Bruce Lee Statue / Racist Joke / Deportees Freed
Panama releases U.S. deportees from mostly Asian countries, Greg Gutfeld defends racist joke, and San Francisco’s Chinatown honors Bruce Lee with a new statue.
The Rebel Yellow Issue #41
Panama just released dozens of U.S. deportees—mostly from Asian countries—after weeks in detention, raising human rights concerns and leaving them in limbo. Meanwhile, Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld doubles down on an Asian driver joke, and a North Korean defector helps Ukraine counter Pyongyang’s troops.
Plus: A Bruce Lee statue for San Francisco, a viral K-pop hygiene moment, and how Mixue just surpassed McDonald's in global store count.
Panama releases U.S. deportees from mostly Asian countries
Panama on Saturday released 65 migrants — predominantly from Asian countries — who had been detained for weeks in a remote jungle camp after being deported from the U.S., granting them 30 days to leave the country amid mounting human rights concerns.
Deportees now face a precarious situation with few resources. Although Panamanian authorities have said deportees can extend their stay by up to 90 days, many remain uncertain about their future after that period expires.
The big picture
The deportees, who hail from countries such as Afghanistan, China, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan and Russia, were sent to Panama under an agreement with the Trump administration as it attempts to accelerate deportations. Panamanian Security Minister Frank Ábrego previously announced that of 299 migrants that had arrived from the U.S., 177 had already returned voluntarily to their countries of origin, while another 10 were awaiting flights. However, his country’s decision to release the migrants did not involve the U.S., suggesting potential limits to Washington’s deportation arrangements with other countries.
Lingering concerns
International pressure mounted after lawyers and advocates documented poor conditions at the camp, leading to legal action. This month, an international coalition of lawyers filed a lawsuit against Panama before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, claiming the detention violated domestic and international laws. Upon release, human rights lawyers identified at least three people requiring immediate medical attention, including a deportee with diabetes who did not have access to insulin and another with HIV who lacked medicine while in detention.
Panama’s move comes as the U.S. expands its deportation efforts, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem recently announcing a “self-deportation” feature in the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mobile app as part of a $200 million campaign warning undocumented people to “Stay Out and Leave Now.”
Fox News host defends Asian driver joke during NPR interview
“Those [jokes] make me laugh because I’m pointing out how upsetting it is to people like you,” Greg Gutfeld told NPR’s Scott Simon, who is a father of Asian American daughters
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld defended a controversial joke about Asian drivers during an interview with NPR’s Scott Simon on “Weekend Edition Saturday.”
What he said
The exchange began when Simon played a clip from Gutfeld's late-night talk show in which he said: “A large number of Asian voters in San Francisco have announced they are walking away from the Democratic Party. Well, thank God, they’re not driving away, or we’d all be in danger.”
After the clip aired, Simon told Gutfeld, “I found that joke racist.”
“That’s a terrible joke,” Gutfeld responded. “Which is why it was couched as something a racist would say. And I disown that, so what more can you say?”
Gutfeld pointed to his follow-up line on the original broadcast — “Applauding a racist? You’re terrible” — as evidence he was mocking racism rather than perpetuating it.
When Simon pressed further, stating that “just saying that it’s racist doesn’t mean it’s OK to tell,” Gutfeld defended his comedic approach.
“Some things you're not going to like. In fact, I’m certain there are many things in my show you’re not going to like. That’s your right,” Gutfeld said. “Those [jokes] make me laugh because I’m pointing out how upsetting it is to people like you. Even when I point it out, it’s still upsetting to you. I find that funny. It’s a meta joke, if you will.”
“Not comedy”
Following the interview, Simon took to X to clarify that he never claimed to be “offended” by Gutfeld’s remark, but rather simply identified it as racist. “I just don’t think Mr. Gutfeld’s remark about Asian drivers was comedy,” Simon wrote, contrasting it with films like “Blazing Saddles” where racist remarks are uttered by characters shown to be fools.
The NPR host also addressed speculation about his motivation as a father of Asian American daughters: “I do not think you must have Asian daughters, or be Asian American, to find that remark racist. I did not personalize the matter when I raised it. This said, I cannot tell our daughters, ‘Don’t let racist remarks go unchallenged,’ and stay silent myself.’”
