She was preparing for a flight on June 11 when news came in that Jetstar Asia will be ending its operations on July 31.Speaking to AsiaOne, the stewardess who declined to be named, said the news came as a «total shock».The 23-year-old who has been with the airline for over a year and a half, said: «It was very disheartening. To be honest, most of us lost the mood to fly.»She said that despite the relatively short time with the airline, she had built close friendships with many colleagues, making the sudden parting especially difficult.«One of the hardest parts for me is knowing that I had to part ways with my cabin crew colleagues earlier than expected. My heart was not prepared for it,» she said.Despite the devastating news, she expressed gratitude for having a part-time job as a personal assistant on the side.«I'm thankful that at least I have a part-time job. It's going to be difficult for my other colleagues who now have to start looking for jobs,» she said.

This year's National Day Parade (NDP) marks 60 years since Singapore gained independence and will feature 40 marching contingents — the largest number for a parade in the Padang since 1990, where there were 70.NDP 2025 parade and ceremony chairman, Colonel Lim Yu Sing said this during a media event at the National Gallery on Thursday (June 12).The parade and ceremony segment, led by parade commander Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Firdaus Ghazali, will comprise about 2,100 participants from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds, including 18 civilian contingents, he added.Also speaking to media at the National Gallery, LTC Firdaus said that being a parade commander had always been his childhood dream.While participating in NDP 2002 as a performer, he remembered catching a glimpse of the parade and ceremony segment during rehearsals.«I developed a deep appreciation for parades and their significance as the heart and core of our NDPs,» he said.

Travellers will not be significantly impacted with the impending closure of Singapore-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Jetstar Asia, aviation analysts have said.The Qantas subsidiary announced on June 11 that will be ceasing operations, effective July 31. Speaking to AsiaOne, V. Mathivaanan, Covering Programme Chair for Diploma in Aviation Management, School of Engineering, Republic Polytechnic, said that Jetstar Asia's closure does not signal a downturn for the larger aviation industry.«In fact, the global aviation industry is experiencing solid growth, both in passenger travel and financial performance,» he said, citing International Air Transport Association (IATA) data which revealed that global passenger demand for April rose by eight per cent year-on-year.The data also found that international travel demand rose by 10.8 per cent year-on-year, with a record load factor of 84.1 per cent.Escalating cost pressures on LCCsMathivaanan highlighted the competitive environment that LCCs face, especially as they grapple with «tight financial margins while having to balance rising operational costs». 

What was meant to be a dream «French cream style» makeover for a Sentosa flat has turned into a costly nightmare for a homeowner.Luo now finds himself dealing with uneven cabinetry, long delays, the lingering smell of formaldehyde and his daughter's bedroom looking like what he describes as «tombstone style».He told Shin Min Daily News he paid $55,000 to a Malaysian contractor he found on Facebook to renovate the unit at Ocean Way. He also spent an additional $18,000 on electrical wiring and $22,000 on Ziptrak blinds.His decision to go with a Malaysian company stemmed from previous experiences with Singapore-based firms that outsourced work across the Causeway.«I thought it would be more straightforward to deal with them directly,» he said.Instead, the project dragged on for nearly a year and remains incomplete. Construction officially began only after Chinese New Year this year, despite an original move-in date set for November.«There was delay after delay,» he said. «Once, we agreed to meet at 10am and I waited until 5pm. He didn't show up.»

Rental costs are often a major deterrent to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially for young business owners who often opt to run home-based businesses in order to avoid the financial burden of paying rent.Reports emerged last week that I-Health Medical Holdings had successfully bid $52,188 for a unit at Block 954C Tampines Street 96 in March — the highest per square foot rent HDB has ever received for a clinic of that size.Cases of skyrocketing rental fees are becoming an increasing concern for young business owners with physical stores, and Cakeinspiration, a specialty cake shop, is facing the same challenge.Speaking to AsiaOne, 25-year-old Chan Kai Yang, the second-generation owner of Cakeinspiration, said that they'd recently renewed their lease and now have to fork out 40 per cent more in rent to keep their store, located in the heart of Joo Chiat.

Public transport operator SMRT has lodged a police report after a video showing an individual filming on the train tracks was widely circulated on social media.The video was taken in dimly lit conditions, and minimal footsteps can be heard as a train was passing by.It is not sure when the video was recorded, but it has been making the rounds across multiple social media platforms, drawing increasing public attention.It garnered 28.2k views on TikTok as at Thursday (June 12) afternoon, while a version posted on the Facebook page Complaint Singapore has received 9.4k views.The Instagram account Singapura Legends has recorded the highest traction, with 28.6k views. The footage has sparked widespread concern among netizens, many of whom expressed shock over the individual’s actions.One user questioned, “How on earth (did) he access that in the first place?” while another asked, “Why did he do such dangerous things?” Another netizen described the incident as a “life-endangering action”. 

Yale-NUS College (YNC) is organising a book adoption and exchange fair on Saturday (June 14) for the public for the first time since the row over dumping books erupted in May. Less than 2,000 books will be put up for adoption and exchange from 2pm to 5pm at the Central Library, NUS Libraries said in a Facebook post. The first fair was held from  May 28 to 30, but it was open only to the Yale-NUS alumni, staff and their guests.A second adoption drive for the public was scheduled from May 31 to June 9, but due to «overwhelming response» for the first fair, the authorities decided not to go ahead with the second.The fair for the public was thus pushed to June 14.

