The FIRST Asian MLB Hall of Famer
Ichiro Suzuki was officially inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27, becoming the first Asian-born player ever to receive the sport’s highest honor.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #100
Ichiro Suzuki has made history as the first Asian-born inductee into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, celebrated for his record-breaking career in both Japan and Major League Baseball. Meanwhile, an Arizona sushi restaurant owner faces deportation after 21 years in the U.S., Boston Mayor Michelle Wu maintains a wide polling lead ahead of the city’s preliminary election, and a viral video of migrant abuse in South Korea has triggered national outrage and a government investigation.
Ichiro Suzuki makes history as the 1st Asian MLB Hall of Famer
Ichiro Suzuki was officially inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27, becoming the first Asian-born player ever to receive the sport’s highest honor. The 51-year-old Aichi native, whose electrifying career began in Japan before transforming Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners, received near-unanimous support from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and was celebrated in Cooperstown for his record-breaking achievements on both sides of the Pacific.
Suzuki’s legendary MLB career includes more than 3,000 hits, 10 Gold Glove Awards and 10 All-Star selections. In 2004, he set the American League single-season record with 262 hits. When his professional hits in Japan are combined with his MLB total, Suzuki’s 4,367 hits are recognized as the most by any player in the history of top-tier professional baseball. He is also the only MLB player to reach both 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases.
During the induction ceremony, Suzuki delivered a speech that blended humor with reflection, telling the crowd, “For the third time, I am a rookie,” referencing his journeys in Japan, MLB and now the Hall of Fame. He spoke of the inspiration he drew from his first visit to Cooperstown and credited his fans and mentors for his long-standing success. The Mariners plan to retire Suzuki’s No. 51 jersey in August in honor of his achievements.
Arizona sushi shop owner faces deportation after 21 years in U.S.
A longtime business owner in Peoria, Arizona, is facing deportation after more than two decades of living and working in the U.S. Kelly Yu, who owns Kawaii Sushi, a well-known restaurant in the city, was detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a routine immigration check-in in late May.
Yu, who does not have legal status in the U.S. and has no criminal record, now remains in ICE custody in Arizona, separated from her family, business and loyal customers.
Community response
Friends, employees and longtime customers have launched petitions and organized social media campaigns calling for Yu’s release. Supporters describe her as hardworking and generous, crediting her with building a welcoming space for residents and visitors. Due to Yu’s absence, her restaurant is currently operating under the management of relatives and staff.
Rep. Greg Stanton described Yu’s case as heartbreaking and said he was denied entry when he tried to visit her at the ICE facility. In a public statement, Stanton said, “People like Yu facing deportation is [sic] the reason that the immigration system needs reform.” U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, who also condemned Yu’s detainment, said he is “going to look at everything I can do to help her.” Local supporters continue to draw attention to Yu’s contributions and are urging immigration officials to reconsider her case.
Legal process
ICE officials confirmed that Yu is being processed under current immigration law. Her legal team has filed appeals, while her supporters continue to press for her release. Her status and any potential hearings remain pending as her family, employees and supporters continue to monitor developments while her legal proceedings move forward.
Michelle Wu maintains wide lead in Boston mayoral poll
Incumbent Michelle Wu continues to dominate Boston’s mayoral polls, leading challenger Josh Kraft 60% to 30% in a Suffolk University/Boston Globe released last week.
By the numbers: The July 13-16 poll, which surveyed 500 residents likely to vote in September’s preliminary election, also shows Wu with a 66% favorable rating against 28% unfavorable, as well as a 65% job approval versus 33% job disapproval. Wu leads across most demographics, though Kraft beats her 52%-38% among public safety households and 64%-28% among conservatives. So far, she has maintained a 30-point lead since April, when an early Saint Anselm College poll showed her ahead 53% to Kraft’s 21%. Meanwhile, community advocate Domingos DaRosa and former police officer Robert Cappucci received 3% and 1% in the latest poll, respectively.
What she’s for: Wu’s policy agenda aligns with voter priorities, particularly on housing where she supports rent control measures backed by 65% of poll respondents. Her administration champions the Boston Trust Act, which prevents local police from detaining individuals based solely on immigration status and enjoys 62% support. Wu has also pursued bike lane expansion as part of her transportation vision, though 50% of respondents said it has made getting around slower versus 18% who view it as a safety improvement.
