Sushi in space!?
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim recently delighted space enthusiasts by sharing a video of a makeshift “space sushi” meal aboard the International Space Station.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #85
Sen. Tammy Duckworth clashed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over Confederate base renamings and military readiness. San Francisco’s Chinatown park faces delays due to tariffs. Job prospects for new grads are shrinking. Shohei Ohtani made MLB history, while Kaitlyn Chen returned to the WNBA. Plus, updates on Emma Raducanu’s stalker, Sandra Oh’s viral graduation speech, and BTS’ 2026 comeback.
Duckworth rips Hegseth on base renaming and military priorities
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D‑Ill.) delivered a searing rebuke of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, criticizing his focus on renaming U.S. military bases and accusing him of undermining national security with a politicized agenda.
Duckworth, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant, said that Hegseth’s push to restore Confederate base names distracts from core defense priorities and readiness. “I served at Fort Rucker, Alabama — a base that was named for a traitor who took arms against the United States of America, led troops who killed Americans,” the Thai American combat veteran noted. “It was renamed for Mike Novosel, a Medal of Honor recipient ... I’d rather be associated with Mike Novosel than a failed Confederate traitor.”
Duckworth sharply criticized Hegseth’s conduct in office, citing reported operational failures and ethical concerns. “You are blowing through money like my fellow cadets and I did in our first liberty after basic camp,” she said. “Luckily, I didn’t end up with a questionable tattoo.”
“Your failures, Mr. Secretary, since you’ve taken office, have been staggering. You sent classified operational information over Signal to chest thump in front of your wife — who, by the way, has no security clearance — risking service member lives in the process. You blew the $1 billion fight against the Houthis who, again, as my colleague says, has no navy; and yet you lost all of those aircraft.”
Duckworth went on to warn that the growing use of U.S. military forces for domestic enforcement diverts attention from foreign adversaries and undermines combat preparedness. She called the politicization of defense roles “an unjustified, un‑American misuse” of military resources and criticized the Pentagon’s allocation of funds toward symbolic actions instead of operational capability.
Tariffs delay San Francisco Chinatown park renovation
A $71 million makeover of Portsmouth Square in San Francisco’s Chinatown faces a delay of more than five months after construction companies submitted bids far exceeding the project budget, citing factors that point back to President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
About the renovation: Portsmouth Square, which serves as a space for socializing and other activities, has been planned for renovation for years. The latest improvement calls for expanding its current 700-square-foot clubhouse to 7,000 square feet, along with installing new playground equipment, an art display wall and covered areas for community gatherings. Officials must also address the removal of a pedestrian walkway linking the park to the nearby Hilton hotel, a demolition project estimated to cost between $4 million and $5 million.
Why it’s being delayed: Project bids surpassed the allocated $43 million budget by more than $10 million, with contractors submitting a low estimate of $54.7 million. Global tariffs triggered by Trump appeared to be the root issue. “The cost spike is tied to global tariffs, supply-chain slowdowns and construction inflation,” Recreation and Parks Department spokesperson Tamara Aparton said. “Rebidding now protects public dollars, keeps vital state and bond funding on the table and avoids years of delay. Most importantly, it keeps the heart of the project intact.”
Import duties on Chinese goods reached as high as 145% in April before dropping to 55% in the latest deal, placing the U.S. back to where it started. The Federal Reserve’s Jerome Powell noted that the trade policies have driven up costs for various products, particularly electronics, with additional price increases anticipated in coming months.
What the community is saying: Anni Chung, who leads the nonprofit Self Help for the Elderly — which holds classes at the park’s clubhouse — voiced concerns about the extended timeline. “The community has been waiting for a long time for the new park,” she said, having been involved in its planning for over a decade. “Most of our Chinatown residents live in SROs, and Portsmouth Square is our only major park and open space. No more delay.”
Despite the setback, Rec and Parks Commissioner Vanita Louie expressed confidence that the expected delay pales in comparison to the lengthy wait residents have already endured. “This is the most major park renovation project in Chinatown’s history. The department will take the extra time in finding cost-saving ways without changing the approved design,” Louie said.
Work on the project is scheduled to begin following the 2026 Lunar New Year celebration, with the renovated park expected to open by early 2028.
New grads face shrinking U.S. job market
Recent graduates are entering one of the toughest job markets in years, with unemployment rising and entry-level hiring slowing sharply — even as broader employment numbers remain steady.
Jobless rates among young workers: Unemployment among recent college graduates reached 5.8% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Among high-school graduates aged 18 to 19, the jobless rate was 14.5% — nearly four times the national average of 4.2% in May. A separate report from Oxford Economics found that 85% of joblessness since mid-2023 has come from individuals entering the labor market for the first time.
