Large, bold, capable and comfortable, the midsize Telluride SUV opens the door to exploring in a whole new way. Imagined in America, designed at Kia’s design studio in California, and assembled in Georgia, the Telluride is all about big skies, desert roads, mountain passes, shady forests, smooth highways, and long coastal drives. The largest Kia ever, it provides comfortable seating …

The Kia Niro EV is a great fit for consumers who love crossover characteristics but also desire all the benefits electric vehicles have to offer. It combines all the functionality of a traditional crossover, while allowing owners to happily drive without stopping at gas stations. Thoughtful on Safety The Niro EV is a blast to drive due to its powerful and torquey motor,  and …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Americans of Asian descent, reflecting the nation’s increasing polarization, are strongly divided on the impeachment of President Trump by the House of Representatives on December 18. Trump was impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The impeachment issue has also galvanized Asian American groups from both political parties into intensifying their efforts in …

New York City Council approves bill naming major thoroughfares as ‘Gurdwara Street’ and ‘Punjab Way’ The renaming “is a long overdue recognition for the contributions of the Sikh and Punjabi communities both locally and throughout the City”, says Council Member Adrienne Adams By Geeta Goindi By Geeta Goindi December 22, 2019 – To honor members of the Sikh and larger …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Annie Ai-Li Wu’s father is a physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital. But that is not the main reason she decided to be a doctor.   “My initial interest in medicine began when I was about age seven, when I learned that my nine-year old brother was battling leukemia,” she recalled. The gravity of his illness …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Go to any Asian American party on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day and chances are, you will find round fruits on the dining table because they evoke coins or wealth. Or you will notice that a sumptuous noodle dish is always on the menu.   Who doesn’t know that long, unbroken noodles signify …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Advocates and politicians like to emphasize the urgency of their causes by noting that it is about “the future of our children and our children’s children.” It is not a cliché at this turning point in the nation’s history.     Truly, too many issues have acquired fire-alarm urgency. And because globalization and technology have …

Last month,  district courts blocked the Trump administration’s rule that attempted to deny green cards to immigrants who fail to meet tough income tests or use public programs.  This victory for immigrants means that the rule that was supposed to take effect on October 15 will be stopped while the court battles proceed. It’s still important to understand how the …

Standing-room only at special event for Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary organized by the Indian Embassy in Washington By Geeta Goindi Washington, DC, November 19, 2019 – To aptly commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, and to reach out to the Sikh community in America, the Indian Embassy here organized a special …

Artistes of Nrityaki Dance Academy rivet diverse crowd with myriad performances By Geeta Goindi Dulles, Virginia, October 29, 2019 – In a historic first, Diwali, the popular Indian festival of lights, was celebrated in the national capital region’s famed Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) — a riveting sight for passengers, visitors, airport personnel, flight and cabin crew. Akanksha Sharma, marketing …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   If a synonym for succeed is “go far,” consider this: Asian American showbiz talents have gone really far, indeed. To paraphrase “Star Trek,” some have even gone boldly where no one has gone before – like directing a James Bond movie, or starring in a hit TV show. Suddenly, Americans of Asian heritage are making …

In special Diwali message, Trump reiterates his commitment to religious liberty By Geeta Goindi Washington, DC, October 27, 2019 – For the third consecutive year, President Donald Trump celebrated Diwali, the popular Indian festival of lights, in the White House by lighting the ceremonial ‘diya’ (traditional lamp). It was a private event held Thursday afternoon in the Oval Office with …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Bravo, Washington Performing Arts! Take a well-deserved bow for conjuring up a magical night performers and audience alike will surely remember all their lives.   On November 15 at 8 p.m., Taiwan American virtuoso violinist Paul Huang and the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO), which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, are performing a work by a major …

By Christian Oh   As a teenager growing up in Roanoke Virginia, I was a wrestling fanatic. I was glued for hours to the TV set, watching superstars like Rick Flair, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. But my hero at the time was Ricky Steamboat, the only Asian American wrestler. I cheered him on every time …

At the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show today, Kia Motors America (KMA) introduced a better way to roll with the world debut of the all-new 2020 Soul, a completely new yet familiar version of Kia’s beloved and award-winning urban runabout. Taking everything that helped popularize the quirky, unconventionally styled subcompact, Kia Motors poured more of its soul into nearly every …

Hyundai’s Ioniq line-up continues to improve its product offering for the 2019 model year, with new and broader applications of active safety features, enhanced voice-recognition features and standard remote charge management for Plug-in and Electric models. Hyundai’s approach for the Ioniq line delivers an uncompromising design and driving experience coupled with the latest in safety and convenience technologies, making it …

Kona Electric rides on an all-new CUV platform and is Hyundai’s first compact electric crossover for the U.S. market, appealing to consumers with active, eco-focused lifestyles of all kinds. Kona Electric’s exterior styling features voluminous, aggressive body styling complemented by a low and wide stance for great looks and confident handling in a variety of urban and adventure-oriented driving environments. …

With each successive model year, the second-generation Mazda CX-9 midsize crossover SUV has benefited from refinements, technology updates and performance improvements. The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is no different, with a host of improvements led by the availability of Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™. Additional updates include ventilated front seats, 360° View Monitor and a refined, retuned suspension. Mazda’s engineers could …

While the Lexus RX has always offered an ideal combination of SUV versatility and luxury sedan-like comfort, this best-selling vehicle stands out in the segment with a dramatic mix of sharp creases and curves. The focal point of the front is the Lexus signature spindle grille, set off by an elegant chrome-plated surround and standard Bi-LED headlights.   The available …

The 2019 Toyota Tundra, assembled in the heart of truck country in San Antonio, Texas, knows that leaving the jobsite doesn’t mean the end of the workday for a pickup. Led by the available 5.7L i-FORCE V8 engine that offers up to 10,200 pounds of towing capacity and a maximum payload of 1,730 pounds, Tundra is ready to tackle the …

The original Toyota RAV4 arrived in the United States 22 years ago, casting the mold for a whole new industry segment, the compact crossover SUV. With the all-new, fifth-generation 2019 Toyota RAV4, the vehicle premieres, yet again, at the forefront – both for the Toyota brand and for the segment. The RAV4 is available as a gas and hybrid model. …

Only the toughest SUVs need apply for the job of family vehicle, because truth is not every full-size SUV is up to the challenge. That’s where Toyota Sequoia enters. Much like the massive redwood trees for which it is named, Sequoia stands tall in the full-size SUV segment thanks to its spacious cabin, versatile cargo options, powerful engine and capable …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   ONE Championship, Asia’s largest global sports media company promoting all disciplines of Martial Arts, will celebrate its 100th event on October 13 in Tokyo, Japan. Billed as “ONE: Century,” the championship event was broadcast “live” in the U.S. on TNT on October 12 at 11 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.  “It is a big milestone for …

Essential wardrobe items are those that you know you are going to be returning to again and again because they are just so versatile. You love them because you are always finding new ways to style them and when they wear out or start to look shabby you rush right out and buy a replacement because life without them is …