Speaking out: Wu, Boston’s first woman and first Asian American mayor, launched her reelection campaign in April, casting herself as Boston’s defender against Trump administration pressure. The month prior, she made headlines for defending Boston’s immigrant policies, calling it “the safest major city in the country” and telling Republican lawmakers, “If you wanted to make us safe, pass gun reforms. Stop cutting Medicaid. Stop cutting cancer research. Stop cutting funds for veterans.” She drew criticism in late May when she described immigration raids as people getting “snatched off the street by secret police” and compared masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to a neo-Nazi group. At the time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) called her remarks “sickening” while the White House labeled them “disgusting, dangerous attacks on law enforcement.”
What’s next: Boston’s preliminary election is Sept. 9, with early voting starting Aug. 30. Interestingly, historical precedent supports Wu as no incumbent has lost reelection since 1949. Kraft’s campaign, for their part, dismissed the latest polling, saying he “didn’t get into the Mayor's race because of what polling says.” Kraft, the son of billionaire mogul Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, currently leads in fundraising with about $3.2 million raised compared to Wu’s $1.3 million.
Democrats’ historic unfavorability reflects setbacks with Asian American voters
A staggering 63% of voters now hold an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party, according to a new Wall Street Journal poll — the highest share in the publication’s surveys dating back to 1990.
Key findings: The latest poll, conducted from July 16-20, shows Democrats trailing Republicans on nearly every major issue, signaling a profound erosion of the party’s brand ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Only 33% of the respondents view Democrats favorably, while 8% see them “very favorably” compared to 19% for the GOP.
Despite a recent Gallup poll showing that most Americans now see immigrants as beneficial to the country, the respondents trust Republicans more on immigration by 17 points and illegal immigration by 24 points, even while disapproving of Trump’s handling of the economy and foreign policy. Democrats lead only on healthcare and vaccine policy among the 10 issues tested.
Zoom in: The Democratic struggle particularly resonates within the Asian American community, where political allegiances have shifted dramatically in recent cycles. The shift began long before Trump’s White House comeback, with Asian voters moving toward Republican candidates since 2020. While 42% of Asian Americans identified as Democrats (compared to 22% as Republicans) last July, Trump’s support among the group rose to 38% in 2024, up from 34% in 2020. Meanwhile, Harris received 56% versus Biden’s 61% four years earlier.
The community’s political volatility became stark when comparing pre-election polling, where Harris commanded a 38-point lead in September 2024, to post-inauguration sentiment, with 71% of Asian American adults viewing Trump unfavorably in a June 2025 poll, up sharply from 60% in December 2024. Notably, independent Asian voters showed the steepest decline, with unfavorable views jumping about 20 percentage points to nearly 70%.
Why this matters: For Asian Americans — the nation’s fastest-growing group of eligible voters — the Democratic Party’s credibility crisis poses significant implications for representation and policy priorities. With the majority of the community’s votes having backed Harris, the frustration may reflect disappointment in the party’s approach rather than abandonment of Democratic values.
In the past, the shift toward Republicans has been attributed partly to frustrations with Democratic policies on issues such as merit-based school admissions, along with Republican anti-crime messaging resonating amid rising anti-Asian hate. The party’s current brand weakness may be undermining their capacity to champion Asian American interests against discriminatory policies, even when most of the community opposes Trump.
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire talks after border clashes displace thousands
Clashes along the Thailand–Cambodia border erupted on July 24, marking the worst fighting between the two countries in more than a decade. At least 35 people have been killed, including civilians and soldiers on both sides, and over 200,000 have fled their homes as artillery fire, rockets and Thai airstrikes hit villages near disputed temple zones, according to the Associated Press. Both governments accuse each other of starting the conflict.
Humanitarian crisis
Casualties include an 8-year-old Thai boy and multiple Cambodian civilians. Thousands of displaced families are sheltering with monks, NGOs and volunteers as schools and markets close across the border region. One survivor, Komsan Prachan, mourned the loss of his wife and two children in a rocket strike, calling his wife his “other half.”
Diplomatic efforts
Both nations agreed to attend ASEAN-led talks in Malaysia on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly warned that trade deals would be blocked and tariffs imposed if the violence continued. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet declared his support for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” while Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Thailand “agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place” but added it depended on “sincere intention from the Cambodian side.”
