LONDON: Russia is rebuilding its capacity to destabilize European countries and extend its influence in the Middle East and Africa, posing a strategic threat to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as its members focus on the war in Ukraine, a United Kingdom-based think tank said on Tuesday. "As the war in Ukraine protracts, Russia has an interest in creating crises further afield,'' authors Jack Watling, Oleksandr V. Danylyuk and Nick Reynolds wrote, citing the Balkans as a region that is ripe for mischief. "Russia also has an active interest in destabilizing Ukraine's partners, and with a slew of elections forthcoming across Europe there is a wide range of opportunities to exacerbate polarization,'' the authors said. The 35-page report by the think tank, founded in 1831, was released days before the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The threat "extends beyond Ukraine and the active collaboration of those states that are being targeted," it said and urged for "sustained vigilance" over a range of issues.

The pitches made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his trips abroad have yielded growing foreign investments, the Department of Trade and Industry said. Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual confirmed that Marcos' foreign trips have started to yield "tangible results." "We will keep our momentum to make more investments happen in the Philippines by turning investment pledges from presidential visits into reality. "Certainly, the presidential visits have been impactful for the Philippine economy, signaling to both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors alike the government's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for economic prosperity. The Philippines has become a premier investment destination for foreign businesses in Asia," he added.

A Royal Air Philippines flight from Boracay to Shanghai had to make an emergency landing at Hong Kong International Airport last night after a power bank exploded and smoke filled the cabin. An online video shows moments just after the explosion aboard flight RW602 on Monday. Some passengers were terrified and moved to the back of the cabin to avoid inhaling the smoke. The captain then made an emergency landing in Hong Kong. It remains unclear what caused the portable battery charger, which is banned from being placed in check-in baggage, to explode.

SINGAPORE: Aviation hub Singapore will require airlines departing from the city-state to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 2026 as part of industry plans to cut carbon emissions, the transport minister said on Monday. Singapore aims to reduce carbon emissions by requiring airlines to use sustainable aviation fuel from 2026. Singapore aims to reduce carbon emissions by requiring airlines to use sustainable aviation fuel from 2026. SAFs are produced from renewable biomass and waste resources and can comprise up to 50 percent of jet fuel mixes. "To kick-start SAF adoption in Singapore, we will require flights departing Singapore to use SAF from 2026," Chee said in a speech.

Four years after his last visit in the Philippines, South Korean actor Park Hyung Sik returned to spend time with his Filipino fans as part of the "SIKcret Time" Asia Tour Fan Meet in Manila on Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. During the event, "The Heirs" and "Doctor Slump" star delighted his fans with his songs. Video by Iza Iglesias

BUSIEST Passengers leave the baggage handling hall at the Dubai International Airport terminal 3, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Oct. 25, 2022. AP PHOTO BUSIEST Passengers leave the baggage handling hall at the Dubai International Airport terminal 3, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Oct. 25, 2022. The airport had 89.1 million passengers in 2018 — its busiest-ever year before the pandemic, while 66 million passengers passed through in 2022. Dubai has a second airport, Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, some 45 kilometers (28 miles) away in its far southern reaches. Dubai International Airport connects to 262 destinations in 104 countries worldwide via just over 100 international carriers.

Dwight Ramos shares the strengths of the current Gilas roster in the send off conference of the FIBA 2025 Asia Cup Qualifiers at the PhilSports Arena on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. Ramos, who joined the training recently said, "Definitely a bigger team, everyone has good size, and there's a lot of ball movement right now." Video by Nicole Anne D.G.

After serving his provisional suspension, Justin Brownlee is glad to be back practicing with Gilas Pilipinas. Brownlee faced the media on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at the PhilSports Arena, where Gilas held an open practice. Brownlee and company prepare for the 1st window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. Video by Niel Victor Masoy

Six of the defendants pleaded guilty before High Court Judge Judianna Barnes Wai-ling on Monday. Su, 18, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder, possession of arms or ammunition with intent to endanger life and also resisting arrest while in possession of arms or ammunition. Unemployed 33-year-old Eddie Pang Kwan-ho pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bombing of prescribed objects under the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Ordinance with two explosive devices. The prosecution said the protest groups planned to ransack shops to attract authorities and to push officers closer to the bombs. The trial will resume on Tuesday (Feb 20) and is expected to last more than two months.

Gilas Pilipinas held an open practice in the PhilSports Arena on Monday, February 19. Led by coach Tim Cone, the national basketball team departs for Hong Kong on Tuesday to face the said country in the 1st window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Gilas then wraps the window against Taiwan in a home at the PhihlSports Arena. Video by Niel Victor Masoy

BUENOS AIRES: Argentine wild card Facundo Diaz Acosta captured his maiden ATP title in Buenos Aires on Sunday (Monday in Manila) by defeating Nicolas Jarry, the man who had stunned Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. World number 87 Diaz Acosta claimed a 6-3, 6-4 victory, sealing the triumph on a sixth match point. BIG WIN This handout picture released by the Argentina Open shows Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta returning the ball to Chile’s Nicolas Jarry during the ATP 250 Argentina Open singles final match in Buenos Aires on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. PHOTO BY SERGIO LLAMERA/AFPBefore this week, 23-year-old left-hander Diaz Acosta had only won four tour-level matches in his career. That loss extended Alcaraz's title drought to nine tournaments since his Wimbledon triumph last July.

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong recently renewed his oath as a member of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the political party of the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament Speaker Atty. Ali Pangalian Balindong strengthened his membership by his renewal of oath as member of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) on 18 February 2024/ 8 Shaban 1445 AH, at the UBJP Regional Headquarters, Tamontaka I, Cotabato City. Ebrahim and Balindong also led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the newly established UBJP headquarters in Cotabato City.

‘The restrictive economic provisions in Constitution’ (Conclusion)In closing, I have listened intently to what some members of the Senate said in connection with the issue of amending the restrictive provisions of the Constitution. There are skeptical commentaries on the need to amend the restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution expressed by some senators. If they understood that this constitutional change on the economic provisions would uplift their lives and that of their children especially, they would embrace these changes gladly. Constitutional amendments of the “restrictive economic provisions” will definitely change the equation in the future once we all see its positive impact on development prospects for our country. Finally, with respect to #(4), I do not agree with this statement that we have done enough in improving our policies as far as the restrictive economic provisions in the constitution.

Losing your phone in 2024Mobile devices are an integral part of our lives today. What can you do to prevent damages in case you fall victim to a pickpocket or lose your phone? But with the government’s initiative to combat text and phone scammers, they launched RA 11934 or the SIM Registration Act. In our case, we opted to upgrade our pre-existing pre-paid sim card to a post-paid one, to immediately have it replaced. In some cases, your spouse may help in contacting the bank on your behalf to help lock online access and prevent online transactions from going through.

Showbiz personalities including couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, Ricky Davao and Randy Santiago, trooped to the Senate to witness the passage on third and final reading of the proposed Eddie Garcia Act or Senate Bill 2505 that aims to protect the welfare of workers in the movie and television industry. Video by Bernadette E. Tamayo