Malaysia celebrates historic breakthrough as APP Asia Penang Open crowns new pickleball stars
BUSINESS
REGIONAL POLITICS
Australia strengthens Maldives maritime security with new Coast Guard patrol vessel
The Maldives has commissioned a new Australian-donated patrol vessel to strengthen maritime security, underscoring deepening defence ties between Malé and Canberra as both countries expand cooperation across the Indian Ocean.
ASEAN in Review: UK turns to ASEAN as new government seeks deeper Indo-Pacific partnerships
The United Kingdom has unveiled its most ambitious engagement strategy with ASEAN since becoming a Dialogue Partner in 2021, committing to deepen cooperation across trade, maritime security, digital innovation, artificial intelligence and climate resilience as London seeks stronger economic partnerships in one of the world's fastest growing regions.
APEC Tourism Ministers Back Digital Innovation to Drive Sustainable Growth Across Asia Pacific
APEC tourism ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to using digital innovation, regional cooperation and sustainable tourism practices to strengthen one of the Asia Pacific's most important economic sectors while creating new opportunities for businesses, workers and local communities.
Philippines launches world's largest integrated solar project
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has inaugurated Phase I of the MTerra Solar Project, a landmark renewable energy development that underscores the Philippines' commitment to energy security while supporting greater regional cooperation on clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.
Indonesia needs a free and active economic policy
Indonesia’s fixation on the rupiah–US dollar exchange rate has made monetary policy too responsive to US and global conditions, leaving domestic activity to absorb external shocks. Proposals to restore a formal peg may appear attractive amid rupiah weakness, falling reserves and deteriorating investor confidence, but Indonesia lacks the reserves, fiscal credibility and institutional strength needed to sustain one. A better approach would follow the bebas dan aktif principle that guides Indonesia’s foreign policy — free from the US dollar and active in responding to domestic inflation and economic conditions.
TRAVEL & LEISURE
SPORTS
Malaysia celebrates historic breakthrough as APP Asia Penang Open crowns new pickleball stars
Malaysia celebrated a breakthrough performance at the Leapmotor APP Asia Penang Open 2026 as Aiman Hamdan became the country's first professional medallist, while Dutch star Roos Van Reek made history with a rare Triple Crown.
International Elite Field Set for 2026 Dili International Marathon
Elite runners from across ASEAN+, Australian Defence Force personnel and regional digital influencers will line up alongside Timorese athletes at the 2026 Dili International Marathon as Timor-Leste strengthens the event's international profile ahead of its ASEAN Chairmanship ambitions.
Jackson Wang returns to his sporting roots as FIE names Global Ambassador ahead of LA28
Global music icon and former Hong Kong fencing prodigy Jackson Wang has come full circle, becoming the first ever Global Ambassador for the International Fencing Federation as the sport looks to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans worldwide.
Louis Saha inspires next generation as 300 young footballers train at elite youth camp
More than 300 children took part in an elite football development camp led by former Manchester United and France striker Louis Saha, highlighting the growing role of international coaching exchanges in nurturing young talent and using sport to build confidence, cultural understanding and life skills.
Hyatt Regency Danang serves up winning formula for sports tourism
Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is expanding its sports offering with new pickleball, padel and tennis courts alongside a nine hole mini golf course, capitalising on the growing demand for active family holidays and sports tourism across Asia.
CSTS, Connexus set World Cup hospitality sales record in Greater China
CSTS Enterprises and its subsidiary Connexus Travel have set a new benchmark in sports hospitality after recording the highest official FIFA World Cup hospitality sales ever achieved in Greater China, highlighting the region's growing appetite for premium sports tourism and corporate entertainment.
Weight Is More Than Just Numbers: How Amir Daniel’s Nutrition Team Supports His Judo Ambitions
After years of battling brutal weight cuts, Malaysian judoka Amir Daniel has found a winning formula. With the guidance of nutritionist Ms Loo and the national nutrition team, his move to the under 81kg category has delivered improved health, renewed confidence and a SEA Games gold medal, with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games now firmly in his sights.
Hong Kong welcomes the world's fencing elite for historic World Championships
Hong Kong is set to make sporting history as it hosts the Fencing World Championships for the first time from July 22 to 30, welcoming more than 1,000 athletes from over 100 countries and regions. The event marks another milestone in the city's emergence as one of Asia's premier fencing powers and a leading destination for major international sporting events.