Historical context and next steps
At the center of the clashes are border disputes of areas near the Preah Vihear temple, a flashpoint since colonial-era map disputes and the 1962 International Court of Justice decision. Analysts say the violence also reflects deeper political rivalries, with Thailand supported by the U.S. and Cambodia backed by China. Thai forces have sealed crossings and declared martial law in border provinces. The crisis tests ASEAN’s ability to mediate and could impact upcoming elections in both countries as military operations continue amid the diplomatic efforts.
Taiwan’s not-so-great recall: Historic bid to remove “pro-China” lawmakers fails
A historic vote in Taiwan on Saturday targeting 24 opposition Kuomintang (KMT) legislators accused of being too friendly with Beijing ended without any removals but nonetheless shook the island nation’s political landscape. The so-called “Great Recall,” Taiwan’s largest coordinated recall effort, sought to remove nearly one-fifth of the legislature in a single day. None of the targeted lawmakers lost their seats after all recall votes failed to meet Taiwan’s strict requirements.
Recall mechanics and turnout thresholds
The campaign was driven by civic groups aligned with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), accusing the KMT lawmakers of blocking defense-related legislation and favoring closer ties with Beijing. Petition organizers in each district collected enough signatures to trigger a recall vote. Under Taiwan’s recall law, a motion succeeds only if votes in favor exceed votes against and voter turnout reaches at least 25% of eligible voters. Despite millions of ballots cast and significant public interest, none of the 24 recall votes met both criteria.
Political context and fallout
The recall effort was fueled in part by frustration over legislative gridlock. The DPP won the presidency in January 2024 but lost its legislative majority, while the KMT and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) gained a combined 62 seats. Citizens’ groups framed the recall as a push to defend sovereignty and counter pro-China influence within the legislature. KMT leaders condemned the effort as politically motivated while the DPP said it reflected the democratic will of the people.
What’s next
A second wave of recall votes is scheduled for August 23 targeting seven more KMT lawmakers. Analysts say the sustained effort underscores deepening political polarization and may shape local election dynamics in 2026 and national positioning before the 2028 presidential race. The outcome of the August recalls will test whether civic momentum can overcome systemic electoral barriers.
Video of bound migrant worker being lifted by forklift roils South Korea
A video published on July 25 showing a Sri Lankan migrant worker at a brick factory in Naju, South Korea, being bound in plastic wrap, tied to bricks and lifted by a forklift has sparked national outrage and prompted an immediate response from President Lee Jae Myung. The 31‑year‑old worker was humiliated for several minutes in front of co‑workers who laughed in the background. The footage has drawn fierce condemnation from human rights groups and migrant advocacy organizations.
President Lee called the incident “an intolerable violation and clear human rights infringement of a minority person” during a Cabinet meeting the day after the video was posted. “After watching the video I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he said. He ordered all relevant ministries to launch an urgent investigation into the factory and to propose measures to prevent further abuse of migrant and minority workers across the country.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor confirmed it has opened an investigation into the Naju factory and plans to review workplace conditions at similar worksites. Factory officials claimed the incident was a prank but labor groups rejected the explanation, arguing that the binding of a person with plastic wrap cannot be dismissed as a joke. Protesters rallied in Naju calling for justice for the worker and demanding stronger protection for migrant laborers.
Experts say the incident underscores larger systemic issues in South Korea’s migrant labor sector where safety and rights enforcement remain uneven. A national human rights commission report released earlier this year found that migrant workers suffer fatal industrial accidents at more than three times the rate of South Korean citizens.
Trump says he initially wanted to break up Nvidia before learning about Jensen Huang
President Donald Trump recently revealed he once proposed breaking up Nvidia to reduce its dominance in AI chips but changed his mind after learning more about the company and its CEO Jensen Huang.
Trump’s breakup idea: During a Washington tech summit on July 23 unveiling his AI Action Plan, Trump admitted he had never heard of Nvidia before being advised that the company controls nearly 100 percent of the AI accelerator market. Trump explained that he was informed it would take 10 years for competitors to catch up even if Nvidia were mismanaged.
“What the hell is Nvidia?”: “I said, look, we’ll break this guy up,” Trump recounted. “This is before I learned the facts of life.” When told Huang was behind the company, Trump asked: “Who the hell is he? What's his name?' 'His name is Jensen Huang, Nvidia, ' I said, 'What the hell is Nvidia?' I've never heard of it before." Realizing how dominant Nvidia was, Trump decided not to pursue a breakup.
