Latest news with #WorldDurianChampionship
The Star
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (June 12, 2025)
Malaysia: * Musang King reigns supreme at World Durian Championship * Anwar defends Brazil trip as vital for global economic ties * FRIM Selangor Forest Park is now a Unesco World Heritage Site * ECRL project hits new milestone with record-breaking Genting Tunnel breakthrough * Health Ministry taking steps to address 14,000 vacancies for nurses in public sector, says Dzulkefly * 'Very difficult to work with GRS after betrayal,' says Muhyiddin * Health Ministry to launch bullying management guidelines * Acting ministers key to ensuring continuity ahead of Parliament, says Johari * Terengganu first state for Madani Tuition programme, says Anwar * Two syndicates selling fake work permits busted by Immigration Dept * Rise in vaping among youth an alarming trend, says Health Ministry * Dejection turns to elation for two top SPM scorers, Dr Wee shares their joy in getting into matriculation * Health Ministry taking steps to address 14,000 vacancies for nurses in public sector, says Dzulkefly * Dangerous driving leads to express bus crash in Sabah, injuring five people * Jais ordered to probe claims of immoral activities at family motivation event * Authorities on alert for monk accused of molestation * Ringgit likely to move between 4. 24-4. 26 against US dollar next week * Motivational event organiser linked to immoral acts summoned by Mais before in 2022 / Semi-naked dancing and 'holy cleansing baths': Selangor cops start probe into allegation of deviant activities at motivational talk Water Polo - World Aquatics Championships - Men - Group A - Romania v Italy - OCBC Aquatic Centre, Singapore - July 12, 2025Italy's Edoardo Di Somma in action against Romania's Vlad-Luca Georgescu -- Photo: REUTERS/Jeremy Lee Singapore: * Asean must double down on economic integration to withstand external pressures, says Singapore minister * The rise of Tupai King, the rage of weather: How durian season is changing * More national servicemen may be recruited to tackle scams: Singapore Police * China and Asean to submit upgraded free trade deal to leaders in October, says China's foreign minister * Pioneer batch of Singapore teens chase K-pop dreams at local training academy SM Universe * Singapore's family office speed pushes JS-SEZ to step up * Oil rises over 2% as investors weigh market outlook * In-flight theft is soaring in Asia - Singapore's police warn that criminal gangs are behind a recent upsurge in reported theft on flights over Asia Indonesia: * Indonesia pushes ahead with trade negotiations with US although hit with a 32% rate * Indonesia extends search for missing ferry mishap victims near Bali Island to July 14; death toll now at 17 * Indonesian oil tycoon Riza Chalid named suspect in Pertamina corruption case * Indonesia's Nusantara Capital City authority downplays report of rampant prostitution * Hurdles in Bali agriculture push -- Bali seeks to boost agricultural development to reduce the provincial economy's reliance on tourism, * Fajar swaps partner in bid to end Indonesia's title drought * Catch coolants, save nature - Indonesian style Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul looks on after a shot during the third round of the Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club, in Evian-Les-Bains, eastern France, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. -- Photo by Alex MARTIN / AFP Thailand: * 'A real muddle': Trump's sudden shifts make his policies baffling to countries trying to negotiate lower tariffs * Unesco recognises Wat Arun's Phra Prang as a Tentative World Heritage Site * Thailand reports 40 monkeypox cases in 2025, urges high-risk groups to practise safe sex * Thaksin, Pichai meet Prime Minister's policy advisory team to refine US tariff proposal * Thai government clarifies controversy: nationality granted to ethnic groups, not foreign migrants * Deadly 'blue dragon' sea slugs wash up on Phuket's Karon beach * INTERACTIVE: Thailand tops Asean destinations for Malaysian tourists Philippines: * New Manila International Airport positions Philippines for long-term growth * Taal Volcano in the Philippines logs six earthquakes, two tremors in past 24 hours * 11 Filipino seafarers in ill-fated MV Magic Seas to return to Philippines Saturday (July 12) * Philippines burdened by South China Sea arbitration, says expert * Investors eye the Philippines again -- country still offers a lot for foreign investors * Lights out on gambling promotion nationwide in the Philippines Philippine officials led by Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano (R) of the Departnment of Justice inspect diving gear of the Philippine coast guard prior to their