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GMA Network
2 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Bill seeking P1,200 national minimum wage refiled in House
A bill mandating a P1,200 national daily minimum wage was refiled in the House of Representatives Wednesday. In filing House Bill 2599, Makabayan bloc lawmakers Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers party-list and Renee Co of Kabataan party-list said the regional wage board system in the last 30 years only resulted in poverty-level wages for workers. They proposed the abolition of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board by amending Article 99 of the Labor Code and replace it the National Wages and Productivity Board. 'Filipino workers have weighed in on the regionalized wage regime through 36-year history and found it a big failure. They are now demanding that it be scrapped and for the Philippines to return to the regime of uniform national minimum wage that is based on the family living wage,' the lawmakers said in their explanatory note. The authors then cited an IBON Foundation study showing that the amount needed to raise the current minimum wage to P1,200 living wage only requires 29.7% to 49.1% of the profits amassed by private employers, making it feasible if only employers are willing to cut down on profits. 'The surge in the prices of oil and other basic goods and services in the last several years likewise has devoured, according to some estimates, the wages of our workers by 25-30%. Workers are now groaning under the crushing effect of heavy taxes and high prices on their wages and income,' the lawmakers said. 'It is therefore imperative for the State to ensure that what the Constitution-the workers' just share in the fruits of production and the workers' right to living wage-is fulfilled in pursuit of the equitable distribution of income and wealth towards economic and social development. The State must recognize its justice and necessity given the workers' contribution to society and the economy amid all the hardships,' they added. Violators will face several penalties, including a fine of 100% of the total wage increment due their employees multiplied by the number of unpaid working days, plus P50,000 moral damages to each employee, and suspension of business permit.—with a report from Tina Panganiban Perez/AOL, GMA Integrated News
The Star
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Tanjung Puteri apartment owner ordered to return deposit
Tavaseelan says many issues cropped up at the Tanjung Puteri apartment, prompting him and his brother to leave. A HOTEL manager in Singapore filed a case with Johor Consumer Claims Tribunal after the owner of his tenanted unit refused to refund part of his deposit. Claimant A. Tavaseelan said they had left the unit on April 17 and handed over the keys of the apartment located at Jalan Bukit Meldrum in Tanjung Puteri, Johor Baru, to the respondent on April 30. Tavaseelan and his brother A. Rueben Raj, who works as an engineer in Singapore, were co-tenants. They moved into the unit on April 30, 2023, and the monthly rental was set at RM2,200 for the first year. 'The rental was increased to RM2,700 when we renewed the tenancy agreement on April 30, 2024. 'However, our unit was located above the swimming pool and the foul smell which emanated from the toilets there permeated our unit,' said the claimant, adding the owner did not disclose this prior to renting out the unit. Tavaseelan also said fungus started to appear on the walls of the unit in the second year. 'We were away for three weeks and only discovered this when we returned from abroad,' he said, adding that the owner did not do anything when informed of the situation. Tavaseelan and Rueben Raj decided to move out and the owner agreed to return their deposit of RM7,017 after determining the unit was left in a good condition. Tavaseelan said the respondent delayed refunding the deposit. 'The respondent only refunded RM1,585.70 on May 30, after she received a notice from the Tribunal to attend the hearing,'' he said when met outside the tribunal in Menara Ansar. Tribunal president Hafez Zalkapli ordered the respondent to refund RM5,471 to the claimant within two weeks. Those who need assistance can call 07-227 1755 or 07-227 1766 or visit the Tribunal office at Level 17, Menara Ansar, Jalan Trus, Johor Baru.
IOL News
19 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
MPs' gift declarations highlight a mix of presents received in 2025
All the 400 public representatives complied with the declaration of financial interests for the first time in 2025. Image: File Cellphones, liquor, sheep, food parcels, books, tickets to watch sport and music shows as well as paid air travel and accommodation. These are some of the declarations made by MPs as contained in the Register of Members' Interests for 2025. The report was adopted and released by the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests on Friday after all 400 public representatives complied with the submission of their declarations within the stipulated deadline for the first time. 'No Member of Parliament submitted late. The committee commends this milestone,' said co-chairpersons Lusizo Makhubela and Henni Britz. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza are probably the envy of other MPs as they disclosed a long list of gifts during the year under review. Creecy listed, among her gifts, two King Shaka statues from Airport Company of South Africa, a book titled 'The Pig That Flew' from Evert de Ruiter, and a scarf valued at R1,200 from her French counterpart. Didiza declared an ostrich leather clutch bag and mohair blanket gifts from Agri-SA. Also pocketing along list of gifts was International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola. He received a self-painting from Ambassador Reynard Al-Akbari of the League of Arab States, a colour-changing mug and African print fabric from Mozambique High Commissioners, 15-year-old single malt whiskey, and a book titled 'Welcome to My Table' by Siba Mtongana from Assupol. DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen received 12 bottles of wine from Cape Point Vineyards and 12 assorted bottles of wine from Tim Hutchinson. The ostrich industry gave him an ostrich RSA flag and various ostrich plumes for display in the ministry offices in Pretoria, among others. Steenhuisen, who listed nothing under land ownership and property, disclosed a townhouse at Sea Point in Cape Town under rented property. EFF leader Julius Malema listed directorship in Mgagao Shamba farming business, as well as two sheep from BaPedi Queen, and a bottle of wine and chocolate from the Chinese embassy. He disclosed nothing under property and land ownership. Deputy President Paul Mashatile declared a portrait of himself from the National Youth Development Agency, a bottle of wine, and small grey bowl from the Japanese embassy, and a silver elephant statue display from the Indian Minister of External Affairs, among the gifts he obtained. MK Party John Hlophe made no disclosures under land and property ownership, rented property, and remuneration outside parliamentary work. While MK Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla also disclosed nothing under property and land, she stated that she rented a property in Waterfront, Cape Town. Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie declared the de-registration of about 15 companies where he was director or in partnership. McKenzie listed owning a property in Kraaifontein in Cape Town and a R37,999 HONOR Magic V2 device from HONOR Device in China, as well as a R6,093 tea cup and saucer from the Russian Cultural Ministry. Al Jama-ah leader and Social Development Minister, Mogamad Hendricks, has shares in 12 companies with at least 15,000 shares valued at R961,342 with ABSA stockbroker. He listed directorship in seven companies, including his party. Hendricks listed four properties - a house, two plots, and an agricultural land – under property and land ownership. ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe declared among his shares 100 Sanlam shares with a nominal value of R15,000 nominal and being preacher as remuneration outside parliamentary work. The South African Friends of Israel paid for his travel to the funeral of his daughter in Israel, and a Washington family paid for the flight and accommodation for his daughter's memorial service in the US. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana received no gifts during the year under review. Godongwana disclosed that he has three properties in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu declared that he obtained a Huawei Pura 70 cellphone from the Chinese ambassador, and a goat and blanket from a community of Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal. National Assembly House Chairperson Cedric Frolick made a declaration of 300 food parcels from the Chinese Consulate in Cape Town, five rugby tickets from SuperSport, and hospitality packages for the Durban July from Sanlam. Small Business Minister Stella Ndabeni declared that she received R85,000 tickets for the DSTV Delicious and tickets valued at R22,800 to the Chris Brown music show from MultiChoice and soccer game tickets valued at R6,600 from the Premier Soccer League.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Lee Haechan's Solo Debut: A Monumental Moment for K-Pop Fans in September 2025
When Dreams Finally Take Flight: The Solo Announcement That Broke the Internet The K-pop universe collectively held its breath on July 29, 2025, when it was confirmed what millions of fans had been waiting for - Lee Haechan, NCT's golden-voiced main vocalist, is officially making his solo debut this September. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This marks a monumental milestone, coming nearly nine years after his initial debut with NCT 127 in July 2016. According to Maeil Business Star Today, Haechan will release his first solo album in September 2025. The announcement sent shockwaves through social media, with hashtags trending worldwide as NCTzens (NCT fans) and Sunflowers (Haechan's dedicated fanbase) erupted in celebration across platforms. What makes this even more special is the journey leading up to this moment. Haechan had previously mentioned in 2022 that he wasn't ready to think about solo activities, preferring to focus on group endeavors. However, by 2024, the talented artist revealed during a Weverse live session that he had already begun preparing songs for his eventual solo debut. The transformation from "not ready" to "actively preparing" showcases Haechan's artistic evolution and growing confidence as a solo performer. Industry insiders suggest that his change of heart came after witnessing the successful solo ventures of his fellow NCT members, particularly Mark's acclaimed debut with "200" in 2024. The Multi-Talented Artist Ready to Shine Alone Haechan's musical prowess extends far beyond his group activities with NCT 127, , and NCT U. The versatile performer has already showcased his individual artistry through various OST contributions, including "Good Person" for the drama "Plens Seoyeon University's 22nd Class" (2022) and "Why I Like You" for "Please Take Care of My Week". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now His recent collaboration with fellow NCT member Mark on "+82 Pressin" from Mark's solo album "THE FIRST FRUIT" further demonstrated his ability to adapt and excel in different musical contexts. The track, which playfully incorporates Korea's country code "+82," showcased Haechan's versatility and chemistry with his longtime friend and groupmate. Industry experts have long recognized Haechan as an all-rounder artist, combining his unique vocal tone with exceptional performance skills and commanding stage presence. His ability to seamlessly transition between NCT's different sub-units while maintaining his distinctive musical identity has positioned him perfectly for this solo venture. The anticipation for Haechan's solo work has been building steadily, especially after SM Entertainment included his solo debut in their 2025 music lineup preview. Fans have even coined the term "HOLO" (Haechan Solo) to refer to this highly anticipated project, with #HAECHANSOLO2025 trending for over 24 hours on social media platforms. What's particularly exciting is how Haechan has been dropping subtle hints about his solo preparations throughout 2024. During various interviews and live sessions, he mentioned experimenting with different musical styles and working closely with producers to find his unique sound. This meticulous preparation suggests that his debut album will be a carefully crafted artistic statement rather than a rushed project. Balancing Group Success with Individual Ambitions Despite his upcoming solo venture, Haechan continues to maintain his commitments to NCT's various activities. The