Coca-Cola turns Chinese football fans into co-creators with FIFA World Cup campaign
Coca-Cola has reimagined sports marketing in China by transforming fans from passive spectators into active participants during the FIFA World Cup 2026. The campaign blended digital engagement, artificial intelligence, user generated content and large scale fan experiences, offering a blueprint for how global brands are adapting to local markets even when the national team is absent from the tournament.
Selangor's Saif Nordin chooses Taiwan as international training base ahead of SUKMA
Renowned for its international coaching, competitive training environment and affordability, Taiwan's Starry Fencing Club and SFC International Camp have become a preferred destination for fencers of every level, attracting athletes from across Asia seeking quality preparation without the high costs of traditional European training bases.
Zelus launches home tactical fitness programme for off duty law enforcement officers
Fitness equipment brand Zelus has launched a new home training initiative designed specifically for off duty law enforcement officers, reflecting the growing demand for mission focused strength and conditioning programmes that can be completed outside traditional gym environments.
Celebrity pickleball showcase to raise funds for youth programmes in Ohio
Professional athletes, entertainers and community leaders will take to the pickleball court this September as the Jovante Woods Foundation hosts a celebrity showcase in Ohio, combining one of America's fastest-growing sports with fundraising efforts to support youth development initiatives.
Saif Nordin extends winning streak with Gold at 4th MFF International Minime
Malaysian fencing prodigy Saif Nordin delivered another exceptional performance at the 4th MFF International Malaysian Minime, capping off an impressive month with a gold medal in the U17
Road to SUKMA: The nutrition blueprint for Malaysia’s youth athletes
Behind every record-breaking performance at SUKMA, Malaysia’s premier national multi-sport event, is a meticulously crafted strategy. Leading this charge for the high-flying Penang contingent is Ms. Loo Lean Hiong, a high-performance sports nutritionist and Sports Performance Consultant for the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP).
OPINIONS
Beyond the Perfect Score: Why Elite Asian Applicants Are Being Overlooked by Ivy League Admissions
Speaking during a four-city Asia roadshow organised by True North Education across Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Shanghai, he argued that the rise of generative artificial intelligence has accelerated an already growing problem.
New Free Resource Explores the Evolution of Economic Thought Across Millennia
A new free publication traces the evolution of economic thought from ancient civilisations to modern debates, offering educators, students and policymakers an accessible guide to the ideas that continue to shape global economic policy and public discourse.
Your body has no replay button
Millions of sports fans refuse to leave their seats during crucial moments, but new research suggests the biggest risk is not missing a goal. It is ignoring the body's own warning signals. As elite athletes prioritise recovery and wellbeing, perhaps supporters should take a lesson from the professionals they admire.
Politics Never Sleeps: Why investors need a closer eye on domestic political landscape
The greatest vulnerability for many businesses is not political uncertainty itself but the inability to anticipate regulatory change. Companies typically devote substantial resources to financial due diligence, legal reviews and commercial planning before entering a market
Sister villages embrace for poverty fight
To mark the fifth anniversary of China eradicating absolute poverty, China Daily is publishing a series of stories on how the country's poverty alleviation experience has not only helped the country wipeout severe deprivation, but has also taken root and made an impact around the world.
Physician's memoir reaches USA Today Best Seller list
Dr Silver Kung's debut memoir, Silver Linings, has earned a place on the USA Today Best Seller list, with the physician and entrepreneur sharing a personal account of resilience, purpose and leadership that is resonating with readers beyond the medical profession.
New book argues regulation is becoming the foundation of China's AI industry
A newly released book examining China's artificial intelligence ecosystem argues that regulation is no longer simply a compliance requirement but has evolved into a key part of the country's AI infrastructure, shaping how technologies are developed, deployed and commercialised.
ASEAN Cooperatives can build a better, more inclusive world
Organised by the ASEAN Cooperative Organization (ACO) and Malaysia’s national cooperative apex body, ANGKASA, the dialogue underscored a growing consensus across the region: cooperatives are not merely economic units; they are vital engines for social empowerment, equitable development, and community resilience.