The History of Asia's Whitewashed Beauty Standards Pt. 1

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We’re more scared of maybe getting an electric shock than we are of definitely getting an electric shock, such is our fear of uncertainty. Dr Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and host of the popular podcast 'A Slight Change of Plans,' delves into the fundamental question of how human beings can better prepare for change. She points out that our most common fear regarding change is that it challenges our self-identity. Dr Shankar also emphasizes that unexpected changes can lead to lasting personal growth. In our conversation with Maya, after her thought-provoking TED Talk on the topic, she urges us to anchor our identities to things that feel more stable. We should focus not just on 'what we do,' but on 'why we do it.' This shift allows us to feel more secure in the foundations, helping us cope with the unsettling nature of change.

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The Path to Regulating AI with Yejin Choi

Common sense is not so common. Yejin Choi, professor and computer science researcher, thinks we need to take AI way more seriously for this very reason. Even for the most advanced AI systems, common sense remains difficult to program. Stupid AI isn’t funny, it’s dangerous, and Choi’s years exploring the ethics behind machine learning is distilled into her TED talk. We got to speak to her hours after she delivered it, and explained to us why anything that is learning from the internet is unavoidably going to have racist, sexist and ableist tendencies that we have to actively correct for. Most importantly: we need regulation. Choi believes in fostering a diverse community of thinkers, including philosophers and psychologists, working collectively to bridge AI's gaps of understanding to include ethics, racial equity, and common sense.

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Is the world’s biggest climate summit actually just a trojan horse for fossil fuel companies to make more money? And does COP28 actually change anything? The COP President, selected through the regional group members of the host region, is Sultan al-Jaber, the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Meanwhile, $700M has been committed to the loss and damage fund in the first day of the conference. Equally important, this is the one stage where activists, Indigenous delegations and the media come face to face in one room with world leaders. This video is produced and hosted by Sophia Li and edited by Seung Won Baik. With additional archival from UN Climate Change, Sky.com, The Intercept, KCCU, The New York Times, The Guardian, FRANCE 24 English, Bloomberg.com, Daily Sabah, Visual Capitalist, Statista, NPR, Simpleflying, Climate Change News, BBC, Earth.org, Oxfam, Instagram: climatereality.indsa, Instagram: reearthinitiative

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Indo-Chinese is one of India’s most popular foods, though most people haven’t heard of it–including Chinese people. Why did Chinese food become so popular in India and what does it tell us about the history of these two regions? Today, this collaborative cuisine is taking over the world. Did you know that Chicken Manchurian isn’t Chinese? Nelson Wang, a third-generation Chinese immigrant in India, created the dish in 1975 while working at Mumbai’s Cricket Club. But Chinese food in India dates way further back than the 70’s. The oldest restaurant opened in 1925, and was frequented by many Bollywood stars. Chinese immigration to India dates way back to the 18th century, when many Chinese workers filled industries from sugar-mills to leather and carpentry. To cater to them, eateries began opening that would replace native Asian ingredients with Indian cooking staples. Further, Chinese men began marrying Indian women, making the union of these two cuisines even more tangible. Now found around the world, here’s the history of Indo-Chinese cuisine.

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Biryani, one of the most beloved dishes in India and Pakistan, is iconic, regal, and dates back 3,000 years. Today, it has become a street food that is affordable and accessible to all–and it’s thanks to a brand that was launched in Karachi in the 1980’s: Shan Masalas. Usually made with meat and cooked in layers of spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors, Biryani is an elaborate rice dish. In the 1980’s, Shan Masala, packaged spice mixes, were launched–modernizing desi cuisine and freeing up many South Asian women’s time. In 2020 alone, Shan Masala made around $85 million USD in revenue. Mentions of Biryani have been found in Tamil poems that date as far back as 200 CE, to 17th century cookbooks from a royal Mughal kitchen. Biryani today represents several millennia of the subcontinent's unique mix of different flavors, techniques and cooking cultures. Though there’s a lot of hype around who invented biryani and who has the best biryani, every region has delicious biryani–and comes with its own story.

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Which country actually invented dumplings? You’d probably think it’s China but historians have traced dumplings to Central Asia and the migration of Turkic people. It’s said that Turkic and Mongol tradesmen and horsemen traveled across Asia in cold winters carrying ‘mantu’, which we now call dumplings. That’s because 1600’s England called this delicious dough pocket ‘dumpling’, a sophisticated derivative of ‘lump’. In fact, when it comes to the origins of mantu, historians encourage us to look at language. Most Asian cultures call the dumpling how the Turks originally did–Koreans call it mandu, Greek people call it manti, Afghans call it mantu, and Chinese people call it mantou too. But the origins aren’t the only debatable part of the convo–who has the best dumplings?

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We’ve all been taught recycling is a sustainable way each of us can make a difference. But the truth is that the plastics industry paid millions to push this message--and to sell more plastic. Here's the dark truth and how it's led to some serious consequences. Plastic industry officials long knew that recycling plastic on a large scale was unlikely to ever be economically viable. In fact, only 9% of all plastic ever created has been recycled. So where does all this plastic end up? While the U.S. is the world’s biggest plastic polluter, all of this waste is exported to Southeast Asian countries. We desperately need better recycling infrastructures set up locally than relying on dumping our waste in developing nations. And we need to be advocating for lasting solutions to the plastic problem because our waste is our problem.

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Gautam Adani was Asia’s richest man and known as a shrewd businessman who has a close, personal relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In January, Hindenburg revealed corporate fraud by releasing a report on Adani Group that Hindenburg actually made a profit from. Now investors have bailed on Adani and it’s left huge redevelopment projects up in the air, which involves resettling a million people. Adani has accused Hindenburg of launching a “calculated attack on India” and his finance chief compared it to a British colonial-era massacre. While Modi has been silent on the Adani scandal, India’s 2024 general election approaches and it remains to be seen whether this corruption will influence voters’ choices. What we do know is that Indian oligarchs need to be checked in on, regularly and intensely.

