As President Xi Jinping courts ASEAN with visions of a “shared future,” the region finds itself navigating escalating competition between China and the US. Former Malaysian Ambassador Dato Ilango Karuppannan unpacks ASEAN’s diplomatic tightrope.

Other stories we covered:

• Malaysian birth certificate scam: A new scam uncovered by Ops Tumpang 2.0 has exposed citizens being paid to falsely register babies, feeding the black market for birth certificates. Adrian Pereira, Executive Director of the North-South Initiative, discusses the systemic challenges that fuel this demand.
• Rare firefly spotted in Bukit Kiara: A live Gombak bent-winged firefly has been spotted in Bukit Kiara — the first confirmed sighting in over 100 years and a surprising find in urban KL. We speak to Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh, the Co-Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission FIREfly Specialist Group about its significance.
• Thousands of students get their visa's revoked: Visa revocations for over 1,500 international students in the US raise alarm, with reasons ranging from activism to minor offenses. Doreen John, Head of Partnerships at Sunway University's School of American Education explores what this means for Malaysian students aiming to study in America.
• Remembering Pope Francis: Pope Francis, remembered for his humility and progressive stances, has passed away at 88, the Vatican confirms. We reflect on his legacy, from his critiques of capitalism to his solidarity with the poor and condemnation of violence in Gaza.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sharaad Kuttan, Sneha Harikannan, Juliet Jacobs, Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Sharaad Kuttan, Dashran Yohan

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Categories:  technology,  economy,  managing,  politics,  international,  government,  environment,  corruption,  Law/Activism,  education,  controversies,  culture,  History/Heritage

Tags:  birth certificate scam,  pteroptyx gombakia,  gombak bent-winged firefly,  rediscovery,  extinct species,  the vatican,  roman catholic,  the church,  asean,  us-china,  trade war,  xi jinping,  anwar ibrahim,  fake birth certificate,  mykad,  undocumented migrants,  firefly,  new species,  bukit kiara,  international students,  student visa,  america,  pope francis,  easter,