multi-talented artist recently completed NCT 127's fourth world tour "NEO CITY - THE MOMENTUM" and participated in NCT DREAM's fourth world tour "THE DREAM SHOW 4: DREAM THE FUTURE" Seoul performances alongside their fifth studio album "Go Back To The Future" promotions. NCT DREAM's tour schedule remains packed, with performances scheduled across major Asian cities. The group will perform in Bangkok on August 16-17, 2025, followed by shows in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore, Saitama, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, and Nagoya. These performances will take place at some of Asia's most prestigious venues, including Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium, Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium, and Jakarta International Stadium. This busy schedule demonstrates Haechan's remarkable ability to juggle multiple commitments while preparing for his solo debut. Industry observers note that this balancing act reflects his dedication to both his group responsibilities and personal artistic growth. The fact that he can maintain such high performance standards across all his activities speaks volumes about his professionalism and work ethic. Interestingly, Haechan has mentioned that his group experiences have actually enhanced his solo preparations. Working with different producers across NCT's various projects has exposed him to diverse musical styles and production techniques, all of which he plans to incorporate into his solo work. The September Countdown and Fan Expectations As September approaches, global K-pop fans are eagerly anticipating how Haechan will translate his distinctive musical style and emotional depth into his solo work. The album is expected to showcase his unique musical color and artistic sensibility, elements that have made him a standout performer within NCT's diverse roster. Haechan's journey from a 16-year-old trainee to a seasoned performer ready for solo stardom represents years of artistic development and personal growth. His experience across multiple NCT sub-units has provided him with a rich musical foundation, spanning various genres and performance styles that will likely influence his solo direction. The September release positions Haechan strategically in the competitive second half of 2025, with industry insiders suggesting he's aiming to establish himself as a prominent solo artist - earning the title of "solo king" for the latter half of the year. This ambitious goal reflects both his confidence in his artistic vision and the strong foundation built through years of group success. Music industry analysts predict that Haechan's solo debut could potentially reshape the landscape of K-pop solo artists. His unique position as a member of one of K-pop's most successful groups, combined with his individual charisma and vocal abilities, creates a perfect storm for commercial and critical success. With his proven track record, distinctive vocal abilities, and dedicated fanbase spanning the globe, Haechan's solo debut promises to be one of the most significant K-pop releases of 2025. As fans count down to September, the anticipation continues to build for what could be a career-defining moment for one of K-pop's most beloved voices. The excitement is palpable, and if the early fan reactions are any indication, Haechan's solo debut might just be the musical event that defines the latter half of 2025 in the K-pop world.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Duo fined for committing mischief
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Lai was jailed four weeks and fined RM1,000 or two month's jail for damaging the driver's side window of a Toyota Land Cruiser with a knife at 9.40am, on July 17, at Taman Megarial, Luyang. Kota Kinabalu: Two men were fined by the Magistrate's Court here on separate charges of committing mischief. Thomas Lai and Chew Vui Kian pleaded guilty separately before Magistrates Dzul Elmy Yunus and Marilyn Kelvin to committing the offence under Section 427 of the Penal Code. Lai was jailed four weeks and fined RM1,000 or two month's jail for damaging the driver's side window of a Toyota Land Cruiser with a knife at 9.40am, on July 17, at Taman Megarial, Luyang. Chew was fined RM1,200 or two months' jail for smashing the glass door of the Good Massage premises at Bataras Hypermarket, Inanam, using a ring spanner at 8.12pm, on July 19, causing RM350 in losses to the owner, Winsal Mursidi. In Lai's case, the court heard from the prosecution that the accused committed the offence on the vehicle after being dissatisfied with a court order delivered by the complainant's lawyer, requiring him to vacate a house. Lai approached the vehicle with a knife and stabbed its driver-side window, causing damage of about RM1,000. Unrepresented, Lai requested to be allowed, only to pay a fine saying that he was suffering from stage four nasal cancer, adding that the complainant had come to take back the house. The magistrate told Lai that because there was a court order for the complainant to take the house, he should have challenged it through legal means by hiring a lawyer instead of using a weapon. Lai said he was uneducated and did not know what to do, and claimed the complainant knew how to lodge a police report and had often threatened him before, but he never reported it. The prosecution urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, saying Lai had used a dangerous weapon to intimidate the victim, causing damage and psychological distress. When delivering the sentence, the Magistrate said that, despite Lai's illness and age, using a knife was a serious offence that could have led to more severe consequences. The Magistrate said the court viewed the matter seriously, stressing that even if there was a dispute over the house, Lai should have sought legal redress instead of taking the law into his own hands, especially by using a sharp and dangerous weapon. Meanwhile, in Chew's case, the facts of the case presented by the prosecution stated that Chew smashed the glass door of the shop after arguing with his ex-girlfriend, who owns a shop near the complainant's shop. She informed the complainant, who then lodged a police report. Chew was arrested the next day, and police recovered the spanner used. The charge against both Lai and Chew carries a jail term of between one and five years or a fine, or both, on conviction. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
