Latest news with #Chiu
San Francisco Chronicle
16-07-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Rats, sewage leaks, no hot water: S.F. landlord sued by city for ‘unsafe living conditions'
For nearly a year residents in a Tenderloin apartment building have been forced to live with rat infestations, sewage leaks, and a lack of heat and hot water, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday by City Attorney David Chiu. In the lawsuit Chiu alleges that property owner Charles Kartchner created unsafe living conditions and endangered the health and safety of the tenants in a 10-unit building at 646 Ellis St., which he bought in March of 2024 for $1.15 million, 'This property owner took rent from each tenant then turned around and refused to provide the most basic necessities like hot water and heating,' said Chiu. 'Every tenant deserves a safe and clean place to live. It is the landlord's responsibility to ensure their property doesn't deteriorate.' Kartchner could not be reached for comment. The lawsuit comes after nearly a year of escalating notices of violations, none of which were addressed, according to Chiu's office. In total, the Department of Building Inspection has issued five citations to the property owner for violations of the San Francisco Housing Code. In August of last year the property owner was hit with a violation because inspectors found the building lacked hot water. Later that month another notice of violation was issued for sewage leak, a rodent infestation, peeling paint and water damage, and damage to the main entry door,' according to the lawsuit. Other violations include a lack of garbage receptacles and damaged ceiling. In addition, the city attorney said the property owner failed to properly secure the building, resulting in trespassers entering. The lawsuit orders the property to pay a penalty up to $1,000 for each day that the violations alleged in the complaint existed, at least $224,000 through Oct. 18, 2025, plus $1,000 per day thereafter through the entry of judgment. The tenants, all immigrants from Vietnam, worked with the Tenderloin Housing Clinic to document the issues and bring them to the attention of city officials. 'It is essential to enforce tenants' rights to promote a high quality of life for San Franciscan residents,' said Gloria del Mar Lemus, Tenderloin Housing Clinic program manager. 'Tenants are already paying a high price to live in the city. Landlords cannot continue to violate housing codes by allowing their tenants to live without hot water or in properties with pest infestations or collapsing ceilings.' Tenderloin Housing Clinic also filed a separate lawsuit against the property owner in April, after meeting with about 25 Vietnamese residents who complained of long-standing and serious maintenance and habitability failures. Even among the hundreds of complaints DBI received about substandard living conditions, 646 Ellis St. was exceptional, according to Department of Building Inspection Director Patrick O'Riordan. 'This case really stands out for the sheer number of violations that led to unsafe conditions for the tenants,' O'Riordan said.'The City had to act.' After a year living in 'unsanitary and unlivable conditions,' Longtime tenant Victor Ly said he was relieved that the city attorney took 'action against a bad landlord who could care less about the tenants.'
