DAVOS, Switzerland: If Ukraine does not defeat Russia, Moscow's victory would not end well for Europe, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday, as he warned Russia might not be contained in its neighbor. He was speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine resort of Davos, where the war in Ukraine has dominated discussions. "There's a chance that Russia might not be contained in Ukraine," he warned. One way Europe could do more on defense was "common procurement; we could procure things that are needed to, to defend Europe," the minister said. Landsbergis, however, welcomed the many discussions, including at very high levels, about Ukraine during the forum.

A boar accidentally fell and was trapped between a wall and a portable toilet in North Point, having to be rescued by firefighters alerted to the scene. Shortly before 8 am today, police received a report that outside Maple Gardens Phase 3 in North Point, a young boar was found belly up stuck between the gap of a retaining wall and a portable toilet. From what was seen at the site, it is estimated that the young wild boar accidentally rolled from the retaining wall, getting caught upside-down in the gap between the portable toilet and the retaining wall, and unable to leave. Firefighters arrived at the scene after receiving the report and spent about an hour pulling out the wild boar with a couple of ropes, each tied to his front and back legs. It was then placed in a plastic bucket until personnel from the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department arrived to inspect and take it away.

AYODHYA, India — The private jet parking lots at airports near the Indian city of Ayodhya are full and the shops have run out of gold-plated idols, as wealthy devotees prepare for the invite-only opening ceremony of one of Hinduism’s holiest temples. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani are among the 8,000 or so attendees at Monday’s inauguration event for the Ram Temple, which devotees believe is built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, a sacred Hindu deity. Officials estimate 100 private jets will descend on Jan. 22 on Ayodhya airport, filling it to capacity. Mehra did not disclose the price of the charters, but private jet booking website JetSetGo lists the price of a Mumbai-Gorakhpur return flight on a Falcon 2000 jet with nine passengers on board at about $74,000. Some retailers say gold and gold-plated statues of Lord Ram and temple replicas – priced at between 30,000 ($361) and 220,000 rupees ($2,647) – are so popular that they have run out of stock.

'It's Showtime' launches new segmentsMANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN noontime show "It's Showtime” launched new segments, “EXpecially For You” and “Karaokids,” as its online viewership hit over 200,000 live views and continue to trend constantly on different social media platforms. They can choose whether they like to share it anonymously through "It's Showtime" social media accounts or pass the screening test to be featured live in "EXpecially For You." "It's Showtime" is available on Mondays to Fridays, 11:30 a.m., and Saturdays, noon, on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, GTV, Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel, and Facebook page, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV. Catch its online show, "Showtime Online U," on "It's Showtime's" YouTube channel. RELATED: 'Pag wala kang pera, 'wag kang gumawa ng pamilya': Vice Ganda on starting a family

THE Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced the appointment of Liew Chian Jia as regional director of Southeast Asia (SEA) effective Jan. 11, 2024. HKTB Executive Director Dane Cheng expressed confidence in Liew: "With Chian Jia's extensive tourism experience and strong regional trade connections, I am sure she will lead the team to new heights and contribute significantly to the growth of the Southeast Asian market for Hong Kong tourism." Hong Kong Tourism Board appoints Liew Chian Jia as regional director of Southeast Asia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOLiew joined HKTB in 2017 and has since been instrumental in driving the trade partnerships and marketing Hong Kong to the travel trade in the Southeast Asia region. Prior to this appointment, Liew was the director of HKTB's Trade Marketing for the SEA region.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Romando Artes questions the methodology used by the Tomtom Traffic Index in concluding that Metro Manila has the worst traffic in the world. In a press conference at the MMDA head office in Pasig on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, Artes pointed to several reasons behind the traffic congestion and the MMDA's plans to resolve the problem. Video by John Orven Verdote

WATCH: Palawan's hidden gem Pamuayan FallsMANILA, Philippines — Pamuayan Falls, also called Pawpawyan Falls, is a beautiful little waterfall located 5.6 kilometers northeast from the coastal town of Port Barton in San Vicente, Palawan. It’s a short and exhilarating 15-minute walk along a scenic nature trail to get there. Eight meters high, it has its raging waters dropping straight down into a small basin that is great to swim in. Located in a secluded part of Port Barton, which is best known for its beaches, Pamuayan Falls is a hidden gem not often frequented by visitors. Be one of only a few who know and enjoy the simple pleasures that nature has to offer.

