Phirack Mao escaped the Cambodian genocide as a baby, and now lives in Oklahoma as a donut shop owner and sheriff. Growing up in Long Beach, Cali, Phirack lived amongst gang violence, discrimination, and was kicked out of his home as a teen. This is how he reclaimed his life. Oklahoma has a small population of Asians,–only 800 or so of the 4 million population are Cambodians like Phirack. Fourteen years ago, Phirack became a donut shop owner, and a couple years after that, he became a sheriff. Unable to enjoy his childhood because of prevalent gang culture and a strict father, Phirack joined law enforcement to make a difference in his small community in Sulphur, OK, where he finally found belonging. As a father of three, Phirack’s main goal is to provide his children with the life that he wasn’t able to have. But these goals stem from pain in his own relationship with his father, the only member of his family that made it out alive with him. Today, Phirack loves and respects his father but still has a hard time building that relationship.

Sidhu Moose Wala, regarded as one of the greatest Punjabi artists of his generation, was assassinated last year at 28 years old. From rapper to politician, he used music to shed light on corruption and crime. Or did he use music to cover up his own crimes? Moose Wala released 3 albums and 60 singles within his 4-year career and has the most #1 singles on the Billboard India Songs chart. He became a household name in Punjab and among the diaspora Sikh communities, tackling identity, politics, and freedom. But the Indian government wasn’t a fan of Moose Wala, criticizing him for brandishing guns in his music videos. In fact, the day before he was killed, police reduced his security and Moose Wala was traveling in a non-bulletproof vehicle when he was attacked. Since his murder, police have charged almost thirty people including the largest criminal masterminds in India. This points to a long and complicated trial ahead, filled with conspiracies. So, who was Sidhu Moose Wala really? An artist? A gangster? Or both?

From India to Japan, religions are experimenting with the use of AI and robotics for spiritual customs. Though it’s still a relatively new area, it’s become controversial because of the differing perspectives on its potential benefits and drawbacks. While AI will likely last longer than a regular human lifespan, will it be able to conjure the type of consciousness or spirituality required to lead religion? From Japan to India, there are people who think so. Some Buddhist temples in Japan have used robots to give sermons and interact with visitors, and in India, robotic arms perform aarti–a ritual of offering an oil lamp to a deity. From reciting chants to worship services, we will likely see many more experiments in the years to come. Do you think AI and robotics can provide new opportunities for spiritual growth or are you concerned about the ethical implications?

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.

In February, 800,000 liters of industrial fuel was dropped into the Mindoro Provinces, Southwest of Manila, home to the highest concentration of marine biodiversity on the planet. The Philippines is now in crisis mode as the oil spill threatens marine life and the local jobs that depend on it. Cleanup costs will be high, with people's health and livelihoods on the line. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. believes the government will be able to contain and clean the spill in the next 4 months, while scientists are concerned that the damage will have long-lasting impacts on the delicate ecosystem. Voiceover Jeremy Kruis Producer Joy Jihyun Jeong Manal Ahmed Head of Production Stephanie Tangkilisan Editor in Chief Keshia Hannam Editor Emily Ma Additional Archival Material Al Jazeera Reuters Krypto Trekker/YouTube Tour Philippines/YouTube ANC Digital Additional Music Waiting for the Answer by Ballian De Moulle

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.