Shift in stance: After meeting Jensen Huang, Trump said the Taiwanese American billionaire was “a great guy” and praised Nvidia’s meteoric rise to a $4 trillion valuation. During this period, Huang successfully convinced the Trump administration to allow Nvidia to sell its H20 chips to China, reopening a major source of revenue that had been restricted due to national security concerns. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explained that only the “fourth-best” AI chips are permitted for export, stating the goal is to get Chinese developers “addicted to the American technology stack.”
Zuckerberg expands Asian-packed Superintelligence team with ChatGPT co-creator
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Friday that Shengjia Zhao, co-creator of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, will serve as chief scientist of Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL).
Catch up: Meta has been on a major AI hiring push, anchored by a $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI and bringing on its former CEO, Alexandr Wang, as first chief AI officer. So far, the company has offered lucrative pay packages, with Apple’s Ruoming Pang reportedly earning up to $200 million over four years and some signing bonuses reaching $100 million. This recruitment effort followed problems with the company’s Llama 4 model, which faced claims of inflated performance metrics and criticism over a lack of transparency following its April launch.
About Zhao: Zhao co-created ChatGPT and helped build GPT-4, mini models, 4.1 and o3. “Shengjia has already pioneered several breakthroughs including a new scaling paradigm and distinguished himself as a leader in the field,” Zuckerberg shared. Notably, Zhao was listed as an MSL cofounder and has been its lead scientist “from day one,” working directly with Zuckerberg and Wang. He joins other OpenAI alumni — including Shuchao Bi, Hongyu Ren and Jiahui Yu — plus former Google researcher Huiwen Chang and Ji Lin from Anthropic in a team of approximately 50 researchers operating separately from Meta’s established FAIR division led by Yann LeCun.
The big picture: MSL reflects Zuckerberg’s ambitious pursuit of artificial general intelligence, with plans to “invest hundreds of billions of dollars into compute to build superintelligence” through data centers named “Hyperion” and “Prometheus.” The company aims to achieve “full general intelligence” while maintaining its open-source approach, a strategy that faces competitive pressure from rivals such as China’s DeepSeek. OpenAI’s Sam Altman, for his part, has publicly criticized Meta’s recruitment tactics, warning they could “lead to very deep cultural problems.”
“King of the Hill” showrunner emphasizes diverse casting in reboot
“King of the Hill” showrunner Saladin K. Patterson highlighted the importance of diverse casting for the animated series’ reboot this weekend, noting that “actors fit the characters that they’re portraying” as the show returns after 15 years.
The right fit: The new season addresses previous criticism by casting ethnically appropriate voice actors for several characters of color. For starters, Malaysian comedian Ronny Chieng now voices Kahn Souphanousinphone, a Laotian American character previously played by Toby Huss. Kenneth Choi takes on Laotian American Ted Wassanasong, while Ki Hong Lee voices his son, Chane.
“We got very lucky in being able to have so many people who were big fans of the show, like Ronny Chieng, who grew up watching the show. He was a fan of it and came and joined us,” Patterson said Friday at San Diego Comic-Con. Meanwhile, co-creator Greg Daniels called Chieng “such a natural Kahn.”
About the show: Season 14 premieres on Hulu Aug. 4, moving the story forward 15 years to present-day Arlen, Texas. Hank and Peggy Hill return from their Aramco job in Saudi Arabia to find Bobby, now 21, working as executive chef at a German-Japanese fusion restaurant. The 10-episode season introduces modern elements to the Texas town, including ride-sharing and gender-neutral restrooms.
The animated series originally ran from 1997 to 2010 until Fox canceled it for a “Family Guy” spinoff. Production faced tragedy when Johnny Hardwick, Dale Gribble’s voice actor, died in 2023 during recording, with Huss taking over the character.
Why this matters: The casting updates reflect broader entertainment industry efforts toward authentic representation in animated shows. Daniels has acknowledged that past casting choices did not prioritize authenticity, while Patterson characterized the new additions as “inviting some new people to the family.” Other animated series such as “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” have made similar changes to match character backgrounds with actors’ ethnicities.
For now, fans are waiting to see if viewer support will bring back beloved character Junichiro — Hank’s Japanese half-brother — with Patterson hinting at his potential return if the show continues.
Banh mi: The anatomy of a perfect sandwich
This is part 2 of our three-part series on banh mi. Read part 1 here.
If banh mi is a symbol of Vietnam’s history, then each layer tells a part of that story. From its French-influenced crust to the punchy Vietnamese fillings, the sandwich is a study in balance: crunchy and soft, sweet and savory, fresh and rich. But what exactly makes a banh mi great?
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