Asian mom assault suspect beaten by inmates in Hawaii prison
Tesla driver charged in Honolulu road rage incident now faces new troubles behind bars
The Rebel Yellow – Issue #71
Vietnam has approved a $1.5 billion Trump Organization development as trade negotiations with the U.S. continue. Meanwhile, the authorship of the iconic “Napalm Girl” photo is under new scrutiny. In the U.S., Stop AAPI Hate loses federal funding, a new survey shows most Asian Americans see Trump as a “dangerous dictator,” and support for free speech is dropping among young Americans. From lawsuits and policy battles to cultural milestones, here’s your breakdown of Issue 71.
Vietnam approves $1.5 billion Trump Org development amid trade negotiations
The Vietnamese government has approved a $1.5 billion proposal by the Trump Organization and its local partner to build golf courses, hotels and real estate projects in the northern province of Hung Yen, state media reported on Friday.
What they’re building: The development, which will span 990 hectares (2,446 acres) in Khoai Chau district bordering the Red River, will feature four distinct areas, including a golf facility with 36-hole and 18-hole courses. It will also include eco-residential areas for a total of 5,300 residents, a commercial space for 29,700 people and a specialized green park, with 7.3 hectares (18.04 acres) allocated for social housing and 99 hectares (245 acres) for a thematic park. Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization and President Donald Trump’s second son, previously described Vietnam as a “dynamic” market with “potential in the luxury hotel and entertainment industry.”
Approval: The project, approved by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, follows a memorandum of understanding signed between Hung Yen’s provincial government and the Trump Organization last September, with real estate developer Kinhbac City announced as the Vietnamese partner the following month. Total capital is estimated at 39.8 trillion Vietnamese Dong ($1.53 billion), including 4.1 trillion Vietnamese dong ($158.2 million) allocated for compensation and resettlement. The project is set to operate for 50 years.
Meanwhile: The approval comes amid trade negotiations between Vietnam and the U.S. as the Southeast Asian country seeks to avoid an import tariff of 46%. Hanoi is also under Washington’s scrutiny for purportedly not doing enough to prevent the diversion of Chinese goods through its borders.
Work on the project is expected to begin this quarter and continue until 2029, with the first two of four golf courses projected to be operational by mid-2027 in time for the APEC Summit.
Who actually snapped the “Napalm Girl” photo?
World Press Photo has suspended the credit of Associated Press photographer Nick Ut for the iconic Vietnam War photograph commonly known as “Napalm Girl,” citing unresolved questions about its authorship. The decision follows renewed scrutiny raised by a recent documentary that challenges Ut’s long-standing attribution.
The 1972 image, officially titled “The Terror of War,” shows 9-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc running naked on a road after a napalm bombing. It won the Pulitzer Prize and World Press Photo of the Year in 1973 and became one of the most searing symbols of the Vietnam War.
Authorship in doubt
The controversy stems from “The Stringer,” a 2025 documentary directed by Bao Nguyen. The film presents testimonies and visual analysis suggesting that freelance photographers Nguyen Thanh Nghe or Huynh Cong Phuc may have captured the image, not Ut. Nghe claims he sold the photo to the AP for $20 but never received formal credit.
In response, World Press Photo launched an internal investigation and reviewed archival materials, camera angles and witness statements. The organization concluded that the doubts were substantial enough to suspend Ut’s credit, though it has not reassigned authorship due to lack of definitive evidence.
AP stands by Ut
Ut has denied the claims, saying he remembers taking the photo and helping Phan Thi Kim Phuc get medical care. His attorney, James Hornstein, criticized World Press Photo’s decision, telling The Art Newspaper that Ut “cannot fathom why the World Press Photo Foundation would rescind his rightful award 52 years after making it.” In a statement to the Associated Press, Hornstein added, “It seems they had already made up their mind to punish Nick Ut from the start.”
The AP has conducted two reviews of its own, reaffirming Ut’s credit. In a statement, the AP said it found no compelling evidence to override decades of attribution, but acknowledged that the passage of time limits further verification.
Phan Thi Kim Phuc has also spoken in support of Ut. “He took the picture, and he saved my life,” she told The Guardian. “Without him, I would have died.”
Historical stakes
While the image’s historical significance remains uncontested, the suspension reflects ongoing debates about ownership, credit and accuracy in journalism. World Press Photo said it will maintain the suspended status until new evidence clearly confirms or refutes Ut’s authorship.
Stop AAPI Hate says $2 million grant termination by DOJ an “authoritarian overreach”
The Department of Justice has terminated a $2 million grant to Stop AAPI Hate alongside funding for 33 other community organizations as part of a sweeping cutback of federal justice programs under the Trump administration.