search and retrieval operation for the bodies of cockfighters who were allegedly dumped in Taal Lake, in Talisay town, Batangas province South of Manila. Search teams began scouring a lake south of the Philippine capital Manila for dozens of cockfighters allegedly murdered by rogue police. -- Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP Vietnam: * Vietnamese woman accused of evading taxes on US$32mil sales of diamonds and luxury bags, including Hermes, LV, Versace * China-Vietnam freight train cargo volume sees sharp growth in H1 * Ethiopian Airlines launches passenger flight to Vietnam * DeepSeek bans being issued in growing number of countries * Fuel shortages in Gaza at 'critical levels', United Nation warns * Qantas plane damaged in collision with aerobridge at Sydney Airport; flight delayed by almost a day Myanmar: * Hundreds of Myanmar troops, civilians flee across Thai border * Attack on monastery in Myanmar's Sagaing kills at least 23, witnesses say * Five mild quakes reported in northern Thailand and Myanmar * Over 26 kilogrammes of heroin worth K1.32bil seized in Myanmar * Junta chief seeks trimmed tariff from the US A tourist (centre) looks at a memorial for victims of the Khmer Rouge regime at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Three notorious Cambodian torture and execution sites used by the Khmer Rouge regime to perpetrate genocide 50 years ago were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP) Cambodia: * Cambodian Labour ministry supporting workers returning from Thailand * Unesco recognises Wat Arun's Phra Prang as a Tentative World Heritage Site * Three Cambodia genocide sites added to Unesco register * Cambodia records 7,000 dengue fever cases with 15 deaths in H1 2025 * Price for committing treason will be heavy, says Cambodian govt Laos: * Laos expands seasonal workers dispatch to South Korea * Laos' inflation eases to 10.9 per cent in H1 2025 * Laos to boost local production and improve its export numbers Brunei: * Fraudster poses as Brunei community development officer to solicit Gaza donations * Brunei Court dismisses appeal over robbery sentence involving knife-wielding youth * Joint operation uncovers multiple violations in Brunei Cadets of the Komponen Cadangan (Komcad), the Reserve Component of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), take part in a graduation ceremony after three months of military basic training, in Banda Aceh on Saturday, July 12, 2025. -- Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP AseanPlus : * The ever-versatile Sam, lead singer for Malaysia's iconic pop-punk band bunkface , goes solo with the enigmatic ' Borak ' * ' Asean has global trust' -- Asean has emerged as a trusted platform by global superpowers * INTERACTIVE: Asean tourists pick Malaysia first * Asean looking forward to KL Declaration on safe social media use * KL cops: Two people questioned over Shila Amzah assault allegations * Drugs in 'dried durian': Three men nabbed after cops seize 2kg of syabu in mislabelled packets * Air India crash: Airline ignored 2018 advisory to inspect fuel control switch, says AAIB report * Factbox -Who were the two pilots who flew the Air India jet that crashed? * Inside the cockpit: How Air India's Boeing Dreamliner flight ended in disaster * Fuel to Air India jet engines cut off moments before crash: probe * Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement * Storytelling fuels Malaysian artiste Amy Loh's creativity and personal style * Chinese scientists successfully clone yak * Chinese nationals in Africa 'vulnerable to kidnappings' as cases rise * Indian PM Modi hails Unesco recognition of Maratha Military Landscapes in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu * The Buddha's birthplace in Nepal avoids Unesco danger list * Almost 100 killed as monsoon rains wreak havoc in Pakistan * US senators warn Nvidia CEO about upcoming China trip * Three million Afghans could return this year: UN * My Chemical Romance to return to Korea for the first time in 18 years * Some Walmart garment orders from Bangladesh on hold due to US tariff threat * Australia PM eyeing trade on China trip despite regional angst * South Korea mandates breaks for outdoor workers in deadly heat * South Korean medical students to return to school, urge education reforms * Rubio says no 'drama or division' in US relations with Japan * 'Forever chemicals' threaten rare leopard cats in Japan * Top military chiefs meet to discuss regional security in Seoul * Two killed and eight injured in building collapse in Indian capital New Delhi * Award-winning data scientist She Yiyuan takes job in China after decades in US * Boy in India detained after lying on tracks as train speeds by for viral social media clip * German backpacker rescued after about 11 days in Australia 'distressed' and 'dehydrated' * Four giant pandas seen well after returning to China from Japan's Wakayama Prefecture * Brazil and China to study South American transcontinental railway project * Japan's Osaka was voted the world's most attractive tourism city this year, as reported by Yanolja Research * Bernice wins gold, raises prospect of dancesport at home SEA Games * England-India super series: Joe Root sets a record in test cricket and it's nothing to do with his batting * Tennis-Sinner seeks redemption, Alcaraz a three-peat in Wimbledon final showdown
