What should have been a routine Wednesday night arrival in Seoul turned into a surreal detour for passengers on AirAsia Flight D7 506 from Kuala Lumpur. The plane was scheduled to touch down at Incheon International Airport at 7.50 p.m. local time (6.50 p.m. in Singapore) on August 13. Instead, it landed at Gimpo International Airport at 8.08 p.m., more than 30 kilometers away, after circling in the air.
Image Credits: flightaware.com
At first, there was no sign that anything was amiss. The captain announced their arrival at Incheon, prompting passengers to stand and reach for their bags. It was only when some glanced out of the windows or checked their phones that the realization set in. They were in Gimpo, not Incheon. “Everyone panicked,” one passenger told The Korea Herald. “It seemed the cabin crew didn’t know we had landed at Gimpo until passengers told them.”
AirAsia later explained that poor weather over Incheon had caused turbulence and air traffic congestion, forcing the diversion. The aircraft remained at Gimpo for nearly two hours before departing again at 10.17 p.m. and finally arriving at Incheon at 10.59 p.m.
Image Credits: flightaware.com
For many on board, the delay was not the issue. It was the silence. “During the two hours before we departed for Incheon again, there was no clear explanation of what caused the landing or any effort to reassure passengers,” said Ryu, 39, who was travelling that night.
In a statement issued the next day, AirAsia X said the captain had kept passengers informed in English, but admitted there had been a miscommunication in the cabin crew’s landing announcement. Chief executive Benyamin Ismail promised to review the airline’s onboard communication protocols to ensure greater clarity in the future, and offered travel vouchers as a goodwill gesture.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
Diversions are part of the job in aviation. In the sky, as in business, turbulence is unavoidable. However, passengers want to be kept informed when flight plan changes occur. How you communicate in those moments can define your brand long after the landing gear touches down.
To help you with your travel planning, we’ve curated a list of superbly rated accommodations in the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory so you can just enter your dates and book right away!
Your Darwin adventure begins just 7.5 km from the international airport if you book a stay at this resort, and Crocosaurus Cove is a 500-m stroll away.
Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate the standard/superior room options, while those yearning for space can go for the resort’s villas.
Pretty recently refreshed in 2021, the Vitina Studio Motel puts you less than 7 km from Darwin International Airport and a 850-m stroll to Crocosaurus Cove.
Their Queen Studios and Deluxe King Studios give you better room to stretch out after a day of Northern Territory adventures.
For couples preparing to welcome a new addition to the family in Singapore, the emotional joy of parenthood is often accompanied by a long list of financial considerations. While baby talk usually revolves around nursery themes and names, the reality is that understanding what support is available can make a significant difference to your family’s financial comfort. The government has introduced a range of initiatives to help new parents, and knowing about them early can help you plan more strategically.
One of the first surprises for parents of Singaporean babies born in 2025 is the SG60 Baby Gift. This carefully curated set is designed to welcome your child into the world while giving you a head start on some newborn essentials. Parents can register online to receive it, and while it may not replace your entire shopping list, it offers a practical beginning to your parenting journey.
Beyond gifts, the Child Development Account is a cornerstone of the Baby Bonus Scheme and serves as a dedicated savings account for your child’s education and healthcare. All eligible children receive a First Step Grant of S$5,000 credited directly into their CDA. Families with three or more children can enjoy an additional money through the Large Families Scheme. The appeal of the CDA lies in the Government’s generous dollar-for-dollar matching program. For example, if you deposit S$4,000 into the account, the Government will match it exactly, effectively doubling your savings. Matching is capped at S$4,000 for the first child, S$7,000 for the second, S$9,000 for the third and fourth, and S$15,000 for the fifth child or more, making it a highly rewarding way to build a long-term fund for your little one.
The Baby Bonus Scheme itself has also been enhanced, putting more money directly into the hands of parents. For babies born after February 14, 2023, parents can receive up to S$11,000 in cash for their first and second child, and S$13,000 for the third and beyond. These payouts are staggered to help with expenses during the early years, with up to S$9,000 released over the first eighteen months, followed by S$400 every six months until the child is six and a half years old. This steady flow of financial support can ease the initial shock of childcare, medical, and daily living expenses.
Healthcare is another area where the government has stepped in to help new parents manage costs. The MediSave Grant for Newborns automatically credits S$5,000 into a MediSave account created for your child at birth registration. This money can be used to pay MediShield Life premiums, recommended vaccinations, hospitalization bills, and certain outpatient treatments. For many parents, this grant is a valuable safety net to ensure that medical needs do not become an overwhelming financial burden.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
Let us talk about the support given to working fathers and mothers. Time spent with your newborn is just as important as financial preparation, and working fathers in Singapore have reason to celebrate recent changes. For children born on or after April 1, 2025, fathers will be entitled to four full weeks of Government-paid paternity leave. Beyond this, shared parental leave will increase to six weeks from April 2025 and ten weeks from April 2026, giving families more flexibility in dividing caregiving responsibilities during those critical early months.
For working mothers, there is another form of support that often goes unnoticed called the Working Mothers’ Child Relief, or WMCR. Starting from the Year of Assessment 2025, this relief will be offered as a fixed dollar amount rather than a percentage of the mother’s income. The relief amounts are substantial: S$8,000 for the first child, S$10,000 for the second, and S$12,000 for the third and subsequent children. This is a valuable tax-saving tool for families balancing career and caregiving.