“Lifeline” lost: In a statement on May 9, Stop AAPI Hate, which tracks anti-Asian hate incidents, condemned the termination as “an act of authoritarian overreach” that is “unconstitutional, unjust and targeted.” The nonprofit noted the timing during AAPI Heritage Month, connecting the decision to Trump as “the same figure who, five years ago, ignited an unprecedented wave of anti-Asian hate and violence with his racist rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The group emphasized that the canceled funding was “not a luxury,” but a “lifeline” for communities facing hate.
What the group does: Founded in March 2020 by AAPI Equity Alliance, Chinese for Affirmative Action and San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies Department, Stop AAPI Hate created an online reporting system that went viral amid rising COVID-19-related racism. Today, the coalition continues its work as the country’s largest reporting center tracking anti-AAPI hate acts while advocating for “comprehensive solutions that tackle the root causes of race-based hate.”
The big picture: The terminated grant was part of a broader purge affecting 373 DOJ grants initially valued at approximately $820 million, with an estimated $500 million in remaining balances rescinded. The cuts reportedly began in April and span 37 states, affecting both blue and red ones. The DOJ, for its part, has justified the terminations, stating the work “no longer effectuates Department priorities,” which now focus on “combatting violent crime, protecting American children and supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault.”
Despite the funding loss, Stop AAPI Hate says it remains committed to its mission and “more determined than ever to fight for our communities and our democracy.”
Most Asian Americans see Trump as a “dangerous dictator”
A majority of Asian Americans agree with most Americans in viewing President Donald Trump as a “dangerous dictator” whose power should be limited to protect U.S. democracy, according to a national survey released on April 29 by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). The findings came as Trump marked the first 100 days of his second term in office.
Threat to democracy
The PRRI poll, conducted from Feb. 28 to March 20 among 5,627 U.S. adults, found that 52% of Americans overall view Donald Trump as a “dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy.” In contrast, 44% see him as a “strong leader who should be given the power he needs to restore America’s greatness.”
Nearly 9 in 10 Democrats (87%) characterized Trump as a dangerous dictator, while 81% of Republicans described him as a strong leader. Independents were more divided, with 46% viewing him as a strong leader and 41% as a dangerous dictator.
Overall, 40% of Americans hold a favorable view of Trump, while 59% view him unfavorably. Favorability is highest among Republicans (83%), followed by independents (35%), and lowest among Democrats (8%).
Broader distrust of Trump
Among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) respondents, 58% said Trump is a dangerous dictator — a rate higher than among white Americans (45%) and comparable to Black (67%) and Latino (63%) respondents.
Trump’s favorability among AAPI respondents remains low, with only 22% holding a favorable view of him as of 2023. Favorability dropped to 17% among college-educated AAPI adults and 11% among those who are religiously unaffiliated.
Strong support for rule of law
Despite partisan differences in opinion about Trump, the survey found broad agreement on presidential accountability. Eighty-nine percent of respondents agreed that no elected official — including the president — should be above the law.
When asked about Trump’s mass firing of federal employees across multiple agencies, 52% of Americans said it was an overreach of presidential power. Forty-seven percent said it was a legitimate use of authority.
Concerns about democracy
Melissa Deckman, CEO of PRRI, noted that concerns about the health of American democracy are widespread. While most Americans support democratic principles, 20% agreed with the statement: “Because things have gotten so far off track, we need a president who is willing to break some laws if that’s what it takes to save the country.” Among those who primarily consume far-right news sources, 50% agreed.
Seventeen percent of respondents said they would support postponing the 2026 midterm elections if Trump cannot resolve national crises. That view was backed by 27% of Republicans, 12% of independents and 8% of Democrats.
Less young Americans support free speech, global survey finds
Support for free speech among young Americans has dropped sharply in recent years, with just 43% now saying people should be allowed to insult the U.S. flag — down from 71% in 2021 — according to a new global report from The Future of Free Speech.
Generational divergence
The 2025 report found that Americans aged 18 to 34 also showed declining support across other categories of expression. Support for pro-LGBTQ+ speech fell by 20 percentage points, and tolerance for statements that offend religious beliefs dropped by 14 points. These declines contributed to the U.S. posting the third-largest drop in free speech support among 33 countries surveyed, following Japan and Israel.
Younger Americans were the least supportive of nearly every type of controversial speech polled, including statements critical of religion, offensive to minority groups, or supportive of homosexuality. Researchers attribute this trend to a generational shift in values, with younger adults placing greater emphasis on harm reduction and inclusion over the principle of unrestricted speech.
Global context
Japan registered the steepest decline globally, driven by growing intolerance for insults to the national flag and offensive speech about minority groups or religion. In contrast, countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan recorded the largest gains in support since 2021 — though they still rank near the bottom globally.