The Star
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Tea master showcases Malaysia's ‘cha' culture
Thirs-tea for a good cuppa: 'Tea in Malaysia is what I call a second creation,' says Chiu the tea master who has dedicated her life to perfecting this art. — ONG SOON HIN/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: For tea master Chiu Mei Ling, every cup of Chinese tea in the country is a reflection of a unique tradition that blends tea leaves with a distinct Malaysian character. 'Tea in Malaysia is what I call a 'second creation',' says Chiu, a pioneering tea master who has dedicated her life to perfecting this art. 'Though we aren't the originators, our tropical climate and diverse cultural influences have transformed these leaves into a new chapter of tea history,' she said in an interview yesterday. Chiu, 60, explained that Malaysia's climate, though hot and humid, provides a surprisingly ideal environment for tea storage, giving the leaves a mysterious second life. 'The way we store tea here adds unique characteristics that you won't find anywhere else.' In Malaysia, she said the art of tea is more than just a beverage; it's a cultural symphony. 'Our tea culture is a blend of Chinese traditions, enriched by Malay and Indian influences. 'It's a reminder of the beauty that arises from diversity – an art form that continues to evolve, one cup at a time. 'Growing up in such a diverse society, we naturally absorb and adapt to each other's customs, creating something truly unique,' she said. Chiu's journey into tea began over 30 years ago, but it was a transformative trip to Wuyi Mountain in China that ignited her passion. 'Wuyi Mountain was life-changing for me. It was as if I had stepped into an ancient world where tea was more than just a drink – it was a way of life.' Returning to Malaysia, Chiu embarked on a mission to develop her own tea brand, drawing from her rich experiences abroad. She launched her first 'Overseas Chinese Tea Atelier' in 1998. By 2004, she organised an event showcasing graded teas from the 1950s to the 1970s, which today command prices from RM100,000 to several hundred thousand ringgit at auctions. 'Our Malaysian tea culture is not about competing with China, but rather complementing it. 'We respect their traditions while adding our own twist, creating a tea culture and presentation that are uniquely ours.' To a question, Chiu said the Malaysian Gong Fu Cha, or ceremonial tea brewing and presentation, has gained international acclaim, with students successfully competing in global championships. One of Chiu's students bagged the gold champion award in the 1st International Gong Fu Cha Competition in Shenzhen, China in 2018. 'Seeing our students excel on the world stage fills me with pride. 'Their success is a testament to our inclusive culture and adaptability,' she said. Looking ahead, Chiu, who is frequently invited overseas for interchange and collaborations, wants to promote Malaysian tea culture worldwide, and in doing so foster exchanges and build bridges through tea. 'Tea is more than just a drink; it's a connection, a shared experience that transcends borders. 'My dream is for Malaysian tea to be recognised globally, celebrated for its uniqueness and the rich multi-cultural heritage it represents,' she said.
Hamilton Spectator
04-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
S&P/TSX composite closes higher, U.S. stock markets add to record highs
TORONTO - Strength in technology stocks helped Canada's main stock index finish higher on Thursday, while U.S. stock markets added to record gains. Equity markets responded positively to U.S. employment data, said Adelaide Chiu, portfolio manager, vice-president and head of responsible investing at NEI Investments. A U.S. government report Thursday came in better than Wall Street expected, showing employers added 147,000 more jobs to their payrolls last month than they cut. The unexpected acceleration in hiring signals the U.S. job market is holding up despite worries about how U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs may hurt the economy and drive inflation. 'Today, for sure, it was the jobs numbers coming out of the U.S., where the non-farm payrolls did beat expectations. And then we saw a positive reaction from equities,' Chiu said. She added that the strong U.S. job numbers often have a positive impact on the Canadian stock market as well. Markets also reacted to the U.S. House of Representatives passing the massive tax and spending cuts package that Trump calls 'beautiful,' getting it to his desk a day before the July 4 deadline he had set. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 164.60 points at 27,034.26. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 344.11 points at 44,828.53, while the Nasdaq composite was up 207.97 points at 20,601.10. The S&P 500 index was up 51.93 points at 6,279.35, rising almost one per cent and setting an all-time high for the fourth time in five days. However, Chiu said there's reason for caution. 'The market has definitely risen, and there are a lot of bulls out there with the expectation that the market will continue to rise. There are some indicators out there that also say that the market is quite overbought as well,' Chiu said. 