Former national swimmer Mark Chay on hosting Singapore’s first World Aquatics Championships

Singapore will host over 2,500 athletes from more than 200 nations for the World Aquatics Championships 2025 (WCH 2025)—the first time this prestigious event is held in Southeast Asia. The competition, held from July 11 to August 3, will feature 77 medal events across six aquatic sports: swimming, artistic swimming, water polo, diving, high diving and open-water swimming.

For Mark Chay, co-chair of the organising committee, the event represents more than just record‑breaking feats; it is the realisation of a vision decades in the making. “Sport has been a big part of my life and shaped who I am today,” reflects the 43-year‑old, whose journey from national swimmer and two-time Olympian to sports administrator embodies Singapore’s evolving sporting ambitions.

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From long-haul flights to back-to-back fashion weeks, Willabelle Ong is rarely in one place for long. With her finely curated aesthetic and globe-trotting lifestyle, she is no stranger to always looking fresh and polished on ground and at 35,000 feet. The Singaporean tastemaker and founder of lifestyle and wellness brand Ome has made a name for herself through her distinct sartorial style and creative work—whether it’s the clothes she wears, artwork she showcases or the beauty essentials she takes with her everywhere.

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A decade after first opening its doors at the National Gallery Singapore, Odette is hitting pause—but not for long. This September, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant will temporarily close its doors as it prepares to reemerge in December with a renewed space and sharpened identity. The move is more than a facelift; it is a reflection of chef-owner Julien Royer and his team’s evolution and their ongoing pursuit of purpose and precision.

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This year, Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday and the nation is going all out to mark the occasion. To commemorate its diamond jubilee, there is a vibrant line-up of events and activities for everyone to enjoy. From exhibitions to pop-ups, these SG60 experiences pay tribute to Singapore’s rich history and multicultural identity. Along with reminiscing on six decades of growth, these events also look forward to the future, envisioning the journey ahead.

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In the upscale seafront enclave of Pantai Mutiara in North Jakarta, K-Thengono Design Studio was commissioned to craft a house for a couple seeking a tropical home that mediates between openness and privacy. With a total built area of over 15,400 sq ft, the four-storey residence was envisioned as a sanctuary that could accommodate evolving family needs while engaging with its coastal and urban context.

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