Archaeologists have uncovered several rock carvings of an ancient board game, believed to be over 4,000 years old, in Azerbaijan, potentially challenging long-held beliefs about the game’s origin in Egypt. The findings, published in the European Journal of Archaeology by researchers Walter Crist and Rahman Abdullayev, shed new light on the ancient game known as “Hounds and Jackals” or “58 Holes.”
Previously thought to have originated in Egypt, the game’s discovery at multiple archaeological sites in Azerbaijan suggests a different origin in southwestern Asia. According to the study, six-game boards bearing the distinctive pattern of holes used for peg-shaped playing pieces were found at various locations in modern-day Azerbaijan, including Çapmalı, Yenı Türkan, Dübəndi, and Ağdaşdüzü. These discoveries indicate the game was widely played across cultures, extending beyond Egypt to regions including the Levant, Mesopotamia, Iran, and Anatolia.
“The presence of these boards in Azerbaijan not only indicates that the region was connected to societies to the south but also demonstrates the game’s popularity across different socioeconomic groups,” the study notes. “Its supposed first appearance in Egypt is questioned in favor of a south-western Asian origin.”
The ancient game is played on a board featuring two parallel lines of tiny holes and an arc of 38 holes around them. Players navigate peg-shaped pieces through the holes, and the first to reach the end is declared the winner. The mechanics of “58 Holes” have been compared to the more modern game “Chutes and Ladders,” with players advancing or retreating based on their progress along the board.
The discovery of the game in Azerbaijan suggests that it likely spread through trade networks rather than military conquest. “The Abşeron Peninsula’s connection to exchange networks suggests that the game of fifty-eight holes spread through trade rather than conquest,” the study elaborates. It also notes that the game was adopted by a wide variety of people, from Middle Kingdom Egyptian nobility to cattle herders in the Caucasus and traders in Anatolia.
While this new finding challenges the Egyptian origin theory, the researchers acknowledge that more evidence is needed to fully determine the game’s true beginnings. “Whatever the origin of the game of fifty-eight holes, it was quickly adopted and played by a wide variety of people,” the study concludes.
The ongoing research into the origins and cultural transmission of this ancient game continues to highlight the interconnectedness of early civilizations and their shared pastimes.
The discovery of these ancient boards suggests the origins of the game could lie in southwestern Asia. (Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
PREK TAKEO, Cambodia. Cambodia’s ambitious plan to construct a massive canal linking the Mekong River to its coast on the Gulf of Thailand is sparking alarm over its potential environmental impact, particularly on the millions who depend on the Mekong for their livelihood. The $1.7 billion Funan Techo canal, backed by Chinese funding, is expected to bolster Cambodia’s trade, but experts warn it could disrupt the river’s flood systems, exacerbating droughts and threatening Vietnam’s rice-growing Mekong Delta.
Prime Minister Hun Manet inaugurated the project on August 5, asserting that the canal will be built “no matter what the cost.” The canal is envisioned to connect Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, with Kep province, reducing reliance on Vietnam for exports and promoting “national prestige, territorial integrity, and the development of Cambodia,” Hun Manet said.
Environmental Concerns
The Mekong River is crucial to the region, flowing through six countries and supporting a $11 billion inland fishery. It also provides the nutrient-rich silt that makes Vietnam the world’s third-largest rice exporter. Environmental experts fear the canal’s embankments will block floodwaters from reaching downstream areas, threatening not only Vietnam’s agricultural output but also Cambodia’s floodplains, covering roughly 1,300 square kilometers.
Brian Eyler, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Stimson Center, highlighted the dangers. “The high embankments of the 100-meter-wide, 5.4-meter-deep canal will prevent silt-laden floodwater from flowing downstream to Vietnam, worsening drought conditions and hurting the Mekong Delta’s agriculture,” he said.
Impact on Vietnam’s Agriculture
The Mekong Delta plays a significant role in Vietnam’s agricultural economy, which contributes 12% to the country’s GDP. The delta is essential for Vietnam’s goal to cultivate “high quality, low emission rice” on 1 million hectares of farmland by 2030. The Mekong’s waters are vital to both the people and the rice industry.
Nguyen Van Nhut, director of rice export company Hoang Minh Nhat, emphasized the importance of the river’s flow. “Water from the river is essential not just for Vietnam’s more than 100 million people but also for global food security,” he stated. Vietnam exported 8.3 million metric tons of rice in 2023, accounting for 15% of global exports, most of which came from the Mekong Delta. “The amount of silt being deposited by the river has already dropped, and further disruptions will worsen salinity in the area, hurting farming,” Nhut added.