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Did you know that the average amount of times we wear clothing before throwing it away is 7? American saviorism deludes us to believe that “people in need will wear my old clothes” but what’s actually happening is the Global South becomes the dumping ground for the lifestyle and convenience of the Global North. This exploitation has turned Asia into a garment dump. So what can we actually do? Prioritize consuming less, elongating the lives of the clothes we have by repairing and mending, wearing hand-me-downs, buying used, and repurposing old clothes. Donating our clothes isn’t superior thinking disguised as a good deed. And outside of making changes to our own wardrobe, here’s how we can hold the perpetrators of waste colonialism accountable.

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Ultra Fast Fashion Merusak Iklim dan Nasib Buruh

Pabrik garmen tersebar di seluruh penjuru Indonesia dan negara-negara Asia lainnya, dan di dalamnya ribuan pakaian diproduksi tiap hari untuk memenuhi permintaan konsumtif dari seluruh dunia karena siklus fashion yang cepat sekali. Bagi produsen besar seperti Shein, hanya butuh waktu satu minggu untuk mengubah desain menjadi produk jadi. Tentu di tengah-tengah industri raksasa ini terdapat nasib-nasib buruh yang terpinggirkan dan dampak ke perubahan iklim.

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How much do you know about Shiba Inus? What were they originally bred for? Why did they almost go extinct? Shiba’s are aesthetically pleasing, incredibly popular, and Japan's national treasure--but how much do you know about the history of this hunting dog? Known for their fox-like features and tan fur, Shiba Inus have been around since the 3rd century BC but have nearly become extinct on two occasions–both in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. When Japan started importing Western dogs, cross-breeding led to a decline in pure Shiba Inus. And during WWII, bombings and food shortages also nearly wiped out these highly-sought after dogs. After Elon Musk’s 2021 tweet about his Shiba, the breed became trendy and this leads to unethical high-volume breeding. Though Shiba Inus have gone viral, buyers need to realize that owning this dog isn’t a fad. In fact, it’s a serious responsibility that requires a 14-16 year commitment to a dog that is practically a 25 lb. wolf.

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Bisakah Kita Menghindari Kerusuhan Kerumunan?

Akhir tahun lalu, beberapa kejadian mengejutkan terjadi di berbagai daerah di Asia. Kejadian-kejadian ini melibatkan kerumunan yang gagal dikendalikan dan ujungnya, beberapa orang kehilangan nyawanya. Mengapa kejadian ini banyak terjadi di negara-negara Asia, dan bagaimana kita dapat menjaga diri kita di keramaian?

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Oscar-winning RRR is rooted deeply in nationalism and the Hindu idea of revolution. In fact, films like this coming out of India are the only ones making the big screen. As the country becomes more autocratic and surveillant, cinema is where people are pushing back. RRR, which has been watched 45 million times on Netflix and recently won an Oscar, is only one of the many films that have reflected the social issues and societal values in India. In fact, since Modi came into power in 2014, supported by a militant Hindu supremacist group, Indian cinema and Bollywood has changed. University students, film festivals and cultural centers are digging deep into truly revolutionary cinema coming out of India and finding one common thread: they’re all being banned. As the rest of the world consumes Indian films, it’s key to pay attention to how nationalism and Islamophobia are not only normalized but glorified.

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Black vs Asian: the False Divide of Affirmative Action

The US Supreme Court is currently debating whether affirmative action discriminates against Asian Americans by giving their spots to less qualified Black candidates. For instance, Calvin Yang - now a student at UC Berkeley - claims that his admission to Harvard was denied because of his race. Many have called this an incredibly disempowering tactic to divide two historically oppressed communities who have benefited from working together. What is true is that the greatest beneficiary of affirmative action is white women–and because they have so rarely been placed at the center of the conversation, they don’t even know it. Affirmative action was implemented off the backs of Black and Asian activists. Meanwhile, 70% white women, whose university enrollments more than doubled after these policies were implemented, oppose it.

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The Genocide in Afghanistan You've Never Heard Of

A genocide in Afghanistan is being neglected. For over 130 years, Hazara communities have been massacred in killings, by famine, starvation, and state-sanctioned enslavement. Today, the Taliban has pushed Hazara people out of government, displaced them, and redistributed their land to their supporters. What can we do? Humanitarians have advised the UN Genocide Investigation team to get on the ground and start collecting details to even prove the existence of a genocide. The hashtag #StopHazaraGenocide has gone viral, with over ten million mentions on Twitter - and this number is only growing. Here’s how you can support Hazara people.

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Year of the Rabbit: Happy Lunar New Year!

In many East and Southeast Asian countries, Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday of the year. The origins can be traced to ancient China 3,500 years ago, traditionally a time to honor ancestors and deities. Today, 2 billion people still celebrate, and you can too. Here’s how. Lunar New Year celebrations consist of food, family, and gratitude rituals for ancestors and heritage. Commonly known as “Chinese New Year”, LNY is a cultural holiday that lasts 15 days and is celebrated in many countries outside of China. And this year is the Year of the Rabbit. Many brands understand the significance of this holiday, and exploit it with “LNY collections”. Make sure you’re buying from brands that are Asian owned or have a connection to that heritage. And if you haven’t celebrated the Lunar New Year before, here’s how you can join in on the festivities in a respectful way–rooted in celebration and not appropriation.

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Perbedaan etnis di Malaysia bukan hanya persoalan nilai di masyarakat, namun tertuang juga dalam hukum yang berlaku. Hal ini membuat banyak orang-orang minoritas mengalami ketimpangan dalam berbagai bidang, mulai dari ketersediaan pendidikan yang terbatas, akses ke penunjang kesehatan yang sulit, dan tingkat kesejahteraan yang berada di bawah rata-rata. Ketimpangan ini juga berujung pada hal-hal lain yang juga membahayakan seperti diskriminasi dan kekejaman oleh aparat pemerintahan. Produk hukum ini salah satunya adalah New Economic Policy, sebuah kebijakan yang dilahirkan pada tahun 1970-an dan terus meminggirkan kebutuhan dan kesejahteraan masyarakat minoritas di Malaysia. Apa cerita di balik kebijakan ini, dan apa yang bisa dilakukan dalam menghadapinya?

