How Kengo Kuma reimagines urban hospitality at Hyatt Regency KL Midtown

Artificial intelligence and digital technology increasingly dominate daily life and shape our cities. Amid such alienation, Kengo Kuma believes there is a growing need to reconnect with nature.

“These urban, artificial spaces may be stressful for working individuals, as they are very unnatural for humanity,” he observes. “Walking in natural spaces is becoming rare in big cities, as these intimate places disappear, and the human need for natural experiences intensifies.”

Read the full story here.

The James Dyson Award—one of the world’s most respected design competitions—has announced its Top 20 Global Shortlist for 2025, spotlighting groundbreaking inventions that solve real-world problems through smart, sustainable engineering. This year, Malaysia makes its mark with UNBLOK, a homegrown innovation created by students from the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation.

The invention transforms palm oil waste into an eco-friendly drain filter that prevents fats, oils and grease (FOG) from clogging household pipes.

Read the full story here.

Diwali is the sparkliest night of the year. The Hindu festival of lights celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil—and it’s the perfect excuse for India’s most influential people, including Bollywood’s biggest stars, to bring out their brightest diamonds, emeralds, and all the fineries you can imagine.

This year’s Diwali celebrations didn't disappoint. From Priyanka Chopra stunning in an Indo-Western ensemble at the All That Glitters Diwali Ball in New York to Shah Rukh Khan keeping it timelessly elegant in a classic black sherwani at designer Manish Malhotra’s famed Diwali bash, every star absolutely served looks.

Read the full story here.

There's a particular alchemy that happens when a camera turns on—a transformation that content creators know intimately.

For Jenn Chia, known to her 683,000 Instagram followers as @soimjenn, that shift is deliberate and theatrical. One of Malaysia's pioneering female digital creators, she built her empire on wit, chaos, and an unmistakable voice that disrupted the country's media landscape. A singer-songwriter turned videographer, TV host, and entrepreneur, Chia has spent over a decade crafting content.

Then there's Ting Shi Qi, the 28-year-old educator whose TikTok videos chronicling classroom life catapulted her to 2.5 million followers virtually overnight. Known by her handle @qiwiie, Ting represents a different breed of creator entirely—the Gen Z educator-turned-influencer who never quite left the classroom behind.

Two generations. Two distinct trajectories. One shared paradox: how to remain human in an industry that commodifies humanity itself.

Read the full story here.

Food tourism has exploded in recent years, with many travellers planning entire itineraries around culinary experiences. While cities like Paris, Rome and Tokyo will always hold a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of foodies, there’s a world of lesser-known destinations offering equally compelling gastronomic adventures.

For the discerning travellers seeking an authentic and memorable journey, venturing off the well-trodden path can lead to some of the most rewarding dining experiences. If you consider yourself a true food lover, prepare to expand your palate and your passport.

Read the full story here.