CNA Correspondent

Two state elections, three weeks apart, where Malaysia's own governing coalitions ended up as rivals rather than partners, each hoping to boost their power in Putrajaya. First came Barisan Nasional's sweep in Johor, its best result since 2008. Then came Negeri Sembilan, where Pakatan Harapan's caretaker chief minister Aminuddin Harun and Transport Minister Anthony Loke were defeated. Arnold Gay speaks with correspondents Melissa Goh and Afifah Ariffin, to unpack what Barisan Nasional's "blue wave" means for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the federal government. 

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China is producing advanced technologies at lightning speed, from AI to electric vehicles. But can rapid innovation translate into stronger domestic consumer confidence? CNA Senior China Editor and Senior Correspondent Olivia Siong joins Robin Pomeroy, Podcast Editor at Radio Davos, on this special episode in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. Together, they interview Professor Yuen Yuen Ang, Alfred Chandler Chair of Political Economy at Johns Hopkins University on how China's transformation could affect businesses, governments and consumers worldwide.

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An education minister has resigned. India's Cockroach Janta Party is claiming victory. What began as an online satirical campaign has become one of India's most talked-about youth movements, tapping into frustrations over jobs, opportunity and political representation. Genevieve Woo speaks to Correspondent Neha Poonia about how a movement built around a cockroach forced its way onto India's political agenda and what it reveals about a generation that is refusing to be crushed and trampled on.

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Borders aren't just lines on a map, but clearly defined countries and territories with sometimes messy stories. From Greenland and Alberta to the South China Sea, Cyprus and Kaliningrad, their histories reveal why territorial disputes continue to shape politics and identity. Genevieve Woo joins Senior Editor Liling Tan and Correspondent Nick Harper to explore the deeper question of who actually holds the pen, and what it takes to make a boundary stick. 

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup began amid fears of immigration raids, political hostility and a tournament defined by controversy rather than competition. But something else entirely played out when football lovers from across the globe showed up. Norway fans did Viking rows, Scotland fans drank cities dry and Americans fell in love with a sport they had barely noticed before. But the politics never went away. US President Donald Trump's infamous call to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun's red card dominated headlines. But the final matches and Spain's eventual victory, refocused attention. Arnold Gay speaks to Correspondent Mitch McCann in New York and Sports Correspondent Matthew Mohan about the heartbreak, joy and the questions this tournament leaves unanswered heading into 2030.

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For years, China's presence in Africa was defined by railways, roads and mega infrastructure projects. But a quieter transformation is underway. Through the lens of South Africa, Genevieve Woo and Senior China Editor and Senior Correspondent Olivia Siong explore how Chinese companies are shifting from building projects to building businesses, manufacturing locally and putting down deeper roots. 

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From robot patrol dogs to AI doctors, Hangzhou is fast producing some of China's most talked-about tech companies. The city is best known as the home of Alibaba and, more recently, DeepSeek. But beyond the headlines, what makes Hangzhou such a powerful engine for innovation? CNA Senior Correspondent Tan Yew Guan speaks with Genevieve Woo about the talent, capital and government support behind one of China's most dynamic tech ecosystems.

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As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, it stands as the world's largest economy and commands the most powerful military. Yet confidence in its institutions has eroded, political divisions run deep and many question the nation's trajectory. From symbolic shifts on the White House grounds to the rise of China and the heavy cost of global leadership, Genevieve Woo and Senior Correspondent Simon Marks examine what these domestic and global tensions reveal about the state of the superpower.

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China has a new buzzword: Emotional value. It is used to explain everything from blind box obsessions and AI companions to why young people are hiring strangers to climb mountains with them. In this episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast, Genevieve Woo and Correspondent Krystal Chia explore the rise of China’s emotional economy and examine what this growing search for comfort and connection reveals about modern Chinese society.

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 was always going to be unprecedented. Three host nations, 16 cities and 48 teams across an entire continent. What nobody quite expected was how much drama would happen off the pitch. The tournament kicked off amid an ongoing US-Iran conflict, Africa's top referee was denied entry to America, fans have paid record prices for tickets and the three co-hosts - the US, Canada and Mexico - are fighting a trade war of their own. Arnold Gay speaks to correspondents Matthew Mohan, Mitch McCann and Toni Waterman to unpack the politics, problems and blemishes behind the beautiful game.

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