A witness called police after reportedly seeing three men surround an Asian man and hurl racist insults at him in Leeds, England, early Sunday.

Officers later arrested the men, ages 25, 26 and 29, on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense. The incident comes amid a rise in police-recorded race hate crimes ac…

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Martial arts legend Bruce Lee now has a street named in his honor in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, where he opened his first formal martial arts school more than six decades ago.

Chinatown celebrates Bruce Lee

His daughter Shannon Lee joined city officials and community members on Oct. 16 to unveil two “Bruc…

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Filipino American journalist Pablo Torre has earned the ire of some Lebron James fans following his recent reporting on the NBA star’s helicopter arrangement with Fanatics.

Some of the backlash turned racist, including an X user who mocked Torre with anti-Asian stereotypes. Torre found an ally in Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Ts…

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Featured

Charlie Kirk street sign pushes Vietnamese American into Westminster council race

Loan Nguyen has lived in Westminster, home to California’s Little Saigon, for more than 35 years. She says it took the city’s honorary Charlie Kirk street signs near the Vietnam War Memorial to bring her to City Council meetings.

Now, she’s running for the council, and the mayor behind the signs backs the incumbent she hopes to unseat.

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What else we’re tracking

Chan, Wiener clash over AI in final debate for Pelosi’s seat

A Nov. 3 victory would make Connie Chan San Francisco’s first Chinese American member of Congress. At her final debate with Scott Wiener, she questioned whether he could regulate AI independently when AI-backed groups have spent millions supporting him.

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California’s first-of-its-kind billionaire tax faces uphill battle as election nears

Proposition 40 would levy a one-time tax on California billionaires’ wealth and direct 90% of the money to public health care. AAPI likely voters backed it in a September poll, though their support had slipped from August.

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Hate crime probe sought after teen’s alleged anti-Indian shooting plot

A 19-year-old allegedly told co-workers he “couldn’t wait to kill Indian people” a day before he allegedly drove into the parking lot of a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi was among the thousands there.

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Man arrested in Michigan linked to more than $1 million in scam pickups

A caller posing as a federal official talked an older Allegan County, Michigan, woman into giving couriers her savings. She lost nearly $500,000 before her family alerted authorities.

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How a MAGA influencer’s misleading ‘fraud’ video hurt a Seattle Asian grocery store

Conservative influencer Nick Shirley accused Lam’s Seafood of food stamp fraud, saying it rang up about $120 for a can of Spam and a package of sushi. The market’s operations manager said Shirley’s own video explains the total.

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‘DWTS’ suspends Val Chmerkovskiy over slap joke about Asian American judge

After judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued a samba on “Dancing With the Stars,” Val Chmerkovskiy posted what seemed to be a reference to Will Smith’s Oscars slap. Inaba responded on Instagram, while Chmerkovskiy has since explained what he meant.

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Jeremy Lin is now a regular ESPN analyst

Jeremy Lin retired in August 2025 with an NBA title and two more in Taiwan. He has already analyzed the Knicks’ championship run for ESPN, drawing on his “Linsanity” days.

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Why read Issue #273?

Some voices are easier heard than others, not necessarily because they’re louder. A politician or celebrity, for instance, can speak to thousands or even millions quite conveniently. And with the internet, it’s just pressing a few buttons.

Most people lack that reach, and those with limited English have even less. Unfortunately, the same issue runs through this election cycle. We’ve seen campaigns and outside groups spend millions to shape what voters hear. Money could really take one to places, including city halls and legislative chambers.

With Asian Americans on both sides of some contests, we believe the best-funded side does not speak for all AAPI voters. Those deciding their ballots should hear from the residents and small-business owners in this issue, too.

Support independent Asian diaspora journalism. Become a paid subscriber to read the full stories and help sustain The Rebel Yellow.

The Rebel Yellow is supported in part by funding from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Funders do not influence story selection, reporting, or editorial decisions. All editorial content is independently produced by The Rebel Yellow team.

Xiangbo Sun, 24, a Chinese national on a tourist visa, allegedly collected more than $1 million from scam victims across the country in less than a month before Michigan deputies caught him in June.

The sting

In May, a caller claiming to work for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) told an elderly woman in Allegan Coun…

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Connie Chan and Scott Wiener clashed over artificial intelligence in their final debate for U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s seat, a race that could make Chan the first Chinese American to represent San Francisco in Congress.

On AI money

At the Oct. 13 debate, Chan, a San Francisco supervisor, asked how voters could trust Wiener to r…

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California’s proposed billionaire tax, which would be the first such tax in the nation, is losing ground in some polls weeks before the Nov. 3 election.

What you need to know

The measure, Proposition 40, would impose a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of billionaires residing in California as of Jan. 1, 2026. The Legislative Analyst’s Offi…

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U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), who was inside a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, during an alleged shooting attempt, renewed his call Friday for a hate crime investigation into the incident.