Cambodia’s Perspective
Cambodian officials claim that the canal, which will connect to the Bassac River near Phnom Penh, will not affect the Mekong’s flow. Former Prime Minister Hun Sen, in a statement on social media platform X, said, “There would be no impact on the flow of the Mekong River.” However, environmentalists like Eyler argue that this justification is flawed, as the Bassac itself is fed by the Mekong.
Cambodia has downplayed the canal’s environmental risks, even though a document submitted to the Mekong River Commission in August 2023 didn’t mention using canal water for irrigation. Since then, however, Cambodian authorities have indicated plans to use the canal for this purpose during dry months, likely requiring negotiations with other Mekong countries.
The Mekong River Commission stressed that all major projects on the river “should be assessed for their potential transboundary impacts.” The commission is currently providing technical support to enhance transparency and cooperation among affected nations.
Diplomatic Tensions
While Cambodia is pushing forward with the project, Vietnam has expressed quiet concern. Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated in May that Hanoi had requested Cambodia to share information and assess the environmental impact to “ensure the harmony of interests” of all Mekong nations.
The canal has become entangled in nationalistic rhetoric, with Cambodia’s ruling elite viewing it as a step toward reducing dependence on Vietnam. Hun Sen has previously stated that the canal will give Cambodia a “nose to breathe through” by lessening the country’s reliance on its neighbor.
Despite the concerns, Vietnam has tread cautiously, not wanting to appear as if it is interfering in Cambodia’s sovereignty. “Although in Vietnam, there are big concerns,” noted Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, “Vietnam is avoiding openly criticizing Cambodia to prevent further diplomatic tensions.”
Impact on Local Communities
For Cambodian residents like Sok Koeun, 57, the canal project brings uncertainty. Sok’s home, where she has lived since 1980, is situated along the canal’s proposed route. She relies on the river for fish to feed her family and makes ends meet by selling sugarcane juice and recycling plastic cans. With no clear communication from authorities, Sok is left wondering about her future. “I only learned about it [the canal] just now,” she said.
As the project moves forward, both Cambodia and its neighbors must navigate the complex balance between economic development and environmental sustainability, with millions of lives potentially hanging in the balance.
Winding almost 3,000 miles from the Tibetan plateau down to the South China Sea, the Mekong River boasts the world’s largest inland fishery. It accounts for up to 25 percent of the global freshwater catch and provides livelihoods for tens of millions of people.
MANILA. In a significant move to bolster regional defense capabilities, American and Filipino security officials have agreed to keep a U.S. mid-range missile system stationed in the northern Philippines, despite China’s growing alarm. According to two Philippine officials, the missile system, originally brought in for combat exercises, will remain in the country for an extended period.
The U.S. Army deployed the Typhon missile system in April as part of joint military exercises with Philippine forces. The land-based system, capable of firing both the Standard Missile-6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, was brought to the region to test its mobility aboard an Air Force aircraft. With a range exceeding 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers), Tomahawk missiles can place key targets in China within striking distance.
While the missile system was initially scheduled to be removed by the end of September, officials are now considering extending its stay until April next year. This extension would coincide with the annual Balikatan (Tagalog for “shoulder-to-shoulder”) exercises, a large-scale combat drill between U.S. and Philippine forces.
Two Philippine officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic, revealed the decision. U.S. officials, however, have yet to comment on the matter.
China’s Reactions and Philippine Response
China has expressed strong opposition to the presence of the missile system, warning that it could destabilize the region. In recent talks, Chinese diplomats have conveyed their concerns to the Philippine government. However, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. dismissed these concerns, characterizing them as interference in the country’s internal affairs.
“China is saying that they are alarmed, but that is interference into our internal affairs. They are using reverse psychology to deter us from building up our defensive capabilities,” Teodoro remarked during a defense industry exhibition in Manila. In a pointed statement, Teodoro added, “Before they start talking, why don’t they lead by example? Destroy their nuclear arsenal, remove all their ballistic missile capabilities, get out of the West Philippine Sea, and get out of Mischief Reef. Don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house.”
Teodoro referred to the West Philippine Sea, the local name for the disputed South China Sea, where China has maintained missile-protected island bases. One of these bases is located at Mischief Reef, which was seized by Chinese forces in 1995.
Strategic Importance of the Missile System
Philippine military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized the strategic importance of the U.S. missile system for the Philippines’ defense. He expressed a desire for its permanent presence, though he did not disclose whether U.S. officials agreed to this request. “If I were given the choice, I would like to have the Typhon here in the Philippines forever because we need it for our defense,” Brawner said.
