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S’pore Ranks 6th Among the World’s Safest in 2025

In a year when global conflict has reached its highest level since World War II, Singapore stands out as a confident example of what peace can look like in a turbulent world.

The 2025 Global Peace Index reports that while violence and unrest have risen elsewhere, a handful of nations continue to make peace a priority. The index measures 23 indicators that include homicide and terrorism rates, military spending, and public perceptions of safety. Its results show that the most peaceful countries have barely changed in nearly two decades, proving that long-term peace is not the result of luck but of deliberate policy and a shared sense of responsibility.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Let’s begin. Iceland remains the world’s most peaceful nation, holding the top spot since 2008. It performs strongly across all measures of safety, security, and militarization. Although Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable and harsh, its people are deeply connected to one another and that sense of community is what makes the country feel secure.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Ireland continues its peaceful trajectory after decades of conflict in the late twentieth century. Its efforts to reduce militarization and strengthen social trust have transformed it into one of the safest and most cooperative societies in the world. Locals often describe Ireland as a place where people genuinely care for one another and where acts of kindness remain part of daily life.

New Zealand, which rose two places this year to third position, demonstrates how a balanced approach to governance can create a lasting sense of safety. Strong gun laws, transparent leadership, and inclusive communities have all contributed to its rise. Its distance from major conflict zones helps, but its culture of mutual respect plays a greater role in maintaining peace.

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Austria, which now sits in fourth place, continues to benefit from its constitutional commitment to neutrality. By focusing resources on education, healthcare, and public welfare rather than on military alliances, the nation invests directly in the wellbeing of its people. Switzerland follows closely behind with a reputation built on centuries of neutrality and stability. Its focus on fairness, order, and economic balance ensures that peace and prosperity remain closely intertwined.

Singapore maintains its sixth-place ranking and continues to be the only Asian country in the global top ten. Japan and Malaysia follow in twelfth and thirteenth place. Residents benefit from low crime rates, efficient policing, and a social culture that values order and respect. Although Singapore spends heavily on defense compared to its size, these investments are rooted in readiness and deterrence rather than conflict. The result is a population that feels safe and confident about its future.

Safety in Singapore is not just about the lack of danger. It is about the presence of trust, harmony, and community.

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Today, peace has become more than an ideal. It is now a competitive advantage. Nations that maintain order and harmony tend to attract more investors, innovators, and global talent. For Singapore, being among the world’s safest countries can create a foundation where people and prosperity thrive side by side.

Sources: 1 & 2

Why Bencoolen Is Officially One of the World’s Coolest Neighborhoods

Tucked between the vibrant streets of Bugis and the cultural charm of Bras Basah, Bencoolen has long been one of Singapore’s most overlooked districts. Often passed by on the way to bigger attractions, this neighborhood is finally stepping into the global spotlight after being named one of the World’s 39 Coolest Neighborhoods by Time Out in 2025. Once you take the time to explore it, you’ll see why it deserves the attention.

Image Credits: zhenkang (CC BY-SA 4.0) via commons.wikimedia.org

Bencoolen has a creative heartbeat that’s impossible to miss. Students from NAFA and Lasalle bring the streets to life, filling the area with sketches, ideas, and youthful energy. Galleries run by these schools open doors to works from emerging artists, while Objectifs showcases bold voices in photography and film from across Southeast Asia. Along Stamford Road, the National Museum of Singapore offers a journey through history, while the Stamford Arts Centre keeps traditional arts alive with performances and showcases that connect the past with the present.

obj: Image Credits: facebook.com/objectifscentre

Food is another reason Bencoolen is earning its cool status. Fortune Centre has become a landmark for affordable and unforgettable eats, from the irresistible salted egg yolk chicken rice at New Station to hearty vegan meals at Bodhi Deli and nostalgic desserts at Yat Ka Yan. Beyond its famous food court, Bencoolen is home to cozy spots that feel like secrets waiting to be discovered, including a tiny eight-seat grill house where the chef cooks right in front of you, a playful umeshu bar, and a relaxed natural wine spot where conversations flow as easily as the drinks.

The neighborhood’s charm lies in its contrasts. Masjid Bencoolen, a historic mosque, stands alongside a modern serviced apartment tower, while Sim Lim Square buzzes with tech enthusiasts in search of bargains. These juxtapositions create a district that feels both rooted in heritage and alive with modern energy.

Image Credits: Muhammad Adrian via flickr.com/photos/198561627@N08/54579780000

Bencoolen doesn’t compete with Singapore’s flashier districts, and that’s exactly why it stands out. It’s a neighborhood full of surprises for those willing to slow down and wander. Now that the world has taken notice, perhaps it’s time you did too.

