Boba chain wants to make history
Chinese tea chain Chagee has filed for a U.S. initial public offering (IPO), seeking to raise $100 million and list on the Nasdaq under the ticker “CHA.”
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #52
Trump’s latest tariffs hit Asia hard — and China, Japan and South Korea aren’t staying quiet. The Dalai Lama challenges Beijing’s authority on reincarnation, while China draws global backlash for war games near Taiwan. Meanwhile, SoCal cities hike sales taxes, and the University of Houston responds to backlash over a Hinduism course.
Also this week: 11 Filipino words join the Oxford English Dictionary, billionaires are richer than ever, and BTS adds another billion-view video to their name.
China, Japan and South Korea respond to Trump’s new tariffs
China, Japan and South Korea held their first economic dialogue in five years on Monday, seeking to strengthen regional trade cooperation just days before U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled new sweeping tariffs.
State of play: The three Asian export powers agreed to “closely cooperate” for a “comprehensive and high-level” free trade agreement to promote regional and global trade. South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun stressed the importance of strengthening the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a trade framework among 15 Asia-Pacific countries that has been in force since 2022. Despite territorial disputes and other issues, the countries are prioritizing economic cooperation, albeit making little progress on a trilateral free-trade deal since talks began in 2012. The ministers agreed to hold their next meeting in Japan.
Response to Trump’s tariffs: Asian countries face the heaviest impact after Trump’s new “reciprocal” tariffs on Wednesday — dubbed “Liberation Day” — with China hit by 54%, South Korea 25% and Japan 24%. Despite Chinese state media claiming the three Asian nations agreed to jointly respond to U.S. tariffs, both Japan and South Korea explicitly denied such discussions. Here’s how they reacted to their own tariffs:
China: The Commerce Ministry vowed to firmly take countermeasures, calling Trump’s actions a “typical act of unilateral bullying.”
Japan: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba indicated openness to speaking directly with Trump, while Trade Minister Yoji Muto acknowledged that retaliatory measures are “within the scope of consideration.”
South Korea: Acting President Han Duck-soo called for negotiations with Washington while ordering emergency support measures for businesses.
Meanwhile, Cambodia and Vietnam face even steeper rates at 49% and 46%, respectively. Businesses that had shifted production from China to these countries to avoid previous tariffs now find themselves in a difficult position, with experts suggesting companies may reconsider their supply chain strategies or even return operations to China rather than seeking alternatives.
SoCal cities face higher sales taxes
Several Southern California cities saw sales tax increases take effect on Tuesday, adding financial pressure to households — including the region’s large Asian American population.
Driving the news: The hikes stem largely from Measure A, a Los Angeles County homelessness and affordable housing initiative approved by voters in November 2024. Many cities in the county now impose a 10.5% rate — up from 10.25% — while others, like Palmdale and Lancaster, surged to 11.25%, the highest among large U.S. jurisdictions.
Key cities: The increases affect major Asian American hubs such as Arcadia (10.5%), Monterey Park (10.5%), San Gabriel (10.5%), which have significant Chinese American populations. Buena Park in Orange County, home to a large Vietnamese American community, also saw a jump (8.75%). Small businesses, a key economic driver in these areas, may face challenges as consumer spending tightens.
The big picture: California already leads the nation in income taxes (up to 13.3%). Rising sales taxes add to the cost burden, particularly for dense immigrant communities like SoCal’s Asian American neighborhoods. With L.A. County managing wildfire recovery and Olympics preparations, audits have revealed mismanagement in homelessness programs, raising concerns over spending efficiency.
University of Houston responds to allegations of “Hinduphobic” Hinduism course
The University of Houston (UH) has issued a detailed response defending its online course “Lived Hindu Religion” following a complaint from a Hindu American student who alleged that the course was “Hinduphobic” and distorted India’s religious and political landscape.
