Author: Maahir Zaidaan

Valencia, Turin, Madrid (28/11 – 25) Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia retained his MotoGP world title with many records; there are nevertheless signs that the Ducati rider will face sterner competition next season. The Italian rider won the 2023 season-ending MotoGP Grand Prix in Valencia on Sunday to clinch his second world title in a row. The protege of Valentino Rossi becomes the third rider to take back-to-back MotoGP titles since the introduction of the class in 2002. Only Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez previously managed to do that. Bagnaia is the first rider to successfully race and defend #1 in the…

Sarawak is looking to build more tourism facilities and attractions, and hold more international events.  KUCHING: The East Malaysian state of Sarawak is preparing for an anticipated surge in tourist arrivals next year. In line with its growing tourism sector, the state government is establishing a Sarawak-based airline to serve Southeast Asia and East Asian countries. Plans are underway and the government expects its state-owned boutique airline to begin operations by next year. Sarawak is also looking to build more tourism facilities and attractions. PLANS TO PROMOTE SARAWAK’S RICH CULTURE, BIODIVERSITY Recent attractions include a 99m flagpole – the tallest in Southeast Asia…

ASEAN Solidarity Exercise was first exclusive to SE Asian bloc but was just as notable for its selective kowtowing to China The ASEAN Solidarity Exercise in Natuna 2023 (ASEX-01N), hosted by Indonesia in September 2023, was the first joint military exercise exclusive to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The exercise was called a major accomplishment as ASEAN member states considered to be “pro-Beijing” such as Cambodia attended. This is not the first intra-ASEAN military drill held against a backdrop of tensions in the South China Sea. The ASEAN Multinational Naval Exercise (AMNEX) took place in Thailand in 2017, shortly after…

KUCHING:The Sarawak economy is expected to become more stable and have surplus income from investments in the Sovereign Wealth Future Fund. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (pic) said that he is confident with a total of RM8 billion deposited in strong financial institutions, the fund will continue to grow undisturbed within 20 years. “Unless we face a war and a crisis that requires funds, but based on normal circumstances we don’t touch the fund for 20 years, which means this fund will grow like the Norwegian Fund. “That’s why we have international members who have managed such…

TOKYO Japan plans to host a leaders’ meeting on reducing carbon emissions with most ASEAN members and Australia in December, Japanese government sources said. The summit in Tokyo will be held under the Asia Zero Emission Community framework launched by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government last year, aimed at promoting decarbonization in the fast-growing Asian region. Southeast Asia is a center of economic and emissions growth, and efforts to decarbonize will have a huge impact on regional and global progress on climate action, climate and energy experts pointed out. All members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations apart…

Southeast Asian economies could join forces to become a global manufacturing hub for electric vehicles (EVs) and lead the world’s sustainability efforts, industry experts told a business forum on Monday, as Indonesia pursues its goal of leading the EV space. Anindya Bakrie, chief executive of Indonesian conglomerate Bakrie & Brothers, said it was “not just pure competition” when asked about the race between Indonesia and its neighbours in the region. Malaysia, he pointed out, was known for its semiconductor capabilities. Thailand has strengths in manufacturing four-wheel vehicles and an EV firm in Vietnam successfully listed on the New York Stock Exchange. “Sometimes it’s actually good that…

Brussels (3/11 – 34) Dubai is calling for a united front to spur the development of generative artificial intelligence to maximise its potential and reap economic benefits, the chief executive of the Dubai Future Foundation has said. Countries need to come together to prepare society for the innovation and to help bridge the gap between policies and the advancement of the emerging technology, which has a reported business opportunity of as much as $4.4 trillion, Khalfan Belhoul said at the Dubai Assembly for Generative AI conference on Wednesday. The industries with highest AI potential include banking, software and platforms, energy, communications and media, and health, according to the DFF.…

Berlin (24/10 – 67) UN Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea, visited Tajikistan from April 11 to April 21 to conduct research on issues in this field. The UN expert will assess religious freedom and its interaction with the right to freedom of expression, discuss gender equality, women’s rights, and children’s rights. She stated that the implementation of religious freedom and belief in the country is a cause for concern. Ghanea, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, called on Tajikistan to adapt and review its laws, policies, and practices regarding religion…

Astute Analytica has meticulously crafted the Global ASEAN Nutritional Supplements Market Research Report with a deep understanding of our client’s unique requirements. Our research provides an in-depth analysis of the current regional and global market conditions, delivering valuable insights into the worldwide market landscape. This industry analysis report comprehensively covers market forces, constraints, and their implications for future market demand, offering a broad overview of the sector. ASEAN Nutritional Supplements Market generated revenue of US$ 7,366.8 million in 2022 and it is estimated to reach a valuation of US$ 14,847.3 million by 2031 at a CAGR of 8.4% During the…

Paris, Brussels (20/10 – 87) In an atmosphere of justifiably feverish global anger, following the murderous attacks by Hamas troopers on a “peace concert” held near the border with Gaza and the massive retaliation by Israel, several nations have declined to jump on the bandwagon: notably, Malaysia is one. Anwar Ibrahim, its Prime Minister, has issued a statement refusing to make a reflexive condemnation of Hamas. History and alliances will tell us why. When attempting to figure out the way Malaysia is distancing itself from “world opinion” (actually the “management of consent” by administrative state-directed corporate media) it is important…