Asian students sue Trump
Hundreds of international students are fighting back through federal lawsuits as the Trump administration revokes student visas without notice.
The Rebel Yellow - Issue 58
The all-women Blue Origin crew defends their historic flight amid backlash, while international students sue the Trump administration over sudden visa revocations. Beijing fires back at U.S. trade tactics, salty and sugary diets come under new scrutiny for their health effects, and Filipino favorites like bagoong make a long-awaited return to U.S. shelves. Plus: NYC honors Thich Nhat Hanh, Japan cracks down on AI porn, and a former K-pop idol enters the menstrual health space.
Historic all-women Blue Origin crew defend mission after celebrity backlash
Blue Origin’s historic all-women space mission has faced immediate backlash from critics — including celebrities — who question the 11-minute journey’s purpose and cost, leaving crew members defending its scientific and inspirational value.
Catch up: Monday’s NS-31 mission marked the first all-female crew to travel to space since 1963. The six-woman team included former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn, CBS journalist Gayle King, singer Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos’ fiancee Lauren Sanchez and bioastronautics researcher/civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman in space.
What critics are saying
Actress Olivia Munn was among the first to criticize the mission ahead of its flight. While co-hosting “Today with Jenna & Friends” on April 3, Munn called the flight “gluttonous” and questioned its purpose. “Space exploration was to further our knowledge and to help mankind. What are they going to do up there that has made it better for us down here?” Munn said, noting many people “can’t even afford eggs.”
Other celebrities joined in the criticism, with Emily Ratajkowski saying she was “disgusted” by the mission, particularly Perry’s promotion of her tour during zero gravity. Jessica Chastain also shared an op-ed by The Guardian columnist Moira Donegan titled “The Blue Origin flight showcased the utter defeat of American feminism.”
In defense of the mission
The crew defended their journey during a post-flight press conference. Bowe said she wished those criticizing their mission could read her inbox. “I am seeing boys and girls around the world say, ‘I’m inspired, and I see myself in this crew,’” she shared. King, on the other hand, acknowledged the criticism but stated, “I’m not going to let you steal our joy, but most people are really excited and cheering us on and realize what this mission means to young women, young girls and boys, too.”
Before their flight, Nguyen, for her part, emphasized representation. “I fly into space so that Vietnamese girls can imagine themselves among the stars,” she said.
Asian students sue Trump administration over sudden visa revocations
Hundreds of international students are fighting back through federal lawsuits as the Trump administration revokes student visas without notice, forcing many to leave the country immediately or face deportation.
About the lawsuits
Four Chinese students filed a lawsuit in California’s Northern District Court on April 11, challenging the government’s cancellation of their F-1 visas. The plaintiffs — from UC Berkeley, Columbia, Carnegie Mellon and University of Cincinnati — named Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons as defendants, alleging the terminations occurred “without notice or due process” and violated constitutional rights.
Similar legal challenges have emerged across multiple states. In Michigan, four students — two from China, one from Nepal and one from India — sought relief from detention in a Detroit federal court on Wednesday. A judge in New Hampshire already ruled in favor of Xiaotian Liu, a Chinese Dartmouth student, ordering his visa status reinstated.
The big picture
As of Thursday, at least 1,400 international students from more than 200 U.S. institutions have had their legal status changed since mid-March, according to a tracker by Inside Higher Education. The government has targeted students with alleged minor infractions such as traffic tickets and dismissed charges, citing vague “criminal records” as justification.
Clay Zhu, lead attorney for the California lawsuit, told the Global Times that their legal challenge not only intends to protect the rights of the four plaintiffs, but of “all affected international students.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously defended the government’s actions, stating, “A visa is a gift. ... No one is entitled to a visa.”
Sparking fears
The crackdown threatens the U.S.’ position as a top destination for international talent. Foreign students contribute significantly to university revenues and research advancement, with Chinese students alone representing approximately 25% of all international students in the U.S.
Many affected students have lived in the country for years without criminal convictions. Unsurprisingly, the sudden terminations have stoked widespread fear, with some reportedly avoiding in-person classes to prevent potential arrest by ICE agents. Others have already left the country, abandoning their studies to avoid detention.
As federal judges continue reviewing cases across multiple jurisdictions, university leaders are pressing the government for clearer explanations while advising international students to carry immigration documents at all times.
Beijing says Trump’s trade war will hurt U.S. “peasants”
A senior Chinese official warned Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s tariffs would backfire, claiming “those peasants in the U.S.” would eventually “wail in front of the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.”