The complaint
Vasant Bhatt, a political science major at UH and a Hindu American activist, filed a written complaint with the university’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, claiming the course content misrepresented Hinduism. In an interview with India Today Digital, Bhatt accused the course instructor, Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey, of portraying Hinduism as a colonial construct and referring to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “Hindu fundamentalist.”
"The course paints Hinduism as a political tool weaponized by Hindu nationalists and a system of oppression against minorities," Bhatt told India Today. He also cited a line from the course syllabus that described “Hindutva” as a term used by Hindu nationalists “to designate their religion and denigrate others, namely Islam.”
UH response
In its official response, the University of Houston defended both the course and its instructor, citing the institution’s commitment to academic freedom and pedagogical standards.
“The University of Houston values academic freedom, which includes allowing faculty to explore complex and sometimes challenging topics in their teaching,” UH stated in an email to India Today Digital. “While UH does not typically review individual lectures, the university maintains oversight of curriculum to ensure it meets established academic and pedagogical standards.”
The university clarified that the course is grounded in the academic discipline of religious studies, which often uses terms such as “fundamentalism” as analytical tools rather than political labels. “These academic terms can carry different meanings from how they are used in public or political discourse, which sometimes leads to misunderstandings,” UH explained.
UH added that the concerns raised by Bhatt were reviewed by the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the director of religious studies and were discussed with the “Lived Hindu Religion” course instructor, Professor Aaron Michael Ullrey.
Professor response
In his statement, Professor Ullrey claimed that several of his remarks had been taken out of context: “I never refer to Hinduism as anything essential. There are many Hinduisms, and there is no essential and ahistorical Hinduism.” He explained that the course is designed to showcase the diversity, sophistication and historical complexity of Hindu religious traditions.
Responding to claims that he called Hinduism a colonial construct, Ullrey stated, “Any declaration that I say ‘Hinduism’ is not ancient is false.” He emphasized that the course includes detailed discussions on premodern Hindu traditions and traces religious practices back to ancient scriptures dated as early as 1500 BCE.
Regarding the description of Prime Minister Modi as a “Hindu fundamentalist,” Ullrey said the term was used in an academic context. “It is not different from describing US President George W. Bush as a Christian fundamentalist,” he noted. “The term is by no means a political statement or judgment and definitely not any kind of slur.”
Broader academic framework
Both the university and Ullrey stressed that the course applies academic frameworks commonly used in religious studies to understand how religions function and evolve in social and political contexts.
“The essence of the course’s methodology is to use descriptive anthropology rather than any prescriptive theology,” Ullrey wrote. “Throughout the course, my goal is to show the sophistication, rationality, and historical complexity of the many religions deemed Hindu throughout the history of South Asia.”
He reiterated that no single definition of Hinduism is privileged in the course, and that political expressions of Hinduism are treated as just one among many interpretations.
China draws global rebuke after 2-day war games near Taiwan
China’s military ran its latest war games — including long-range live-fire drills — near Taiwan in the East China Sea earlier this week as tensions escalate between Beijing and Taipei.
How it went: China’s Eastern Theatre Command carried out “Strait Thunder-2025A” exercises on Tuesday and Wednesday, deploying 76 aircraft and over 20 naval vessels, including the aircraft carrier Shandong. The military said the drills included “precision strikes on simulated targets of key ports and energy facilities” and blockade operations practice. Meanwhile, propaganda videos showed rockets hitting targets and animations of explosions over Taiwanese cities including Hualien, Taichung and Tainan.
Responses: Taiwan swiftly condemned the exercises, with the Presidential Office slamming China as “a troublemaker” that threatens regional peace. The island’s military activated a “rapid response exercise” and monitored 36 Chinese aircraft on the second day of drills. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department said China’s “aggressive military activities and rhetoric toward Taiwan only serve to exacerbate tensions and put the region’s security and the world’s prosperity at risk.” Multiple other countries, including Japan, the EU, the U.K., Australia, Canada and New Zealand, also expressed concerns over Beijing’s actions.