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Historic: Pakistan’s First Indigenous Trans Pride

Sindh, Pakistan held their first trans pride march, Sindh Moorat March. It was iconic, inclusive, and led by a young, trans, Shia progressive leadership. What can this mean for a country that saw more trans lives killed than any other in Asia last year? There are thousands of registered cases of violence towards trans lives in Pakistan, including at least 91 killings since 2015. In 2018, a landmark trans rights bill was passed that meant people could choose their own identity, and many more safeguards in employment, health, education, and access to public spaces. The unprecedented bill hasn’t been fulfilled by the government though and transphobic speech is on the rise in Pakistan. What is also true is that Gen-z are celebrating trans lives in a revolutionizing movement that integrates tradition and culture. Trans people are indigenous to the subcontinent with a history that traces back 4,000 years. Today, they’re not only reclaiming their pride–rooted further than colonialism, they’re also fighting for income redistribution, land reforms, justice, dignity, reparations, and climate justice.

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Makin Hari Makin Banyak Bahasa yang Hilang—Ini Alasannya

Bahasa-bahasa asli di berbagai daerah di Asia sudah mulai punah, termasuk di Indonesia. Alasan fenomena ini banyak; salah sekiannya adalah politik, ekonomi, dan budaya. Salah satu contohnya adalah Indonesia, di mana penggunaan Bahasa Indonesia dipakai sebagai agenda nasionalistik. Padahal, bahasa-bahasa asli masih memiliki tempat yang sangat penting di tengah masyarakat modern. Salah satunya adalah preservasi budaya dan pengetahuan-pengetahuan yang tertuang dalam bahasa-bahasa tersebut. Saat ini, puluhan bahasa daerah telah hilang di Indonesia dan setiap dua minggu sekali, diperkirakan satu bahasa di dunia hilang. #BahasaDaerah #BahasaAsli #Adat #Kebudayaan

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Why Are There So Many Deadly Stampedes in Asia?

In October, 400 people in Asia died from crowd-related disasters. Why does Asia experience so many of these incidents and how does it relate to government leadership? And how can you stay safe and protect others in an overpopulated space? Crowd crushes can happen when too many people push into a confined space, above 5 people per square meter. In many Asian countries, regulations around crowds are non-existent unless it’s an officially organized event. Even if officials know that people will gather en masse, no one might take charge of crowd control - and in some cases, it’s the government that makes bad situations deadly. So from assessing the density of a crowd to listening to cries of discomfort around you, here’s how you can stay safe in a crowd.

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South Koreans drink more than any other country. In countries like South Korea, Japan and China, alcohol has been considered a “gift from the gods”. Historically, warriors drank before battles and after victories, and masculinity was tied to ability to drink copious amounts of alcohol. But what does drinking culture expose today? If you’re drinking a bottle of Soju, a can of sake, or a glass of Baijiu, you’re likely partaking in a drinking culture that is steeped in tradition and history. Alcohol can represent hospitality, vulnerability and openness–and it used to come with guidelines to ensure it was a healthy ritual. Today, excessive drinking can uphold workplace patriarchy, undue pressures on employees, and toxic masculinity. South Koreans, the most hardcore drinkers in the world, intake 13.7 shots of alcohol on average weekly. With the negative, life-threatening effects of excessive drinking, it’s time to reexamine our relationship with drinking.

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What Are China’s Youth Actually Protesting?

Western news outlets have reduced the story of China’s protests to the youth fighting for democracy. But what’s happening in China has more to do with COVID, and how China’s strict policies over the past few years have impacted people’s lives. In China, frustration has built-up over years of zero COVID policy. While the policy has worked, and China’s COVID death toll is far lower than other countries, it’s come at a cost. From suicide rates spiking to an economy declining, what’s happening is not a cry for democracy but a frustration over how things have been handled when it comes to COVID. As people speak out against insufferable conditions, including years of social isolation, they are now protesting an end to the brutal lockdowns. The apartment fire that killed 10 people in Urumqi was the catalyst to what we are seeing now. Chinese citizens, tired and angry with increasing heavy police presence and now arrests of protestors, are starting to see China loosen COVID restrictions.

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Since Sep 2022, we have seen people take to the streets globally to protest the oppressive Iranian regime. But how clear is it what Iranians are fighting for versus what Western media is narrating? And does the West understand the difference between solidarity and intervention? After the death of 22 year old Kurdish woman, Mahsa Zhina Amini, many Iranians have fought for an end to the Islamic Republic. They’re tired of the rampant corruption, the economic mismanagement, high inflation, water shortage, and 40 years of repression and systematic human rights violations. Iranians want a free, secular, democratic society and a political infrastructure that protects and guarantees it. But this isn’t the clear story Western media portrays of Iran–or any Middle Eastern country. Instead, we’re fed dichotomies like “free vs. oppressed” and “civilized vs. fanatical”. This leaves Iranians and many others as victims and with little to no agency. Reform is no longer enough in Iran today, and Iranian people are asking for support–not saviors. Will the international community listen–or will they continue to dehumanize this country as they have many others?

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How did Malaysians abroad make sure their voices were heard in Malaysia’s latest election? While those in power worked to place bottlenecks in their way, tens of thousands of Malaysians began organizing an intricate and global plan to get their ballots cast. Usually with elections, most citizens abroad can vote at their local consulates. Sometimes, they’re even welcomed with treats. Malaysia, on the contrary, not only sent ballots too late, they also determined that each voter needed a Malaysian witness. No shipping labels were provided, leaving voters to foot high shipping costs on their own. On platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, Malaysians across the world galvanized their counterparts into action. What ended up looking like voluntary travelers with bags filled with ballots and runners at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport picking up ballots–from hundreds of cities. Here’s what happens when crisis meets creativity.

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Pariwisata adalah sektor yang sangat rumit. Industri raksasa ini jadi tumpuan pendapatan. Namun di sisi lain, masyarakat suatu daerah yang bergantung pada pariwisata seringkali mengorbankan banyak hal-hal pokok demi para turis yang datang, kadang menyerupai kolonialisme. Nyatanya, banyak negara bertumpu pada pariwisata karena kolonialisme mengeruk sumber daya mereka. Saat ini, di samping masalah sumber daya yang semakin mendesak, perilaku turis juga butuh disorot. Apalagi banyak blogger dan pengusaha mengambil keuntungan di atas usaha dan kerja keras masyarakat lokal, sambil acapkali memperpanjang narasi-narasi yang meminggirkan warga lokal. Tapi ada cara untuk berwisata dengan etis. Salah satu caranya adalah dengan mengedukasi diri tentang sejarah, politik, dan kondisi lingkungan tujuan wisata. Selain itu, mendukung usaha-usaha lokal serta turut serta dalam pelestarian lingkungan. Yang pasti, segalanya dimulai dari kesadaran diri sendiri.