'The risk to the downside is if there is any negative news that comes out, whether or not it is the tariffs or the talks with the ongoing conflict that is happening in the Middle East ... That can definitely bring parts of the market down, so I probably (have) more of a cautious stance as it is, especially with respect to market valuations.' Canadian investors also sifted through data showing that Canada's economy has begun to diversify trade beyond the U.S. Statistics Canada said Thursday that the country's merchandise trade deficit — the difference between how much we ship out and how much we bring in — narrowed to $5.9 billion in May as gold exports climbed higher. The result compares with a trade deficit of $7.6 billion seen in April — a record high, which StatCan said Thursday was revised up from initial estimates of $7.1 billion. 'From a global perspective, we're seeing our Canadian exports actually rise, which I think is a positive in terms of the Canadian economy and how Canada is looking to diversify its trade,' Chiu said. The Canadian dollar traded for 73.66 cents US compared with 73.41 cents US on Wednesday. The August crude oil contract was down 45 cents US at US$67.00 per barrel. The August gold contract was down US$16.80 at US$3,342.90 an ounce. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2025. — With files from The Associated Press Companies in this story: (TSX: GSPTSE, TSX: CADUSD)
RTHK
29-06-2025
- Sport
- RTHK
Rower Chiu Hin-chun wins second World Cup silver
Rower Chiu Hin-chun wins second World Cup silver Rower Chiu Hin-chun wins a World Cup silver in Switzerland. Photo: World Rowing via Chiu's Instagram. Hong Kong, China's Chiu Hin-chun has won his second silver in a row at the World Rowing Cup. In the lightweight men's single sculls in the Lucerne leg of the tournament on Saturday, he gained a 0.3-second lead at the 1,000-metre mark. But Felipe Kluver Ferreira of Uruguay accelerated in the latter half, with Chiu finishing just 1.24 seconds behind the gold medallist, clocking 6 minutes 54.46 seconds. The SAR athlete closed the gap with his Uruguayan rival after finishing 2.54 seconds behind him last month in the Varese leg, again taking silver. 'Proud of the progress, hungry for more. Grateful for the grind, the team, and every challenge that got me here,' Chiu wrote on Instagram. 'Eyes forward. We're not done yet.' Last year, Chiu won his first World Cup gold in Lucerne.
Business Wire
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Genesys Appoints Allen Chiu as Chief Legal Officer
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Genesys ®, a global cloud leader in AI-Powered Experience Orchestration, today announced the appointment of Allen Chiu as chief legal officer and executive vice president, effective July 1, 2025. Chiu, who currently serves as chief compliance officer and general counsel at Genesys, will succeed Jim René, who is retiring after 25 years of distinguished service. René will remain with the company as special counsel through the end of the year to ensure a smooth succession process. Chiu brings more than 20 years of legal experience and has already played a pivotal role in shaping the legal and compliance function at Genesys. In his current role, Chiu oversees the company's global ethics and compliance program, trade and export controls, and litigation strategy. Chiu will report to Genesys chairman and CEO, Tony Bates. 'Allen is an exceptional and strategic leader whose deep expertise in compliance, privacy and global regulatory matters will be instrumental as we continue to scale our business and expand our AI leadership,' said Bates. 'His thoughtful counsel and business acumen will help us navigate complexities and keep Genesys at the forefront of experience orchestration.' Prior to joining Genesys, Chiu served as an assistant United States attorney in the US Department of Justice, where he worked in the national security and criminal divisions in the Central District of California. He began his legal career at Latham & Watkins LLP and clerked for Judge Dana M. Sabraw in the US District Court for the Southern District of California. René has served as a trusted advisor and strategic legal leader at Genesys, helping guide the organization through critical phases of transformation, governance evolution and risk management. 'Jim's contributions to Genesys have been significant and enduring,' said Bates. 'His legal insight and steady guidance have been essential in strengthening our governance, navigating complex challenges and supporting the company's growth. We're deeply grateful for his contributions and leadership, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter.' About Genesys Genesys empowers more than 8,000 organizations in over 100 countries to improve loyalty and business outcomes by creating the best experiences for their customers and employees. Through Genesys Cloud, the AI-Powered Experience Orchestration platform, Genesys delivers the future of CX to organizations of all sizes so they can provide empathetic, personalized experiences at scale. As the trusted platform that is born in the cloud, Genesys Cloud helps organizations accelerate growth by enabling them to differentiate with the right customer experience at the right time, while driving stronger workforce engagement, efficiency and operational improvements. Visit