The big picture: The drills follow Taiwan President Lai Ching-te designating China a “foreign hostile force” last month and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent Asia trip, where he promised “credible deterrence” against China. The exercises demonstrate Beijing’s continued pressure on Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump expressed confidence that only he can deter China from invading Taiwan because President Xi Jinping “respects me” and “knows I’m f*cking crazy.”
Dalai Lama declares successor will be born outside China
The Dalai Lama has announced that his successor will be born outside China, directly challenging Beijing’s authority over Tibetan Buddhism and raising the stakes in the long-running conflict over Tibet’s future.
State of play: The Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, has reaffirmed his stance on reincarnation in his latest book, “Voice for the Voiceless,” which was released on March 11. Now 89 years old and residing in Dharamshala, India, he remains a powerful figure in the Tibetan struggle despite decades in exile. His announcement came ahead of his receipt of the 2025 Gold Mercury Award for Peace and Visionary Governance, which recognized his lifelong commitment to non-violence, interfaith dialogue and environmental sustainability. Amid concerns about his health — particularly following a knee surgery in New York last year — he told Reuters he may live to be 110, though he acknowledges that returning to Tibet in his lifetime appears “increasingly unlikely.”
The future of Tibetan Buddhism: In his book, the Dalai Lama indicates for the first time that his reincarnation will be born outside China, ensuring continuity in Tibetan Buddhist leadership. Previously, he had only suggested the possibility of being reincarnated outside Tibet. “The new Dalai Lama will be born in the free world so that the traditional mission of the Dalai Lama...will continue,” he writes. This declaration directly challenges Beijing’s claims of authority over Tibetan Buddhism, countering China’s long-standing insistence that it alone has the right to determine his successor.
China’s response: Beijing swiftly dismissed the Dalai Lama’s declaration, reiterating its claim that the Chinese government alone has the authority to oversee Tibetan Buddhist reincarnations. “The 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile engaged in separatist activities under the guise of religion,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters, adding that reincarnation must comply with state laws and established historical precedents. Li Decheng, deputy director general of the state-run China Tibetology Research Center, also noted that any foreign-born successor would be “illegal” as the concept “does not conform to religious rituals, historical customs or China’s management methods for the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhism’s living Buddhas.”
11 Filipino words added to the Oxford English Dictionary
Eleven Filipino words were officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in its March 2025 update. The newly accepted words reflect aspects of Filipino culture, daily life, language and emotion — offering English speakers new ways to express ideas previously considered “untranslatable.”
Recognizing the untranslatable
In a commentary accompanying the update, the OED explained the growing inclusion of culturally specific words from different languages. “Often, when we talk about untranslatable words, what we are actually talking about are words that have been lexicalized in one language but not in others, which is what makes them particularly intriguing,” it stated.
“For people who speak English alongside other languages, there is an easy way to fill such a lexical gap — simply borrowing the untranslatable word from another language,” the dictionary added. This borrowing process has led to the adoption of many words in regional varieties of English, including Philippine English, which blends local linguistic concepts with global vocabulary.
New dictionary entries
Eight of the newly added Filipino words have been listed as fresh entries in the dictionary:
Gigil (noun and adjective): An intense feeling triggered by anger, eagerness or extreme affection — typically expressed by clenching fists, gritting teeth or squeezing something or someone.
Lumpia (noun): A spring roll popular in East and Southeast Asian cuisine, often deep-fried and served with dipping sauce. In the Philippines, lumpia is a staple in family gatherings and celebrations.
Salakot (noun): A traditional, wide-brimmed Filipino hat, often domed or conical in shape and worn by farmers for protection against the sun and rain.
Sando (noun): A sleeveless undershirt or vest commonly worn in tropical climates.
Kababayan (noun): A term meaning “fellow Filipino” or someone from the same region or town; it also refers to a yellow, muffin-like pastry shaped like a salakot.
CR (noun): An abbreviation of “comfort room,” a commonly used Philippine English term for restroom or toilet.