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More Asian people opting into IVF treatment doesn’t mean that more Asian people are getting pregnant. Why? Not only is IVF not designed with Asian bodies in mind, but we also have genetic, environmental, and cultural factors impacting us--whether we know it or not. When tapping into in vitro fertilization, East and South Asians specifically find longer wait times, more expensive bills, and a higher risk of treatment not working. They report that the monolithic treatment of Asians includes microaggressions, and no consideration of ethnicity or language–which ultimately makes them distrust the physician and medical system. On top of that, Asian bodies do some things differently, including how we metabolize estrogen. And our diets may have more methylmercury, a known reproductive toxin seen commonly in fish. So when we know we’re genetically and environmentally predisposed to infertility, and that our cultures don’t necessarily give us permission to seek fertility support out, the need for normalizing this conversation becomes even more urgent.

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The Partition of India Was Decided by Englishmen

Ms. Marvel pushes the 1947 Partition into pop culture through female teenage superhero Kamala Khan, inciting different reactions. Though histories and narratives of India, Pakistan & Bangladesh’s mass migration aren’t a monolith, they share one thing: pain. Kamala, played by Iman Vellani, is trying to figure herself out and learning about her family’s history. Talking to her Nani, Kamala learns about this pain that Partition caused to all involved. While some viewers resonated, others called it whitewashed or felt confused. To understand this varied response, it’s important to first understand what exactly happened in 1947 to create one of the largest forced migrations in history - one that led to 14 million displaced people, two million dead, and countless separated families–all created by the British. After 200 years of colonial rule, India was divided recklessly; Winston Churchill called Britain’s departure a “shameful flight”. As writer Urvashi Butalia noted, Partition was more than just a division of properties or politics, it was a 'division of hearts.' This year marked the 75th anniversary of Partition. After years of tense relations between the countries, four wars fought between them and persecuted minorities in both regions, the pain of Partition has never left. CREDIT Host & Producer Manal Ahmed Producer Stephanie Tangkilisan & Yuhong Pang & Yudistira Dilianzia & Joy Jihyun Jeong Director of Photography Muhammad Abbas Parkar Editor Rendy Albi Special Thanks Nishant Upadhyay Writer and Researcher Manal Ahmed & Sonia Baweja Editor in Chief Keshia Hannam Head of Production Stephanie Tangkilisan Animator Fitra Pratama Sound Mix David Alba Graphic Design Samuel Kang & Fitra Pratama & Annie Zhao

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We all know our astrological sign but do we know about where astrology comes from? Astrology originates from ancient Mesopotamia (aka Iraq). And it’s always been about much more than personality traits. Medieval Muslims scheduled many ordinary activities—from haircuts to sex—based on astrological timing. In China, often when someone is ill, a couple is arguing, a child has behavioral problems, etc., it’s believed their zodiac signs are not placed well in their home. History shows how easily indigenous traditions were stolen, renamed, and sold for profit: astrology is no different. So what can today’s practitioners do to protect astrology from exploitation and opportunists? Rituals are not to be consumed – they are to be respected. From finding a practitioner with a sense of history, to deepening your knowledge of the people who first practiced it, here are the ways you can keep astrology sacred.

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Rural Australia Hosts a Quarter of World’s Refugees

There are nearly 27M refugees in the world and a quarter of them are now in rural Australia. Known as less than progressive, Australia's policies have been historically condemned as outright abusive. But today, refugees claim they feel welcome in Australia. In 2020, a study found 22% of immigrants in Australia faced discrimination and 90% of those felt this discrimination negatively impacted their health. From Afghans to Filipinos, refugee communities today are feeling that their resettlement in the small towns of Australia are not only successful but also fruitful. This is because small towns need people, as everyone relocates to urban cities. And though many refugees still experience racism and Islamophobia, this can be a turning point for Australia as a host country. Will they live up to the title of ‘one of the most multicultural countries in the world’?

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When crowned in 1952, the Queen was 25 years old. She inherited responsibility for hundreds of millions of colonial subjects spread across 70 colonies, territories, and mandates. She never distanced herself from the mechanisms of the Empire and in fact, remained complicit in it and benefited from it throughout her lifetime. In fact, Queen Elizabeth’s 186 carat crown jewel is worth $591M. The Kohinoor diamond – originally from India – is seen as an imperial trophy, and has come to represent British wealth, genocide, and colonization. Since her death, calls for its return have been heightened, and with it--questions to why the monarchy exists. This winter, almost 1.3 millions Britons are expected to fall into poverty and inflation is at its highest in 40 years. What will the new King need to do to truly begin to make amends for Britain’s dark past?

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Why South Asia Ranks Highest in Intimate Partner Violence

South Asia ranks highest globally for intimate partner violence, and South Asian women are also far more likely to underreport domestic violence cases than other communities. These abuse patterns result in honor killings, and are perpetuated by a culture of silence and shame. 40% of South Asian women have reported intimate partner violence in their current relationships. And alongside disempowering legal, cultural, familial structures, Bollywood is also responsible for enabling abuse. From husbands slapping their wives to “keep them in line” to romanticizing assault, stalking, and coercion, Indian cinema have written abusers as heroes in many storylines. Most recently, Sania Khan’s life was minimized to a headline, when she spoke up about the stigma of divorce and was then killed by her ex-husband. How can we protect South Asian women and eradicate domestic violence? It begins with dismantling cultural norms that prioritize what society says about women’s mental and physical well-being.

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Is Asia Heading to Another Financial Crisis?

