness studio as part of its refresh. https://str.sg/kH8B

Singapore Airlines has been ordered to pay $3,580 to 2 of its passengers after they filed a complaint over their recliner seats which failed to work during a flight from Hyderabad to Singapore. https://str.sg/73xY

This week's trending stories:

🏖 Sentosa's Siloso Beach makes list of top 100 beaches in the world: https://str.sg/kEyx

👶🏻 Seoul studies $99k cash incentive for each child born: https://str.sg/zg8e

😢 Chinese tourist falls off cliff while posing for photo on Indonesian volcano: https://str.sg/vhmU

The police are investigating a case of a 15-year-old girl who lived in a Circuit Road food stall for almost a year.

The teenager, who could barely speak, relieved herself in pails in the stall as she would not leave even to use the toilet. https://str.sg/xytL

#stpotd: More than 80% of Singapore residents said they were willing to wipe down the table after eating at hawker centres or coffee shops, according to survey findings. https://str.sg/JHbtE

How often do you clean up after yourself when dining at these places?

The body of Ms Audrey Fang, who was killed in Spain more than 2 weeks ago, has arrived in Singapore.

In their search for answers, Ms Fang's family discovered that she bought insurance policies from the suspect in 2015. https://str.sg/fKjc

Some schools in Singapore are offering pre-packed meals and catered food during recess, due to challenges in finding canteen vendors. https://str.sg/Bv3D

Seoul is enlisting pet dogs and their owners to help fight crime on the streets. https://str.sg/4TstV

4-year-old Ellie Hui has a rare condition that causes tumours to grow in various parts of the body. https://str.sg/xYwT

It's passed down from parent to child or caused by a DNA mutation. What is it and is there a cure? https://str.sg/5JK4