Thomasite (noun): Refers to American teachers who were sent to the Philippines aboard the U.S. Army Transport Thomas in 1901, during the American occupation, to establish an English-language education system.
Videoke (noun): The Filipino version of karaoke, where individuals sing along to instrumental tracks while lyrics flash on a screen. It remains a staple entertainment activity in Filipino households and gatherings.
New definitions for familiar words
In addition to the new entries, three words already present in English were expanded with uniquely Filipino meanings:
Load (noun): In Philippine English, this refers to prepaid credit for mobile phones — a daily essential in a country where pay-as-you-go systems are prevalent.
Terror (adjective): Commonly used by students to describe a teacher who is extremely strict, harsh or demanding.
Pinoy (adjective): An expansion of the previously recognized noun form. It now includes the adjective meaning “of, belonging to or relating to the Philippines or Filipinos.”
Global stage for Philippine English
The addition of these 11 words is part of the OED’s March 2025 update, which introduced around 600 new terms from around the world. First proposed in 1857 by the Philological Society in London, the Oxford English Dictionary has become one of the most authoritative sources on the English language, tracing not just meanings, but cultural and historical usage across time.
Billionaires are richer than ever amid the world’s growing wealth divide
A record number of billionaires control over $16 trillion — more than the GDP of any nation besides the U.S. and China
Forbes' 39th annual World’s Billionaires List, published on Tuesday, reveals an unprecedented accumulation of wealth, featuring a record 3,028 billionaires globally, with combined assets totaling $16.1 trillion — an increase of $2 trillion from the previous year. The list notably includes 15 centibillionaires for the first time ever, led by Elon Musk, whose fortune soared to $342 billion. Asian and Asian American billionaires prominently feature in this landscape, underlining their rising influence in global business and technology sectors.
Asian billionaires on the rise
With a net worth of $92.5 billion, Mukesh Ambani retains his title as Asia’s wealthiest individual, despite experiencing a nearly 20% decline from the previous year due to decreased margins in Reliance Industries’ petrochemical business. India's Gautam Adani remains second-richest in India, at $56.3 billion, despite legal and market setbacks impacting his infrastructure empire. India now accounts for approximately 7% of the global billionaire population with 205 billionaires.
In China, billionaire fortunes rebounded sharply, driven largely by the country's advancements in artificial intelligence. China, including Hong Kong, represents approximately 17% of global billionaires, with a total of 516 individuals. Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance — the company behind TikTok — emerged as China’s richest billionaire with a fortune of $65.5 billion, propelled by his company’s valuation soaring past $300 billion amid the AI boom.
Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba, also saw his wealth rise significantly to $28.6 billion, reflecting Alibaba’s aggressive $53 billion investment into AI infrastructure planned over the next three years. Meanwhile, Wang Chuanfu, chairman of Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, saw his fortune reaching $26.4 billion after BYD surpassed Tesla in global electric vehicle sales.
Asian Americans making strides
The Forbes list also highlighted influential Asian American entrepreneurs. Alexandr Wang, CEO and co-founder of Scale AI, became the youngest self-made billionaire at 28, with a net worth of $2 billion. Lin Bin, co-founder and vice chairman of Xiaomi, saw his net worth climb to $18.1 billion, reflecting Xiaomi’s expanding global footprint in electronics and electric vehicles.
Escalating global wealth gap
While billionaires amass record-breaking wealth, inequality continues to grow dramatically. According to the latest World Inequality Report, the richest 10% of the global population controls 76% of global wealth, while the poorest half holds just 2%. In the U.S., this disparity is especially pronounced—the wealthiest 1% of households now own more wealth than the bottom 90% combined.
Similar patterns appear in Asia, with rapid economic growth disproportionately benefiting the wealthiest individuals. China’s 10 richest citizens alone amassed a combined net worth of $400.5 billion, while millions still experience significant economic hardships.
The expanding wealth gap has sparked increasing concern among economists and policymakers, who warn that unchecked inequality poses risks to economic stability and social cohesion. Experts are urging governments to implement policies that foster inclusive economic growth and provide equitable opportunities across broader segments of society.