LUCENA CITY — Taal Volcano in Batangas province emitted on Thursday, Jan. 18, another alarming volume of sulfur dioxide (SO2), according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). ADVERTISEMENTState volcanologists also observed an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids” in the main crater lake, located on Taal Volcano Island, locally known as “Pulo,” which sits in the middle of Taal Lake. From Dec. 15 to Dec. 21 last year, the volcano also released a high volume of toxic volcanic gas when it emitted 11,437 MT of SO2 daily. ADVERTISEMENTLocal health officials have yet to issue a public advisory on the harm brought by the high volume of toxic volcanic gas. According to the state volcanologist, Taal Volcano remained under alert level 1 (low level of volcanic unrest).

'World's best beach': Why you should visit Port Barton in PalawanMANILA, Philippines — Yet another invitation to visit the picturesque coastal town of Port Barton in San Vicente, Palawan… This time, it’s from a tourist guide’s point of view, as she sums up the best that the place has to offer. For one, it’s got the best beach in the world, according to Big 7 Travel. Second reason: Island hopping adventures here allow visitors to experience majestic views, with snorkeling giving you all the right reasons to love coral reefs and schools of fish passing by. Number 3 and probably the best reason for foodies to head straight to Port Barton: Indulge in the freshest spread of seafood and meats all you want! — Video by Philstar.com / Enrico Alonzo

Go Negosyo to step up mentoring this yearMANILA, Philippines — For the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), 2024 will be a good year, according to Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, as the non-profit institution prepares to hold its first entrepreneurship event for the year – 3M on Wheels at the TriNoma Mall in Quezon City on Jan. 20. In response, Concepcion said Go Negosyo plans to hold at least 50 of its free entrepreneurship mentoring events this year and double the number of small entrepreneurs they can help start and grow their businesses. “For the Philippines to rise above poverty, we really have to scale up our MSMEs,” Concepcion said. She will share how small entrepreneurs can use readily available social media tools to promote and market their products and services. 3M on Wheels is a program of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (Go Negosyo).

556 E-bike crashes recorded in NCR in 2023 — LTFRBMANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said that there were 556 crash incidents of electric bikes (e-bikes) in Metro Manila in 2023. According to LTFRB’s data sent to reporters, the e-bike crashes in the National Capital Region (NCR) resulted in 281 instances of property damage, 273 non-fatal injuries and two fatal injuries. Crash incidents peaked in August 2023 with 64 cases, while the lowes recorded totaled to 26 cases in November 2023. Quezon City posted the highest number of incidents among cities in the NCR with 96 e-bike crash cases. According to LTO Administrative Order 2021-035, electric vehicles that have a maximum speed below 25 kilometers per hour are exempt from registration with the LTO.

The strikes in Sistan and Baluchestan province follow Iran’s attack Tuesday on Pakistani soil that killed two children in the southwestern Baluchistan province. They all have a common goal of an independent Baluchistan for ethnic Baluch areas in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Thursday’s development came a day after Pakistan recalled its ambassador to Tehran because of Tuesday’s strikes by Iran inside Pakistan’s southwestern Baluchistan province. Iran and Pakistan share a 900-kilometer (560-mile), largely lawless border in which smugglers and militants freely pass between the two nations. Beijing is a key regional player and has a major Belt and Road development in Gwadar port in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Jose Maria Clemente 'Joey' Salceda confirms to reporters during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, that the plebiscite for the people's initiative on Charter change may be held in July. Salceda, however, denied that the plebiscite was a 'gift' to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his State of the Nation Address, and added that the changes to the 1987 Constitution were 'inevitable.' Video by Red MendozaGet 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

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Maharlika Investment Fund Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Rafael Jose Consing Jr. meet with foreign business executives during a 'Breakfast interaction with the Philippine delegation to the World Economic Forum' in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2023 (local time). Romualdez told foreign businessmen that now is the most opportune time to invest in the Philippines, especially through the Maharlika Investment Fund. Video and Photos from Speaker Romualdez Bureau

Indonesia's population is estimated to be around 274 million, the fourth largest in the world after India, China and the United States. In turn, they will create significant demand for products and in the process, fuel economic growth further. The World Bank reported that around 20 percent of Indonesia's population joined the middle class during the last 15 years due to rising wages. And with the surplus it is generating from its mineral exports, Indonesia is also preparing itself to face the challenges that climate change is imposing. Just like Indonesia, the Philippines is a mineral-rich country and the resources, if properly utilized, can accelerate our economic development.