One of high school student Steven Cong’s greatest passions is hip hop music. This is why he’s organizing a concert called Words of One People with some of his favorite Asian American artists. They are 1: Canary Sing 2: Know Choice 3: G.O.W.E. 4: Massiah 6: Nam and 7: Inglish (Photo 5 is Know Choice (right) with his co-performer DJ Rise.)

By Vivian Nguyen
Northwest Asian Weekly

For most high school students, typical after-school activities may include competing in a high school sport, performing in a music group, or planning the layout for the school yearbook. Read the full story

From left, top to bottom: J.R. Celski, Simon Cho, Julie Chu, Amanda Evora, Mirai Nagasu, Apolo Ohno, Graham Watanabe, and Caroline Zhang

By Tiffany Ran
Northwest Asian Weekly

The 2010 Winter Olympics are hitting close to home, what with them being just over the border in Vancouver, British Columbia. But their location is not the only thing close to home. Hometown short track skaters Apolo Ohno and J.R. Celski are also making a splash in the games. Read the full story

1: Michelle Yeoh, 2: Sheryl Crow 3: Masi Oka 4: Heidi Montag 5: Thakoon Panichgul 6: Rosie O’Donnell, 7: Rafael Nadal 8: Apl.de.ap 9: Kofi Annan 10: Cassie 11: Lady Gaga, 12: BoA

By Ninette Cheng
Northwest Asian Weekly

Happy Lunar New Year! This year marks the year of the tiger, the big boys of the safari. Like the animals, those born in the year of the tiger are known for their courage, intelligence, and strength. They are also honest (almost to a fault), resilient, competitive, and vain. Read the full story

By Ryan Pangilinan
Northwest Asian Weekly

For many people who grew up in an Asian American household, the Lunar New Year was always celebrated, whether by going out to a restaurant or watching the annual parade. Despite many cultural differences, the collective wishes and hopes for a community bubbles up during this time of the year.  Read the full story

Left: “Namaste Boy” by Cora Edmonds (Photo provided by Shelley Seale); Right: The facade of Cora Edmonds’ ArtXchange Gallery in Seattle

By Shelley Seale
For Northwest Asian Weekly

Sometimes, the smallest moment and a chance  encounter can change the course of your life and lead to an adventure beyond the imagination. For Cora Edmonds, director of the ArtXchange Gallery in Seattle, that moment came in a mountain village in a remote region of Nepal. Read the full story

By Paul J. Weber
The Associated Press

LAREDO, Texas (AP) — Police cars and large white vans rumbled down the unpaved road toward the ramshackle houses, where illegal immigrants are among hundreds living in a slapdash Texas neighborhood, or colonia, called San Carlos. Read the full story

By Eric Tucker
The Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The alleged neglect and death of a terminally ill Chinese immigrant detained in a Rhode Island jail two years ago triggered scathing reports and investigations. There has been a wide-ranging federal lawsuit and hand-wringing over who was responsible. Read the full story

By Debra McKinney
For The Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — For Kato Ha’unga, too many books is not enough. Read the full story

By Muneeza Naqvi
The Associated Press Writer

NEW DELHI (AP) — India again successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable missile on Sunday, Feb. 7, that can hit targets across much of Asia and the Middle East, a defense ministry press release said. Read the full story

By Jay Alabaster
The Associated Press

TOYOTA, Japan (AP) — Even in its hometown, the great automaker has lost some of its mystique. Read the full story

By Elena Becatoros
The Associated Press

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Taunted at home, Sanhya ran away at age 12, searching for acceptance — neither male nor female, but a member of a third gender. Read the full story

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A television executive who owned Nepal’s first cable TV company was shot to death in a busy neighborhood in the country’s capital on Feb. 7, police said. Read the full story