Chinese boba chain aims to make history with U.S. IPO
Chinese tea chain Chagee has filed for a U.S. initial public offering (IPO), seeking to raise $100 million and list on the Nasdaq under the ticker “CHA.” The move, which could make it the first Chinese bubble tea brand to go public in the U.S., coincides with the upcoming opening of its first American teahouse this spring at Westfield Century City mall in Los Angeles.
Banking on rapid growth: Chagee has rapidly expanded to over 6,400 locations across China, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, since its founding in 2017. The brand has built its success on a strategy emphasizing premium “hero items” like its tea latte, which contributed to 91% of its gross merchandise value (GMV) in China. In 2024, Chagee reported revenue of 12.41 billion yuan ($1.71 billion), nearly triple the previous year’s earnings and net profit of 2.51 billion yuan ($347.23 million), a staggering 213% increase.
Challenges and opportunities: Chagee’s U.S. IPO comes at a time of heightened scrutiny toward Chinese firms listing on American exchanges. The number of Chinese companies trading on major U.S. stock markets has declined amid regulatory and geopolitical tensions. Chagee is now betting on its profitability, low store closure rate of just 1.5% and aggressive expansion strategy to avoid pitfalls faced by other Chinese firms.
Donnie Yen to direct “John Wick” spinoff about blind assassin Caine
Martial arts legend Donnie Yen will direct and reprise his role as Caine, the blind assassin from “John Wick: Chapter 4,” in an upcoming Lionsgate spinoff announced at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Described as a Hong Kong-style action thriller, the film will continue Caine’s story after he is freed from the High Table, with production set to begin later this year. The 61-year-old action star, who also serves as executive producer, will work alongside franchise producers Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Chad Stahelski. Mattson Tomlin (“The Batman Part II,” “BRZRKR”) has signed on to write a new draft of the screenplay originally penned by Robert Askins. “Donnie is not only an incredible, charismatic star but a smart, cinematic director who knows how to deliver massively entertaining action for a global audience,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson.
Steven Yeun joins animated “Avatar” movie
Steven Yeun has officially joined the cast of Paramount and Nickelodeon's upcoming animated film centered on Aang, the beloved protagonist of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” While specific details of Yeun’s character remain under wraps, his involvement deepens a connection to the franchise that began with his previous voice work as Wan — the first Avatar — in “The Legend of Korra.” Directed by Lauren Montgomery, with William Mata co-directing and original series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko producing, the film is slated for a Jan 2026 release. The 41-year-old actor recently appeared in Bong Joon Ho’s sci-fi feature “Mickey 17” and remains a central voice in Amazon’s animated series “Invincible,” where he plays protagonist Mark Grayson.
BTS makes history with 8th YouTube video to hit 1 billion views
BTS has made YouTube history once again as their 2016 music video for “Blood Sweat & Tears” surpassed 1 billion views on March 30. This marks BTS’s eighth video to reach the milestone, making them the first K-pop group to achieve the feat. Originally released as part of their “Wings” album, the cinematic visual features Renaissance-style art, striking choreography and symbolic themes of temptation and sacrifice. The track topped Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart and contributed to “Wings” reaching No. 26 on the Billboard 200, further cementing BTS’ global influence.
Projected No. 2 pick Dylan Harper declares for 2025 NBA Draft
Filipino American guard Dylan Harper, a standout freshman at Rutgers and the projected No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has officially declared. Harper averaged 19.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors and breaking Rutgers’ freshman scoring record. Despite a midseason ankle injury and illness, he showcased elite scoring and playmaking — highlighted by 36- and 37-point performances against Notre Dame and Alabama. “I can do whatever it takes to win,” Harper said, drawing comparisons to a young James Harden for his smooth left-handed game and versatility at 6-foot-6. Harper, son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper, represents a growing presence of Asian Americans in elite basketball. He now shifts focus to pre-draft prep ahead of the combine in May and the draft in June.