The allegations

Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of suburban Palatine, allegedly pulled into the temple’s parking lot at 12:25 p.m.…

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“Dancing With the Stars” is making Val Chmerkovskiy sit out one episode over a post on social media that appeared to reference Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap directed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

The decision, which BBC Studios announced on Oct. 17, marks the first suspension of a professional dancer in the show’s hi…

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Vietnamese American Loan Nguyen shared in a recent podcast interview how the decision to honor Charlie Kirk with street signs in California’s Little Saigon convinced her to run for Westminster’s City Council.

Loan, who has lived in the city for more than 35 years, is one of four candidates competing f…

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Former NBA star Jeremy Lin just got a new job.

The 38-year-old Taiwanese American, who retired from professional basketball in August last year, has officially joined ESPN as an analyst. Lin is set to provide game commentary and appear on “NBA Today” for the 2026-27 season, the sports channel annou…

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Conservative influencer Nick Shirley claimed a Seattle Asian market was involved in food stamp fraud after filming what he described as a $120 charge for a can of meat and another grocery item. Lam’s Seafood says it is now considering legal action after the video reportedly drove hurt sales and subjected employees to harassmen…

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We’re also looking at Guam’s Supreme Court fight with the U.S. Air Force and a new graphic novel that brings AAPI history to younger readers.

Plus, gas prices soar ahead of November, federal agents search Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home, Sheng Thao’s bribery trial begins, Lee Soo-man returns to K-pop and Okinawa pushes for stronger accountability from the U.S. military.

Featured

Trump gives refugees just 10 days to fight loss of legal status

Refugees in the U.S. now have just 10 days to respond when immigration officials move to terminate their legal status, down from the previous 30-day deadline. The Trump administration says the change is part of its effort to address problems with refugee screening. Advocates, however, warn that finding a lawyer, translating documents and gathering evidence from countries people fled can take much longer.

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What else we’re tracking

Pacific Islanders push back against U.S. military control of their homelands

How much say should Guam residents have over what the U.S. military does on their island? That’s a question now before the Supreme Court, thanks to a lawsuit over an Air Force explosives disposal site near a culturally significant beach. Local advocates say the military should have conducted an environmental review earlier in its planning. The case is particularly important in a territory whose residents have limited voting power in Washington.

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From refugees to pandemic nurses, AAPI history graphic novel series reaches final chapter

More than half of Americans couldn’t name a single significant event in Asian American history, according to a 2026 survey. That’s one of the gaps the creators of “Fighting to Belong!” hope to address. The graphic novel series has now reached its final volume, covering the Vietnam War, anti-Asian attacks and the pandemic. Its creators are also working with educators to bring the books and accompanying lessons into classrooms.

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Asian American voters’ biggest worry just got worse at the pump

If filling up your car has been hurting your wallet lately, the latest inflation report explains why. Gasoline prices surged in September, accounting for more than half of that month’s increase in consumer prices. Since Asian American voters already rank the cost of living as their biggest concern, it should be a pretty fascinating midterms for the country’s fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the U.S. electorate. As Election Day approaches, candidates are offering different answers, from taxes to health care costs.

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AAPI leaders condemn search of Omar’s home as probe reaches her family

Federal agents executed a court-approved warrant in an investigation reportedly connected to her immigration records. Omar, who has denied wrongdoing, hasn’t been charged. Representatives Ro Khanna, Ted Lieu and Pramila Jayapal criticized the operation, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani raised concerns about how naturalized citizens are being treated.

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Sheng Thao, the first Hmong American to lead a major US city, enters trial for bribery

Sheng Thao, who made history as the first Hmong American mayor of a major U.S. city, is now she’s defending herself against federal bribery allegations in an Oakland courtroom. Prosecutors say a business family’s support was tied to favors involving city contracts and appointments. Thao’s former chief of staff has already testified, and a key prosecution witness is still expected to take the stand.

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SM founder Lee Soo-man’s K-pop return puts idols in virtual reality

The producer behind EXO, Red Velvet, Girls’ Generation and Aespa has returned with two new K-pop groups after his noncompete agreement expired. Lee Soo-man’s latest venture is betting on VR, which allows fans adjust their viewing perspective in a virtual space. The use of digital avatars, however, is attracting scrutiny.

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Japan questions whether U.S. military curfews are enough after Okinawa killing

Okinawa’s assembly voted overwhelmingly to demand changes to the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, particularly provisions affecting when criminal suspects can be handed over to Japanese authorities. Following the arrest of a Marine accused of a woman’s killing in Okinawa, commanders imposed an overnight curfew and additional training.

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Why read Issue #272?

A lot of decisions affecting our lives are made by people we’ll probably never meet. Kinda weird to think that choices involving our homes, jobs, communities or legal rights are mostly out of our control.