The report suggests that this divergence offers context for Asian American communities, where cultural norms from ancestral countries may intersect with American free speech values. The contrast between collectivist traditions — which emphasize social harmony — and Western individualism may influence how younger Asian Americans interpret the limits and responsibilities of expression.
Free speech and digital tools
The survey also explored attitudes toward generative AI, revealing widespread concern about its misuse to produce harmful content. While most respondents across countries favored regulation by both tech companies and national governments, support varied. India and Pakistan were among the most permissive toward AI-generated speech, while Japan and France ranked among the least.
She’s breaking barriers in Las Vegas politics
Francis Allen-Palenske, who made history as the first Asian American woman elected to both the Nevada state legislature and Las Vegas City Council, is working to ensure AAPI voices help shape the city’s future.
Historic firsts: Allen-Palenske, who represents Ward 4, began her political journey at age 25 when she was first elected to the Nevada Assembly in 2004, becoming the first Asian American woman — and second Asian American, after Robert Wong — to serve in the position. The lifelong Nevadan, born to a U.S. Army vet and a South Korean mother, served two terms in the Assembly before running for and being elected to the Las Vegas City Council in November 2022, again becoming the first Asian American woman for the role. Outside politics, she is a successful small business owner with more than 15 years of experience in the Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop system.
Uplifting others: In a recent interview, Allen-Palenske reflected on her historic role with a focus on future leadership diversity. “I’m tired of being first. I want to make sure there’s an entire team of folks behind me to help lift the mantle,” she told KTNV. Last month, she acknowledged the diverse makeup of the current council, telling KLAS it includes “three Latinas, an African American, a Jewish female and one Caucasian guy, and now a Korean.” In terms of policy, the Republican official prioritizes public safety initiatives, supports locally owned businesses and encourages the next generation of AAPI leaders to pursue higher learning. “Asian Americans, we love to focus on education — go to university, get that degree,” she said.
Coaches reinstated after probe into racist taunts at Bay Area high school baseball game
Pinole Valley High School’s head baseball coach, T’won Blake, and assistant coach, Will Tipton, will return to their positions following an internal investigation into racist taunts allegedly directed at Albany High School players of Asian descent during a varsity game on April 23. West Contra Costa Unified School District officials told KRON4 that investigators were unable to confirm who made the remarks and said the coaches were unaware of the comments until after the game.
District officials said both coaches cooperated fully with the inquiry and acted appropriately once informed of the incident. In response, the district will place a school administrator and the athletic director at all remaining Pinole Valley baseball games. Albany Unified School District maintains that the taunts came from the Pinole Valley dugout.
The reinstatement has drawn criticism from some parents, including Eugene Lee, who questioned the lack of disciplinary action for players. Lee, whose son was one of the players targeted by the remarks, continues to call for stronger accountability and broader institutional change. WCCUSD has reiterated its commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all students.
Road rage suspect who attacked Asian mom, daughter is assaulted by inmates in Hawaii
Serial road rage suspect Nathaniel Radimak, 38, who allegedly attacked an Asian American mother and daughter in Honolulu earlier this month, is back behind bars at the Halawa Correctional Facility following hospitalization after being beaten by fellow inmates.
Catch up
The road rage incident occurred on May 7 when Diane Ung’s 18-year-old daughter was reportedly attempting to parallel park on Halekauwila Street with her 7-month-old daughter in the backseat. “This guy just comes zooming down, maybe about 40 to 50 in a 25-mile-per-hour zone. And my daughter just sticks her head out the window and says, ‘slow down,’” Ung told KHON 2.
Surveillance video shows a Tesla making a U-turn before its male driver approached the vehicle, reached through the window and punched Ung’s daughter in her jaw area. Ung, who intervened by throwing coffee at the driver, also told KABC that “he came running across the street, struck me like a Superman punch right inside my face,” resulting in a gash that required eight stitches.
Arrest and assault
Honolulu police arrested Radimak on May 8 at an apartment on Ala Wai Boulevard, charging him with unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and two counts of assault. His bail was set at $100,000, and he was additionally arrested on a no-bail parole revocation warrant.
Radimak, however, sustained injuries to his face and torso after being allegedly assaulted by fellow inmates in a housing unit at the Halawa facility on May 12. A photo making rounds on social media shows him in a wheelchair with facial bruises.
Criminal history
Radimak was released from California prison last August after serving less than a year of a five-year sentence for multiple road rage attacks across Southern California. He is now being held at the Halawa facility instead of jail due to his status as a convicted felon and parole violator in California’s correctional system.
Radimak is scheduled for arraignment on Thursday and will be extradited to California only after serving any sentences in Hawaii if convicted, authorities said.