“Gutfeld!” currently leads late-night television ratings, according to data cited in the interview. Simon noted that the show “airs an hour earlier than his rivals but has a larger audience than those of Colbert, Kimmel, Fallon or ‘The Daily Show.’”
A statue of Bruce Lee is coming to San Francisco’s Chinatown
The 6-foot bronze sculpture will show Lee poised to strike, with South Korean artist Arnie Kim handling the design. Longtime collector Jeff Chinn, who was born in the same Chinese Hospital as Lee but 21 years later, conceived the effort now spearheaded by the Chinese Historical Society of America. The $250,000 project — kicked off with a $50,000 contribution from the Rose Pak Community Fund — aims to place the statue in Portsmouth Square following its $65 million renovation. Similar memorials can be found in Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Croatia, with Oakland recently renaming a street “Bruce Lee Way” near his former martial arts school. The Bruce Lee Foundation and Stand With Asians are also involved in the latest project.
How a North Korean defector is aiding Ukraine’s war against Russia
Amid escalating tensions in its fight against Russian forces, Ukraine has turned to an unlikely ally: 37-year-old North Korean defector and human rights activist Lee Seongmin. Over the past months, he has played a pivotal role in helping Ukrainian forces understand the motivations and strategies of the thousands of North Korean troops Kim Jong Un deployed to aid Russia.
From defector to advocate
Born and raised in North Korea, Lee defected to South Korea in 2010 before pursuing higher education in the U.S. He earned a Bachelor's in Political Science and a Master's in International Security Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
As the director of the Korea Desk at the Human Rights Foundation, Lee oversees programs aimed at improving human rights conditions in North Korea. One of his key initiatives, Flash Drives for Freedom, smuggles outside information into North Korea in collaboration with local organizations. He also founded NK Insider, an English-language news platform offering perspectives from North Korean defectors.
An asset to Ukraine’s war effort
In late 2024, North Korea sent approximately 12,000 troops to fight in Ukraine, deploying them to Russia’s Kursk region and the frontline areas of Sumy and Kharkiv. These soldiers, largely young and inexperienced, have faced severe challenges due to harsh conditions and lack of advanced weaponry. Some, fearing capture or punishment from their own regime, have even resorted to suicide.
Lee has been instrumental in helping Ukrainian forces counter this threat by translating military manuals, training materials and internal communications that shed light on North Korean tactics. He also helped analyze military tactics and developed anti-regime leaflets designed to persuade North Korean soldiers to surrender. These materials expose the realities of the war and offer alternative narratives to the propaganda these troops have been subjected to.
“It feels like I’m conversing with them,” Lee told the Wall Street Journal. “Like I’m a fellow soldier.”
Understanding North Korean soldiers
Lee provided crucial insights into the motivations driving North Korean troops, noting that their presence in Ukraine is shaped by a combination of ideological indoctrination, limited opportunities, fear of punishment and nationalistic pride. He explained how, from a young age, North Korean soldiers are subjected to intense propaganda that fosters unwavering loyalty to the Kim regime. Such loyalty and nationalistic pride have driven many North Koreans to believe in their country’s strength and its duty to fight foreign adversaries.
"To be captured alive is considered a betrayal of the country, the leader and everything they stand for," said Lee. "Because of the disgrace associated with the capitulation, heroic soldiers are supposed to save the last of their bullets to kill themselves."
Military service also presents a rare chance for social mobility in the nation’s impoverished society. However, defection or disobedience carries severe consequences, including imprisonment or execution.
The human cost of war
Despite their discipline and physical resilience, North Korean soldiers have suffered high casualty rates due to inadequate equipment. Ukrainian forces have noted their proficiency with small arms but observed their reliance on basic weapons such as machine guns, grenade launchers and mortars. Unlike Russian troops, they lack access to advanced military technology.
Ukrainian intelligence agencies have been collaborating with South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) to facilitate communication with captured North Korean soldiers. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has even proposed a prisoner exchange, offering to return captured North Korean troops in exchange for Ukrainian servicemen held by Russia.
