Debadutta Dash and Indian Ambassador Nirupama Rao (Photo from Debadutta Dash)

The White House hosted its fourth annual Diwali celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Diwali, also known as “the festival of lights,” is a holiday celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists worldwide, providing a time for celebration and reflection. Its stories and rituals focus on the triumph of light over darkness and compassion over hatred. Read the full story

Eunice Kim practicing her unique style of printmaking. (Photo from Eunice Kim)

Seattle-area artist Eunice Kim represented the United States in the International Print Triennial – Krakow 2012, held at the Contemporary Art Gallery Bunkier Sztuki in Krakow, Poland. The exhibit was on view from Sept. 15 through Oct. 31. Read the full story

From left to right: Benjamin Lee, Stella Chien, Ilze Jones, and Jonathan Geiger (Photo by Assunta Ng/NWAW)

The Seattle Chinese Garden Society hosted the Soaring Dragon Celebration and benefit dinner at South Seattle Community College’s Brockley Center on Saturday, Nov. 10, raising approximately $50,000 for the continued growth and maintenance of the Seattle Chinese Garden. There were approximately 120 people in attendance, including honorary Chair Benjamin Lee and Seattle Chinese Garden President Jonathan Geiger. Read the full story

From left to right: Pink Tie Guys Trong Pham, Bob Santos, Enrique Cerna, and Eric Booker (Photo from Komen Puget Sound)

Trong Pham, portfolio manager, vice president, and financial adviser with Morgan Stanley, and president of the Greater Seattle Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce, has partnered with Komen Puget Sound to be one of their Pink Tie Guys for 2013. Read the full story

By Aye Aye Win
The Associated Press

Thein Sein

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar’s leader has ordered a new prisoner amnesty ahead of a historic visit to the country by President Barack Obama on Monday, Nov. 19.

State television said Sunday, Nov. 18 that President Thein Sein had ordered 66 detainees released, but it was not clear whether any political prisoners would be among them. Read the full story

Susan L. Cassidy

By Susan L. Cassidy
FOR NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

I believe in freedom of press.  Passionately. I believe that freedom of press is a distinction which separates democracy from tyranny. Freedom of the press is the difference between an informed populace and the ignorance that makes it possible for propaganda to parade around dressed up as truth. The stifling of information allows evil to thrive and gain a foothold.   Read the full story

By Andrew Hamlin
Northwest Asian Weekly

Although he remains almost unknown to American audiences, Shin Joong Hyun achieved legendary status long ago in his native South Korea. Now, his music can be heard in the States with the release of “Shin Joong Hyun & Yup Juns” by Lion Productions and distributed by Seattle’s In The Attic record label. Read the full story

By Ron Chew
For Northwest Asian Weekly

Artist’s render of the proposed ICHS clinic in Shoreline (Image from ICHS)

International Community Health Services (ICHS), the largest Asian Pacific Islander health care organization in the Pacific Northwest, recently announced plans to develop a new medical-dental clinic in Shoreline. Read the full story

By Jason Cruz
Northwest Asian Weekly

Te’o for the Heisman

Can a Pacific Islander win the Heisman Trophy? Read the full story

By Assunta Ng

Much like the Pilgrims, the Vietnamese boat people fled their country to escape persecution.

What does Thanksgiving mean to immigrants who have lived in America for decades like me? Read the full story

Dear Editor,

I’m extremely disappointed that an Asian American was not chosen to be one of Inslee’s co-chairs, especially when Asian Americans supported him in large numbers, as they did for Obama. Also, we’re the largest minority group in Seattle and King County, and he carried King County with our help.

Again, it perpetuates the stereotype that when you say minority, it does not include Asian Pacific Americans.

Shame on Jay for forgetting us so quickly.

— Frank Irigon

By Michael Kunzelman
The Associated Press

Photo by Marianne Muegenburg Cothern

NEW ORLEANS, La. (AP) — The company that owns an oil platform that caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico has Read the full story

By Staff
The Associated Press

NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) — A former New York assemblyman has pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Read the full story

Bal Thackeray

By Rajesh Shah
The Associated Press

MUMBAI, India (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of grieving supporters thronged the streets of Mumbai on Sunday, Nov. 18 for the funeral of Bal Thackeray, a Hindu extremist leader linked to waves of mob violence against Muslims and migrant workers in India. Read the full story

Yoshihiko Noda

By Malcom Foster
The Associated Press

TOKYO, Japan (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda dissolved the lower house of parliament on Friday, Nov. 16, paving the way for elections in which his ruling party will likely give way to a weak coalition government divided over how to solve the nation’s problems. Read the full story

Surin Pitsuwan

By Jim Gomez
The Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders decided Sunday, Nov. 18 to ask China to start formal talks “as soon as possible” on crafting a legally binding accord aimed at preventing an outbreak of violence in disputed South China Sea territories, a top diplomat said. Read the full story