‘Moshari’, meaning mosquito nets, is the first Bangladeshi film to qualify for an Oscar. Nuhash Humayun’s latest horror movie, a post-apocalyptic vampire tale, is about climate change. Two sisters, played by Sunerah Binte Kamal and Nairah Onora Saif, survive climate change–something that is less fiction than reality for South Asia countries in recent years. Nuhash Humayun, a self-taught filmmaker, wrote, directed, produced and edited the film. Jordan Peele and Riz Ahmed are signing on as executive producers. Peele has previously won an Oscar for ‘Get Out’ and Ahmed for his film ‘The Long Goodbye’. Have you watched ‘Moshari’ yet?

When Uzbekistan, considered an underdog to some, won the 44th Chessy Olympiad International Competition for the first time in history, they took the world by surprise. For the past twenty-two years, Ulugbek Tillyaev has been playing chess eight hours a day. He’s been Uzbekistan’s chess champion three times, and hopes to leave a large footprint in chess history–and his country’s. What does Ulugbek claim is most distracting for players? Chess is an intellectual, uniting, creative game–and you can be any age to play it. Ulugbek teaches his young students that it takes self-confidence to win, and more importantly: real management of your emotions. Though unavoidable, Ulugbek says emotions are distracting for chess players–regardless of how old they are. Ulugbek believes there will be more wins, and not only will they include him, they will also include his students. He wants his club to produce many famous chess players, and he wants to become an international grandmaster himself. In 2026, Uzbekistan will host the 46th Chess Olympiad, where Ulugbek hopes to represent and win.

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?

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.

Asian teams have beat out some of the best European and Latin countries in the World Cup, with Japan and South Korea securing unlikely spots in the next round. While Japanese fans erupt in the streets and online to celebrate, others are debating whether Japan’s winning goal should be allowed. Team Japan made history after beating 2010 world champion Spain in a shocking upset. Germany has been eliminated as a result. South Korea also knocked out Portugal and, as a domino effect, Uruguay was eliminated. Do you think the ball crossed the goal line in time?

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.