In a recent meeting in Laos during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) talks, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo also addressed China’s concerns. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had raised what he described as China’s “very dramatic” worries over the U.S. missile system, warning that its presence could be destabilizing. However, Manalo countered that the deployment was only temporary and not a threat to regional stability.
Rising Tensions in the South China Sea
The U.S. missile deployment is part of a broader effort by Washington and Manila to counter China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea. Tensions have escalated over the past year, with repeated clashes between Chinese and Philippine coast guard forces in the disputed waters. The South China Sea is a vital global shipping route believed to hold vast undersea reserves of gas and oil. Aside from China and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also claim overlapping portions of the waterway.
As tensions simmer in the region, the extension of the U.S. missile system in the Philippines sends a strong signal of the two nations’ resolve to strengthen defense cooperation and maintain stability, despite China’s objections.
Philippine officials remain firm in their stance that the country’s security partnerships, especially with the U.S., are crucial for national defense and regional security.
VATICAN CITY. Pope Francis has taken the extraordinary step of expelling 10 individuals, including a bishop, priests, and laypeople, from the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (Sodalitium of Christian Life) following a Vatican investigation that uncovered “sadistic” abuses of power, authority, and spirituality within the movement. The decision, announced by the Peruvian Bishops Conference on Wednesday, marks a significant escalation in the Vatican’s response to longstanding allegations against the influential Catholic group in Peru.
The investigation, led by Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, revealed shocking abuses, including physical violence, spiritual manipulation, and economic mismanagement. The Vatican’s statement, posted by the Peruvian Bishops Conference, detailed crimes rarely addressed in canonical investigations, such as hacking communications and targeting victims through media outlets.
According to the statement, investigators uncovered various forms of abuse, including “physical abuses with sadism and violence,” abuses of conscience, and financial exploitation within the movement. One particularly notable form of abuse cited was the “abuse in the exercise of the apostolate of journalism,” likely referring to media attacks by Sodalitium-affiliated journalists on critics of the movement.
The expelled individuals include Archbishop José Antonio Eguren, who was forced to resign as bishop of Piura in April following a scandal involving the forced eviction of peasants on lands linked to Sodalitium in his diocese. Eguren had previously sued journalists Pedro Salinas and Paola Ugaz, who exposed the movement’s abuses in their 2015 book Half Monks, Half Soldiers. In response to the Vatican’s action, Ugaz, who has also been a victim of hacking, remarked, “It is a demonstration that in Peru, the survivors would never have found justice and reparation… because the Sodalitium is an organization with a lot of political, social, and economic power.”
The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, founded in 1971 by layman Luis Figari as a conservative Catholic movement to counter liberation theology, peaked with around 20,000 members across South America and the United States. Figari, who was previously expelled from the group, was found to have committed numerous abuses, including sodomizing recruits, forcing them to engage in degrading acts, and using psychological manipulation to maintain control.
Despite these findings, the Vatican had initially declined to expel Figari in 2017, merely ordering him to live in isolation in Rome. However, the latest investigation uncovered additional layers of abuse, with perpetrators within the movement covering up crimes and obstructing justice. Victims had long demanded justice, and the Vatican’s latest move is a long-overdue step toward accountability.
In its statement, the Vatican expressed solidarity with the victims, with Pope Francis and the Peruvian bishops “seeking the forgiveness of the victims” and urging the movement to begin a process of “justice and reparation.”
Both Figari’s legal team and representatives of Archbishop Eguren have yet to respond to inquiries from CNN. The Vatican’s latest actions have sent a strong message about the consequences of abuse within the Church, especially in movements that wield significant influence across political and social spheres.
This marks a critical turning point for the Sodalitium movement as it faced both internal reforms and external scrutiny in the wake of these revelations.
MAYNILA. Hindi na kinakailangan ang muling pagpapatupad ng mandatory na pagsusuot ng face masks sa kabila ng paglitaw ng bagong variant ng COVID-19, ayon sa Department of Health (DOH) nitong Miyerkules. Ang variant na ito, na tinatawag na XEC, ay inaasahang magiging dominanteng variant sa buong mundo, ngunit hindi ito nagdudulot ng labis na pangamba sa mga awtoridad.
