How much do you know about Shiba Inus? What were they originally bred for? Why did they almost go extinct? Shiba’s are aesthetically pleasing, incredibly popular, and Japan's national treasure--but how much do you know about the history of this hunting dog? Known for their fox-like features and tan fur, Shiba Inus have been around since the 3rd century BC but have nearly become extinct on two occasions–both in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. When Japan started importing Western dogs, cross-breeding led to a decline in pure Shiba Inus. And during WWII, bombings and food shortages also nearly wiped out these highly-sought after dogs. After Elon Musk’s 2021 tweet about his Shiba, the breed became trendy and this leads to unethical high-volume breeding. Though Shiba Inus have gone viral, buyers need to realize that owning this dog isn’t a fad. In fact, it’s a serious responsibility that requires a 14-16 year commitment to a dog that is practically a 25 lb. wolf.

After asking a little boy to suck his tongue, the Dalai Lama is being called a predator and abuser. First, his camp called the exchange “playful” but now apologies have been issued. Is this a traditional greeting that’s being misunderstood or is it a tradition that needs to end? The Dalai Lama is a highly respected spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who has been a symbol of peace and nonviolence for decades. He has been praised for his teachings on compassion and advocacy for environmental protection. But he’s also faced criticism for his views on women’s rights and homosexuality. Tibetan supporters say that sticking out the tongue is a traditional greeting from the 9th century and are blaming Chinese propagandists for making the moment go viral. Others are asking for accountability and that this behavior shouldn’t be overlooked for anyone, even spiritual leaders.

Arundhati Roy is Syrian-Bengali, stars in award-winning films and wrote a prize-winning bestseller. She’s known for being involved in social and political movements in India and around the world. But did you know she was also an aerobics instructor and cake saleswoman? Best known for her novel "The God of Small Things," Roy has written numerous nonfiction books and essays. She’s criticized the Indian government’s policies, written on environmental issues, and has been put in jail for her political views. Before all this, Arundhati was a nature-loving kid from an inter-caste and single parent family. She grew up being treated like she was “unconventional” or an “outsider”. She lived in a slum with her first husband, while they were students. And she even sold cake on the beaches of Goa. Arundhati is limitless and uncontainable!

Itikaf, the Islamic tradition of embracing solitude and spiritual reflection, happens in Ramadan's last 10 days. This year, like many before, Palestinians have been attacked in a moment of worship. Israeli security forces raided Al Aqsa–a holy site for Muslims and Jews. Al-Aqsa Mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, where violence has taken place several times. The assault resulted in 400 people arrested and 158 others injured. Israel first claimed there was an agreement violation, but have now banned Jewish visitors from entering the site until the end of Ramadan. 2023 has already seen 88 Palestinians and 16 Israelies killed.

Akhir tahun lalu, beberapa kejadian mengejutkan terjadi di berbagai daerah di Asia. Kejadian-kejadian ini melibatkan kerumunan yang gagal dikendalikan dan ujungnya, beberapa orang kehilangan nyawanya. Mengapa kejadian ini banyak terjadi di negara-negara Asia, dan bagaimana kita dapat menjaga diri kita di keramaian?

Was the brutal interrogation of TikTok execs by the US Congress really about TikTok? Or was sinophobia at play? After 4.5 hours of questioning, TikTok's Singaporean CEO, Shou Zi Chew, has become an unlikely hero to Gen Z audiences. While Congress raised concerns about foreign entities exploiting social media platforms for political and strategic gain, they really seemed focused on sharing their own tough stances on China. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, is being considered a national security threat because of the app’s potential to collect and share user data with the Chinese government. While lawmakers are known to be tough on tech CEOs, this questioning process seemed more than relentless–almost Sinophobic. Sinophobia, a prejudice and hostility towards China, its people, and its culture, has been on the rise in recent years–especially amid geopolitical tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a 2022 PEW Research study, among the U.S. public overall, around eight-in-ten express an unfavorable opinion of China.