Racial disparities among graduates: Asian American and Pacific Islander graduates reported an average unemployment rate of 8.7% over the 36 months ending in March 2024, according to the Economic Policy Institute. White graduates had an average rate of 5.1%, while Black and Hispanic graduates experienced 8.0% and 7.6%, respectively.
Barriers to entry-level work: In March, 41.2% of recent college graduates were working in jobs that don’t require a degree, up from 38.9% in December. Employers have also cut back on traditional pathways: entry-level hiring is down 17% since 2019 and paid internships have declined 11% over the past year. Quit rates have fallen to 2%, reducing turnover and leaving fewer openings for new graduates.
Broader economic uncertainty: A May survey from Vistage and the Wall Street Journal found that 42% of small and midsize business owners plan to reduce hiring due to tariffs, while 30% say trade policies are already harming operations. Advances in artificial intelligence are also accelerating job cuts. Oxford Economics reported that employment for 22- to 27-year-olds in computer science and math roles fell 8% since 2022, even as overall employment in those fields remained positive.
Shohei Ohtani breaks yet another record in long-awaited return
Shohei Ohtani has added another historic feat to his already unprecedented career, becoming the first player in Dodgers history to hit 79 home runs while also starting at least one game on the mound. The mark surpasses Hall of Famer Don Drysdale’s long-standing record of 29 home runs for a Dodgers pitcher.
Ohtani reached the milestone during his highly-anticipated return to the mound on June 16, when he pitched one inning and contributed two hits at the plate in a 9–5 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Back in action
Now in his first full season with the Dodgers, Ohtani leads the National League with 25 home runs, 73 runs scored, a .642 slugging percentage and a 1.034 OPS. His June 16 appearance marked his first time pitching in nearly 22 months — since August 23, 2023, with the Angels, when he exited a game due to elbow pain.
He underwent his second Tommy John surgery on September 19, 2023, and did not pitch for the remainder of that season or during the 2024 campaign. The June 16 outing was his first since the operation. Ohtani threw 19 pitches, topping out at 100.6 mph, and allowed one run on two hits.
“He’s ready. He’s adamant he feels good, strong and ready to pitch in a major league game,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said before the game.
Path to full recovery
The Dodgers are managing his workload carefully given the long-term implications of his recovery and the record-setting 10-year, $700 million deal he signed in December 2023.
Medical experts have noted that second Tommy John surgeries carry a more complex recovery profile. He is expected to pitch in short stints about once a week as he rebuilds arm strength and avoids overuse. The team has not set a timeline for Ohtani’s return to full-length starts.
Fan‑favorite Kaitlyn Chen rejoins Golden State Valkyries on emergency contract
Rookie guard Kaitlyn Chen remains on the Golden State Valkyries roster this week under an emergency hardship contract amid a roster shortfall caused by six players competing in EuroBasket 2025.
Chen, who was originally waived in May after training camp, rejoined the expansion team on June 16. The Valkyries must decide whether to sign, release or renegotiate her deal when the hardship deal ends on June 22.
Filling the gap
The Valkyries fell below the WNBA’s 10-player minimum when several international players — including Janelle Salaün, Julie Vanloo and Iliana Rupert — left to represent their countries overseas. The league granted the team hardship exceptions, which allowed Golden State to re-sign Chen and add forward Chloe Bibby to bolster its depth.
While Chen did not play in her June 17 appearance against Dallas, the match featured a highly anticipated reunion with her former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers, now a rookie standout with the Wings
Return of a fan favorite
Chen, a San Marino, California native, drew national attention earlier this year as the first Taiwanese American ever drafted into the WNBA. After leading Princeton to an Ivy League title and then winning a national championship with UConn, she was selected 30th overall by Golden State in April. Her preseason appearances were limited to two games, after which she was waived — sparking public outcry from fans and media questioning the move.
Her return has been celebrated by fans both locally and nationally, with Chen quickly becoming one of the most recognizable faces on the Valkyries’ roster despite her limited court time. At Chase Center, her jerseys remain in high demand.
Practice standout
Although she has yet to log regular-season minutes, Chen has impressed Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase with her focus and preparedness. Nakase praised her “competitive edge” and described her as “fearless” in training sessions.
“You know what you're going to get from Kaitlyn,” Nakase said. “She plays 94 feet … she picks up [defensively] and she’s very smart.”
Wimbledon bans stalker who followed tennis star Emma Raducanu across 4 countries
Wimbledon organizers have blocked a man with a documented history of stalking British tennis player Emma Raducanu from purchasing tickets to this year’s tournament after his name triggered security alerts in the public ballot. The All England Club confirmed the action ahead of the tournament, which begins June 30.
The stalking incident unfolded earlier this year during the WTA’s swing through Asia. The man, whose identity has not been released, followed Raducanu to tournaments in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai. In Dubai, he approached her in a café with a handwritten letter and asked for a photo.
