Chess is having a moment, from packed local meetups to online creators bringing the game to new audiences. In Kuala Lumpur, FriendsWhoChess has grown into one of the city's biggest chess communities, welcoming everyone from complete beginners to seasoned competitors. We speak to the club's founders about why chess continues to captivate people, how newcomers can get started without feeling intimidated, what separates casual players from grandmasters, and whether AI is changing how we play and learn the game.

Image Credit: FriendsWhoChess

Chess is having a moment, from packed local meetups to online creators bringing the game to new audiences. In Kuala Lumpur, FriendsWhoChess has grown into one of the city's biggest chess communities, welcoming everyone from complete beginners to seasoned competitors. We speak to the club's founders about why chess continues to captivate people, how newcomers can get started without feeling intimidated, what separates casual players from grandmasters, and whether AI is changing how we play and learn the game. Image Credit: FriendsWhoChess

The world is in debt, but who are we in debt to? Pro-wrestling is fake, so why do we love it? These are the kinds of discussions we have on Today I Learned -- a weekly show exploring a plethora of topics, to satisfy your curious mind!

The world is in debt, but who are we in debt to? Pro-wrestling is fake, so why do we love it?&nbsp;These are the kinds of discussions we have on Today I Learned -- a weekly show exploring a plethora of topics, to satisfy your curious mind!

Today I Learned

The world is in debt, but who are we in debt to? Pro-wrestling is fake, so why do we love it? These are the kinds of discussions we have on Today I Learned -- a weekly show exploring a plethora of topics, to satisfy your curious mind!

The world is in debt, but who are we in debt to? Pro-wrestling is fake, so why do we love it? These are the kinds of discussions we have on Today I Learned -- a weekly show exploring a plethora of topics, to satisfy your curious mind!

How Do You Get Good at Chess?

If you've been following the 2026 World Cup, you've obviously seen the football, but you've also probably seen a lot of Donald Trump. The US President made himself part of the tournament after FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded him the organisation's first-ever "Peace Prize" in December. Fast forward to the Folarin Balogun decision, where one phone call from Trump was enough to reverse a red card on a US player. Fans, coaches, and lawmakers called it a clear breach of FIFA's political neutrality. To many people, the way politics is impacting the game might seem new, but has it ever really been any different? We discuss this with James Dorsey, adjunct senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and one of the most-cited voices on sport and politics. 

Image Credit: Shutterstock

If you've been following the 2026 World Cup, you've obviously seen the football, but you've also probably seen a lot of Donald Trump. The US President made himself part of the tournament after FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded him the organisation's first-ever "Peace Prize" in December. Fast forward to the Folarin Balogun decision, where one phone call from Trump was enough to reverse a red card on a US player. Fans, coaches, and lawmakers called it a clear breach of FIFA's political neutrality. To many people, the way politics is impacting the game might seem new, but has it ever really been any different? We discuss this with James Dorsey, adjunct senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and one of the most-cited voices on sport and politics. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Has the FIFA World Cup Ever Been Politically Neutral? 

We often talk about how increasing urbanisation means that children today no longer have childhoods where they can run freely, climb trees and play in the rain. In our bustling, densely populated urban centres, can children still thrive, live a quality life and participate in the city’s progress? To find out more about what makes a city child-friendly, we’re speaking to Janisha Keerthi Saravanan, Former Secretary of the Petaling Jaya Child Council and Tiara Shahrani Shahrom, Creative & Program Director of Cotton Space.

Image Credit: Shutterstock



*Note: This podcast picture was edited with generative AI

We often talk about how increasing urbanisation means that children today no longer have childhoods where they can run freely, climb trees and play in the rain. In our bustling, densely populated urban centres, can children still thrive, live a quality life and participate in the city’s progress? To find out more about what makes a city child-friendly, we’re speaking to Janisha Keerthi Saravanan, Former Secretary of the Petaling Jaya Child Council and Tiara Shahrani Shahrom, Creative &amp; Program Director of Cotton Space. Image Credit: Shutterstock*Note: This podcast picture was edited with generative AI

What Makes A City Child-Friendly?

Microplastics, air pollution, contaminated water, pesticides—we’re exposed to environmental toxins every day, often without realising it. But how much are these exposures actually affecting our health? Are they getting worse, and what could that mean for future generations? We explore what the science says about pollutants in our food, water, and air; whether the body can recover from these exposures; the myths surrounding "detoxing"; and how well Malaysia is monitoring and regulating the environmental risks around us.



Image Credit: Pexels

Microplastics, air pollution, contaminated water, pesticides—we’re exposed to environmental toxins every day, often without realising it. But how much are these exposures actually affecting our health? Are they getting worse, and what could that mean for future generations? We explore what the science says about pollutants in our food, water, and air; whether the body can recover from these exposures; the myths surrounding "detoxing"; and how well Malaysia is monitoring and regulating the environmental risks around us.Image Credit: Pexels

How Do You Get Good at Chess?

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