Justin Lin to helm Keanu Reeves’ “BRZRKR” comic adaptation for Netflix
“Fast & Furious” director Justin Lin is set to helm Netflix’s adaptation of “BRZRKR,” the comic book series created by Keanu Reeves, who will star in and produce the project. The film, first announced in 2021, reunites the pair following Lin’s Sundance drama “Last Days,” where Reeves stepped in as an investor when financing fell through. Written by “The Batman 2” co-writer Mattson Tomlin, “BRZRKR” follows an immortal warrior known as “B” who works for the U.S. government on dangerous missions while seeking the truth about his 80,000-year existence. The comic, published by Boom! Studios, has been a massive success, selling over 3.5 million copies worldwide. Netflix is also developing an anime adaptation of the property.
“Spider-Man” star Jacob Batalon gets engaged: “Spider-Man” actor Jacob Batalon, 28, announced his engagement to architectural designer Veronica Leahov on March 5 following a scenic New York City proposal featuring a heart-shaped floral arrangement. “The beginning of the rest of our lives together,” Batalon wrote on Instagram. Meanwhile, Leahov shared, “I never imagined my heart could hold so much love.” At the premiere of his new film “Novocaine,” Batalon told Entertainment Tonight that they are considering Lake Como, Italy for the wedding, but are “just enjoying the engagement right now.” The news comes shortly after his “Spider-Man” costars Tom Holland and Zendaya also became engaged in January.
Ohtani’s Japan return drives MLB ticket prices to $2,000
Ticket prices for Shohei Ohtani's homecoming game in Tokyo have reportedly surged to record heights, with resale prices hitting $2,000 for the series opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
The March 18-19 contests at the Tokyo Dome have transformed into a cultural phenomenon that transcends baseball, with tickets for the second game reportedly fetching around $1,500 on secondary markets.
Driving the news
The massive demand stems from five homegrown stars returning to Japanese soil. The Dodgers boast three standouts in Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rookie sensation Roki Sasaki, while the Cubs counter with left-hander Shota Imanaga and outfielder Seiya Suzuki.
Former MLB player and current Japanese baseball analyst Tadahito Iguchi emphasized the unprecedented scale of Ohtani's popularity in Japan. “You cannot compare. It goes Ohtani, then Dodgers, then Giants,” Iguchi said through an interpreter. “If you watch TV shows in Japan, there is Ohtani news everywhere. So yes, the impact of Ohtani is huge.”
Beyond the field
For its part, MLB has launched a media blitz to maximize exposure for the Tokyo games. Broadcasts will air in Japanese primetime across traditional television networks and stream on Amazon Prime Video. The league has also secured some 150 movie theaters throughout Japan for public viewings and established additional communal sites across Tokyo, according to industry sources.
The Tokyo Series takes on added significance as it follows the 14th anniversary of the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Ohtani marked the somber occasion on Instagram Tuesday with a simple “2011.3.11” post, having previously donated $1 million for relief efforts following January’s earthquakes.
While fans eagerly anticipate Ohtani's return to Japan, the two-way phenom will only hit during the series as he continues recovery from 2023 elbow surgery. Beyond the regular season games, the Dodgers will also face the Yomiuri Giants in an exhibition game at the Tokyo Dome.
NFL star Kyler Murray embraces Korean heritage on 1st trip to South Korea
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray set foot in South Korea for the first time this week, embracing his Korean heritage in a way he never had before. The two-time Pro Bowler, whose maternal grandmother was born in the country, arrived to a warm welcome at Incheon International Airport on Monday night, where fans celebrated his visit.
Embracing his identity
“I am Korean, so it’s part of my upbringing,” Murray told Yonhap News. “To be accepted and received like that, coming over here was a big deal.” Having grown up in Texas with a Korean mother who instilled cultural pride through food and television, Murray now sees his visit as a chance to connect more deeply with his roots.
“Ever since I was a kid, I took it upon myself to embrace who I am. I’m proud to be Korean,” he said. The 27-year-old athlete now hopes to bridge cultures, introducing American football to South Korea while immersing himself in local traditions.
Wearing heritage with pride
Murray previously expressed openness to representing the country in the 2028 Olympics, where flag football will make its debut. While competition for Team USA’s quarterback slot is stiff, Murray is eligible to play for South Korea due to his heritage. “That would be an awesome experience if they asked me to do it,” he told AmaznHQ last year, acknowledging the possibility.
Murray has long expressed his pride in his Korean background, from wearing the Taegeukgi on his NFL helmet to donning South Korean national team jerseys. During his trip, he sported a custom jacket featuring both the U.S. and South Korean flags, his last name written in Korean, and his jersey number, 1.
