-
South Asia
Ashram where the Beatles stayed, reopens in India
Arguably the greatest band in the history, The Beatles, spent their time in India in the 1960s. Their fans have been intrigued and interested in the details of their stay in an ‘ashram’ (a spiritual hermitage or a monastery where Hindu cultural activities such as yoga, music or religious studies…
Read More » -
Society
Michelle Obama raps about “going to college”
Michelle Obama, the first lady of the United States and an advocate for a number of great causes, has been using her position to support women’s rights, arts education, organic movement, and childhood obesity among other things. Her latest campaign, which she’s seen promoting in a music video, “Better Make…
Read More » -
Politics
Facebook CEO offers support for Muslims as Islamophobia increases
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared words of support for Muslims who fear retaliation for the recent violent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino. In the wake of those attacks, Zuckerberg wrote on his personal Facebook page Wednesday that he wants to assure Muslims they are welcome on Facebook and that…
Read More » -
Society
Remembering Edie Sedgwick
What urged me to write about Edie Sedgwick was first, her timeless beauty, and then her tragic life story but most of all, it was her sensitive soul that remained mostly hidden behind the mask of her beauty, trendsetting fashion statements that influenced the 1960s America and, her popularity as…
Read More » -
South Asia
Pakistani nuclear scientist talks about Menopause taboo
Nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan has a history of provoking Pakistanis by talking about subjects considered controversial and unspeakable in Pakistan’s conservative society. Several years earlier, the controversial metallurgist, who once ran Pakistan’s nuclear program, publicly declared that he had undergone a vasectomy – a surgical procedure for male sterilization.…
Read More » -
Politics
Former President Kim Young-sam dies at age 88
On Sunday 22 November, Former South Korean president Kim Young Sam, died at the age of 88. Kim, who had been hospitalized with a fever and breathing problems since Thursday, died at 12:21 a.m., according to Seoul National University Hospital. He had ended decades of military rule in South Korea and accepted…
Read More » -
Culture
Frida Kahlo: artist born out of despair
Frida Kahlo, one of Mexico‘s most famous painters, is exhibited in Korea for the first time in an exhibition called “Frida Kahlo: the gifted artist that was born out of despair”. When Frida used to talk of her art, she refused to be classified into a certain genre, but before talking…
Read More » -
West Asia
Syrian regime profits from enforced disappearances
According to Amnesty International report published Thursday, the Syrian state is profiting from enforced disappearances via a black market of bribes paid in exchange for information on missing people. In a report titled, “Between Prison and the Grave: Enforced Disappearances in Syria”, the London-based rights group accuses Syrian officials and prison staff…
Read More » -
South Asia
Over 40 writers return Indian awards in protest over rising intolerance
Recently over 40 writers, filmmakers and academics returned their awards in protest over rising intolerance in India. Latest joining in, renowned South Asian writer Arundhati Roy returned her National Award for Best Screenplay on Thursday, which she had won in 1989. Returning her award, the Booker Prize winner said…
Read More » -
Culture
Gonzo: the legacy of the Doctor of Journalism
If Raoul Duke and yours truly (Rahul Duke?) share one similarity, it is that we have run away from journalism most of our lives. I used to consider journalism a mediocre, sucker-for-money, sensationalist, borderline sociopathic occupation. Now I am a journalist (Talk about becoming what you hate!). Being a film…
Read More »