Yale-NUS College (YNC) is organising a book adoption and exchange fair on Saturday (June 14) for the public for the first time since the row over dumping books erupted in May. More than 2,000 books will be put up for adoption and exchange from 2pm to 5pm at the Central Library, NUS Libraries said in a Facebook post. The first fair was held from  May 28 to 30, but it was open only to the Yale-NUS alumni, staff and their guests.A second adoption drive for the public was scheduled from May 31 to June 9, but due to «overwhelming response» for the first fair, the authorities decided not to go ahead with the second.The fair for the public was thus pushed to June 14.

The travel plans of some Jetstar Asia passengers are now up in limbo after the budget carrier announced on Wednesday (June 11) morning it is winding up operations.Among them are university undergraduate Tan and her friends. They had booked round-trip tickets to Bali just days before, but now find themselves in an awkward predicament.Their flight from Singapore to Bali departs on July 31st — Jetstar Asia's last day of operations — and they had booked their return flight home to be on Aug 3.The unexpected news has frustrated 23-year-old Tan, who did not wish to give her full name. She told AsiaOne that they are hoping to proceed with their original flight to Bali but are unsure of how to obtain a refund for their Aug 3 flight, especially since they had purchased tickets through travel provider, Trip.com.«I don't know if Jetstar Asia will refund us for both flights or if they can refund just the returning flight,» she explained.«Our itinerary will be affected by what happens to our return flight as we might have to rebook for a different timing or even worse, a different day.»

To encourage themselves and their peers to hit the books, some Singaporean students have taken to platforms such as Telegram to offer guidance and support.Mohammed Danie Dahlan is one such student.The 18-year-old started a Telegram channel named socialstudieslovers in October 2023 after completing his GCE N-levels, where he shares Social Studies notes and exam strategies.A check by AsiaOne on Wednesday (June 10) showed that the channel has about 1,620 subscribers. While such online platforms can be an effective means to reinforce learning, experts say that students must continue to practice critical thinking and discernment while utilising them.Dr Lee Ai Noi, senior lecturer at the National Institute of Education's (NIE) Psychology and Child & Human Development department, told AsiaOne that peer tutoring can be highly effective when thoughtfully organised.She added that online peer tutoring initiatives, such as student-led groups on platforms like Telegram, offer convenience and immediacy, allowing students to share notes, clarify doubts, and support each other in real time.

A 16-year-old was convicted of rioting while armed with a deadly weapon after an incident in which he and five other teenagers attacked a 17-year-old at Buona Vista MRT station over a rape allegation, which turned out to be a misunderstanding.On June 9, the court called for a report to determine if he was suitable for reformative training.Young offenders ordered to undergo reformative training are detained in a centre for a strict regimen that can include foot drills and counselling.The teenager, who cannot be named due to a gag order, confronted and attacked the victim on Sept 1, 2024.The group had accused the victim of raping one of their friends but learnt during the incident that it did not happen.According to court documents, the teen and his accomplices, aged 13 to 17, met the victim at the MRT station at about 11pm.The group, which included two girls, then led him to the rail corridor near the station which was more secluded.

More seniors aged 65 and above will be able to apply for credit cards as DBS, UOB and OCBC will recognise CPF Life payouts as income proof.According to a statement on Tuesday (June 10), DBS said that the policy kicks in from June 11 (Wednesday).The move follows the Monetary Authority of Singapore's recent confirmation that banks can consider CPF Life payouts as a valid source of income for retirees above 65 years old interested in applying for unsecured loan facilities, such as credit cards.OCBC Bank will similarly allow seniors aged 65 and above applying for any OCBC credit cards to use CPF Life payouts as income proof beginning June 11, reported The Straits Times (ST).«DBS’ official and clear recognition of CPF Life payouts acknowledges these monthly payouts as reliable, lifelong income, giving seniors fairer access to credit options that may have previously been out of reach,» the bank said, adding that CPF Life payouts are now on par with other typical income proofs.

A pregnant woman recently received an unexpected and heartwarming gesture from the crew aboard a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight.In a video posted on June 2 to her TikTok account, Agataandbella, she shared the touching moment when the airline crew surprised her with gifts, including a handwritten letter congratulating her and her husband on their pregnancy.The letter also expressed well wishes for their growing family.In the video, she mentioned that a goodie bag — which included two pouches and other items — was given to her at the end of the flight.

SINGAPORE — A 13ha plot of prime land abutting Singapore Botanic Gardens will come into the Government’s possession, following a land swop deal between the Republic and the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.In exchange, Tunku Ismail will receive an 8.5ha piece of state land near the 13ha plot, which he can develop, subject to regulatory approvals.The exchange involving the land in Tyersall Park — an area privately owned by the Johor royal family since the 1800s — is expected to be completed later in 2025. The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced the deal on June 10.Tyersall Park is the historical Singapore residence of the sultan of Johor, and Singapore has over the years purchased some land from the royal family.Portions of the land that Singapore bought from the family have been developed as the Botanic Gardens’ Tyersall and Gallop extensions.On June 10, the agencies said Tunku Ismail currently owns 21.1ha of land in the area, including the 13ha plot that is part of the swop.