This Chinese boba chain just surpassed McDonald's in global store count
Mixue Bingcheng, a Chinese bubble tea and ice cream chain, has overtaken McDonald’s as the world's largest restaurant chain by store count. As of late 2024, Mixue boasts over 45,000 locations worldwide, surpassing McDonald's 41,800.
What makes Mixue tick
Founded in 1997 by Zhang Hongchao in Zhengzhou, Henan province, Mixue Bingcheng started as a modest ice cream shop. Its formula for success has remained unchanged: providing affordable, high-quality beverages and desserts at a fraction of the cost of Western competitors.
Mixue's focus on budget-friendly offerings — such as soft-serve ice cream for as little as 15 cents and premium bubble tea for under $2 — has made it a favorite among price-conscious consumers particularly in China, where over 90% of its locations are based. Founder Zhang Hongchao has encapsulated this vision in a simple yet powerful motto: “Let people around the world eat well and drink well for just two American dollars.”
Its rapid expansion is also largely driven by a franchise model, with 99% of its stores operated by independent owners. This strategy has enabled the brand to scale quickly while keeping costs low.
What’s next for Mixue
Despite its dominance in store count, Mixue Bingcheng remains primarily concentrated in China and the Asia-Pacific region, with major markets including Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia. The brand is now eyeing expansion into Europe and the U.S., but breaking into these highly competitive markets presents challenges.
Investor Longdley Zephirin told CNBC that while the recent $444 million IPO demonstrated strong investor interest, success in Western markets will depend on how Mixue navigates regulatory hurdles, branding and consumer preferences. Whether it can replicate its meteoric rise outside of Asia remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — Mixue Bingcheng has already reshaped the global fast-food industry.
Asian ex-community leader sentenced for serial sexual assault in Australia
A former Asian community leader and IT consultant in Australia has been sentenced to 40 years in prison with a non-parole period of 30 years for the rapes of South Korean women.
About the case
Balesh Dhankhar, 43, was convicted in April 2023 on 39 charges related to sexual assault, drugging and recording of five South Korean women aged 21 to 27. He created fake job advertisements on Gumtree targeting women on working holiday visas, then drugged and assaulted them in his Sydney apartment while they were unconscious. Police raids in 2018 uncovered date-rape drugs, recording equipment and an Excel spreadsheet rating potential victims based on vulnerability.
Victim statements revealed severe trauma. One victim described how she changed from being “open and trusting” to “avoidant,” while another victim stated the assault had “inflicted deep wounds upon her soul.” Until his arrest, Dhankhar held a respected position within the Indian-Australian community after arriving as a student in 2006.
Dhankhar’s non-parole period expires in April 2053, with his full sentence ending in 2063.
Addressing sexual violence
This case highlights Australia’s efforts to combat sexual violence. Victim-survivor advocate Karen Iles told the Australian Associated Press that the significant sentence sends an important message, noting that while one in five Australian women experience sexual assault, “less than 1% of rape and sexual assault perpetrators ever face any type of legal consequence.”
Iles was citing a recent Australian Law Reform Commission report, which found 92% of women do not report sexual assaults due to systemic barriers. The Albanese government has responded with a $21 million package for legal services supporting survivors.
For assault victims in the U.S.
The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S., provides guidance for sexual assault survivors. The group advises prioritizing safety first and stresses that the assault is not the victim’s fault. Those in immediate danger are urged to call 911. After ensuring safety, a trusted person may be contacted for support.
Evidence collection: For those considering reporting, RAINN recommends preserving evidence by avoiding bathing or showering, changing clothes or cleaning the assault area. Clothing may also be placed in paper bags to preserve evidence. Even if these steps are not taken, medical professionals can still collect evidence.
A sexual assault forensic exam, also known as a “rape kit,” documents evidence and provides medical care. Such exams are conducted by trained professionals and are free under the Violence Against Women Act. Additionally, survivors do not need to decide immediately about reporting to law enforcement.
Support resources: RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline provides 24/7 support at 800-656-HOPE or online.rainn.org.
Support groups can reduce isolation and provide coping strategies. Mental health professionals emphasize that healing is not linear and varies for each survivor.