Former Shen Yun dancers sue over alleged forced child labor, abuse
Two former dancers have filed a federal lawsuit against Shen Yun Performing Arts — the U.S.-based classical Chinese dance company known for its colorful stage performances and spiritual messaging — alleging that the organization subjected them to forced child labor, emotional abuse and brutal working conditions while they were minors.
Filed in the Southern District of New York last month, the lawsuit names Shen Yun, its affiliated Fei Tian Academy of the Arts and Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi as defendants. The plaintiffs, Sun Zan, 32, and Cheng Qing Ling, 28 — both originally from New Zealand — claim they were recruited as teenagers and endured years of physical and emotional mistreatment while living under strict control at the group’s compound in upstate New York.
Life inside the company
According to the lawsuit, Sun joined Shen Yun at age 15 and Cheng at 13. They allege they were forced into intensive 15-hour training days six days a week, received little or no pay and had limited access to education. Dancers were allegedly compelled to perform through injuries and illness and were discouraged from seeking medical care.
The complaint describes a culture of fear in which strict obedience was enforced. Cheng said she spent five years in “survival mode,” afraid of making mistakes. Sun recalled being forced into extreme stretches that caused internal bleeding and muscle tears, leaving him in “extreme pain for several weeks.”
Pattern of previous allegations
The new complaint echoes a similar lawsuit filed in November 2024 by former dancer Chang Chun-Ko, who said she was recruited as a child and subjected to psychological pressure and coercive control. “I started dancing for Shen Yun when I was only 13. From the outset, they showed me how cruel they could be towards those who disobeyed their authority. Thus, I knew I couldn’t leave without suffering dire consequences,” she told Berger Montague.
Her claims are consistent with findings from a 2024 New York Times investigation, which reported incidents of emotional abuse and untreated injuries among Shen Yun performers.
Organizational response
Shen Yun, which was founded in 2006 and is affiliated with the spiritual movement Falun Gong, has denied the accusations, saying it “operates with integrity” and is “committed to upholding the highest artistic and ethical standards.” The company said it does not exploit dancers or restrict access to medical care.
Carol Merchasin, the plaintiffs’ attorney, said the lawsuit seeks accountability for the treatment her clients allegedly endured. She emphasized the vulnerability of children placed in isolated, high-pressure environments.
The case remains pending in federal court with no trial date scheduled.
And Blackpink’s world tour title is … “Deadline,” label YG Entertainment announced on Friday. The tour comes after the group’s historic “Born Pink” tour, which attracted approximately 1.8 million fans across 22 countries. The “Deadline” tour will begin with performances on July 5-6 at Goyang Stadium in South Korea, bringing together Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé, who have recently been focused on individual music projects. After Seoul, the tour will continue in major cities in North America and Europe before wrapping up with a three-night engagement at Tokyo Dome in January 2026.
Arden Cho and Margaret Cho to lead romantic comedy “Cheap AF”
Arden Cho and Margaret Cho are set to star in the upcoming romantic comedy “Cheap AF,” the feature directorial debut of Roy Hsu, who also wrote the script. The story follows a frugal influencer, played by Arden, who jeopardizes her relationship and wedding in a bid to win Wedding Magazine’s “Best Wedding on a Budget” contest. Margaret plays her outspoken future mother-in-law, adding comic tension to the film’s exploration of love and social media culture. Production and release details have not yet been announced.
Lauren Chan makes history as solo Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover star
Lauren Chan has made history as the first out lesbian to appear solo on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, released May 13. The Canadian model and entrepreneur was photographed in Bermuda for the milestone edition, which also features Salma Hayek, Jordan Chiles and Olivia Dunne on separate covers. “I’m the first out lesbian on the cover — with her own cover — and how much that means to me makes that surprise feel so overwhelming,” Chan told People magazine. “That’s where I feel like the tears of joy and celebration and relief and community come from.”
Manga piracy site hit by massive DMCA purge, over 700 series removed
MangaDex, a prominent online platform for fan-translated manga, has removed over 700 series following an unprecedented wave of DMCA takedown notices from major Japanese and Korean publishers. The coordinated action — involving companies such as Kodansha, Square Enix, Naver and Kakao — marks the largest content purge in the piracy site’s history and affects both licensed and unlicensed titles, including popular series like “Solo Leveling,” “Dragon Ball” and “The Apothecary Diaries.” A MangaDex moderator confirmed this is the first time the site has experienced a takedown of this scale, prompting uncertainty about the platform’s future as it navigates intensifying legal pressures.
After election loss, Pacquiao plots boxing return — but fans are worried
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will return to the ring on July 19 to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, following his failed Senate bid in the Philippines. At age 46, Pacquiao is ending a four-year retirement, but recent training footage has raised concern among fans who noted signs of fatigue. Critics question his readiness and the legitimacy of his title shot.
