By James Tabafunda
Northwest Asian Weekly

Ambassador of India to the United States Meera Shankar stands next to the new bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Bellevue Public Library during its unveiling on Oct. 17. (Photo by James Tabafunda/NWAW)

France gave the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of friendship to the United States.The statue has stood in New York state as a national symbol of freedom and democracy since its dedication in 1886. Read the full story

By Jean H. Lee
The Associated Press

In this photo taken Sept. 15, two young North Korean women in traditional ‘hanbok’ stroll along the Taedong River across from the Grand People’s Study House, seen in the background, in downtown Pyongyang, North Korea. (

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — Daniel Chun peers out of the window of the Air Koryo turboprop from China as it touches down outside Pyongyang, his former home. It has taken him less than two hours to go back nearly 60 years. Read the full story

Local residents say they lost their investment in a scheme involving an anti-aging serum

By Leslie Yeh
Northwest Asian Weekly

Who is the real Pei-ti Tung? That is the question Mike Sabo and Dean Leong have been asking themselves since 2006, when they first found out that the woman they had forged a business relationship with was actually a convicted felon with a criminal background. She had several aliases and her family history didn’t tie together.   Read the full story

By Steven Cong
Northwest Asian Weekly

Members of the International Mission Church sit down and share a meal together. (Photo by Steven Cong/NWAW)

The International Mission Church in Auburn and the Chinese Baptist Church on Beacon Hill have something in common: a devotion to Christianity. Read the full story

By Staff
For Northwest Asian Weekly

Elyse Umemoto

She was crowned Miss Washington in 2007. A year later, the young woman from Wapato, Wash., placed third in the 2008 Miss America Pageant. Yet, Elyse Umemoto felt defeated.

That’s because, like tens of thousands of Washington residents every year, Umemoto and her achievements were marred by a recent episode of domestic violence.

Umemoto has come to terms with what happened to her and endorses Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna’s proposal to ramp up penalties for repeat domestic abusers.

“I’m hopeful that talking about my struggle will bring more attention to the issue of domestic violence and help other victims empower themselves,” Umemoto said at a recent news conference with legislators, government attorneys, and law enforcement officers. Read the full story

Wayne Chan

By Wayne Chan
Northwest Asian Weekly

“Maybe we should go to China this year.”

These are the eight words that immediately bring a shiver to my spine. Eight words that I have been dreading for the past two years.

These are the eight words my wife, Maya, used yesterday to officially announce that we will begin planning a family trip to China some time this year. Read the full story

By Andrew Hamlin
Northwest Asian Weekly

Norbert Caoili admits, with a smile, that his last name is pronounced “cow-wheelie.” In fact, he does almost everything with a smile. Sitting in a Seattle coffee shop, dressed smartly with a sweater and crisp jeans, he radiates confidence and warmth. He hardly seems like one of the masterminds behind a grim horror picture which opens with a woman who is slowly and savagely beaten to death.

His film, “Frayed,” is inspired by “Halloween” and other classic ’80s horror films. “Frayed” starts with the brutal murder of a police officer’s wife in their home. Their young son is blamed for the crime and sent to a maximum security psychiatric hospital. Years later, the son escapes. A brave security guard and a deranged clown enter the picture … but all is not as it seems. What will the climax reveal? Read the full story

(Photo provided by CNAT)

Founded in 1950, the China National Acrobatic Troupe (CNAT) is the only national level acrobatic performing troupe established under Premier Zhou Enlai after the founding of new China.

CNAT combines tradition with innovation by preserving many traditional styles, but also integrating music, dance, drama, and kungfu, forming countless new programs.

Presently, the CNAT has won 47 gold medals including the Golden Clown award, President Award, and Gold Magic Prize, in a variety of international and domestic competitions.

The CNAT has visited more than 114 countries and regions in the world.

The CNAT consists of an acrobatic training center with a total of 200 performers, a circus, and also the Li Ning Magic Workshop, which is dedicated to the training of magicians. ♦ Read the full story

On Sept. 23, Neighborcare Health CEO Mark Secord, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, healthcare workers, and Neighborcare Health patient Phyllis Beaumonte broke ground on a new medical and dental clinic. Read the full story

Helping Link is looking for a volunteer to assist in producing public relations materials. The next newsletter is slated to go out in the next few months. Ideally, Helping Link is looking for someone with a background in graphic design. Read the full story

On Oct. 28, President Barack Obama signed and celebrated hate crime legislation that extends protection to people based on sexual orientation, sealing a long-fought victory to gay advocates. The president spoke of a nation becoming a place where “we’re all free to live and love as we see fit.” Read the full story

SAN JOSE, California (AP) — A cell phone video that shows police officers repeatedly hitting an unarmed university student with batons and a Taser gun has prompted a criminal investigation into the officers’ conduct, a San Jose police spokesman said. Read the full story

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A national teachers’ union says it has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor over the treatment of teachers recruited in the Philippines to work in Louisiana school systems. Read the full story

By Christopher Bodeen
The Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — A $7 billion mining deal between Guinea’s repressive military regime and a little-known Chinese company underscores China’s full-throttle rush into Africa and its willingness to deal with brutal and corrupt governments. Read the full story

By Ganbat Namjilsangarav
The Associated Press

Mongolian Prime Minister Sanjaagiin Bayar

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia (AP) — Mongolian Prime Minister Sanjaagiin Bayar said on Monday, Oct. 26, that he wanted to resign for health reasons, bringing new political uncertainty to his impoverished but resource-rich nation.

Bayar’s request to step down must be approved by the Asian nation’s parliament speaker, said Khurelsukh Ukhaa of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party. The MPRP leadership plans to meet on Wednesday to discuss how to respond. Read the full story

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (left) and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

CHA-AM, Thailand (AP) — Tibet’s exiled Dalai Lama is an “honored guest” in India and will not be barred from visiting a disputed border area despite China’s strong protests, India’s prime minister said Sunday, Oct. 27, after talks with the Chinese premier.

However, the two Asian giants have agreed not to let border tensions erupt into violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said after meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at a regional summit in Thailand. Read the full story