BENJAMIN BARRETT WRITES – On Sept. 13th, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was taken by the Iran morality police, enforcers of traditional Islamic behavior and dress, for incorrectly wearing a head covering. Sadly, Amini died in their custody, leaving many to believe that the morality police were responsible for her death. This…
Full Article IRAN: WORLD CUP PLAYERS CALL FOUL ON THEIR GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES
BENJAMIN BARRETT WRITES – If you haven’t already seen it, you have probably heard of it. RRR is one of the most globally successful movies today. Released in theaters across the world in March 2022, it has only in the past few months become popular in the United States. Directed…
Full Article MOVIE REVIEW: NOT HOLLYWOOD, NOT BOLLYWOOD, BUT TOLLYWOOD’S “RRR” IS MAKING INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES
BENJAMIN BARRETT WRITES – The FIFA 2022 World Cup hosted by Qatar begins in late November and history is already being made. This year, Asia is boasting a record six teams that have qualified for the tournament: Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Korea, and Qatar. Only second to Europe,…
Full Article SPORTS: ASIA’S WORLD CUP POTENTIAL
BENJAMIN BARRETT WRITES – One of the most popular football clubs in the world, Chelsea FC, is currently facing sanctions due to its Russian roots. Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch and owner of Chelsea, is suspected of having close ties with Vladimir Putin. According to an Al Jazeera article, Abramovich…
Full Article ROMAN ABRAMOVICH: PARTISAN OR PEACEMAKER?
BENJAMIN BARRETT WRITES — Like other travel documentaries, Midnight Asia: Eat. Dance. Dream. captures the food, art and culture of various Asian cities, but what makes this documentary series different is that it is solely focused on nightlife. The Netflix original, which premiered in 2022 and was directed and produced…
Full Article TV REVIEW: MIDNIGHT ASIA: EAT. DANCE. DREAM.
BENJAMIN BARRETT WRITES – Although vaccine manufacture and distribution continue rolling out globally, it is important, still, to research treatment options for people who already have COVID-19. One option that has come to light recently is Molnupiravir. Molnupiravir is a drug created by the pharmaceutical company Merck. Essentially, Molnupiravir is…
Full Article COVID-19: MOLNUPIRAVIR IS MAKING ITS WAY TO ASIA…WE HOPE
BENJAMIN BARRETT WRITES — While United States immigration stories are frequent, it is rare that we are able to read about them in a fictional, entertaining, and emotionally evocative way. However, in his book Afterparties (2021), Anthony Veasna So does just that. Before his book was even released, So’s life was…
Full Article BOOK REVIEW: AFTERPARTIES (2021) BY ANTHONY VEASNA SO