When the Asian Financial Crisis hit in 1997, the IMF intervened. Today, 25 years later, the same is set to happen, as Sri Lanka plunges into an economic catastrophe, with Pakistan not far behind. This time, Asians are skeptical. Why? The IMF lends short term loans: loans with many strings attached. During the Asian Financial Crisis, they lent $110 billion dollars in packages to Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea to support them. The strings included higher taxes, interest rates, and budget cuts that caused massive unemployment, causing the Asian economies to spiral into chaos. The IMF focuses on privatization and competitive, capitalist policies that have devastating impacts on the Global South. And they refuse to look at real people and their suffering. What is the point of institutions when they only really serve the 1% who continue to get richer?

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Tourism is complex. It’s also one of the fastest growing industries in Asia. Bloggers make a lot of money in countries facing extreme income disparity and economic upheaval. Tourism has come to dangerously mimic colonialism, leaving those who actually live in the destinations without basic needs. Many countries rely on tourism precisely because of colonialism and having their resources extracted, and so tourism is continuing a dependency begun in colonial eras. Some travel bloggers' behavior in previously colonized countries in Asia have perpetuated narratives against the locals of that country–and even gotten them arrested. Tourist photography also falls into the trap of objectifying people belonging to a certain place and gaining profit through them. But there is a way to travel ethically as an individual. Start with understanding the destination’s historical, political, and environmental contexts. Upon arrival, support local business, seek sustainable living options, and make the trip about more than just yourself. If locals are struggling to access freshwater, rethink your luxury hotel. You can also follow @lostwithpurpose and @baniamor on Instagram to learn from ethical travelers. Ethical travel begins with your consciousness.

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Did you know Boho Chic furniture is rooted in an Asia torn apart by war? Rattan is a material indigenous to Asia, and has been utilized in South East Asia for centuries. But most Asians didn't sit on chairs, they sat on floors. European colonists influenced these pieces. Rattan can be found in tropical palm trees in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Today, Indonesia is the world’s largest supplier, providing 80% of the world’s raw rattan. The ‘Manila Chair’ became a fad for celebrities and politicians like Cher, Diana Ross, and John F. Kennedy. Western designers have integrated many designs that look like Asian rattan furniture, without crediting the cultures they come from. Instead, “Boho-Chic” furniture and aesthetic is often categorized as “ethnic” or “tribal,” grossly generalizing and erasing their roots. And the appropriation is expensive. Rattan chairs are sold for $800 at Pottery Barn, without clear understanding of how ethically the rattan was produced and manufactured.

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Colonization Couldn’t Keep Traditional Medicine Down

Colonization historically undervalued, if not rejected, traditional Eastern medicine. Today, these same practices are making billions in the West. How has skepticism and superiority impacted our relationships with Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Eastern sciences? Globally, the Ayurvedic herbs market was valued at $9.5 billion in 2020, and is anticipated to reach $21.6 billion by 2028. The acupuncture (a traditionally Chinese procedure) needles market is estimated to reach $177 million by 2026. Alternative medicine is making a resurgence, spurred by the pandemic. Western science and medicine have been regarded superior, while centuries old Eastern practices are depicted as mysterious, exotic, and even false. Today these holistic approaches to physical and mental health, including relying on herbs, spices, balance, and diet, are reemerging with force. What does it tell us about global power and control? And is it shifting?

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Di Asia, KFC jauh lebih unggul daripada McDonald’s. Pelanggannya hampir dua kali lebih banyak dari pesaingnya. Tentu saja ada alasan di fenomena ini. KFC adalah pelopor di pasar fast-food Asia. Mereka membuka outlet pertamanya di Filipina pada tahun 1966. Sejak saat itu, KFC telah tersebar ke berbagai penjuru Asia. Namun, alasan KFC sukses bukan hanya karena berapa lama franchise ini bertahan, tapi KFC juga memuaskan selera orang-orang dengan menggabungkan elemen lokal dan produk andalan mereka. Sebut saja ayam briyani ala KFC di Sri Lanka, donat udang di Thailand, dan bahkan Natal di Jepang pun terasa tidak lengkap tanpa satu bucket ayam KFC Antara KFC dan McDonald’s pun tidak melulu persaingan. Mereka saling belajar dan memengaruhi perkembangan masing-masing. McDonald’s pun mulai menjual menu-menu khas Asia. Ketika popularitas KFC mulai menurun di negara asalnya, KFC tetap bersinar di pasar internasional. Kesuksesannya di Asia terjadi karena satu hal utama: menjadi pendengar yang baik.

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Does India Want Modi, the Gandhi Family, or Something New?

India needs new leadership--one divorced from dangerous nationalism and dynastic politics. Modi may win re-elections in 2024, or the Gandhi family may revive themselves, but what India really needs is a new government. And an integrous, accountable leader that isn't shroud in corruption, but right now the pickings are slim. Modi, the boy who once sold tea at a railway station, stole the hearts of many and has now led India into what many have called afascist, Hindutva authoritarian state, indirectly encouraging violence towards Muslims. Rahul Gandhi, hailing from India’s unofficial ‘First Family’ (one revered for freedom, independence, and the good of the people), is now standing disgraced after numerous corruption scandals. Many have put their faith in Chief Mayawati, a Dalit woman who originates from humble beginnings, but even she has been accused of losing sight of the core values she ran on. India's 2024 Elections are fast approaching and though the options appear limited, there’s a history of manipulation and nepotism that isn’t new. The full history, here with Sanjna Selva.

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Asian Horror Implies Misogyny Is Thriving

What Asian horror movies have proven is that there is nothing scarier than a woman, free from her shackles, wreaking havoc on society to get justice. Why is the ghostly, vengeful woman such a prevalent trope, and how does it represent misogyny across Asian cultures? From the infamous virgin ghost, to the seductive “femme fatale” archetypes, there are consistent depictions of the vengeful female spirit throughout Asian stories. The pale, long black-haired woman in a white dress is the scariest ghost of all. While these characters might begin as victims, they become terrifying villains, making it difficult to sympathize with their pain. It’s the unfair deaths these female characters experience that turn their spirits into monsters that are feared and not souls free to rest. There is little understanding of their suffering, or even their existence, mirroring the reality of many. It’s possible this trope persists because scary stories have often been the only outlet to name the violence women face. In patriarchal societies that view women as subservient, many women die in unfair suffering: murder, death connected to sexual assault, and forced suicide. Asian horror has evolved to incorporate deeper commentaries about women’s issues over time like marital anxiety, dissociative identity disorders, and becoming a widow. But irrespective of final outcome,being abused and thus vengeful continues to be the most natural character foundation of Asian women in horror stories and films.

