When tragedy struck across the country in Georgia, Tam Nguyen helped fellow members of his Southern California Vietnamese-American community start defense courses and assert themselves in the face of racism.
As reports of hate crimes put Asian-Americans across the U.S. on edge, one school in Garden Grove, California is teaching them how to stand up for themselves.
47 year old Tam Nguyen is the co-owner of Advance Beauty College, the business his parents first started upon coming to America.
The Atlanta spa shootings last month, which targeted several Asian-owned businesses and predominantly killed Asian women, hit close to home for Nguyen.
He says he soon decided to pivot from offering beauty and hairstyling lessons... to self-defense classes.
"I just believe there's an opportunity to educate and to have honest conversations now.
And it starts right here... And it starts not from our political divides, religious divides, social divides, but it starts with human-to-human interaction." Every two weeks or so, the mannequin heads at Advance are set aside for martial arts as instructors teach around 50 students different techniques to fend off potential attackers.
While Nguyen says his parents raised him to keep a low profile and "be a good immigrant," he felt compelled to stand up and act against racism and hate given the surge in anti-Asian violence over the past year.
"I am optimistic that I in my lifetime have never seen this type of wave of Asian-Americans speaking up, of mainstream media covering this Asian hate that's going on, and the rise of solutions... it is in my belief that America will be better." Nguyen says him and his group of volunteers are now working on their next venture -- a benefit concert aimed at combatting anti-Asian violence.
FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned.
After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. .
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. .
The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages.
The White House also argues that these
agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. .
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when
the proposed ban was initially introduced.
The freedom to change jobs is
core to economic liberty and to
a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Noncompetes block workers from
freely switching jobs, depriving
them of higher wages and better
working conditions, and depriving
businesses of a talent pool that
they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information.
Those businesses also question whether
the agency has the power "to regulate
such agreements," NPR reports. .
If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days,
and legal challenges would likely ensue.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Millennials Want a 4-Day Workweek, , Poll Indicates.
Redfield and Wilton Strategies recently conducted a poll for 'Newsweek' to find
out how Americans feel about the idea of moving toward a four-day workweek.
4,000 U.S. voters were
surveyed between April 6 and 7.
63% were in favor of a four-day workweek.
46% think the model makes
employees more productive.
Out of all age groups surveyed,
millennials accounted for 74% of those
who want to work less hours.
Of that 74%, 44% "were strongly in favor of a shorter working week," 'Newsweek' reports.
50% of people born in 1964 and before supported a four-day workweek.
The results come as more companies are adopting shorter workweeks, and politicians are pushing to advance the trend in Congress.
The results come as more companies are adopting shorter workweeks, and politicians are pushing to advance the trend in Congress.
The sad reality is, Americans now
work more hours than the people
of most other wealthy nations, Bernie Sanders, via March 2024 health committee hearing.
Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, called a 5-day, 40-hour workweek outdated.
The five-day workweek was created in a
different time. It served its purpose, but
today's world is more fast-paced and
technology-driven than our workplace
predecessors could have imagined, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'.
Since implementing a
four-day workweek, our
results have been incredible. , Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'.
We've found our employees are more
productive, report better work-life balance,
and experience less burnout. Incredibly, our
turnover rate has been cut nearly in half, Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of non-profit JVS, via 'Newsweek'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
The grants will bring solar energy
to over 900,000 households in both
low- and middle-income communities. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
NBC reports that solar power has gained
traction as a clean energy source that could
help reduce U.S. reliance on fossil fuels.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
49 of the new grants will be awarded at
the state level, six more will serve Native American
tribes and another five are multi-state awards.
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
Officials say that the latest environmental
announcements are part of an effort to energize
young voters ahead of his upcoming reelection campaign.
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
March Retail Sales , Exceeded Expectations.
New Commerce Department data surprised
some analysts on April 15, 'The Hill' reports. .
The agency's latest estimates indicate
that March retail sales increased by 0.7%.
They were only expected
to rise 0.3% last month.
While sales exceeded estimates for March, the jump
was still below the 0.9% increase in February.
Compared to the same time last year, total sales
for the first three months of 2024 were up 2.1%.
