The Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said the government is still working towards the target of reducing the smoking rate to 7.8 percent next year. His comments came during a radio program, saying that authorities have no plans to revise the goal to limit the smoking rate to 7.8 percent and are confident it can be achieved. However, preliminary data showed that after the increase in tobacco taxes, the smoking rate declined. Lo said the government conducted a public consultation on tobacco control policies last year. In addition, the health chief mentioned that the charges for public medical services, not limited to emergency room charges, are being reviewed.

Pacita 'Chit' Juan grew up in an entrepreneurial family, which explains her natural penchant for start-ups and knowing how to take risks in business. This is why people have named her a serial entrepreneur. She speaks at business conferences where she gets invited to share her entrepreneurial journey which continues to today. From founding what would be one of the country's largest coffee shop chains to the first eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle retail store called ECHOstore , Chit is always on her toes discovering, learning by doing and teaching and sharing with others.

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is set to begin this Monday its plenary debates on the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. This report endorsed “the approval of the resolution without amendment.”He added the time for the plenary debates is expected to be shorter, wherein RBH No. “In plenary, the proponents of the economic Charter changes will defend their proposals,” Gonzales, one of the principal authors of the resolution, said. For the third and final approval, Gonzales said the House of Representatives is sticking to its timeline before or until the Holy Week break on March 23. On Wednesday, the Committee of the Whole House approved RBH No.

Eight people were injured after a minibus crashed into a double-decker bus opposite Discovery Park in Tsuen Wan on Saturday. The incident occurred around 10.52 am when the route 95M minibus was traveling along Castle Peak Road - Tsuen Wan near Tai Chung Road. At least eight people were injured, including the bus captain and seven passengers on board the minibus. The passengers mostly sustained minor injuries whereas the bus captain hurt his waist. The driver and his two daughters also sustained minor injuries.

MANILA, Philippines—South China Sea (SCS) has one of the richest marine biodiversity in the world but competing territorial claims and neglect are increasingly threatening its ecosystem. ADVERTISEMENTThe US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) pointed out that coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion and provide livelihood, especially for local communities. The reef features are distributed across nine main areas, including the Paracels and Spratlys, where the Philippines has claims on certain islands and rocks above water at high tide. PH reefs destroyedAccording to CSIS data, West Philippine Sea (WPS) reefs have not been spared. According to the CSIS report, most of the damage was caused by giant clam harvesting:

Water was seen bursting out of the walls in Kowloon-bound Cheung Tsing Tunnel on Saturday afternoon after a truck crashed into the wall and broke the pipes within. The incident occurred around 1.15 pm as the truck lost control and rammed into the tunnel wall on the right, breaking the pipes inside with water bursting out onto the driving lanes. The driver was trapped but soon rescued by paramedics who were called to the scene. Staffers of the tunnel have switched off the water and police are now commanding traffic. The Transport Department said the middle and fast lanes of Cheung Tsing Tunnel (Kowloon bound) are closed to all traffic due to this incident.

That very war risk is why Washington is building up forces and alliances in Asia — and weaponizing our country. Neutral, yes; EDCA, noWhen EDCA was signed in April 2014, Marcos and 14 other senators passed a resolution contending that the executive agreement was invalid because it was, in fact, a treaty needing Senate ratification. Then-senator Marcos said: "As the EDCA is signed, there are no limitations [where the US can have sites] ... nothing in the agreement precludes any area." The month before fast-tracking EDCA, he noted in visits to China and Switzerland that Asia sought neutrality despite pressure to align. Marcos also told the China Global Television Network (CGTN) that the region's future "must be decided by the Asia-Pacific region, not anyone else."

BEIJING, China — Chinese consumer prices rose in February for the first time since August, data showed Saturday, bucking a months-long stretch of deflation that compounded the country's myriad economic woes. Consumer prices traditionally see a boost during the Chinese New Year period, also known as Spring Festival, which fell in February this year. "It was primarily food and service prices that rose more," NBS statistician Dong Lijuan said in a statement. "During the Spring Festival period, consumer demand for food products grew, in addition to rainy and snowy weather in some regions affecting supply," Dong said. "Affected by the Spring Festival holiday and other factors, industrial production was in its traditional off season," Dong said.

