IT IS all systems go when schools re-open on Monday after the four-week June break during which the Influenza A (H1N1) virus hogged headlines and measures were taken to prevent its spread.

The Sunday Times contacted 50 schools and all said they were geared up to follow guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education (MOE) or Ministry of Health (MOH).

IT JUST got easier to fly to Kuala Lumpur.

From Wednesday, Malaysian low-cost airline Firefly will join six other Malaysian and Singapore carriers already flying the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route.

Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), will head to Subang Airport near the Malaysian capital three times daily, and add one flight from July 15.

YOUTHS in Singapore are the new darlings of retailers, going by the effort made by malls to woo them.

While they lack earning power, they have 'staying power' - they linger longer, and hang out in groups.

The 1980s saw a rash of malls, but with only a few becoming youth hangouts. There were the 'Centrepoint Kids' while a teen haven nestled at Far East Plaza, still a popular hangout.

BANGKOK - MORE than 18,000 'Red Shirt' protesters loyal to fugitive premier Thaksin Shinawatra gathered in Bangkok Saturday for the biggest anti-government rally since bloody riots two months ago.

Red-clad demonstrators arrived in jubilant spirits from mid-afternoon in the historic quarter of the city, staying put to listen to rousing speeches and sing songs in the evening despite heavy rains.