Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Biggest EU Border Shake-Up Since Schengen: What the EES ‘passport in your pocket’ app means for your holidays and trips
Frontex unveils ‘passport in your pocket’ app to dodge border queues – but will it fly? Credit: Zephyr_p, Shutterstock Europe’s EES ‘passport in your pocket’ starts, letting non-EU travellers upload passport details and selfies before even...

Marketing the experience of polar travel
Both the North and South Poles have fascinated the world for ages and the popularity of polar travel is at an all-time high, with would-be adventurers keen on exploring the massive white expanse where few have dared to go. Over the years, a number...
First of 8 Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link trains unveiled; system works 56% done
SINGAPORE – The first of eight driverless trains that will serve the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link has been delivered to Singapore, and will be put through its paces at an $800 million testing centre in Tuas from...

As Singapore PM visits China, no sign US pressure constrains ties
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made a five-day visit to China last week, a prominent display of friendly and constructive relations that stood in contrast to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s comments about “malign Chinese influence”...

Tourism Malaysia launches Explore Sabah campaign to boost visitor arrivals
The symbolic handover of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 vehicle stickers from Haryanty (third left) to representatives of Sabah’s tourism industry players. KOTA KINABALU (June 25): Tourism Malaysia Sabah, in collaboration with SabahTravel.com, an...
First train for JB-Singapore Rapid Transit System unveiled; service to start by December 2026
[SINGAPORE] The first train for the Johor Bahru (JB)-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link was unveiled on Monday (Jun 30), with the cross-border rail system currently estimated to be about 56 per cent complete. The four-kilometre light rail...

STR/TE Market Forecast Assumptions – May 2025
Europe short-term outlook Aggregated growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR) for STR’s 31 European forecast markets is projected at 1.7% for 2025, a downgrade from the 2.4% increase projected in February 2025. Demand more at risk than rate...

Indians’ Vacation Compass Points to Short-haul Locales
Representative imageShort-haul destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal continue to see steady demand from Indian travellers even as long-haul travel has slowed amid geopolitical tensions, travel...
One Championship to relocate global production hub from Singapore to Bangkok
[SINGAPORE] One Championship announced on Monday (Jun 30) that it will relocate its global production hub from Singapore to Bangkok, with the move aiming to “centralise production” and better support the company’s expanding content operations. The...

Pakistanis now eligible for travel visa-free to 32 countries, here's a list
Pakistan Pakistan Pakistanis now eligible for travel visa-free to 32 countries, here's a list Close Pakistan’s passport now ranks 100th, it marks an improvement from its 113th position in 2021 Updated On: Mon, 30 Jun 2025 13:37:34 PKT ISLAMABAD...

This Indian Family Left Singapore to Let Their Child Learn Without School in the Hills of Uttarakhand
In this column, TBI editorial brings you articles from experts across India, tackling the challenges that matter most. These insightful pieces offer practical solutions and inspire us to take proactive steps in addressing the issues we face in our...

DICT’s 2 e-government platforms received awards in Singapore
The Philippine government’s modernization efforts are receiving global recognition at the GovMedia Awards 2025 in Singapore where the eGovPH Super App won the E-Governance Project of the Year and e-Government Data Exchange Platform (eGovDX) as...

Pakistan passport rises to 100th; visa-free travel now possible to 32 countries
ISLAMABAD – Pakistani passport holders can now travel visa-free or get visa on arrival in 32 countries, following a rise in Pakistan’s passport ranking in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. This marks a notable improvement from the 113th position...

No VEP, no exit: Malaysia to fine and hold Singapore vehicles without entry permit starting tomorrow
JOHOR BARU, June 30 — From tomorrow, Singaporean vehicles entering Malaysia without a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) will face an immediate RM300 compound, as full enforcement at the Malaysia-Singapore land border kicks in. The enforcement is in...
The invisible struggles of those with hidden conditions on Singapore’s public transport
SINGAPORE - For 34-year-old university administrative employee Vivien Shiw, getting off a train at the next stop just to rest on a bench on the platform is routine. Though she looks young and healthy, she lives with autoimmune diseases Sjogren’s...

The best Prime Day 3 deals 2025: Our favorite 140+ sales live now
Tharon Green/ZDNETWhen does Prime Day end? This year, Amazon Prime Day ends on Friday, July 11, at 11:59 p.m. PT. When is Amazon Prime Day? Amazon Prime Day runs from Tuesday, July 8, to Friday, July 11, 2025. The annual two-day sale was extended...
World : Malaysia, Singapore Unveil First Driverless Train Set For RTS Link
By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz SINGAPORE, June 30 (Bernama) -- The first of eight train sets for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link was unveiled on Monday, marking a key milestone in the landmark Malaysia-Singapore cross-border...

Tourism partnerships to boost overseas visitors
Tourism Tourism partnerships to boost overseas visitors Jun 25 2025 Updated 4 hours ago THE Victorian government has joined forces with major international and local tourism operators to attract more visitors to Victoria and grow the state’s $40...

Indians’ holiday compass shifts to short-haul spots
In contrast to long-haul travel, which has seen some softening amid geopolitical tensions since summer, short-haul, easy-to-access destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal have remained relatively...

Malaysia, Singapore celebrate delivery of first RTS Link train ahead of 2026 opening
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — The first driverless trains for the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link was unveiled today and will begin testing at a new S$800 million (RM2.6 billion) facility in Tuas starting July. The new four-car...