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Young People in South Korea Don't Want Babies

If you lived in Seoul and earned the average income, it would take you 19 years to buy a home in Seoul. Women still have to choose between career and family. Unemployment rates are high and job opportunities are low. Between inflation and social norms, the younger generation don’t believe that the benefits of having a child will outway the costs. And as a result,the country’s population is at risk. In fact, SK’s population is 51 million and yet, it has one of the lowest birth rates in the world. Even the government’s $37B investment in families with children couldn’t reverse the trend: the rates of both fertility and couples tying the knot are at an all time low, and the country is anxious.

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KFC or McDonalds? In Asia, There’s No Comparison

In Asia, KFC rules supreme over McDonald’s, holding double the market share of their biggest competitor. But there’s a reason why. KFC is an OG in the Asian market, opening up its first store in the Philippines in 1966. Since then, it’s spread to the rest of the continent. But the reason KFC is so successful is not just how long it’s been around: KFC caters to local flavors, bringing to life cultural favorites and then combining them with their addictive staples. You can get a KFC chicken biryani in Sri Lanka, a shrimp donut in Thailand, and Christmas isn’t complete in Japan without a bucket of KFC chicken. But it’s not always beef between KFC and McDonald’s. In fact, they often influence each other’s growth. Over the years, McDonalds has come up with its own menu of Asia-specific items. And while KFC is declining in its home country, the United States, it’s crushing the international market. Its success in Asia comes down to one main thing: being good at listening.

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Why the West Hasn't Returned Asia's Stolen Artifacts - Explained

When you walk through the #BritishMuseum or #TheMet in New York, you will come across millions of objects from around the world – many of which were looted and trafficked to the west from their places of origin in formerly colonized countries. Recently, the governments of some of these countries – like Cambodia, China, and India - have been pushing for the return of these artifacts. But repatriating stolen artifacts to their home countries is complicated and difficult. Why? Because artifacts have often changed hands many times over decades, it’s difficult to trace exactly where and whom they belong to. There are also problems when the artifacts do make it home. In some cases, items returned home are stolen again because they’re in the hands of museums that aren’t the best caretakers. And this isn’t just a problem of the past. Right now, stolen artifact trafficking is the third largest illegal activity in the world, exceeded only by drugs and weapons. WhatsApp and Facebook groups make it easy to connect with smugglers, and it’s estimated that 10 billion dollars-worth of cultural property is trafficked every year. Putting an end to this practice is still an ongoing issue - and we need to keep having these complicated discussions around stolen artifacts and how to return them to their rightful owners in the future.

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How Smugglers Move $23 Billion Worth of Animals

While you’re trying to cope with your insane family chat on WhatsApp and Facebook, animal smugglers are creating hundreds of groups where animals are bought and sold. Facebook search any country and exotic animal and you’ll find groups dedicated to finding endangered pets in any nation. As the world’s 4th largest illegal trade after drugs, human trafficking and counterfeiting, South and South East Asia’s literal and metaphorical appetite for exotic animals and their parts amount to a 20-23 Billion Dollar industry. This harms the animals and our planet. Southeast Asia experiences the world’s fastest rate of deforestation, and an increase of illegal wildlife trafficking will only make things monumentally worse for its biodiversity. The Asian Elephant population has already declined by 50% over the past century. Hundreds of species are likely to go extinct if the trade goes on unchecked. Joy Jeong explains how animals are trafficked, and how activists are tackling the industry.

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The Racist Legacy of the 50-Year-Old White Australia Policy - Explained

It’s easy to look at the racial dynamics of America and believe that’s not who Australia is. Yet, the Asian Australian Alliance recorded 337 hate crimes against Asian Australians over the span of a month and half. In fact, 1 in 5 Chinese Australians reported being threatened or attacked in 2020 because of their heritage. But this is happening in a vacuum. Australia has a racist past to reckon with, starting with the very structure of law. In the 1900’s, legislators passed multiple laws to stop non-white immigrants from gaining legal citizenship. These collections of racist laws that kept immigrants from gaining citizenship were called the White Australian Policy. Why? After World War II, Australia’s population was stagnant and needed new people to rebuild their country. By 1975, the Racial Discrimination Act made it illegal to discriminate against migrants based on race. Remnants of White Australian Policy are ingrained in white Australians psyche. Refugees are met with unwelcomed sentiment in political campaigns like “stop the boats,” migrant populations are given hateful and reductive names, First Nations people are disproportionately met with police brutality, and Asians are blamed for COVID. Racist and xenophobic laws in the past have influenced how white Australians act towards non-white people. Australia is a home for so many, and to be the safe and thriving multicultural it hopes to be, there is further reckoning to be done.

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Attack on Animators - How the Anime Industry Exploits its Workers

Anime is pop-culture. Dragon Ball Z has been translated to nearly 35 different languages. The wildly popular series One Piece aired more than 1000 episodes. Half of Netflix’s 200 million subscribers watch #anime. Anime is so popular that in 2021 the industry was valued at a whopping $24 billion and demand is only going up. However, the working conditions for the people who make our favorite anime does not match the industry’s wild success. Animators in Japan are overworked and underpaid, earning as little as $200 a month. It’s been so bad that in 2010, an animator working at A-1 Pictures, makers of Sword Art Online and Fairy Tail, committed suicide. He was overworked to death - claiming that he was working 600 hours a month. Japanese work culture is famous for overworking their employees to the point of death that that there is a word ‘かろうし’ (Karoshi). Reforming the industry is difficult. For now, fans can support the artists in various ways whether it’s donating directly to them, or informing themselves and others about the realities of the industry, and tweeting at / writing letters to company heads to demand they increase pay.

