A fitness center in To Kwa Wan, King Fitness, announced its closure on Thursday, with customers worrying that their prepayments may go down the drain. The fitness center, established in 1988, said in a notice today that they were unable to continue operations and had chosen to shut down on March 15 (Fri) due to economic pressure. However, there were no updates on the company’s social media. One of their clients told reporters today that they were not notified of the closure, and he had prepaid an annual fee of HK$4,600. Apart from concerns about not being able to reclaim the money, the client also said he was saddened he and his friends no longer have a spot to exercise together.

The watchdog tested 15 models, which are used to prevent hygiene issues in case children drop the pacifier, and found six may pose a risk of choking and strangulation. The European standard, however, calls for ventilation or air holes on the pacifier holder, which the tested models do not have. Council chief executive Gilly Wong Fung-han said the ventilation holes could be a lifesaver if children's airways are obstructed. Simba's Pacifier Holder (Orange), was found damaged on the 320th attempt when subjected to repeated opening and closing. She recommended parents choose a larger pacifier holder and pay attention to the length of straps and ventilation holes.

JOIN Maria Victoria "Babeck" Forteza-Velasco in a dance exercise class called ZuDance at the Sunshine Place. The dance exercise class, which is Zumba-style will feature jazz, Latin and other dance styles such as merengue, salsa, cha-cha, bachata, samba, hip hop and belly dance. nJoin the dance exercise class, ZuDance, at the Sunshine Place. With a stint as a jazz dance instructor in Australia, she brings an international flair to her dance programs. Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyFor more information, email [email protected].

Rights groups refute Marcos’ claim of ‘progress’ in ending drug war abusesThis undated photo shows people lighting candles to protest killings under the Duterte administration's 'war on drugs.' MANILA, Philippines — Human rights groups on Thursday refuted the president’s recent claim that the government is “progressing” in terms of curbing police abuses in the so-called “war on drugs” initiated by his predecessor. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) in separate statements criticized Marcos for touting the “lessened” problem of drugs under his leadership during his visit to Germany this week. “The ‘drug war’ remains a state policy. Official figures put deaths from Duterte's anti-narcotics campaign at more than 6,000, but estimates from human rights groups peg the actual number of fatalities as at least 30,000.

Our high minimum wage. The Philippine minimum wage is far higher than those of Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. When they adjusted their minimum wages, they were clear on what minimum meant: mainly to protect the young first-time workers and also the most unskilled from abusive wage levels. And yet, their minimum wage rate today is lower than the current minimum wage rate in effect in our urban areas! If minimum wages have to be adjusted, carry out the changes through the current system of regional wage board reviews and Tripartite consultations.

‘Philippines made significant strides in women’s rights’Female activists hold a protest along Morayta Street in Manila to oppose Charter change and other issues as they commemorate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. NEW YORK – The Philippines has made significant strides in advancing women’s rights in different sectors, a budget official said at the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68). In 2022, we spent an estimated $18.9 billion on gender programs,” said Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman. “We continue to strengthen our institutions and social protection programs to address women’s poverty. This year’s CSW is chaired by the Philippines through Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo.

Second Officer Mark Anthony Dagohoy, one of 13 Filipino seafarers who survived the missile attack by Houthi rebels on the bulk carrier True Confidence, recalls his experience and how they lost two of their colleagues at a press conference at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. Dagohoy and 10 other seafarers arrived in the country with the help of the Philippine government. Video by Claire MondaresGet the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army does not condone or tolerate violence against women. This view is being expressed after one of its officials’ wife showed up at the Commission on Appointments (CA) to thwart her husband’s appointment due to abuses he allegedly committed. Sevilla’s wife alleged that the Army official committed adultery, and that she and her children suffered physical and mental abuses from the military official. “The Philippine Army under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido does not condone or tolerate such acts,” Army spokesperson Louie Dema-Ala told INQUIRER.net in a text message on Wednesday. READ: CA defers AFP official’s promotion after wife testimony

The reasoning behind Pascual's objection is deeply flawed and indicates a preference for the approach that is least likely to accomplish the broader goals. Without charging stations being seen as a feasible business here, we will not attract the investment needed to create a charging network, and ultimately, the domestic EV industry will not develop. That increased demand, in turn, will be the incentive for EV and EV component manufacturers to set up shop in the country. Fast charging stations require expensive electrical equipment and connections to distribution grids, which give them very high up-front costs and then have proven to be an operational nightmare due to heavy maintenance requirements. In a recent study, an estimated 1 in 5 charging stations in the US was inoperative due to maintenance failures; in California, it was 1 in 4.

