You thought the Cold War was over? Three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a new proxy war is exploding between Russia and the West … in Central Africa. Get a sneak peek today, meet the 24-year-old Black Filipina whose name is a pronoun for musical greatness, figure out why Chinese gamblers might soon be flooding Peru and Papua New Guinea and sing along with some of the year’s best musicals.
Charu Sudan Kasturi, Senior Editor, and Toyloy Brown III, Reporter
News in a Minute
1. Moratorium Mayhem
The Biden White House faces mounting criticism from progressives within the Democratic Party over its failure to extend the home eviction moratorium that expired on July 31, with more than 8 million Americans behind on rent or mortgage payments. The CDC, which had thrice extended the moratorium, has declined to do so again, worried that it would be struck down by the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the U.S. finally reached President Joe Biden’s target of a 70% vaccination rate — a month later than his July 4 goal. Do you blame Biden for the eviction moratorium lapsing? Vote here or on Twitter . (Sources: WSJ , WaPo , NBC )
2. River of Sorrow
Dozens of bodies, some shot or bound, have reportedly been found floating in a river between Ethiopia’s war-torn Tigray region and Sudan, pointing to the brutal months-long clashes between rebels and Addis Ababa’s national forces. (Sources: Reuters , Guardian )
3. ‘Spiritual Opium’
Is it game over for China’s booming online gaming industry? Tech giant Tencent, also the country’s largest online gaming firm, saw shares swoon nearly 11% after a state media publication referred to online games as “spiritual opium,” arguing that they must not be allowed to “destroy a generation.” The state-run Economic Information Daily in particular targeted the popular Tencent game Honor of Kings . (Sources: FT , Nikkei Asia )
Tokyo Tracker
Biles Bounces Back: Gymnast Simone Biles won a bronze in the women’s balance beam final behind China’s Guan Chenchen and Tang Xijing, marking her return to the competition after missing multiple events amid concerns over mental health. Norway’s Karsten Warholm crushed his own world record to win the men’s 400 meter hurdles today, while Germany’s Malaika Mihambo won the women’s long jump. China and the U.S. are now tied in the total medals tally , while China is cleaning up on golds.
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Black Filipinas on Top
They’re a small population … but what African American Filipinas lack in numbers, they’re making up with influence, especially in the lifestyle and entertainment industries.
1. Leyna Bloom
The Chicago native is the first openly transgender woman of color to appear in Vogue and is the first Black and Asian American transgender model to appear in a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She experienced homelessness growing up and was raised by a single dad who was her strongest supporter when she transitioned. Now she’s planning to step off the magazine pages and onto your screens as an actress. Watch her on The Carlos Watson Show .
2. H.E.R.
The trophy case is filling up quickly for this musician. At 24, the daughter of a Black father and Filipina mother already has an Oscar and four Grammys . She first gained public attention as a piano prodigy performing on the Today Show at the age of 10. The R&B artist released her debut album Back of My Mind in June. She prefers to remain anonymous but recently spoke to us. Watch her … or rather H.E.R. … on The Carlos Watson Show .
3. Saweetie
We know her as the “ Icy Grl . ” The 28-year-old rap artist is coolly putting together the building blocks for what could be a musical empire in years to come. Her breakout single “My Type” is certified double platinum and has nearly 122 million views on YouTube. Saweetie prefers writing songs in her car to the studio. Given her success, it might be time for others to follow suit. Watch her on The Carlos Watson Show .
Be in the Room Where It Happens
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Hidden Proxy Wars
They might not be making headlines. But that doesn’t make them any less dangerous.
1. Central Africa
Thousands of miles away from Paris and Moscow, France and Russia are waging a Cold War in Chad and the Central African Republic . Both are former French colonies where Paris has long exercised influence. But Russia has made major inroads in CAR in recent years, sending military instructors and armaments to the country’s embattled President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to fight rebel groups. An upset Paris has accused Touadéra of allowing an anti-France disinformation campaign and has cut off aid.
2. Paraguay
A rare country that formally recognizes Taiwan and not China, it is the latest battleground for influence between Beijing on the one hand and Taipei, Washington and New Delhi on the other. Amid the pandemic, China offered Asunción vaccines if it severed ties with Taiwan and recognized Beijing. Taiwan convinced India to ship shots over to the South American nation, while the U.S. also lobbied Paraguay to keep it from tilting toward China.
3. Jersey
The tiny island of 100,000 people has emerged as the first major flashpoint between Britain and France since the completion of Brexit. Both nations sent warships to the Channel Islands in May amid a dispute over fishing rights and a threat from France that it might cut off electricity supplies to Jersey — something even the Nazis didn’t do . Eventually, French ships retreated but the dispute remains unresolved.
Next Macau
China’s unparalleled appetite for gambling coupled with a ban on the mainland has made the semi-autonomous island of Macau the world’s casino capital. But other countries are looking to tap into the market for traveling Chinese gamblers. Can one of them become the next Macau?
1. Papua New Guinea
The Pacific Island nation has approved the construction of a massive casino , the country’s first, to lure Chinese tourists. But the $43 million plan is facing opposition from experts and activists worried that rampant gambling could exacerbate social tensions and violence in the poor nation.
2. Cape Verde
If Chinese tourists prefer the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, they could soon take trips to this West African archipelago that’s building a $290 million hotel-casino for Macau Legend, a Chinese gambling conglomerate. The pandemic has delayed the completion of the project but it’s still on.
3. Peru
A rare South American nation where casinos are fully legal and regulated , Peru has also seen a rise in online gambling in recent years — a shift almost perfectly timed for the COVID-19 era’s travel restrictions. But Chinese giants want a piece of the action too: Gambling company Dream has set up four casinos in Lima . Given that Peru is home to the third-largest Chinese community outside Asia , it’s a country primed to attract cash-rich tourists from the world’s second-largest economy.
Today on ‘The Carlos Watson Show’
Former figure skater and Olympic bronze medalist Adam Rippon reveals how a tip from Beyoncé helped him perform at his best and why he’s hanging up the skates to try his hand at writing a comedy TV series. Watch now .
2021: Great Musicals to Watch
Watch and sing along. It could be a year for quality musicals.
1. ‘In the Heights’
Transport yourself into the largely Dominican neighborhood of Washington Heights in Uptown Manhattan in this Broadway musical-turned-film adaptation. Released on June 10 and streaming on HBO Max, the Lin-Manuel Miranda film has faced criticism for not representing Black Latinx communities . But it’s still a brilliant tale of resilience and joy that’s worth your time.
2. ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’
This film adaptation of the theater musical follows 16-year-old Jamie New from Sheffield, England, in his pursuit of becoming a drag queen. The theater version has drawn rave reviews and the film promises to do the same. It begins streaming Sept. 17 on Amazon Prime Video.
3. ‘Annette’
Starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, this film musical is scheduled for big-screen release on Aug. 6. Set in Los Angeles, the story involves a stand-up comedian and his opera singer wife whose two-year-old daughter possesses a mysterious gift. Piqued?
