The US and allies talk of the "rules-based international order" (RBIO). Russia and China prefer a "multipolar" world. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's astute foreign minister, recently split the difference by talking about the need for a "multilateral rules-based international order". For the west, the RBIO underpins peace and stability. It demands respect for territorial integrity and international law, and the protection of minorities, small nations, democratic norms and the global trading system.

TOKYO, Japan — Japan, whose unmanned "sniper" probe made a lunar touchdown on Saturday, is one of many countries and private companies launching new missions to the Moon. NASA says commercial tie-ups give it "more shots on goal" although its Peregrine lunar lander, made by US company Astrobotic, failed when it lost fuel after take-off. In October, the country sent a fresh team to its Tiangong space station in the latest crewed mission for the fast-growing space program. JapanJapanese company ispace attempted a lunar landing in April last year but crashed, becoming the third private entity to have failed in the endeavor. RELATED: Japan's 'Moon Sniper' attempts historic lunar landing

PARIS, France — The Eiffel Tower in Paris welcomed 6.3 million visitors last year, its management company said Friday, more than came in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. France's "Iron Lady" boasted up to 7 million visits in 2014 and 6.2 million five years later. Non-French Europeans accounted for 44%, with the largest numbers coming from Germany, Britain and Spain. Paris's major museums, another of the French capital's top attractions, also returned to pre-COVID visitor numbers or even set new records last year. RELATED: Eiffel Tower closes as staff go on strike

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is expected to remain the world’s top importer of rice this year with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicting that the country would increase its procurement of the staple. ADVERTISEMENTThe estimated volume is in contrast to the global rice trade estimated pegged at 52.2 million MT, down by 223,000 MT from 52.4 million MT a year prior. Increased importsAsian countries China, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines are seen to increase imported rice purchases. In the previous year, the Philippines imported 3.6 million MT of rice, down by 5.9 percent from 3.8 million MT in 2021, based on the data from the Bureau of Plant Industry. Sufficient supplyIndia’s shipment was part of the 295,000 MT of rice earmarked by the Indian government despite its export ban on non-basmati white rice.

JERUSALEM – At the end of a kilometer-long, booby-trapped tunnel in the Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers discovered cramped cells where the military said Hamas kept about 20 hostages. They found a holding area, five narrow rooms behind metal bars, toilets, mattresses, and even drawings by a child hostage who was freed during a November truce, military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. The military released photos from the underground labyrinth and said it brought in journalists to document the tunnel before it was destroyed. “The soldiers entered the tunnel where they encountered terrorists, engaging in a battle that ended with the elimination of the terrorists,” Hagari said. Others are among the more than 130 captured during Hamas’ Oct. 7 rampage through southern Israel that are still in Gaza.

Vice President Sara bucks Cha-cha moves: Guard the ConstitutionMANILA, Philippines — Rejecting the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution is “to guard the Constitution,” Vice President Sara Duterte said yesterday, as she joined the pushback against the move seen as “tainted” by reports of bribery by its proponents. People’s initiative proponents are reportedly looking at July as the possible date for a plebiscite to amend the 1987 Constitution. “Voter registration will just continue despite the ongoing receipt of signature pages in our local Comelec offices,” he maintained. Garcia said they just might encounter difficulty in holding voter registration activities once the Comelec begins signature verification work. The personnel we will use for verification will also be the ones to manage voter registration,” he added.

The investigation of 10 complaints alleging professional misconduct of lawyers over the 612 relief fund raised to support arrested protesters has been completed and entered the stage of internal audit, the president of the Law Society of Hong Kong said on Saturday. Chan Chak-ming also said out of the 10 cases some allegations were found by the society to be both substantiated and unsubstantiated. Yesterday (Fri), the Bar Association also released the investigation results of misconduct complaints against 38 barristers for providing legal assistance in cases backed by the 612 protest fund. The bar council unanimously agreed that there was no evidence that suggested the barristers were involved in any acts of misconduct or they acted dishonestly. He also believes that the existing mechanism works and is capable of handling complaints and challenges in the future.

Eight people were killed in a factory explosion in eastern China's Jiangsu province on Saturday, state media reported. "A dust explosion occurred in the production workshop of Shenrong Metal Technology Limited, killing eight people and lightly injuring eight others," Xinhua said. A dust explosion occurs when flammable particles, including metals, in the air ignite. In May last year, nine people died in a blast at a factory used to produce hydrogen peroxide in Liaocheng, a city in China's eastern Shandong province. And in November 2022, more than 20 people were killed at a factory in central China's Henan province, with authorities blaming workers engaged in illegal welding.

Globe Broadband field staff pay a courtesy call at the Balingasa High School, Quezon City. In partnership with local government units, Globe At Home's FTTR installation advances digital learning, bringing the brand closer to its goal of enhancing broadband experiences and improving the country's digital infrastructure. The effort is also in line with the government's push for wider connectivity in educational institutions across the country, as accelerated use of digital technology in learning. By boosting connectivity through FTTR powered by GFiber, Globe is helping public school students experience improved internet service, enabling seamless virtual and interactive learning. Globe At Home continues to lead the way in broadband technology and digital transformation.

Migz: Until final ruling, Jinggoy to continue as senatorMANILA, Philippines — Sen. Jinggoy Estrada will continue performing his functions as senator until and unless his conviction by the Sandiganbayan becomes final and executory, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said. “The Senate also recognizes the fact that there are still remedies available to Sen. Jinggoy under existing laws and the Rules of Court,” Zubiri said in a statement sent to Senate reporters. He can still file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Sandiganbayan; he can still file an appeal by certiorari with the Supreme Court,” Zubiri said. “Until and unless the decision becomes final and executory, Sen. Jinggoy is duty-bound to continue performing his functions as senator.”The Sandiganbayan acquit[1]ted Estrada of plunder but found him guilty of direct and indirect bribery. His lawyer Alexis Abastillas Suarez told “Storycon” on Cignal TV’s One News that the temporary disqualification could be implemented only when the ruling becomes final.

Pagunova Transport and Multi-Purpose Service Cooperative Chairman Leonard Bautista says that income from both traditional and modern jeepneys, consolidated or unconsolidated, is almost the same. However, fleet maintenance, among other benefits, within a consolidated cooperative is a plus compared to individual franchises. Video and interview by Ezrah Raya

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