Singtel Apologises After Optus Emergency Call Outage Linked to Four Deaths Mel Owens

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

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Image Source: Reuters/Kirsty Needham

Former NFL star Mel Owens has issued multiple apologies for controversial remarks about women over 60, just ahead of his debut as the lead on ABC’s “Golden Bachelor.” Owens, 66, sparked backlash after stating on a University of Michigan podcast that he would “cut” any woman older than 60 comments he now calls “way out of bounds” and a “mistake.”

Owens apologised directly to the 23 contestants on the show, who range in age from 58 to 77, ahead of the season premiere on September 24. “I’d say tune in, give me a second chance,” he told USA TODAY. “Make your own evaluation.”

A standout linebacker at the University of Michigan, Owens played nine seasons for the Los Angeles Rams before retiring in 1989 and later becoming a sports lawyer. Football remains central to his life, instilling discipline, teamwork, and resilience traits he says he carries into the dating show.

Owens, a divorced father of two grown sons, Lucas, 20, and Andre, 18, credits them with helping him navigate social media for the show, including Instagram and TikTok. “Two months ago, I had four followers. I think I have more than four now,” he joked.

Despite the early controversy, Owens remains confident in his ability to navigate criticism. “I was criticized all the time in football,” he said. “You take it because it’s your job. I don’t dig into social media comments.”

On the show, Owens describes himself as romantic and emotionally in tune, though not prone to tears like the first Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner. He also says he relies on intuition, or what he describes as extrasensory perception, to assess connections with contestants.

While not necessarily seeking marriage, Owens is open to finding new love. “Love is a good thing, it fills your heart, it makes you feel better, and it gives you a purpose,” he said. “You’re just going to have to watch the journey it’s an adventure.”

Apologises for Ageist Comments Ahead of “Golden Bachelor” Season 2 Premiere

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY

Singtel on Wednesday expressed deep regret over a recent emergency call outage in Australia involving its subsidiary, Optus, which has been linked to four fatalities.

In a statement to the Singapore Exchange, Singtel Group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon said the company was “deeply sorry” and extended condolences to the families affected. The disruption, which lasted 13 hours, was caused by a deviation from standard procedures during a network firewall upgrade, according to Optus. It potentially affected around 600 customers, preventing some from contacting emergency services.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who have passed away,” Yuen said. He added that Singtel is working closely with the Optus board and management to ensure a “thorough investigation” and prevent future occurrences.

Optus, Australia’s second-largest telecom provider, has appointed Dr Kerry Schott to lead an independent review into the technical failure. The review will examine the causes of the outage, assess operational management of Triple Zero calls, and evaluate Optus’ adherence to policies, procedures, and legislative requirements. Findings are expected before the end of the year and will be reported to the Optus board, with plans to make the report public.

Optus Chairman John Arthur also issued an apology, acknowledging the failure in accountability. “What has occurred is clearly unacceptable, and on behalf of the board I apologise for this failure in our accountability to all those who relied on our Triple Zero services,” he said.

Yuen noted that Optus has been undergoing a transformation under CEO Stephen Rue, appointed 11 months ago, with Singtel supporting efforts to improve processes, resiliency, and reliability of critical services. Over the past five years, Singtel has invested more than A$9.3 billion in Optus, primarily to strengthen network infrastructure across Australia.

“As Optus continues its transformation, we remain committed to accelerating changes needed to ensure such incidents do not recur,” Yuen said.

Partial U.S. Government Shutdown Could Affect Travel Economy and Airport Operations

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Kevin Dietsche, Getty Images

A partial U.S. government shutdown could begin on October 1 if Congress and President Donald Trump fail to reach an agreement on federal funding, raising concerns for travelers and the broader travel economy. Agencies not deemed “essential” would temporarily halt operations, including national parks and some administrative functions, while critical personnel like TSA officers and air traffic controllers would continue working.

The U.S. Travel Association estimates that a shutdown could cost the travel industry roughly $1 billion per week. Erik Hansen, senior vice president of government relations at the association, said that past shutdowns have slowed airport operations and affected economic activity. “Our expectation and history shows that air travel continues to be safe, but when workers must continually show up without pay, it adds stress and may lead to longer lines,” he said.

For air passengers, most flights would still operate, as essential personnel responsible for security screening, flight clearance, and border control remain on duty. However, delays and longer wait times are possible, especially if the shutdown is prolonged. The Federal Aviation Administration, TSA, and Customs and Border Protection would suspend certain non-essential activities, including hiring and training, until funding is restored.

Airline industry representatives have warned of potential disruptions. Airlines for America, representing carriers such as United, Delta, American, and Southwest, cautioned that operational efficiency could be reduced if federal functions are interrupted, leading to slower flights and additional inconvenience for travelers.

Officials recommend passengers monitor updates from airports and airlines, plan extra time for security checkpoints, and stay informed about any changes to their travel schedules. While the transportation system is expected to remain secure, the impact on efficiency and traveler experience remains a concern if the shutdown extends.

With the funding deadline approaching, uncertainty continues for both federal workers and the millions of travelers planning trips across the United States.