The next day, Raducanu spotted him in the crowd during her second-round match and became visibly shaken. “I literally couldn’t see the ball through tears,” said the 22-year-old in an interview. “I could barely breathe. I was like: ‘I need to just take a breather.’”
Dubai authorities detained the man, who signed a pledge to stay away from Raducanu and was banned from future tournaments.
Earlier this month, the same man attempted to enter the Wimbledon ticket ballot, which was conducted online for the first time. Security protocols flagged his name and officials immediately denied his application. He is also barred from entering via the tournament’s public queue, with ground staff instructed to prevent his access.
In 2022, Raducanu dealt with a separate stalking case, when another man was given a five-year restraining order for repeatedly showing up at her home and leaving unwanted gifts.
Raducanu, now ranked No. 36 in the world, is expected to compete at Wimbledon and will receive enhanced personal security.
Harold Lee and Kumar Patel are officially returning to the big screen
A new sequel in the “Harold & Kumar” comedy franchise is officially in development, with original creators Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald returning to write and direct. Lionsgate confirmed the news this week, marking the first major update to the series since “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” premiered in 2011.
While plot details remain under wraps, Hurwitz and Schlossberg said the project will revisit the stoner-fueled chaos that defined the early films. “It’s high time they puff and pass their wisdom onto a new generation. Just don’t tell their kids,” the filmmakers said in a joint statement.
John Cho and Kal Penn are expected to reprise their roles as Harold and Kumar, though no casting has been finalized. The film will be produced under Mandate Pictures, with no release date yet announced.
Sandra Oh brings impromptu dance party to Dartmouth commencement
“Killing Eve” star Sandra Oh surprised Dartmouth College’s Class of 2025 with a rousing and unconventional send-off, ending her commencement speech on Monday with an impromptu dance to David Guetta’s “Titanium.”
Speaking on the university’s green in Hanover, New Hampshire, Oh offered guidance on resilience, discomfort and joy, then invited graduates to celebrate in the moment: “When the world gets hard, or when it’s good — especially when it’s good like today, by yourself, with people you love, with strangers, always take the time to dance it out!”
Oh, who received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree, led the crowd in what quickly became a full-scale dance party. At first, a few graduates stood and swayed along with the music — but within moments, the entire class and many in the audience joined in. The spontaneous finale, captured on video, spread widely on social media.
“Lilo & Stitch” actor David Hekili Kenui Bell dies at 46
Hawaii-based actor and public servant David Hekili Kenui Bell, who recently appeared in Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch” film, died June 12 at age 46, according to local authorities. An autopsy is pending, but no foul play is suspected, the Hawaii Police Department told People.
Beloved by many: His sister, Jalene Kanani Bell, announced his death in a public tribute, calling him “sweet, generous, talented, funny, brilliant and handsome.” Online tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues, many recognizing Bell’s presence both on screen and in everyday life.
A familiar face in film and TV: Bell portrayed the Hat-Shave Ice Man — nicknamed by fans as the “Big Hawaiian Dude” — in “Lilo & Stitch,” which debuted in theaters in May. The role, though brief, earned attention for a scene that blends comedy and chaos as aliens disrupt a quiet shaved ice moment. Bell also made appearances in hit series filmed in Hawaii, including “Hawaii Five-0” and “Magnum P.I.”
Beyond the screen: A graduate of Kalani High School and longtime resident of Waimea, Bell served as assistant airport superintendent at Kona International Airport. His voice greeted arriving passengers over the terminal’s PA system, a role that made him recognizable to visitors and locals alike.
Disney tribute: Disney paid tribute to Bell in a statement, calling him “kind, caring, and a friend to all on set,” and noting he would “forever be a member of the Disney and ‘Lilo & Stitch’ family.” Maia Kealoha, who played Lilo, referred to him as “Uncle David” and spoke warmly of his support during filming.
BTS won’t return until 2026, report reveals
BTS will return as a complete group in March 2026, according to a report citing multiple industry sources.
What the report says: An official with Hybe, BTS’ parent label, confirmed through a source that “BTS’ comeback date is set for March next year,” the Korea Herald reported on Wednesday. The timing purportedly aligns with strategic planning within Hybe’s roster, with another source claiming BTS could return in the same month as their labelmate Tomorrow X Together. Enhypen, which is under Hybe subsidiary Belift Lab, reportedly moved their March comeback to January “to avoid overlapping with BTS’ return.”
What we know for sure: Big Hit Music, which directly manages BTS, has yet to announce an official comeback date. But with Suga scheduled for discharge on Saturday, all seven members will have completed their 18-month military service, making their return to the K-pop scene inevitable. J-Hope, who recently wrapped up his solo concert, also fueled anticipation during a variety show appearance last weekend, saying, “We’re trying to make a comeback as soon as possible.” He also hinted at broader plans, including a possible world tour.