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Ripening against the odds: The Black Thorn durian's battle with climate change
NIBONG TEBAL: Nestled in the heart of Sungai Baong, just outside the quiet village of Sungai Bakap, a hidden gem awaits durian lovers from across the region. The Black Thorn, or Or Chee, a variety known for its exceptional flavour, has gained an almost mythical status, attracting people from Vietnam, Thailand, China, and beyond. As climate change continues to disrupt traditional farming patterns, the rarity and quality of this prized fruit make it even more sought after. For 65-year-old Leow Cheok Kiang, the journey to cultivating this iconic durian was long and full of twists. His farm is a living testament to dedication and passion. Leow's family has been growing durians for generations, each passing down the skills and knowledge necessary to produce the finest fruits. And it is not just any durian that grows here — this is the home of the Black Thorn. Leow's first encounter with the Black Thorn was in 2013. Back then, he was not yet convinced that the fruit would live up to its potential, but after a few years of grafting and nurturing the trees, he began to see what all the fuss was about. In fact, the moment he entered the World Durian Championship with his Or Chee durians, everything changed. The variety won the hearts of judges, and Leow's farm gained popularity far beyond Malaysia's borders. The Black Thorn earned its rightful place in the elite world of durians after a series of victories, including a top win at the World Durian Championship 2022. Since then, the demand for these extraordinary fruits has skyrocketed, with lovers from across Asia eager to get a taste. But with fame comes rarity. The Black Thorn trees, some over 40 years old, can only produce a limited number of durians each year — making them a true delicacy. Unlike the popular Musang King, which is well-known and more widely available, the Black Thorn has a unique profile. Its flavour is a perfect blend of rich creaminess and a subtle, lingering bitterness, making it a prized possession for those with a discerning taste. According to Leow, the trees that produce the best fruits are the oldest ones — typically over 15 years old. "The older the tree, the more intense the flavour. Young trees simply can't compete. "The fruit must be carefully picked at just the right time to ensure the flesh is not too soft and the flavour is at its peak," he told the New Straits Times during a tour of his farm yesterday. Leow described his trees as his "children," and the care he pours into them is evident. Every harvest is a delicate process. With fewer than 20 workers tending to the orchard, each fruit is carefully picked at just the right time — never too early and never too late. The best fruits, weighing anywhere between two to more than five kilogrammes, can fetch up to RM70 per kilogramme on the market. These Black Thorns are even exported frozen, to as far as Hong Kong. It is not just about the Black Thorn. Leow's farm also grows other varieties like Musang King, Hor Lor, and even Chempedak — each with its own loyal following. But the Black Thorn is the crown jewel. And with each year that passes, the trees continue to grow stronger, producing even more fruit and deepening the legacy of this incredible durian. The waiting game is a long one. Durian enthusiasts know that the best time to indulge in these royal fruits is at the end of May and into mid-August. "Climate change and the unpredictable weather have delayed harvesting this time around. "We expect the first harvest to be in 20 days' time and the peak to only be in July," Leow added. For those lucky enough to get their hands on a Black Thorn, it is a taste that stays with you — a rare experience only available to those who are patient enough to wait. Leow is proud of what he has built. His farm in Sungai Baong is more than just a business — it is a passion that has been nurtured for over three decades. Besides the farm here, Leow and three other partners also manage seven other farms in the area and neighbouring Kedah, with over 4,000 Black Thorn trees.
