Tour

• Several high-profile football stars are expected to miss the 2026 World Cup in North America, including veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. • Italy's failure to qualify for the tournament for a third consecutive time ensures that top talents like goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and midfielder Sandro Tonali will be absent. • The absence of these players is significant given their impact; Lewandowski holds a record 89 goals for Poland, while Donnarumma and Tonali are key figures for their respective clubs and national team.

• National teams have begun announcing their 26-man squads for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. • Belgium's roster features veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Axel Witsel, and Thibaut Courtois, alongside new addition Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who recently committed to his birth country over Spain. • The tournament marks a significant expansion, featuring a total of 48 competing teams.

• Real Madrid is reportedly confident in signing Rodri from Manchester City following Pep Guardiola's departure, while Bayern Munich is eyeing John Stones and Atletico Madrid is interested in Marc Cucurella. • Barcelona has agreed to personal terms with 28-year-old Marcus Rashford to make his loan permanent, though a transfer fee with Manchester United remains undecided. • Liverpool has formally registered interest in 20-year-old Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Toure, facing competition from Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Newcastle.

• TIN Media hosted the second edition of the Asian Tourism & Hospitality Awards (ATH Awards) 2025-26 during a gala night in Kuala Lumpur. • Key winners included FELDA Residence Hot Springs for Most Unique Nature Wellness Experience (Malaysia), Jatiluwih Village for Leading UNESCO Cultural Landscape Tourism Destination (Indonesia), and Wings of Time Fireworks Symphony for Leading Tourist Attraction of the Year (Singapore). • The event serves as Asia's benchmark for excellence in the sector, receiving strategic support from organizations such as the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Malaysia Chapter.

• Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Limited (APE) is expanding its casino tourism services across Asia to revitalize the gaming and entertainment markets in Macau and Hong Kong. • APE has partnered with Germany-based CountR GmbH to implement "smart CountR" casino payment technology, moving beyond the supply of traditional gaming equipment. • This strategic shift aims to accelerate resort growth by integrating modern digital payment solutions to enhance the guest experience and operational efficiency.

• The 2026 Asia Star Entertainer Awards (ASEA) began its two-day celebration on Saturday, May 16, at the Belluna Dome in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. • Hosted by MONSTA X’s Hyungwon and IVE’s Rei, the first day featured red carpet appearances and the announcement of the Hot Icon and Hot Trend awards. • Major honors included Enhypen being named Artist of the Year and Monsta X winning the Top Touring award, highlighting the dominance of these groups in the industry.

Move brings an end to a 60 day visa-free stay that was agreed with 93 countries, including the UK, US and much of EuropeThailand is drastically cutting the length of visa-free stays for tourists from more than 90 countries in an effort to curb crime involving foreign nationals, officials said on Tuesday.Tourism is vital to the south-east Asian nation’s economy, but foreign arrivals are yet to return to their pre-Covid levels. Continue reading...

President says $400m building costs to be funded by private donors, but has asked for taxpayers to cover security costsShouting over the banging and clanging sounds from heavy construction equipment, Donald Trump on Tuesday gave a group of reporters a closer look at the construction for the White House ballroom he’s building on the site of the former East Wing to mount a defense of the project that has hit a speed bump in Congress.The administration has asked for $1bn from taxpayers for security additions on the White House campus, including for the ballroom. But the Senate parliamentarian ruled the proposal could not be included in a bill to fund immigrant enforcement agencies for three years, and several Republican lawmakers have balked at the price tag in an election year where voters are grappling with gasoline, grocery and other prices spurred to new heights by the Iran war and the disruption in oil supplies. Continue reading...

One Nation leader and Barnaby Joyce flew on Gina Rinehart’s plane from the Sunshine Coast to Mount Isa before taking charter to tour flood-affected communitiesPauline Hanson billed taxpayers almost $16,000 in private charter flights to travel around flood-affected Queensland on the suggestion of billionaire Gina Rinehart, despite previously claiming the trip was at “no cost to the taxpayer”.In January, Hanson and Barnaby Joyce flew on Rinehart’s luxury Gulfstream G700 from the Sunshine Coast to Mount Isa, after which they travelled on charter flights to flood-affected communities around Julia Creek to meet local mayors. Continue reading...

• The Skechers International Pickleball Tournament attracted a record 1,282 entries across Asia. • The event concluded successfully, marking a significant milestone for the sport's growth in the region. • Competitors from various Asian countries participated, highlighting pickleball's rising popularity.

The MV Hondius, the cruise ship hit by an outbreak of a virus that has left three dead, reached the Canary Islands on SundayOn a dusty hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the south of Tenerife, groups of tourists and locals are gathered to witness one of the island’s best new attractions.Some are gazing through binoculars while others are taking photos on their phones of a vessel only a few hundreds metres away, anchored near the Granadillo commercial port. Continue reading...

• Kapamilya singer-songwriter Angela Ken kicks off a busking tour to promote her new EP 'Panahon,' starting with performances around the metro area. • Her first stop is scheduled at SM North EDSA, bringing the EP's tracks to life through live street performances. • The tour highlights the rising popularity of intimate busking formats in the Philippines music scene.

Court in Hanover says man entitled to payout after he and his family had to lie on concreteA German holidaymaker has won a payout of almost €1,000 after being unable to find a sunlounger for himself and his family because other guests had got there first.The man, whose identity is not known, holidayed on the island of Kos, in Greece, with his family in 2024. He said that, despite waking up at the crack of dawn every morning to carry out a 20-minute search, he had not been able to lay claim to a lounger. Continue reading...