Tit-for-tat: Xia Baolong, director of China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, made the remarks in a pre-recorded address for National Security Education Day. His comments specifically targeted Trump’s 145% tariff on all goods from Hong Kong, which he called “brutally unreasonable and extremely shameless.” This appears to be a direct response to Vice President J.D. Vance, who claimed last week that Americans “borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture” while defending Trump’s plan to revitalize U.S. manufacturing.
What China is saying: The heated rhetoric marks Beijing’s shift from attempting diplomatic communication to forcefully casting the U.S. as an irresponsible global power. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian called Vance’s remarks “ignorant and disrespectful” last week, while Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Vietnam to join China in opposing “unilateral bullying” during his Southeast Asia tour this week. The Chinese Embassy in Argentina also rejected U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s characterization of Chinese investments as “rapacious deals.”
Trump’s trade war continues to intensify with retaliatory measures from both sides, creating what experts describe as an effective trade embargo with no signs of diplomatic resolution on the horizon.
Xi woos Southeast Asia in trip that Trump says aims to “screw” the U.S.
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged Wednesday that China would stand with Malaysia and other Asian nations to combat unilateralism and protectionism amid escalating trade tensions with the U.S.
Xi’s Southeast Asia tour: During his three-day state visit to Malaysia — his first since 2013 — Xi emphasized regional solidarity against what he called “geopolitical and camp-based confrontation” and “unilateralism and protectionism.” The visit included meetings with Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, resulting in 31 memoranda of understanding spanning security, trade, infrastructure and other areas. Xi declared that China-Malaysia relations “are now entering a new golden era,” highlighting China’s position as Malaysia’s largest trade partner for 16 consecutive years. Prior to Malaysia, Xi visited Vietnam, where he signed agreements on enhancing supply chains and promised greater market access for Vietnamese products.
“I don’t blame China”: President Donald Trump characterized Xi’s regional tour as likely intended to “screw” the U.S. Referring to Xi’s meeting with Vietnamese leaders, Trump told reporters on Monday, “That’s a lovely meeting. Meeting like, trying to figure out: ‘How do we screw the United States of America?’” However, the president added, “I don’t blame China; I don’t blame Vietnam,” suggesting he viewed such actions as expected.
Xi wrapped up his Southeast Asian tour with a visit to Cambodia on Thursday, continuing his diplomatic push in a region significantly impacted by Trump’s recent “Liberation Day” tariffs. The timing of Xi’s tour, while planned before Trump’s tariff announcements, provides China an opportunity to position itself as a stable economic partner amid rising U.S.-China tensions.
Tokyo police arrest 4 for selling AI-generated porn in Japan first
Four individuals have been arrested in Tokyo for allegedly selling obscene images of women generated by artificial intelligence, marking Japan’s first criminal case targeting artificially created pornographic content.
About the arrests: Tokyo police arrested three men and one woman, aged between their 20s and 50s, on Monday for allegedly distributing and displaying pornographic objects through online auctions around October last year. Among those detained was 44-year-old Tomohiro Mizutani, a retail worker from Aichi Prefecture who allegedly earned approximately 10 million yen ($70,000) over a one-year period. The suspects allegedly used free AI software to create explicit images of fictitious women, marketing them as “AI beauty” posters and selling them for several thousand yen each. Mizutani and two others have admitted to the allegations, while the fourth suspect has denied some of the charges.
Why this matters: The case highlights growing global concerns about AI-generated explicit content and deepfake pornography. According to Tokyo police, the suspects attempted to circumvent selling restrictions by displaying censored images in online auctions while shipping uncensored versions to customers. Suspect Suganuma Takashi, 53, said he learned to create posters on his own as he wanted to make a business out of them. The illegal sales were eventually discovered during police cyber patrols.
While Japan currently lacks specific laws restricting AI-generated pornographic images, some regions are taking action, such as Tottori Prefecture which passed an ordinance in March banning deepfake pornography creation.
Filipino “bagoong” returns to U.S. shelves months after FDA ban
Filipino fermented shrimp paste — bagoong — began vanishing from grocery stores across the U.S. in late 2024 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Import Alert 99-45, effectively banning the import of several beloved Filipino condiments, including bagoong alamang, Mang Tomas lechon sauce and Jufran banana ketchup. The FDA cited the use of “unsafe food additives” such as TBHQ and potassium iodate.
The FDA’s rationale
Unlike previous crackdowns in the 1980s, which targeted contamination issues like E. coli and filth in anchovy-based products, the 2024 ban focused on specific additives deemed non-compliant with FDA standards.
Potassium iodate — commonly found in iodized salt used in bagoong — was flagged, despite being used in trace amounts. While excessive intake of potassium iodate can impact thyroid function, the minute quantities in condiments like bagoong pose little risk, especially given how sparingly the condiment is consumed.
