Out of 107 recorded cases, 43, or about 40 per cent, involve parliament. This is the highest figure in the last 11 years, when the survey began. For the report, it is "a mirror held up to our society." Meanwhile, the arrest of a journalist is fuelling fears about freedom of the press and information.
The return of more than 900,000 migrants has caused the flow of money from abroad to drop by more than 20 per cent, according to a report from the Cambodian central bank. This situation is squeezing households' financial means and creating new pressures on the domestic labour market. Meanwhile criticism of the government and tensions with Thailand along the border continue.
President Marcos Jr. signed Muslim Mindanao law, establishing the rules for long-delayed elections. Starting in 2031, local elections will align with nationwide voting. The Bangsamoro Transitional Authority (BTA) welcomed the process towards full democratic transition; for Chief Minister Macacua, “this election marks the full exercise of the people’s sovereign will.”
Twelve months after the earthquake which, according to official figures, claimed at least 5,000 lives, Caritas and CAFOD continue to support the affected communities. Many people are still displaced and living in even more precarious conditions due to poverty and civil war. Reconstruction remains slow and the needs are still enormous, warn organisations on the ground.
Malaysian political groups slam Philippine lawmaker Robert Padilla's claim to the Malaysian state in northern Borneo and warn of the risk of tensions within ASEAN. The statement on the oil- and gas-rich region comes as the Philippines is in the throes of an energy crisis. This has reignited a dispute that dates back to the 19th century.
The agreement was signed at the Indonesian embassy to the Holy See in Rome, making Indonesia’s official language the 57th language of the Vatican News portal. The result of persistent diplomatic work, revitalised by Pope Francis's visit in 2024, it represents a new opportunity to bring Indonesian traditions to the world.