What fans are saying: While fans are eager to see BTS together again, some have expressed skepticism about the claims. “I’d take this with a grain of salt TBH … hard to believe that barely a week out from the majority of members being discharged, they’ve had time to plan enough to have a set comeback date,” one Reddit user wrote.
Others, however, are more hopeful. “Yayyy!!!! I hope it is a full album!!! It's been so longgg!!!” one exclaimed.
Co-ed is making a comeback in K-pop
The Black Label’s Allday Project is set to become K-pop’s first mixed-gender group since 2017, ending an eight-year drought for co-ed acts in the industry.
About the group: The five-member ensemble — featuring members Annie, Bailey, Tarzzan, Woochan and Youngseo — will launch June 23 through The Black Label, producer Teddy Park’s agency, which also manages Blackpink’s Rosé and girl group Meovv.
Each member carries distinct credentials: both Woochan and Youngseo have competed in survival reality shows; Bailey has worked as a dancer; and Tarzzan got a headstart in modeling. Meanwhile, Annie is the daughter of Chung Yoo-kyung, chair of South Korean retail giant Shinsegae, the company behind the country’s first credit card.
Why this matters: Mixed-gender acts dominated South Korea during the 1990s and early 2000s, with groups like Cool, Roo’Ra, Sharp and Turtles achieving widespread recognition before companies shifted toward single-gender strategies. Allday Project will be K-pop’s first co-ed act since quartet Kard under DSP Media debuted in 2017.
Unsurprisingly, the group has sparked strong opinions. Their debut track, “Famous,” amassed over 3 million views within 24 hours of its Monday release on YouTube while drawing sharply divided opinions. While some hailed their music as “refreshing” and praised the members for their talents, others found it “old-fashioned,” with one writing, “It’s not the current trend, but there is still some demand for this kind of concept.”
Another Katseye member comes out
Katseye member Megan publicly came out as bisexual during a livestream earlier this month, Pride making her the second member of Hybe’s multinational girl group to openly identify as LGBTQ+.
“I want to come out. I’m bisexual,” Megan, who was born to a Chinese Singaporean mother and a Swedish American father, told viewers during the June 6 livestream. Fans quickly reciprocated with support. This follows fellow member Lara’s coming-out in March, who knew she was “half a fruitcake” since she was 8.
The six-member group is currently preparing for the release of their second EP, “Beautiful Chaos,” on June 27, as well as their Lollapalooza performance in Chicago from July 31 to Aug. 3.
Tinder’s 1st Asian American CEO steps down as user numbers fall
Faye Iosotaluno, the first Asian American CEO of Tinder, will step down in July after less than two years in the role. She announced her departure in a LinkedIn post on May 21, writing, “Tinder is in great hands with Spencer and the leadership team,” referring to Match Group CEO Bernard Kim — who will temporarily oversee operations. Iosotaluno was named CEO in January 2024 after serving as the company’s COO, where she helped expand features around friendship, improve content safety and incorporate more AI-driven personalization into the app’s matching algorithm.
Her exit comes amid financial challenges for Tinder’s parent company, Match Group. In the first quarter of 2025, Match reported a 5% decline in paying users and announced layoffs affecting 13% of its workforce. The company’s stock is down more than 80% over the past year. Iosotaluno’s tenure marked an effort to rebrand Tinder for Gen Z users who increasingly seek authenticity, community and non-romantic connection. Her departure suggests Match is recalibrating its approach as competition in the online dating space intensifies.
Jonny Kim crafts “space sushi” aboard the ISS
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim recently delighted space enthusiasts by sharing a video of a makeshift “space sushi” meal aboard the International Space Station. The footage, posted on Instagram on Monday, showed Kim and his fellow Expedition 72/73 crewmembers preparing sushi-inspired dishes using rice, Spam, packaged fish, gochujang and wasabi—all assembled in zero gravity aboard the ISS.
“We orient tape such that the sticky side is facing up,” Kim explained. “This allows us to stick food, utensils and condiments to our table. Otherwise, everything would float away.” While not a substitute for fresh sushi, the shared meal lifted spirits and showcased the ingenuity required to adapt everyday comforts in space. “Space sushi isn’t quite the same as the fresh stuff on the ground, but it’s not bad!” the 41-year-old wrote.
Kim, a Navy SEAL-turned-physician, launched to the ISS in April 2025 and made history as the first Korean American astronaut to fly to space. His lighthearted take on culinary improvisation offered a glimpse into life aboard the orbiting laboratory — where moments of joy and connection often come in unexpected forms. He also shared a gochujang burger recipe back in April.