The woman involved in the massacre of 14 people at a community centre in the California town of San Bernadino on Wednesday is believed to be of Pakistani origin. Tafsheen Malik, 27, was born and raised in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia before moving to the United States to join US-born …
Read More »#Fodder: South Asian jihadis are a bit rubbish, claims Islamic State.
Islamic State has attracted lunatic jihadis from across the world but, it appears, that some are less loonier than others, depending on one’s perspective. Experts have long believed that the murderous militant group give preferential treatment to western Jihadis and those from the wealthier Gulf Arab states – and not …
Read More »#SrinivasaRamanujan: The poor boy from south India who became “The Man Who Knew Infinity”.
The 46th International Film Festival of India got underway this weekend with the first screening of a new film starring British-Indian star Dev Patel and a slew of British acting legends, including Jeremy Irons, Toby Jones, Jeremy Northam and Stephen Fry. ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’ tells the story of …
Read More »#FarFromHome: On stony ground – South Asian cricketers find Saudi solace.
Even the best groundkeeper’s skills would be lost on this grassless pitch in the Saudi capital Riyadh where Asian expats make the most of an improvised version of cricket. “This ground is full of stones and everything,” said Kiran Ravi, 26, from India, blaming the sandy lot beside a shopping …
Read More »#Indifference: Are South Asian communities welcoming of special needs children?
Are Asian communities welcoming of special needs children and their families? If someone had asked me this question 5 years ago, I would have said a resounding “no”. It is disheartening, and yet that was my experience. I recall, it was at a Janmashtami festival midnight celebration at the Radha …
Read More »#Reconcile: Sri Lanka plans South Africa-style commission to investigate war crimes.
Sri Lanka’s new government said on Monday it was setting up a South Africa-style truth and reconciliation commission to look into atrocities during the Island’s civil war, as it came under renewed pressure to prosecute perpetrators. South Africa, which confronted its own apartheid-era crimes through such a body, would advise …
Read More »#INSIGHT: Sepp Blatter’s corroded legacy on the football fields of South Asia.
There are no recognisable football fields, no players, and just a rusting goalpost at Pakistan’s Hawksbay training centre, built with a $500,000 (£325,000) FIFA grant on a windswept plot by the Arabian Sea near Karachi, and officially completed two years ago. In Nepal, goats graze on a rutted playing field …
Read More »#LFF2015: Check out the amazing South Asian line-up at this year’s London Film Festival.
It’s set to be another extraordinary year for South Asian cinema and films inspired by the region and its people at the London Film Festival 2015.
Here are some of the highlights.
Beeba Boys
Acclaimed director Deepa Mehta kicks down new doors with this energetic gangster movie that also explores South Asian family values. Set in Vancouver’s Sikh immigrant badlands, it finds young kingpin Jeet Johar (Randeep Hooda) and his sharp-suited gang the Beeba Boys on the rise. So far, they’ve left a trail of blood in their attempt to take over the local drugs market. However, when Jeet isn’t managing his cadre of dapper toughs, he’s doing his best to be a respectful son to his mother, to follow his religion with as much diligence as his profession will allow, and to hold his crumbling family together.
Read More »#Apathy: Tough times for moms and babies across South Asia
South Asia remains a tough place for moms and newborns with nearly 40 percent of all newborn deaths reported in the region, according to a global survey of the best and worst countries to be a mom. The study, by British charity Save the Children, found that 1.2 million newborn …
Read More »#WorldTeam: Sangakkara the only South Asian player in ‘Team of the World Cup’
Indian players have failed to make it to the International Cricket Council’s Team of the World Cup 2015 – news that is certain to further annoy fans left heartbroken at their team’s semi-final exit on Friday. The list is dominated by players from winners Australia and runner-up New Zealand. Kiwi …
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