Despite the 10 September agreement in Koh Kong to reduce tensions, the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border remains unsettled. Bangkok is considering applying economic pressure, while mutual accusations continue over online scam centres favoured by Cambodia, which seeks to minimise the consequences of the armed conflict that broke out on 24 July. A recent media investigation found that at least 50 Cambodian soldiers were killed in the fighting.
To reduce dependence on China, India has initiated direct contacts with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). The Indian Ministry of Mines has engaged state-owned IREL and Midwest Advanced Materials, a private firm, to explore potential large-scale exports from Myanmar. Meanwhile, India’s government has decided to exempt mining projects from mandatory public consultations, effectively excluding local communities from vetting mining projects.
The government, through the Ministry of Finance, has allocated more than billion to five credit institutions. The funds will be provided through a ‘demand deposit’ scheme and will also apply to Islamic finance. Scepticism and doubts about the real effectiveness, the logic of the measure and the real impact on the economy.
In Dili, hundreds of thousands celebrated the first anniversary of their meeting with Pope Francis, on his 45th apostolic journey outside of Italy. In Indonesia, currently shaken by violent social tensions, local bishops call for “repentance” and “listening”. In Singapore, the archdiocese launched its 2025-2035 Pastoral Plan inspired by synodality.
The president has set up an independent three-member body to vet dodgy flood prevention projects of the past 10 years. The Conference of Superiors of the Philippines warns that corruption deprives youth of an education, favours the neglect of the sick, and traps millions in poverty.
During the night, a drone attacked one of the boats off the coast of Tunisia. Suspicions point to Israel. A dozen Asian countries have joined the international initiative of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a symbol of “resilience” as its name suggests in Arabic. Filipino activist: it is important to show “our solidarity”.