We’re not going to pretend that reading a newsletter gives us power over everything happening out there. But it does help to understand what’s changing, who’s involved and what questions are still unanswered. That’s useful enough for us.

Thank you for reading and sticking with us. And if you haven’t already, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. Your support helps us keep the lights on and continue bringing you stories worth paying attention to.

Support independent Asian diaspora journalism. Become a paid subscriber to read the full stories and help sustain The Rebel Yellow.

The Rebel Yellow is supported in part by funding from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Funders do not influence story selection, reporting, or editorial decisions. All editorial content is independently produced by The Rebel Yellow team.

The producer behind Aespa, Red Velvet, NCT, EXO, Girls’ Generation and Super Junior has returned to K-pop with two new groups and a filming method that lets viewers move among performers.

Next-level K-pop

SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo-man introduced A2O Soul, a boy band of 15, and A2O Lite, a girl group of nine,…

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Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao overruled her chief of staff on a housing appointment that prosecutors tie to an alleged bribery scheme, the aide testified Thursday as the first witness in Thao’s federal corruption trial.

First week

The aide, Leigh Hanson, said that Larry Gallegos, a city project manager, was made interim dep…

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Asian American officials are condemning the Trump administration’s search of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) home in a criminal probe reportedly tied to her immigration paperwork.

Catch up

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), an arm of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), searched Omar’s W…

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The last inflation report before Election Day showed prices up from a year earlier, and AAPI House candidates are pressing their cases on the issue Asian American voters rank first.

A gas-driven jump

Consumer prices rose 0.6% in September and 3.7% over the past year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. Gasoline, whose index …

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The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and Third State Books released the final volume of a three-part graphic novel series on AAPI history this week, featuring names and events largely overlooked in traditional education.

New stories

“Fighting to Belong!” begins with the arrival of Filipino “Manilamen” in Louisiana in the 1700s, followed by 20th century events such as the incarceration of Japanese Americans in WWII. Now, Volume III picks up in 1970, with middle schoolers moving from the Vietnam War through the backlash South Asian communities faced after 9/11, to the anti-Asian hate that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The final installment also shows AAPI communities “living through and being shaped by history at this very moment,” a TAAF spokesperson told The Rebel Yellow. Real-life figures include Chinese American figure Vincent Chin, who was fatally beaten in Highland Park, Michigan, in 1982, as well as Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh gas station owner shot and killed in Mesa, Arizona, four days after 9/11. Joseph Ileto, a Filipino American mail carrier murdered by a white supremacist in Los Angeles in 1999, is also highlighted.

Reaching young readers

Bestselling comics writer Amy Chu, whose credits include “Wonder Woman” and “Deadpool,” co-wrote the book with Alexander Chang. “Bodega Cat” creator Louie Chin worked on the illustrations. “Graphic novels are a powerful medium for reaching young people, and Amy, Alexander, and Louie have managed to turn overlooked AAPI history into an immersive story that young readers can’t put down,” Stephanie Lim, co-founder and CEO of Third State Books, said in a statement.

TAAF has since introduced the series to students, parents, libraries, educators and school districts nationwide. The foundation’s programs team also promotes the books at education conferences and library events. Meanwhile, The Asian American Education Project, whose insights informed Volume III, has developed curriculum guides and other classroom materials that help teachers build lessons around the books.

Gaps in AAPI history education

As we previously reported, TAAF’s 2026 STAATUS Index found that 53% of Americans could not name even one significant event from Asian American history. As of July, only 13 states had laws requiring some form of Asian American studies. TAAF intends to keep supporting educators as more states adopt such requirements, and its AAPI History Hub offers hundreds of vetted, standards-aligned resources.

“At a time when the histories of immigrants and other communities are increasingly threatened with erasure, preserving and sharing the full story of America has never been more essential,” the spokesperson added. They noted how events of the past five years, particularly the pandemic-era surge in anti-Asian hate, still shape AAPI communities’ everyday experiences.

Hardcover, paperback and digital editions are now on sale. TAAF plans to combine all three books into a single-volume edition over the next year.

Support independent Asian diaspora journalism. Become a paid subscriber to read the full stories and help sustain The Rebel Yellow.

The Rebel Yellow is supported in part by funding from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Funders do not influence story selection, reporting, or editorial decisions. All editorial content is independently produced by The Rebel Yellow team.

Lawmakers in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa are pushing for major changes to the rules governing American troops on the island following the killing of a local woman allegedly by a U.S. Marine.

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly voted 45–2 on Oct 9, demanding revisions to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, p…

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For decades, the U.S. Air Force has been blowing up old explosives on a Guam beach above one of the island’s main sources of drinking water. A local environmental group has taken its fight to the Supreme Court, arguing that the military should have studied the potential environmental damage before seeking to continue.

The beach and …

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