A 24-year-old triad member and a 22-year-old woman were arrested after the corpses of two baby boys were found in two glass jars in a flat of a Tuen Mun building on Friday morning. Forensic scientists were soon called to the scene and found no apparent injuries on the bodies after a preliminary examination. Lam was reportedly a warehouse worker and had an affiliation with triad society, while Chow was a PR officer. It is understood that they started renting the Tuen Mun flat in late December 2022 but the landlord had not received their rent for about six months. The landlord then arranged for the janitor to come and clean the flat, who then discovered the case.

MILAN, Italy: Italian luxury group Prada saw its net profit increase by 44 percent to 671 million euros ($731 million) in 2023, thanks to strong Asia sales and a "very positive" fourth quarter. AFP PHOTOThursday's results are slightly higher than estimates by FactSet analysts, who had forecast an average profit of 651 million euros. The label's turnover increased by 13 percent to 4.7 billion euros, driven by sales of Prada and Miu Miu, which are aimed at a younger clientele. At constant exchange rates, Miu Miu's retail sales jumped 58 percent in 2023, buoyed up by a particularly good fourth quarter, which saw sales up 82 percent. Prada's retail sales were up 12 percent on a year and by 10 percent in the last quarter.

A woman's femininityDuring this Women’s Month, we appreciate with gratitude, the significance of the role of women in society, mainly through their important contribution in helping build pleasant and well-managed family life and in forming children, our future. The welfare of women, especially those in the workforce, merit immediate attention, given their added responsibilities in family life. In addition to this important duty, some women still work outside the home, in order to help augment family income. The attention she gives to her family will always be a woman's greatest dignity. In these spheres, too, women can offer a valuable personal contribution, without neglecting their special feminine qualities.

Asian markets join rally after Wall St, European recordsPeople use their phones next to a display showing the stock numbers on the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong on April 27, 2022. . He said the Fed "can and will" begin lowering rates if the economy remains strong, inflation keeps falling and the jobs market softens. The European Central Bank added to the upbeat mood in trading floors, with its president Christine Lagarde suggesting reductions could start in June. Asian investors picked up the baton happily Friday, with Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Wellington, Manila, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta well up. "Bad (weak) news will be good news in this regard, with rising confidence in lower rates currently in the global markets driving seat."

Women’s Day: Empowering treats for International Women’s MonthMANILA, Philippines — From childbearing to holding key leadership roles, women play a very important part in society. Thus, today, International Women’s Day, and this March, International Women’s Month, celebrate every woman and womanhood with treats that speak of appreciation and self-love. McDonald's launches new Crispy Fish Fillet SandwichPhoto release Crispy Fish Fillet SandwichMcDonald's is making waves with their exciting launch of a “sea-licious” treat — the new and limited-time offer Crispy Fish Fillet Sandwich. Make sure to grab the new and limited-time offer Crispy Fish Fillet Sandwich and Double Crispy Fish Fillet Sandwich via Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru, and McDelivery. Available exclusively at all Serenitea branches nationwide and through third-party delivery app partners such as Grab and Food Panda starting March 15, the Cloud Coconut Collection offers medium-sized servings at accessible prices: Matcha Cloud Coconut (P 149), Cacao Cloud Coconut (P140), and Taro Cloud Coconut (P140).

Vice President Sara Duterte honors all Filipino women in her International Women's Day message on Friday, March 8, 2024. Duterte called for more opportunities for women to showcase their skills. She also condemned the New People's Army for attacking several women, including a doctor in Bohol province. Video by OVP CommunicationsGet 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

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Elena Algabre on Friday, March 8, 2024, says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos will travel to Europe next week. The President will be on a working visit to Germany and a state visit to the Czech Republic from March 11 to 15, 2024. Marcos has been traveling the world to lure investors to the Philippines to boost the economy. Video by Catherine S. ValenteGet 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