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Getting an Abortion in Asia is Complicated -- Here’s Why

Nearly half of the world’s unsafe abortions occur in Asia. Why? Long-standing social shame has led to misinformation / a lack of information about how to get an abortion in Asia safely. Here’s Keshia Hannam on how abortion laws are different, factors that contribute to the attitudes around abortions, and the path forward. Why not make abortions legal in Asia? Because liberal abortion laws alone do not ensure safe abortions. To reduce illness and death from unsafe abortions, experts have suggested Asian countries will need to use multi-pronged approaches that solve challenges from society to law. Just because no one talks about it, doesn’t mean it doesn't happen. Sex education could be taught in school to reduce social stigma and to promote safer sex, service provision guidelines could be adopted and disseminated with women’s mental and physical wellbeing considered, providers must be trained, and governments must be committed to ensuring that safe abortions are available, just to name a few options. Check out more on: https://wgnrr.org/

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Football Doesn’t Have Many Brown Players—Why?

Where are all the Brown football players? Given how popular soccer is on the streets of South Asia, the fanbase is not reflected on the field. It’s rare to see #Indians, #Pakistanis, #Nepalis, #Afghans or anyone else from #SouthAsia to be seen in world events like @fifaworldcup or @premierleague. Although often cited, the reason is more complex than the typically offered: “Asian parents don’t let their kids play sports professionally.’” Here’s Keshia Hannam on how football is failing South Asians at a systemic level and making football related professions inaccessible.

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The Indigenous languages of Asian countries like Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos have recently become at risk of dying out. There are many reasons why languages die - most often for political, economic and cultural reasons like the Indonesian government has pushed a nationalist agenda to create a sense of identity for the country. This is important because languages are the connective tissue of traditions, cultures, and communities. Historically, Thailand’s government has forced indigenous groups to assimilate to one unified language under a nationalist agenda. However, linguistic diversity is crucial for understanding our capacity for language - linguistic diversity helps us preserve culture and it's a tool for knowledge sharing. Because a language dies out every two weeks around the world, Stephanie Tangkilisan dove into how languages die and whether there’s any way to maintain linguistic diversity before erasure.

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Aung San Suu Kyi was once an icon for peace who stood against military dictatorship in Myanmar. Now, she’s a politician under trial for over a dozen corruption charges. How did this former Nobel Peace Prize Laureate fall from grace? Or is there something more to the charges against her? Suu Kyi was an icon even before she became the elected leader of Myanmar. In 2016, after 15+ years of house arrest, she was elected as State Counsellor to nurture Myanmar’s democracy. But then she went from a political prisoner to someone who imprisons those who speak truth to power. In Dec 2017, Aung San Suu Kyi arrested two Reuters investigative journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who investigated the Inn Din massacre of the Rohingyas. A genocide she was accused of downplaying. This caused international controversy, given the million Rohingya refugees who now live in Bangladesh. But even as she undergoes trials, she still has strong support. In fact, many say this is all a way to stop a civilian government from improving Myanmar. What do you think happened to Aung San Suu Kyi?

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Ultra Fast Fashion Destroys the Planet & Asian Lives

What is Ultra Fast Fashion? It’s a quicker, more exploitive way of making clothes that’s trending right now. Especially on #TikTok. Not only is it destroying the planet, but for Asian women, this method of making clothes to meet Western demand has been called modern day colonialism. Approximately 80% of garment workers are women, mostly 18-24 year olds, from countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The only reason clothes can be this cheap to the Western consumer, who buys sometimes thousands of dollars worth of apparel at a time, is because in Asia someone isn’t making a living wage. One of many needed reforms is for Western countries with spending power to buy less, and for policies to create safer and equitable working conditions for garment workers. We should think about how we feel about our contribution to this culture when we look back on this era of ultra fast fashion? Will we be proud of the massive consumption?

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South Korea's New President Won Using Anti-Feminist Rhetoric

No candidate capitalized on the anti-feminist movement like Yoon Suk-yeol, who narrowly won South Korea’s most recent election to become the President (Yoon claimed 48.6% of the vote, and his opponent Lee won 47.8%). As the leader of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), his campaign appealed to men who are anxious about losing ground to women, and helped turn a fringe online community into a major political force. And there are real consequences to this: Yoon has called for the abolishment of the gender equality ministry because it focuses “too much on women’s rights and is no longer necessary.” He’s even said he would enhance punishments for false accusations of sexual violence, a move advocates for women’s rights has said will discourage women from reporting incidents. Though women are and have been fighting back since the 2016 murder of a 23-year-old woman in Gangnam neighborhood—in a random attack by a man who said “he hated women for ignoring him”—the outpouring of rage and the so-called “feminism reboot” has prompted a ‘reverse discrimination’. In a June 2021 poll, 84% of Korean men in their twenties, and 83% in their thirties, said they had experienced “serious gender-based discrimination.”

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Malaysia’s ethnic minorities have always faced adversities and inequity through systemic racism that plays out in every aspect of society and the economy. Disadvantages from decades of discriminatory laws in Malaysia’s legal system have left ethnic minorities with less education, less wealth, and poorer health. This racial inequality has also led to institutional discrimination, like police bruality—nearly 55% percent of police custodial deaths are Indian. Malaysia’s racial majority continue to benefit from a policy enacted in the 70s called the New Economic Policy, putting other marginalized groups at a stark disadvantage. Here’s Sanjna Selva on how Malaysia ended up with these laws. Where does racism manifest in the country, and what can be done about it?

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Why do 10,000 Asian Migrant Workers Die in the Gulf Countries Every Year?

South and South East Asian migrant workers are the backbone of the economy for Gulf Countries. As world class events such as the #Qatar2022 #FIFA is imminently close, Asian migrant workers will be an integral part to host and participate in these events. However, 10,000 Asian migrant workers die in the Gulf states every year because of harsh labor conditions. Migrant workers account for 52% of the Arab Gulf’s entire 58 million population mostly occupying the low paying sectors like construction and domestic service. In these jobs, they often face abuse and work for long hours in conditions that put their mental and physical health at risk. So why not leave? Complicated work contracts keep and trap migrant workers in harsh labor conditions in their sponsored countries by withholding their passports. The practice is beneficial to the employer and they avoid structural labor reforms. Gulf countries must recognize that their infrastructures are made with the blood and sweat of Asian migrant workers. How did this happen? How can we save migrant workers from the South and South East Asians in harsh labor conditions?

