Stefano Vecchia

Exports to Europe have fallen by 60 per cent. Some 1,200 companies across the country have had to cut production or put it on hold. Female workers have borne the brunt of the situation.

Affiliated with the Islamic State, the group includes mostly veteran fighters who survived the battle of Marawi in 2017, which saw at least 1,200 people die. The Philippine military have discovered a training camp and a laboratory to make explosive devices in the Marogong forest. The autonomy of Muslim-majority provinces could also be at risk.

One Philippine migrant fell to his death during repair work at a FIFA training base, adding one more victim to the thousands who perished during construction. Human Rights Watch slams the indifference of the organisers. Back in the Philippines, a poll suggests that most Filipinos still think the World Cup spreads positivity and unites the world.

A growing number of people in the city-state is volunteering, especially young people. Government and NGOs work together in providing assistance, making an essential contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the Red Cross, 80 per cent of the staff are volunteers. Volunteers provide better knowledge and contact with the community.

Following the election on 19 November, the third in 30 months, the new cabinet reflects a desire for financial and moral probity. Prime Minister Ibrahim will also be finance minister; two other ministers will also hold a second portfolio. The vote of confidence is scheduled for 19 December.

The city-state's parliament after years of debate has approved the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code, which punished same-sex sexual relations. At the same time, a constitutional amendment was passed that closes the way for gay marriage "to safeguard a key institution of society".

According to S&P Global Ratings, the Philippine economy will grow by 7.1 per cent by the end of 2022. However, a World Bank report notes that half of the population has only 14 per cent of the country’s wealth.

The attack left one person dead and 30 wounded. This is another episode in a low-intensity conflict that has caused as many as 7,300 deaths over the past 20 years. Peace talks between the government and local groups resumed in 2013, but have not produced any concrete results. Thailand’s Muslims represent 4.5 per cent of the country’s population, concentrated in the south but with substantial numbers in Bangkok and the larger cities.

Since Ferdinand Marcos Jr came to power, things have started to change. The new president is careful to avoid being associated with his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte. For a second time, a member of a law enforcement agency is convicted. Patrolman Jeffrey Perez killed and tortured two teenagers.

No coalition managed to win a majority. After ruling for almost half a century, UMNO won only 30 seats. Now attention will be focused on long marginalised states of Sarawak and Sabah, on Borneo Island.

A group of lawmakers from ASEAN’s 10 member states call on their government to “stop using 'public order' and 'harmony' as justifications for imposing unwarranted restrictions on this fundamental right.”

The Philippines is another Asian country with a negative replacement fertility rate; however, many years will pass before its population starts to decline. Ten years ago, Philippine women still had on average three children. The effects of this new trend have sparked discussions, but what caused this reversal in the 2017-2022 period is still not understood.