Cultural significance at risk
Beyond its culinary uses — such as enhancing kare-kare or flavoring pinakbet — bagoong holds deep emotional resonance for many Filipino Americans who grew up with it. The absence of bagoong and other banned condiments left households scrambling, with some stockpiling remaining jars and others hoping for swift reformulations. Advocates have warned that strict regulatory standards, though critical for food safety, may inadvertently marginalize traditional products.
Return to American shelves
The FDA ban is not permanent; companies can have their products removed from the alert list by meeting FDA standards and using approved safer additives.
Two weeks ago, Filipino-owned grocery chain Island Pacific restocked bottles of Barrio Fiesta’s spicy bagoong, now labeled bagoong hipon and featuring redesigned packaging. Other reformulated products, including Mama Sita’s Lechon Sauce and Jufran Banana Ketchup, also returned to the shelves.
What’s next for Filipino condiments?
Nutriasia, the Philippine manufacturer behind Mang Tomas and Jufran, confirmed it reformulated its U.S.-bound products as early as September 2024. “We have already filed a petition to have our products removed from the list and we are just waiting for a reply from the U.S. FDA,” the company said in a public statement. “We hope to have our products on the shelves soon.”
Study reveals how sugary drinks can physically rewire your body
Drinking boba tea daily could create a “molecular addiction”
Drinking soda or boba daily, even at moderate levels, can physically change your intestines, a new study from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India indicates. According to the authors, regular consumption of these sugary drinks creates a "molecular addiction" that prioritizes sugar absorption, making them hard to quit and increasing the risk of diabetes and obesity.
Sugar's intestinal impact
The study, published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, investigated the impact of a 10% sucrose solution — a sugar concentration mirroring that of common commercial beverages — on mice over three months. Researchers monitored metabolic changes throughout the animals' bodies, revealing significant glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, accompanied by notable structural alterations in their intestines.
The intestines of mice drinking sucrose water developed elongated villi, the finger-like projections responsible for nutrient absorption. More critically, the expression of sugar transporters — proteins that facilitate sugar movement from the intestine into the bloodstream — increased dramatically. This adaptation essentially created a system designed to extract maximum sugar from whatever was consumed. Furthermore, the research revealed that the intestines of these mice also showed decreased transporters for proteins and fats, indicating a fundamental shift in favoring sugar absorption.
Disruptions beyond the intestines
The metabolic disruptions caused by sugary drinks extend beyond the intestines, affecting the liver and muscles. Researchers observed impaired mitochondrial function in these organs, leading to increased production of harmful reactive oxygen species in the liver. This cascade of effects interferes with the body's ability to process essential nutrients, contributing to widespread metabolic imbalances.
This study suggests that the rapid absorption of liquid sugar — unlike sugar found in fiber-rich solid foods — triggers specific intestinal changes that enhance sugar uptake. Over time, chronic sugar consumption rewires metabolism in ways that can be difficult to reverse. This physiological shift helps explain why breaking the habit of consuming sugary drinks, especially soda and boba, can be so challenging.
Asian American sugar consumption
While soda consumption among Asian American youth is notably lower compared to other demographics, it's crucial to examine overall sugary drink intake. Fruit drinks and bubble tea emerge as the most widely consumed sugary beverage across all Asian youth. Boba, in particular, presents a unique concern due to its high sugar content, even exceeding that of soda. Reports indicate that popular boba tea varieties can contain over 80 to 102.5 grams of sugar, equivalent to 16 to 20.5 teaspoons, significantly surpassing the sugar content of typical sodas.
It is also worth noting that consumption patterns vary significantly among Asian American ethnicities. For example, in New York City, sugary drink consumption ranges from 7% among East Asian adults to 28% among Pacific Islander adults. Even with lower soda intake, certain Asian subgroups, such as Chinese, Koreans and Filipinos, demonstrate increased obesity risk associated with soda consumption.
Mitigating “molecular addiction”
The study’s authors highlighted the significant implications for public health, particularly in light of the rising global consumption of sugary beverages. The research’s findings underscore the need for stronger warnings and potential policy measures regarding sugar-sweetened drinks. Public health efforts are urged to focus on educating Asian American communities about the hidden dangers of sugary drinks and promoting healthier beverage choices to mitigate long-term metabolic health risks.
Researchers intend to focus on exploring potential interventions to reverse or mitigate the effects of this "molecular addiction" and further examine the long-term health consequences in future studies.
Could salty foods be fueling depression? New study suggests a link
Asian Americans consume more sodium than other racial group
A new study from Nanjing Medical University suggests that high-salt diets may contribute to depression, raising concerns about the mental health impact of processed food consumption. Published in The Journal of Immunology, the research indicates that excessive salt intake triggers immune responses in the brain, leading to behaviors associated with depression.
