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?

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a warning of a fresh heatwave spell. India may see temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. In Pakistan it is even hotter - temperatures hit 50 degrees Celsius or 122 degrees Fahrenheit. In India, 25 people have died since late March in India - the highest toll in the past five years. A historic bridge in Pakistan collapsed due to a flash flood caused by the heat melting a glacial lake. The scorching heatwave in India could devastate this year’s wheat crop. India is the world’s 2nd largest wheat producer - global food shortage may get worse. These uncomfortable conditions could cause hours of power outages and near Delhi, a massive landfill fire went on for days filling the air with toxic fumes. What is happening to South Asia should be a warning sign to other countries. The window to fix and maintain a sustainable life in South Asian countries is closing if we continue to ignore climate change.

Hidden Letters is about the secret language of Nushu, a language created by and used by Chinese women. Nushu became a secret support system to bond generations of women by providing comfort and understanding of the struggles women live in a patriarchal world. Hidden Letters follows two women, Hu Xin and Simu Wu, who are passionate and experts in the sacred language. Influenced by Nushu’s legacy of female solidarity, the two women struggle to find peace and balance as they forge their own paths in a male dominant modern-day China. The world premiere of Hidden Letters will be at Tribeca on June 11th, 2022. More Info on tickets can be found on the official website: hiddenlettersfilm.com or https://tribecafilm.com/films/hidden-letters-2022

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?

On Monday, May 9th, Filipino voters are heading to the polls for an anticipated 2022 Presidential election. Over 67M people are eligible voters, and election results could be announced within a few hours the polls close. The frontrunner is Bongbong Marcos, the son of a former ousted dictator. Former President Marcos Sr. declared martial law that lasted for seven years in his 20-year presidential term. According to Amnesty International, Marcos Sr. used the army and the police to arrest, torture, and murder civilians. Marcos Jr.’s running mate is the daughter of the current president. The distant second frontrunner is Leni Robredo, the current Vice President, and a human rights lawyer. She is the strongest critic of the current president among the running candidates, and her current stance is to end political corruption. Marcos will likely leverage his family’s legacy and influence to consolidate political power in his favor. Meanwhile Vice President Robredo will appeal to liberal-leaning voters focusing on education, healthcare poverty, and gender equality.

Put an egg, go broth less, or turn it into a cake - there is no wrong way to make your Indomie. For the last 50 years, Indomie has been the ultimate comfort food for Indonesians. The Indomie cult spread far and wide, even generating rap songs in Nigeria. Watch how Indomie got popular, and meet the chefs that are leveling up how these comfort foods are prepared.