SYDNEY – Australia has imposed a dramatic 25 per cent hike on international student visa fees but exempted students from South-east Asia from the increase as it seeks to boost ties with its regional neighbours.The federal government on July 3 raised the non-refundable fee for students applying for visas in Australia from A$2,000 (S$1,810) to A$2,500.But, for the first time, students from Asean countries were excluded from the hike and were subject only to an inflation-adjusted increase of A$50, bringing the fee to A$2,050.Australia’s international student visa fees are the highest in the world.Fees in the United States and Britain, for instance, are US$535 (S$690) and £558 (S$959) respectively.The fee hike comes as the government attempts to address a surge in migration since the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee increased from A$710 to A$1,600 in July 2024 and to A$2,000 in July 2025.Australia’s assistant minister for international education, Julian Hill, told The Straits Times that the government had exempted Asean students as part of its efforts to deepen Australia’s engagement with South-east Asia.

Nine people, aged between 17 and 55, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in creating shell companies and handing over control of associated corporate bank accounts to an illegal online gambling syndicate.The police said on Saturday (July 25) that the seven men and two women were arrested following a three-day gambling suppression operation conducted between July 22 and 24.The operation, involving officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Woodlands Police Division and Tanglin Police Division, saw raids conducted at multiple locations islandwide, including Upper Jurong Road, Jurong West, Punggol, Geylang, Lengkok Bahru and Toa Payoh.Six people were arrested for their alleged roles in setting up business entities and corporate bank accounts which were believed to have been used by the syndicate to facilitate monetary transactions linked to illegal online gambling activities.Another three individuals were believed to have acted as runners and were arrested for assisting the syndicate in obtaining these business entities and corporate bank accounts.

A total of 60 people, aged between 17 and 79, have either been arrested or placed under investigation for their alleged involvement in illegal online gambling activities and/or misuse of bank accounts.Days before the World Cup started on June 11, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development said in a joint statement that enforcement efforts against illegal gambling will be intensified.On the same evening, the police revealed that they had conducted a gambling suppression operation between June 4 and 11, resulting in a total of 11 people being investigated for offences relating to illegal online gambling and misuse of bank accounts.Providing an update, police said on Saturday (July 25) that such operations were conducted between May 1 and July 20.They added that the efforts were intended to address the elevated risk of illegal betting in the period leading up to, and during the World Cup 2026 season.

We are just about two weeks away from the nation's 61st birthday bash, but rehearsals have been well underway with the first preview show done and dusted on Saturday (July 25) evening.Over the past rehearsals, the hyperactive and bubbly mascots have stolen the hearts of both show audiences and netizens.

Construction company Nishimatsu Construction has been fined $84,000, four years after worksite lapses led to a sinkhole forming on the slip road leading from Holland Road to Farrer Road. The incident closed the road to traffic for about a week in November 2022, and it was only fully reopened in March 2023.A representative from the Japanese company pleaded guilty to three charges under the Building Control Act on Friday (July 24), with another three similar charges taken into consideration during sentencing, reported The Straits Times.The company was also charged with deviating from the approved plans and failing to carry out the required probe drilling and grouting from the ground surface at the appropriate stage. These lapses led to an 8m-long, 4m-wide and 3m-deep sinkhole. 

Living independently is a dream for many young Singaporean singles and unmarried couples who are increasingly valuing their freedom and privacy.But navigating this rite of passage can be difficult, with factors including finances and emotional aspects to consider.To support Singaporean youths looking to venture out of the family nest, two private co-living operators have joined hands with the Government to offer discounted rental rates at selected properties.It is one of the 24 initiatives under the SG Youth Plan, a five-year national roadmap that seeks to empower young people and foster connections in today's fast-changing world.Coliwoo and Eco-Energy will collectively offer more than 100 fully furnished twin and queen rooms at cheaper prices to Singaporeans aged 21 to 35.Monthly rental rates at Eco-Energy's 1925 Quarters in Little India will begin at $1,800. Coliwoo's Boon Lay location starts at $1,950, and its Lutheran units are going for $2,000 and up.

A 35-year-old domestic helper's leg was pinned under a car after the vehicle struck her. Photos circulating in a Telegram chat group for motorists show police officers next to a black vehicle. In response to AsiaOne's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it was alerted to a road traffic accident near Block 508B Wellington Circle on Thursday (July 23) at about 8pm. Upon SCDF's arrival, her leg was found trapped between the vehicle's fender and tyre, and was freed using hydraulic rescue equipment. She was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. The incident happened when she was returning home after shopping, Shin Min Daily News reported on July 24. The 39-year-old driver was unaware that he had hit someone and, at one point, and had even turned the steering wheel.  He stopped only after several passersby shouted to alert him. When a reporter from Shin Min arrived at the scene, there was a Red Rhino and two fire trucks, and more than 10 SCDF officers working to rescue the woman. 

SINGAPORE – As early as March, there were murmurs among some tenants of Orchard Central mall about a feasibility study being done by their landlord, though no one knew what it was about or if tenants would be affected.Inquiries about their leases were met with delayed or holding responses from the leasing team, according to some tenants who spoke to The Straits Times the week of July 13.Then, a letter dated June 1 arrived from the mall's landlord, Far East Organisation (FEO), informing some tenants that they would have to vacate their units by Nov 30.The letter, a copy of which ST has seen, said that the landlord will be renovating and refurbishing the mall as part of an asset enhancement initiative, with works to commence on Dec 1.Tenants on the fifth to eighth floors, as well as levels 11 and 12, will be affected, according to those who spoke to ST. The mall's carpark occupies its ninth floor.The tenants are on varying lease terms, with some expiring at the year end, others extended until the mall's last day of operations, while others have leases that run beyond Nov 30.