On April 10, the Labor Department released data showing that inflation rose last month. .
The consumer price index (CPI)
increased 0.4% in March and 3.5% annually.
In February, consumer prices
increased 3.2% year-over-year. .
Still, the newest Commerce Department data suggests that Americans continue to spend despite prolonged inflation, 'The Hill' reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Fears of Potential Iranian Attack , Drive US Stocks Down , Nearly 500 Points.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
By mid-afternoon, the Dow had fallen
1.4%, the S&P 500 went down 1.6%,
and the Nasdaq dropped 1.8%.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The warning comes after Iran
accused Israel of a deadly airstrike
on a consulate in Damascus, Syria. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
Brent crude futures jumped up to $90.42
a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate crude
futures increased to $86.65 a barrel.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
CNN reports that Americans' opinions of
the economy have dipped in the past few
months amid persistently high inflation.
The geopolitical fears come as investors are already
contending with concerns that the Federal Reserve could
wait to bring interest rates down from a 23-year high.
Officials at the Fed have signaled that further rate
hikes could still be on the way if the central
bank's efforts to fight inflation stall.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Britney Spears' swollen right foot -- the one she says might need surgery -- can still put the pedal to the metal ... she's back behind the wheel, despite the.. TMZ.com
Before this cowgirl cutie with five older siblings turned into an actress, singer and model ... she was just a theatre kid playing dress up, throwin' on her.. TMZ.com
The wife of a California doctor accused of deliberately driving a car off a cliff with his family inside has begged prosecutors to drop the charges against him,.. Sky News
Mariah The Scientist was arrested and booked in Atlanta Wednesday night ... after a woman told cops Mariah laid down a savage beating for no apparent reason.. TMZ.com
An accident on the set of an upcoming heist film starring Eddie Murphy and Keke Palmer has injured several crew members. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed the incident happened on the set of Amazon MGM Studios' upcoming film 'The Pickup' starring Murphy and Palmer, which is shooting in Atlanta, on Saturday. Per an Amazon MGM Studios spokesperson, the accident occurred during a second unit action sequence that had previously been rehearsed. The spokesperson stated, "Unfortunately, the sequence did not go as planned and several members of the crew were injured as a result."
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:10Published
This Day in History: , Hank Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth’s
All-Time Home Run Record.
April 8, 1974.
Aaron hit his 715th home run
to earn the new record in front of
a crowd of 53,775 in Atlanta.
He hit the record-breaking homer
off a pitch from LA Dodgers' Al Downing.
The extraordinary achievement
would remain in place until 2007.
Aaron made his major league debut
with the Milwaukee Braves in 1954.
Over the span of his 23-year career,
Aaron played for the Braves in both Milwaukee and
Atlanta. He ended his career with the Milwaukee Brewers.
When he retired in 1976,
he had 755 home runs.
He was inducted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:56Published
This Day in History: , Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Is Assassinated.
April 4, 1968.
King was shot and killed
as he stood on the second-floor balcony
of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN.
The “apostle of nonviolence”
had gone to Memphis in support
of a sanitation workers' strike.
Widely recognized as the most prominent
face of the American Civil Rights Movement,
Dr. King was just 39 years old.
In a prophetic speech the night before his murder,
King stated that, “I’ve seen the promised land.
I may not get there with you.".
Petty criminal James Earl Ray was arrested
two months later and eventually
pleaded guilty to King's assassination.
After being sentenced to 99 years in prison,
Ray recanted his confession. Questions of a
conspiracy to assassinate Dr. King continue to linger.
King's death sparked riots in
more than 100 American cities.
On April 9, tens of thousands of mourners
lined the streets of Atlanta to pay their respects
on the day King was laid to rest
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:07Published
'Curb Your Enthusiasm' has captured the attention of Georgia's Secretary of State. The season premiere of the final season of the HBO comedy featured Larry David being arrested for violating Georgia's election integrity law for giving his friend Leon Black's aunt a bottle of water while she waited in line to vote on a hot day in Atlanta. He's now facing a looming trial on the series. The storyline must have made its way to the state capitol, because last month Georgia's Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, sent a letter to David addressing the plotline about the 2021 voting law.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:52Published
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