While these schemes and grants are designed to lighten the financial load, it is also crucial to look beyond government support and think about your own long-term stability. Parenthood naturally shifts your focus toward your child, but maintaining your retirement contributions is essential, especially if your employer offers matching contributions. Sacrificing this in pursuit of short-term goals like buying a larger home could lead to a less secure financial future.
Finally, every household with children should have a strong emergency fund. Experts recommend setting aside three to six months of take-home pay to handle unexpected expenses without disrupting your financial plans. If that goal feels daunting, start small with S$1,000, then work towards one month of expenses and gradually build from there. This cushion will offer peace of mind, allowing you to navigate life’s uncertainties without compromising your child’s well-being.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
Becoming a parent is a deeply rewarding chapter of life, and with the right mix of government support and personal financial planning, it can also be a secure one. By taking advantage of the schemes available and making prudent choices for your own future, you can give your child not only a strong start in life but also a household built on lasting stability.
Honestly, not much nowadays, but with this 7-Eleven ongoing promotion, there are over 20 items at just $1 for you 🤩
Just shop by Tuesday, 26 August 2025, if you want to enjoy some good savings.
$1 Deals
RIBENA Blackcurrant 350ml
PEPSI Cola 500ml
GATORADE Quiet Storm Sport Drink 515ml
When your workout intensity rises but you’re watching your sugar intake, go for this bottle from Gatorade. This no-sugar formula gives you the same hydration and electrolyte boost you need, without the added sweetness you don’t. The 515ml bottle keeps you going through training sessions, sports, or those days when you’re pushing your limits.
SEASONS Iced Lemon Tea 500ml
FUZE TEA Peach Mint Tea 500ml
POKKA Chrysanthemum Tea Less Sugar 500ml
POKKA’s real-brewed chrysanthemum tea brings you the taste of chrysanthemum flowers with just the right touch of sweetness. There’s not a single preservative in sight, just pure refreshment in every 500ml bottle. Good for health-conscious tea lovers.
NESCAFÉ Smoovlatte Coconut Latte / Coconut Americano 268ml
URBAN BREW Peach Vibe Americano 240ml
MAGGI Hot Mealz Bowl Assorted 90g – 96g
When hunger strikes and time is tight, reach for MAGGI Hot Mealz Bowl’s instant noodles. Available in crave-worthy flavors like curry and tom yam, just add hot water, wait a few minutes, and you’re ready to dig into that MAGGI taste you know you ❤️
Meiji’s Yan Yan brings back those childhood memories with its combination of biscuit sticks and dip in either classic chocolate or strawberry cream. What else do you want us to say?
WANT WANT QQ Gummies Assorted 66g
MENTOS Chewy Candy Roll Mint/Grape/Fruit/Spearmint 37.5g
FRUIT TREE Juice Assorted 200ml
Sometimes you want apple juice. Other times, only soursop will do. With FRUIT TREE’s 200ml juice bottles, you can taste the sweetness of apple mellowed with aloe vera, or the tang of soursop. Selected ones come with reduced sugar options that keep the flavor turned up while dialing the sweetness down.
MARIGOLD Low Fat Yogurt Assorted 130g
MEIJI Milk Assorted 200ml
BAKERLAND Bahulu Kuih Assorted 48g
These light and airy traditional snack cakes are just what you need for tea time. BAKERLAND’s Bahulu comes in two varieties – classic and honey – to complement your favorite brew. The convenient 48g portion means you won’t have to worry about leftovers, and you will have just enough to satisfy those mid-day cravings.
Singapore’s tourism scene has found a new pulse, driven by the synergy between pop culture and immersive destinations. In a strategic move to captivate a global audience, the Singapore Tourism Board has partnered with BLACKPINK’s JISOO, whose latest single “Your Love”premiered on August 12, 2025, accompanied by a visually captivating music video filmed entirely at Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s newest attraction, Rainforest Wild Asia.
Opened in March 2025, Rainforest Wild Asia has transformed the way visitors experience wildlife by blending biodiversity conservation with striking architectural design. This expansive habitat celebrates the lush ecosystems of Southeast Asia, featuring meandering streams, cascading waterfalls, and towering tropical canopies. It is home to elusive species such as the François’ langur and Sunda pangolin. Visitors can explore cavern chambers, relax beside tranquil lagoons, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind meal at the Cavern Restaurant.
In the music video, JISOO moves gracefully through this cinematic wilderness wearing a flowing pink gown. Her ethereal presence complements the rich greenery, creating visuals that are both romantic and timeless. From misty trails to the open sky at the Oculus, every scene captures the rainforest’s beauty. The opening moment, showing her placing a wooden disk into a vintage music player, sets a nostalgic tone before revealing the grandeur of the reserve.
The selection of Rainforest Wild Asia as the filming location is more than a creative choice. It acts as a cultural bridge, connecting K-pop’s worldwide influence with Singapore’s newest attraction. BLACKPINK’s JISOO, admired for her artistry and international appeal, becomes both muse and storyteller. Her influence reaches beyond music, shaping travel aspirations, fashion trends, and global perceptions of destinations. Since the video’s release, fans from around the world have shared images comparing JISOO’s scenes with their own plans to visit the reserve.
By blending the artistry of one of the world’s most recognizable performers with the sensory richness of Rainforest Wild Asia, this collaboration positions Singapore as a global destination. In JISOO’s newest video, the message resonates clearly: paradise is closer than you think, and it awaits beneath the rainforest canopy.
For local residents, the experience is even more enticing as WildPass holders can enjoy SG60 special rates from now until 31 August (T&Cs apply). See for yourself!