Source: 1

6 Ways to See New York Without the Tourist Traps

New York City (NYC) has never been shy about putting on a show. While tourists flock to the same photo spots, the city reveals its real magic when you know where to look. From sky-high thrills to world-class art, here are 6 ways to experience the Big Apple without feeling like just another face in the crowd.

Start with the city’s eternal icon: the Statue of Liberty. Standing 93 meters tall on Liberty Island, Lady Liberty is more than a monument. It is a statement of freedom that greets millions who arrive by sea and sky. Whether you cruise past her at golden hour, circle overhead in a helicopter, or stand beneath her towering presence, the encounter is unforgettable. A tour starts at about S$37 on Klook.com.

For a more atmospheric view, trade the sidewalks for the Hudson River. A sunset cruise sets the stage for New York’s nightly transformation, with the city’s icons such as the One World Trade Center, Empire State Building, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge glowing as day dissolves into night. The experience distills the skyline into pure theatre and proves why New York is the city that never sleeps.

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No trip to New York feels complete without Broadway. I, for one, am in love with the theatre! With more than 40 stages showcasing everything from The Lion King to Moulin Rouge and Wicked, Broadway remains an institution of spectacle. Ticket prices typically start from S$78 to S$152, an investment in memories that last longer than any souvenir.

If you prefer being inside the show instead of watching it, The Edge delivers an adrenaline rush with a view. Suspended 100 stories in the air, this glass-floored observation deck dares you to look straight down while floating above Manhattan’s grid. Frameless glass walls tilt you outward into the skyline, offering a panorama that feels surreal. Tickets start at S$43, and for many, the thrill is worth every cent.

Image Credits: facebook.com/EdgeNYC

When the noise of the city grows too loud, Central Park offers its counterpoint. This sprawling oasis in the heart of Manhattan invites you to slow down, whether with a guided audio tour for about S$19 or by simply wandering its winding paths for free. The park’s bridges, sculptures, and lakes tell stories of a city constantly reinventing itself and walking through it feels like breathing in New York’s softer side.

Finally, step indoors at the Museum of Modern Art, where art history lives and breathes. Nearly 200,000 works line its walls, from van Gogh’s The Starry Night to Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans. Each masterpiece feels intimate, almost defiant, in a city built on movement. Admission starts at S$38.

Image Credits: musement.com

From the grandeur of Liberty to the intimacy of brushstrokes, the NYC proves that its best attractions do not just live up to the hype as they redefine it.

Airlines Are Restricting Power Banks on Planes

As a frequent flyer, my husband and I never board without a power bank. It has become as essential as a passport, keeping phones alive on long haul flights or during layovers. But these pocket-sized lifelines have turned into aviation’s latest safety concern in recent years.

The problem is simple yet serious. Lithium ion batteries can overheat, and when they do, the results are dramatic. In 2023, two passengers on a Scoot flight bound for Singapore were injured when a power bank caught fire before take off in Taiwan. Last year, the United States Federal Aviation Administration reported three cases of battery overheating incidents on planes every two weeks. This is compared with less than one a week in 2018. By early 2025, passengers on Batik Air and Air Busan recorded frightening scenes of smoke and flames in the cabin, again traced back to faulty power banks.

Faced with this growing risk, airlines are drawing clear boundaries. From 1 April 2025, Scoot and Singapore Airlines passengers were no longer allowed to charge their devices using portable power banks during flights. The devices may still be carried on board, but only in hand luggage. Batteries up to 100 watt hours are acceptable, while larger ones between 100 and 160 watt hours will require airline approval. Checked baggage remains strictly prohibited.

The rules do not stop there. Emirates will tighten its policies in October 2025, limiting passengers to one power bank each, banning use entirely during flights, and requiring the device to be stored under the seat rather than in overhead compartments.

Globally, regulators are also stepping up. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has banned power banks exceeding 160 watt hours, while China has gone further by prohibiting any without a CCC safety certification mark. In the United States, more than a million Anker power banks were recalled after reports of fire hazards.

For Singapore travelers, what used to be a travel essential now comes with strict conditions. Forgetting the rules could mean parting with your power bank at the gate, or worse, finding yourself in the middle of an emergency onboard.

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The change may feel inconvenient, but regulators argue it is about keeping the skies safer in an age when nearly every passenger carries a battery. And as incidents increase, airlines are making it clear that safety comes first, even if that means your phone may run out of power while flying.

Sources: 1,2 ,3,4, & 5

AirAsia Flight D7 506’s Wrong Airport Landing Stuns Passengers

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.

Source: 1

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