La Nación has been critical of Costa Rica president and Donald Trump ally, Rodrigo ChavezThe US state department has canceled tourist visas for more than half the board members of Costa Rica’s leading national newspaper, La Nación, which has been a critical voice against the country’s president and Donald Trump ally, Rodrigo Chaves.During Chaves’s 2022 presidential campaign, La Nación published several articles documenting allegations of sexual harassment against him that had forced him out of his job at the World Bank. The paper also reported on allegations of illegal campaign financing, which Chaves denied. Continue reading...

The British artist was booed after identifying as a Republican voter while on stage in DallasRapper Kid Cudi has fired MIA from his tour after the British artist went on a rant that went viral while on stage in Dallas.While opening up for the hip hop artist on 2 May, MIA was booed after saying: “I’ve been canceled for many reasons. I never thought I would be canceled for being a brown Republican voter,” as reported by Variety. Continue reading...

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded a five‑day diplomatic tour of Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar on April 26, underscoring Beijing’s push to strengthen strategic partnerships across Southeast Asia amid intensifying great‑power competition. • Analysts quoted in regional reports said Wang’s visit aimed to counterbalance growing US influence by reinforcing economic and security cooperation, including support for infrastructure and connectivity projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. • Wang affirmed China’s commitment to ASEAN centrality in regional affairs and pledged continued dialogue on maritime disputes in the South China Sea, while also offering political backing to military‑backed governments such as Myanmar’s junta.

• HitPay aims to capture more tourist spending by enabling small businesses to accept foreign digital wallets via Singapore's unified QR system. • The strategy targets the growing influx of international visitors seeking seamless payment options. • This move enhances competitiveness for SMEs in tourism-heavy sectors, potentially increasing transaction volumes significantly.

Former One Direction member cancelled US shows after recent hospitalization for an unspecified illnessZayn Malik, the musician formerly in One Direction, has cancelled all US dates for his upcoming tour following hospitalization for an unspecified illness.Malik wrote in an Instagram story: “To my fans: Thank you so much for all the support and love you’ve shown me on the album release and more importantly your love, prayers, and well wishes for my health. I’ve felt it, and it’s meant the world. I’ve been at home recovering and I’m doing well and will be better and stronger than before.” Continue reading...

Man, 57, was watching snake-charming show when reptile crawled into his trousers, say German policeA German tourist has died after a snake crawled into his trousers and bit him as he watched a show in Egypt on a family holiday, police in Germany have said.The 57-year-old man was watching the snake-charming show at a hotel in Hurghada, a popular beach holiday destination on the Red Sea, in early April. Continue reading...

Haris Doukas warns that with 700,000 residents and 8 million tourists, people are being pushed out of their neighbourhoodsIn the heart of ancient Athens, on narrow streets and around archaeological sites, visitor groups appear to be everywhere, snaking their way behind tour guides.Previously, officials would have welcomed such scenes. But for Haris Doukas, the socialist mayor who is determined to reclaim the capital’s congested city centre for its citizens, the start of tourist season leaves the city at risk of “over-saturation.” Entire neighbourhoods, he believes, are in danger of losing their authenticity because of uncontrolled tourist development. Continue reading...

Abbas Araghchi to visit Pakistan, Oman and Russia to see if talks can be reopened, with both sides still in stalemateMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, is planning a tour of Pakistan, Russia and Oman in an effort to see if there is a basis to reopen peace talks that can end with a permanent US-Israeli commitment to cease its attacks on Iran, now one of Tehran’s key demands.Araghchi is also likely to discuss a potential permanent new arrangement on governing the strait of Hormuz with Oman, which oversees the south of the strait. Continue reading...

Police catch woman, 28, climbing colossal 16th-century statue of Neptune to touch its genitals as a dareA tourist has been charged after allegedly climbing a colossal marble statue in Florence to touch its genitals for a pre-wedding prank.Experts said the woman caused thousands of euros of damage to the Neptune fountain in Piazza della Signoria. Continue reading...

Macaques have learned to eat soil to avert gut irritation caused by salty and sugary snacks, researchers believeTroops of monkeys living on the Rock of Gibraltar have learned to eat soil in what scientists believe is an effort to settle their stomachs after all the junk food they receive – and sometimes steal – from crowds of tourists.Researchers spotted the intentional mud eating, known as geophagy, while observing groups of Barbary macaques in the territory. Monkeys that had the most contact with tourists ate the most soil and consumption peaked in the holiday season, they found. Continue reading...

FC Basel and Polish stadium stop US rapper’s upcoming shows, after similar cancellations in France and UK over antisemitic commentsKanye West’s upcoming concerts in Poland and Switzerland have been cancelled, as a growing number of European countries have stopped or postponed the US rapper’s performances amid a furore over his past antisemitic comments.Swiss football club FC Basel, which is responsible for concerts and events that take place at its St Jakob-Park ground, told Reuters on Saturday that after reviewing a request for West to perform there in June, it decided against it. Continue reading...

• At age 80, Cher announced her "Final Farewell Tour," featuring 120 dates across North America and international venues spanning 2027 through 2029. • The tour will celebrate Cher's 60-year career with a multimedia production featuring her iconic performances, unreleased footage, and special guest appearances. • Ticket sales begin April 24, 2026, with Cher stating this represents her definitive goodbye to touring, though she plans to continue recording music.

• The Weeknd announced a massive 75-date world stadium tour spanning North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia, beginning September 2026. • Ticket pre-sales for North American dates begin April 19, 2026, with general sales starting April 25 through Live Nation's ticketing platform. • The tour supports his upcoming fifth studio album "Midnight Requiem," expected to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in May.

• Taylor Swift announced a 53-date North American tour beginning in March 2027, with tickets going on sale April 20, 2026 through her official fan club and Ticketmaster. • The "Eras Tour: North American Leg" will visit 28 cities across the United States and Canada, with nightly production featuring elaborate stage designs and costume changes. • Industry analysts project the tour could generate over $2 billion in revenue, making it one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time.