Latest news with #VanessaPaigeChelvan
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore Airlines, Scoot flights avoid Iranian airspace amid escalating tensions in Middle East
SINGAPORE – Singapore Airlines (SIA) and its low-cost arm Scoot had stopped flying over Iranian air space since August 2024, SIA said in response to measures being taken following Israel's strikes on targets in Iran. A spokesperson for SIA told The Straits Times that all SIA and Scoot flights have used alternative flight paths since Aug 2, 2024. A spokesperson for the SIA Group said its top priority is the safety of customers and its employees. 'We will continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East closely and will adjust our flight paths as needed,' the spokesperson added. Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran on June 13, in a major escalation of tensions in the region. The strikes targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders. Israel said it was the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. In retaliation, Iran launched about 100 drones towards Israeli territory. It warned that it has a 'legal and legitimate right' to respond to the attacks on multiple cities and nuclear facilities. SIA Group said it regularly reviews the flight paths taken by aircraft based on multiple factors. 'These include weather conditions, safety and security considerations, advisories from international and regional bodies, insights from independent external security consultants, and regulatory restrictions,' said the spokesperson. Israeli flag carrier El Al said it had suspended flights to and from Israel. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel's air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran. Iranian airspace has also been closed, according to state media and notices to pilots. Iraq early on June 13 closed its airspace and suspended all traffic at its airports, Iraqi state media reported. Eastern Iraq near the border with Iran contains one of the world's busiest air corridors, with dozens of flights crossing between Europe and the Gulf, many on routes from Asia to Europe, at any one moment. Flights steadily diverted over Central Asia or Saudi Arabia, flight tracking data showed. Jordan, which sits between Israel and Iraq, closed its airspace several hours after the Israeli campaign began. Vanessa Paige Chelvan is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She writes about all things transport and pens the occasional commentary. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Jetstar Asia responds to customers' concerns about flight cancellations, refunds
According to a Jetstar Asia spokesman, all customers are entitled to a monetary refund. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY SINGAPORE – As Singapore-based low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia prepares to close, with its final day of operations on July 31, customers have raised concerns about flight cancellations and refunds. The Straits Times posed the most common questions to Jetstar Asia. Here is what its spokesperson said. Q: What will Jetstar Asia's schedule look like in the coming weeks as operations wind down? Jetstar Asia's schedule will progressively reduce over the coming weeks. Our new schedule has been finalised and customers who are impacted by schedule changes will be contacted today (June 12) with their options, which includes alternative flights where possible (including with other airlines) or a full refund. Customers who are not contacted with schedule changes can proceed to the airport as normal, with their flight operating to schedule. Q: When will affected customers be notified about refunds, and how? By today (June 12), all customers will be contacted with details of alternative flight options where possible or offered a full refund. We ask customers to check the e-mail used at the time of booking for details. Q: Why have some requests for refunds been denied? All customers are entitled to a monetary refund, which will be processed to their original form of payment. If a customer originally paid by voucher, the refund will be processed into the form of a voucher, which will be converted to cash (after July 31). Q: Will Jetstar Asia compensate customers for monetary losses as a result of the airline closing shop? Any customers with non-refundable deposits for expenses such as hotels and car rentals should contact us, and we will consider all requests on a case-by-case basis. Vanessa Paige Chelvan is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She writes about all things transport and pens the occasional commentary. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Singapore Law Watch
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Singapore Law Watch
GE2025: Is my vote really secret?
GE2025: Is my vote really secret? Source: Straits Times Article Date: 29 Apr 2025 Author: Vanessa Paige Chelvan To answer this, this article looks at how ballot papers are collected, counted and accounted for on Polling Day and in the days after. As Singaporeans prepare to head to the polls on May 3, some might be wondering: 'Is my vote really secret?' To answer this question, The Straits Times looks at how ballot papers are collected, counted and accounted for on Polling Day and in the days after. This is part of a series of explainers and listicles The Straits Times has put together ahead of the polls. Let's start with the question: Why is there a serial number on each ballot paper? The serial number A serial number on the ballot paper allows for the accounting of all ballot papers issued and cast, and guards against counterfeiting and voter impersonation. When the ballot paper is issued, the voter serial number is written on the ballot paper counterfoil to facilitate the detection of illegally cast votes if necessary. These serial numbers also allow the authorities to verify that only eligible voters have voted – for instance, in the event of a court order following an election petition or a challenge to the result. But ballot papers may be examined only under strict conditions, and safeguards are in place to make it difficult to find out how any particular individual voted. Such an order will only be given if the court is satisfied that votes were fraudulently cast or that counterfeit ballot papers were used in a way that affects the election results. Before polls open Steps are taken at every polling station to ensure that votes are kept secret. Before polls open at 8am on Polling Day, election officials must show the candidates and polling agents at their station that the ballot boxes and their covers are empty. And before the start of the poll, the boxes are sealed in such a way that ballot papers cannot be removed without breaking the tamper-proof seals. After polls close Once voting ends at 8pm on Polling Day, the slits in the ballot boxes – through which voters drop their marked ballot papers – are sealed to prevent anything else from being dropped in. When election officials have sealed the ballot boxes after polls close, candidates may affix their seals or sign on the ballot boxes. Candidates may also observe the transport of the sealed ballot boxes, which is carried out under police escort from the polling station to the designated counting centre. Police officers will guard the ballot boxes throughout the journey. As votes are counted Votes are counted by hand at counting centres – typically schools or community centres – across Singapore. At the counting centre, candidates may once again inspect the ballot boxes before they are opened. This time, it is to check that all boxes are accounted for and that the seals have not been tampered with. The seals are then broken, the ballot papers poured out, sorted and counted. The emptied ballot boxes are also shown to candidates. The ink from the X-stamp that voters can use to mark their votes is permanent and cannot be erased. To ensure the security of the votes, there is no break in the chain of custody of the ballot papers from the polling stations to the counting centres, and from the counting centres to the Supreme Court. If ballot papers are lost or destroyed before counting, and the number of missing votes affects the result, fresh polls will be held. In such a scenario, all voters assigned to the affected polling station will have to recast their votes. This has never happened in Singapore. When the result is announced Once the election result is announced by the Returning Officer, all ballot papers and other election documents are placed into boxes and sealed. These boxes are stored in the vault at the Supreme Court for six months before being destroyed. For transparency, candidates and their agents may observe the destruction of the boxes. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