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The United States and Taliban authorities are contributing to the dire suffering of Afghanistan, disproportionately women and children. Bombings continue – particularly in places or worship, attacks on minority groups are on the rise, and 22M people are facing extreme hunger according to The World Food Program. It’s expected that a million children under the age of 5 will die within this year for hunger related reasons. President Biden’s executive order to divert half of Afghanistan’s ($7B) aid to 9/11 victim’s families has been met with criticism: a statement by 14 U.N. independent rights experts also blamed the U.S. government for making life worse for Afghan women through blocking billions of dollars that could be used to provide desperately-needed humanitarian relief to tens of millions in the country. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reminded Europe on Tuesday: “You spoke about Ukraine, I remember what happened less than a year ago in Afghanistan where an entire civil society was thrown under the bus by the world,” he said in response to a question asked by Norway’s foreign minister, Anniken Huitfeldt. Here’s Keshia Hannam with what has been happening since the Taliban took over and how the US contributed to, and needs to be held accountable, for the crisis in Afghanistan. Link to support: https://linktr.ee/AFBT

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No Food No Medicine: Sri Lanka's Crushing Debt Problem

Sri Lanka is in its worst economic crisis and the country is facing a steep challenge to pay back its crushing 4.5B debt problem. These are debts accumulated through borrowing from foreign countries to build large scale projects to revive the economy after a natural disaster in 2004. Unable to pay off these debts, equity of these large scale projects now belong to countries like China. The country’s 22M people are facing the most painful economic downturn since the country’s independence in 1948. With no food, no fuel, or no medicine available to Sri Lankans, the people are losing confidence in their President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Protests swelled demanding the president to resign and crowds have attempted to storm the homes of government leaders. On April 19th, Police in Sri Lanka opened fire on crowds protesting at fuel shortages during the economic crisis, leaving one man dead and 11 others wounded.

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Rent is Too Damn High for Young People Across Asia

The pan-Asian housing market is broken, and the dream of owning a home is increasingly out of reach for young Asians. There are two major things that contribute to the high housing prices around Asia. First, the rapid urbanization of people migrating from the country to the city. By 2030, 66% of East Asians will live in urban areas. Lastly, Foreign investors are purchasing land and building high rise buildings that cater to high income people. Cities like Hong Kong have the highest rent prices in the world, and in Taiwan housing prices are 2x more than homes in New York and London. In Singapore, the housing development board offers subsidized housing to residents, but these programs often neglect working immigrants and non-hetrosexual couples. Young people are working hard and disheartened by their limited options.

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In January 2022, protests in Kazakhstan became violent in response to social inequality largely stemming the government's decision to raise gas and oil prices. During this civil unrest, the Kazakh government shut its Internet down, simultaneously shutting down its flourishing bitcoin market. What's going to happen to the crypto mining industry in Kazakstanis uncertain, even while the voices of Kazakstan's people shouts louder. This is part 2 of how Kazakhstan went from a bitcoin paradise to a miner's limbo.

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Kazakhstan became the world's No.2 centre for bitcoin mining after the United States last year. WHY? Cryptocurrency mining requires massive amounts of electricity and because it's so cheap in Kazakhstan, the country saw an opportunity to capture the growing market when China outlawed crypto mining in June 2021. However, this growing market was put on hold when the Kazakh government shut its Internet down during a time of unrest. This is part 1 of how Kazakhstan went from a bitcoin paradise to a miner's limbo.

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The History of Asia's Whitewashed Beauty Standards Pt. 2

Beauty standards in Asia stem from biases based on class systems and are deeply rooted in colonization. Classist and Eurocentric beauty standards can be tools to dictate how Asians think and feel - inferior to those with lighter complexions, and thus worthy of self-hate. It’s time we decolonize beauty by celebrating all of our features (our more melanated friends, Asian eyes, body hair, and noses) and define what beauty means on our terms.

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The History of Asia's Whitewashed Beauty Standards Pt. 1

Asia has a multi-billion dollar skin lightening market and these beauty standards have lived in our culture since the beginning. Upholding these beauty standards have real life consequences from earning potential, marital prospects, and social status in Asian cultures. Here’s Keshia Hannam on where the obsession with lighter skin comes from in different regions of Asia and why are we still pursuing these Eurocentric lighter complexions?

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Jakarta, home to over 11 million people, has been steadily sinking into the Java Sea due to the #climatecrisis. Overpopulation and the sinking capital are the main reasons President Joko Widodo has decided to relocate the country’s capital to East Kalimantan, Borneo. It’s an ambitious project that may take 20 years, and Indonesians have voiced concerns about how quickly this decision was made. What does a new capital mean for Indonesia's citizens, the environment and cash? Here’s @stephtangk with everything you need to know about this $32 billion dollar capital move.

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The Hijab Ban and Protests in India Explained

Anti-hijab campaigns have erupted across India after a college in Karnataka told students to take off their Hijab inside classrooms. Muskan Khan, a Muslim college student from Karnataka, stood up to against her school and to a crowd of shouting Anti-Muslim slogans. She is now the face of the Muslim women's resisting the hijab ban at their school and she is surfacing important dialogue about Islamaphobia in India. This is Keshia Hannam on everything you need to know about the Muslim Women who are fighting for their right to wear their Hijabs anywhere.

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Climate Change Impacts The Philippines The Most

As climate temperatures rise globally, the Philippines are left with dealing the effects of climate change sooner than any other country. While countries began to pledged to combat the 2030 Climate Change Deadline, is too late for the Philippines? What role do Western countries have in all of this? Watch the full reporting by Keshia Hannam

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Happy Lunar New Year: Year of the Water Tiger

Twelve mythical creatures. Five natural elements. That makes a 60 year cycle. The year of the Water Tiger 🐯 has arrived. Here's Keshia Hannam with how the Lunar Year Zodiac Signs work. Happy very Lunar New Year! 🎉 May the year of the Water Tiger bring you Joy, Health, and Prosperity.

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What happened to the million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh?

The Rohingya people have faced persecution under the Burmese government for decades. Now they've fled to the struggling state of Bangladesh, who are carrying the weight of a million refugees. How did this happen? What's going to happen to these stateless people next?

3/28/2022

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The History of Asia's Whitewashed Beauty Standards Pt. 1

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About the Filmmaker

3/28/2022

Explains