China’s expansion of visa-free countries expected to fuel inbound travel
The country has recently announced the expansion of the scope of visa-free countries to ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia,…
Policy Matters
Singapore’s civil servants to get 1.05 months of year-end bonus; junior grade officers to get additional $600
The country's Public Service Division said the government will continue to adopt a “progressive approach” in determining the bonus payment, in line with the National Wages…
Congress attributes defeat in Maharashtra to propaganda that women-centric policies will be stopped if MVA comes to power
However, it may be recalled that the Congress election campaign led by Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had aggressively spoken about actually increasing the…
Banning motorbikes in Hanoi – a complex issue
Hanoi is facing a serious problem because of polluted air and traffic congestion. Authorities plan to limit motorbikes in inner districts after 2025 and them gradually ban reduce…
U.N. panel’s stance on Japan’s Imperial succession refuted
At a press conference held after a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya expressed his displeasure at the committee’s report that recommended the law be…
South Korea pushes for better work-life balance to ease falling birth rate
From February 2025, the government will offer tax incentives for SMEs that meet the Labour Ministry’s criteria for exemplary work-life balance practices and increase subsidies…
As AI integrates into Cambodian’s daily work life, ethical concerns arise
Thomas White, director of democracy and governance at USAID Cambodia, noted that the country has opportunities to adopt technology for implementing digital governance. However, he…
Time for another vax drive against Malaysia’s number 1 killer
While pneumococcal vaccination is already part of the National Immunisation Programme for children, there is no such programme yet for adults, the elderly, and those with chronic…
COP29 ends with ‘contentious’ outcome
Some observers, while expressing their regret over the $300 billion per year commitment from developed nations to developing economies by 2035, said that the renewed target has at…
It’s never about the climate: The Jakarta Post
Indonesia's determination should be shown by strong and committed work on the ground, starting by protecting forests across the archipelago, rather than clearing them for…