How high-salt diets affect mental health
The study, led by researchers Di Lu, Wenjie Chen and Wenhui Sun, examined female C57BL/6J mice placed on either a normal diet (0.5% salt) or a high-salt diet (8% salt in food plus 1% salt in drinking water) for 5-8 weeks. Mice consuming excessive salt displayed behaviors linked to chronic stress, including reduced exploration, increased anxiety and heightened immobility — indications of depression-like symptoms in rodents.
Further analysis showed that high salt intake significantly increased levels of Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), an immune signaling molecule previously associated with depression. This increase was particularly evident in gamma delta T cells, a type of immune cell found in the spleen, blood and brain. When these immune cells were removed, or when mice genetically modified to lack IL-17A were studied, the depression-like behaviors did not manifest despite continued high salt consumption.
Implications for Asian Americans
Although conducted in mice, the findings align with previous research suggesting a link between high-salt diets and increased depression rates in humans. Prior studies have linked diet to mental health, with Mediterranean-style diets — rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins — associated with lower depression rates. In contrast, diets high in processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats have been shown to increase the risk of mood disorders.
Research has shown that Asian Americans consume more sodium than other racial/ethnic groups, with an average sodium density of 2,031.1 mg per 1,000 kcal — higher than Hispanic (1,691.6 mg), white (1,666.5 mg) and Black (1,655.5 mg) adults. A significant portion of sodium intake among Asian Americans comes from a limited number of food categories, with soups, rice and yeast breads accounting for nearly 29% of total dietary sodium. Interestingly, while Asian Americans are less likely to add salt at the table, they report frequently using salt during food preparation.
In contrast, other racial groups derive their sodium intake from a broader range of foods, including cold cuts, cured meats, meat-based mixed dishes, eggs and cheese — none of which rank as top sodium sources for Asian Americans.
What can be done?
While further research is necessary to confirm these findings in humans, experts suggest that cutting back on salt could be a simple yet effective way to support mental well-being. Reducing processed and fast food consumption, preparing more home-cooked meals, checking food labels for sodium content and using herbs and spices as alternatives to salt can all help lower intake. Addressing sodium intake among Asian Americans may require targeted efforts focusing on specific staple foods rather than general recommendations to reduce table salt use.
On a larger scale, public health initiatives aimed at reducing sodium in processed foods may also play a crucial role. The United Kingdom, for example, has implemented salt reduction programs that have successfully led to a 15% decrease in average sodium intake over time.
The study’s authors acknowledge that further studies are needed to determine whether the same mechanisms apply to humans. They also emphasize that dietary changes should complement, not replace, existing treatments for depression, such as therapy and medication.
NYC names street after renowned Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh
New York City officials dedicated “Thich Nhat Hanh Way” at the intersection of West 109th Street and Broadway on April 11, honoring the influential Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk’s legacy.
How it happened: The ceremony, organized by the NYC Council, Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation and Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism, featured City Councilmember Shaun Abreu and monastic students from Blue Cliff Monastery. The event comes at a significant time, just before the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on April 30, 1975. This is particularly meaningful given Hanh’s lifelong peace advocacy. Following the dedication, attendees participated in a silent walking meditation to Union Theological Seminary, where Hanh once studied.
Why this matters: Widely considered the second most influential Buddhist after the Dalai Lama, Hanh began practicing Zen Buddhism in 1942 and became a monk at 23. After leaving Vietnam in 1966, he established Plum Village in France and authored over 100 books including “The Miracle of Mindfulness,” which currently celebrates its 50th year in circulation. Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr., Hanh died in January 2022 at age 95.
Former K-pop boy group member is selling menstrual pads in China
Former EXO member Huang Zitao successfully sold 50,000 menstrual pad samples at 0.01 yuan ($0.0014) each during an April 11 Weibo livestream, launching his brand Domyway following a major industry scandal.
About his business: Huang, better known as Tao among K-pop fans, sought to establish a “transparent” factory after Chinese state media exposed others repackaging defective menstrual products. Huang emphasized his commitment to quality, claiming his pads have superior absorption rates compared to competitors. His wife, singer Xu Yiyang, and female employees reportedly tested the products over a 90-day period.
Driving the news: Huang’s launch comes amid widespread consumer distrust after Chinese state media revealed in March that one company, Liangshan Xixi Paper Products, was buying defective pads and diapers meant for disposal, then repackaging and reselling them at significantly marked-up prices. Consumer anxiety has led to public appeals for trusted brands such as Xiaomi to enter the market.
Domyway, which pledges 24-hour CCTV livestreaming of its production process, is expected to officially launch in May or June 2025.