Oscars ratings climb to nearly 20 million as 'Oppenheimer' reignsComposite image of Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling at the 2024 OscarsLOS ANGELES, United States — Wins for "Oppenheimer," live musical performances from "Barbie" and an (almost) naked John Cena helped lift Oscars ratings for a third consecutive year, early viewing figures showed, as 19.5 million tuned in to watch Hollywood's big night. Broadcaster ABC's figure for the well-reviewed gala was nearly double the pandemic-era ratings nadir of 10.4 million, though still historically low for a telecast that regularly topped 40 million just a decade ago. This year's Oscars benefited from having two giant-grossing smash hits — "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie," the so-called "Barbenheimer" phenomenon — in the mix for multiple awards. Related: LIST: Oscars 2024 winnersAmong the millions who tuned in to Sunday night's telecast was Donald Trump. But on a largely smooth night, Variety singled out Gosling's musical performance as a "maximalist, infectiously goofy singalong."

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday enjoined Filipino Muslims to pray for peace asas the holy month of Ramadan begins. ADVERTISEMENT“Isa itong pagkakataon para mas mapalalim pa natin ang ating ugnayan sa Kaniya at sa ating kapwa,” Duterte said. The holy month of Ramadan began on March 12, after the moonsighting conducted by the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta Sunday evening failed to sight the moon, a key celestial marker for the start of the holy month for Muslims. READ: Bangsamoro Mufti declares start of Ramadan on TuesdayThe ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, is one of the most sacred times for Muslims. READ: Marcos urges forgiveness, harmony in Ramadan messageYour subscription could not be saved.

Vice President Sara Duterte says on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, that controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has been given a 'guilty verdict' by the public and calls for a more fair hearing in the proper courts. She also said that Sonshine Media Network Inc.'s (SMNI's) suspension was an issue of "media freedom." Video by OVP Communications

Many Chinese maritime proposals against national interests — DFAThis photo taken on March 5, 2024 shows journalists filming as a China Coast Guard vessel (R) sails in front of the BRP Sindangan during a supply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. “While a few proposals were deemed somewhat workable, many of the remaining Chinese proposals were determined, after a careful study, scrutiny and deliberation within the Philippine government, to be contrary to our national interests,” the department said in a statement. The agency said the Philippines submitted counter proposals, but China did not consider them. Instead, Beijing presented its own counter proposals, which like the previous ones, did not reflect Manila’s interests, particularly on issues such as the South China Sea. Improved communication, ‘calm approach’The DFA said the proposals of the two countries were further discussed during a bilateral consultation meeting on South China Sea matters last January in Shanghai.

Mike Hutchings/AFP/Getty ImagesIndia on Tuesday rejected Chinese objections to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's weekend visit to Arunachal Pradesh, saying the northeastern border state has always been "an integral and inalienable part of India". New Delhi rejects the claim, saying Arunachal Pradesh has always been a part of India. "Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time, as they visit other states of India. Objecting to such visits or India's developmental projects does not stand to reason," said Randhir Jaiswal, India's foreign ministry spokesperson. Last year, China ratcheted up tensions with India by giving Chinese names to 11 locations in Arunachal Pradesh.

Over 8,000 square feet of the Center are dedicated to the animal adoption department, while the additional 14,000 square feet are allocated for animal birth control and welfare work. The center also features the largest animal hospital in the New Territories, with the operating room and ward area occupying 16,500 square feet, expected to be rolled out in the second half of the year. The adoption center is already in full service and the dog foster care service is set to commence in late March. The education hub will feature four classrooms and include the first-ever immersive animal welfare classroom in Hong Kong. The location of the new center also helps the SPCA shorten its response time for animal rescue calls in the New Territories, where rescue demand is the greatest.