Despite suffering a stroke and heart attack, Calvin was determined to fulfil his dream of riding a motorbike. So, he enrolled in a motorcycle driving course at ComfortDelGro Driving Centre, ComfortDelGro shared in a Facebook post on July 22.«Through dedication and countless hours of practice with close guidance from our instructors, he overcame every obstacle — one lesson, one milestone at a time,» the transport company shared. Calvin's hard work and perseverance paid off after he recently passed his class 2B motorcycle practical test, which evaluates driver's competence in handling a motorcycle up to 200cc through a circuit test and road test. «His achievement is a powerful reminder that our circumstances do not define our potential — with determination, resilience and the right support, we can continue to learn and grow at any stage of life,» wrote ComfortDelGro. It added that it believes every learner deserves the opportunity to achieve their goals. 

At over nine storeys above the ground, her life is quite literally hanging by threads. Now, aerialist Megan Lau is letting the public in on the experience.In a Facebook video, the 25-year-old took viewers behind the scenes of her preparations for this year's National Day Parade, where she'll soar 30m above the National Stadium on Aug 9. To set the scene, Lau began by pointing out one eye-watering detail: it's the highest she's ever performed.The past few Monday nights have been spent at rehearsals, she shared, giving viewers a look at the equipment she needs before taking flight, including an in-ear monitor, harness and helmet.«Safety first,» she emphasised. «And no, this isn't overkill. It's because of the drones flying around us while we are in the air.»NDP 2026 will feature about 300 drones performing in synchrony with electronic music artist Jasmine Sokko, who will be supported by two aerialists, including Lau.Once she's fully geared up, Lau is set to soar — her favourite part of the night.«I love every second of it… 30 metres [in the air] is absolutely insane.»

A National University of Singapore graduate was left in tears after her friends surprised her with a graduation celebration featuring a personalised video message from her favourite actor.The emotional moment was shared in a video on social media on Wednesday (July 22) by one of the graduate's friends, showing Char, identified only by her first name, receiving the surprise message from local actor Tosh Rock.«Seven years of friendship and the only time she cried was from this,» the caption read.Tosh Rock, whose real name is Tosh Zhang, is best known for his role in the local film series Ah Boys to Men.Along with the personalised video message, Char was also presented with a standee of the actor, whom her friend described as someone she is a huge fan of.In the video, the friend thanked Tosh Rock for helping with the surprise, after he was contacted via direct message on social media. 

Hailey's appearance at a recent convocation ceremony at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has sparked backlash.The catch? She is NTU's hyper-realistic generative AI (GenAI) ambassador.The clip was uploaded by TikTok user dalgomi on Thursday (July 23).In the clip, the camera pans to screens on stage, where Hailey is seen strolling about with a smile on her face.The clip then cuts to the user asking aloud: «What was that?»In the caption, he wrote: «You could tell the audience was shocked».In the comments section, netizens criticised and questioned the need to use an AI ambassador to celebrate a milestone moment for graduates. «Imagine what should be your proudest moment of university, [yet] they congratulate you with AI,» lamented one commenter.Another commenter sarcastically quipped: «Your lecturer can [use AI], but you can't.»Singapore is among five global AI pioneers, according to the 2024 AI Maturity Matrix, as companies here increasingly adopt AI to automate tasks and streamline processes. 

Around 200 cases have been reported to the Online Safety Commission (OSC) following its formation in late June, Minister for Law Edwin Tong revealed in a speech on Friday (July 24).He was speaking at the SHECARES Centre Open House at Chip Bee Gardens on Friday, an event also attended by OSC commissioner Francis Ng.SHECARES is a support centre for victims of online harm and is run by independent non-profit SG Her Empowerment (SHE).It provides free counselling, assistance in filing reports, and legal advice in partnership with lawyers from Pro Bono SG. OSC was launched on June 29 with the aim of helping victims of online harms seek redress as part of the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act (Osraa).«[Ng] has had a very busy start with about 200 cases already, which reflects what we had thought as we did the studies and research into why we needed to pass this piece of legislation,» Tong said, referring to Osraa.«This space [and the need for it] is growing… I think the work that Francis and his team is doing underscores that.»

Doing the seemingly smallest task with pride — even if it's disposing rubbish, focusing on engagements as a means to network — even if the person is seemingly junior. These were two of three personal stories shared by Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing with 74 recipients at the Public Service Commission's (PSC) scholarship awards ceremony held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Friday (July 24).In his usual candid candour, Chan, who is also Minister-in-charge of the Public Service and Minister for Defence, shared these personal anecdotes to encourage the recipients to go beyond finding meaning in the work they will undertake, but also, to «give meaning» to the work they will do.How throwing rubbish became insightsRecalling his attachment with a unit while on vacation during his studies, Chan, who received the President's Scholarship and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Overseas Scholarship in 1988, said he did not feel «particularly useful» since he hadn't been trained in the work undertaken by the unit.