Ipinaliwanag ni DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo na ang XEC ay isang offshoot ng JN.1 variant na kilala dahil sa mabilis na pagkalat. Ayon kay Domingo, “Bagamat lumabas ang bagong variant na iyan, ang dapat nating tandaan, meron talagang laging lalabas na bago. Sa XEC, may bago siyang mutation, ‘yun siguro ang ikinababahala na mukhang magaling siyang kumapit ulit sa mga tao pero hindi pa nakikita kung meron siyang datos, kung malala o hindi.”
Bagama’t wala pang naitatala na kaso ng XEC sa Pilipinas mula Setyembre 1 hanggang 14, posible umanong nakapasok na ang variant sa bansa. Ang XEC ay tinukoy bilang isang “recombinant na variant,” na resulta ng kombinasyon ng KS.1.1 at KP.3.3, mga variant na parehong nag-evolve mula sa JN.1.
Natuklasan ang XEC noong Agosto sa Germany, at mayroon nang 600 na kaso ng variant na ito sa 27 bansa sa Europa, North America, at Asya. Gayunpaman, ayon sa DOH, hindi dapat ikabahala ang pagkalat ng XEC dahil sa Germany, walang nakitang pagtaas ng malubhang kaso ng COVID-19 na dulot nito.
Samantala, ang naitalang kaso ng KP.2 at KP.3 infections sa bansa ay patuloy na bumababa, mula sa dating 400-500 kada araw, ngayon ay nasa 80 na lamang bawat araw. Sinabi rin ni Domingo na ang pagtaas ng mga flu-like illnesses ay maaaring dulot ng pagbabago ng panahon at hindi direktang nauugnay sa bagong variant ng COVID-19.
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM. In the wake of intensified Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, is demonstrating remarkable resilience due to its flexible command structure, extensive tunnel network, and a vast arsenal of missiles. Despite unprecedented blows, the group has swiftly adapted, maintaining operations and replenishing leadership, sources close to Hezbollah’s operations revealed.
Since the escalation of violence earlier this month, Israel has targeted key Hezbollah commanders and destroyed numerous rocket sites. Among those killed was Ibrahim Aqil, founder and leader of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force, whose death, according to Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi, “shook the organization.”
Israel’s relentless strikes, especially in Beirut’s southern suburbs, have caused significant casualties. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, over 560 people, including 50 children, were killed on Monday alone. The air raids also injured 1,500 Hezbollah fighters, many suffering severe injuries from explosive devices hidden in communication tools.
Despite these losses, Hezbollah quickly appointed replacements for fallen leaders, as the group’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stated, “We swiftly fill gaps whenever a leader is martyred” (“نحن نملأ الفجوات بسرعة عندما يُستشهد قائد”). This resilient chain of command, coupled with Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure, has allowed the group to continue its missile strikes against Israel.
Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets deep into Israeli territory, showcasing its extensive firepower. On Wednesday, the group claimed responsibility for firing a missile at an Israeli intelligence base near Tel Aviv. Israel’s air defense systems intercepted the missile, but the attack demonstrated Hezbollah’s ability to strike far from the border.
Hezbollah is believed to possess a significant number of precision-guided rockets, including the Iranian-made Fateh-110 ballistic missile, capable of carrying a warhead of up to 500 kilograms over distances of up to 300 kilometers. The underground arsenal, believed to house as many as 150,000 rockets, remains largely intact despite Israeli efforts to degrade the group’s capabilities. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated, “We have destroyed tens of thousands of Hezbollah rockets,” though these claims remain unverified.
Hezbollah’s tunnel network, reportedly stretching for hundreds of kilometers, is another vital component of its defense strategy. These tunnels, many hidden beneath civilian homes in southern Lebanon, have allowed the group to continue operations despite sustained Israeli bombings. The group has been known to use these underground routes to transport rockets and launch attacks undetected.
Hezbollah has adapted to technological warfare as well, relying on a dedicated fixed-line communication system and older pager models after banning the use of mobile phones on the battlefield. This strategy has helped maintain the group’s internal communications despite attempts by Israel to disrupt its operations.
The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about a broader regional war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled a preference for a negotiated withdrawal of Hezbollah from the border region but has not ruled out further military action. Meanwhile, Iran, Hezbollah’s main ally, has warned of “irreversible” consequences if the conflict escalates further. “A full-blown war would have devastating effects across the Middle East,” stated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
As both Hezbollah and Israel prepare for a prolonged confrontation, the international community is watching closely, fearing the involvement of external powers like the U.S. and Iran. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the resilience of Hezbollah’s command structure and its ability to continue launching attacks underscore the complexities of this evolving conflict.
OAKLAND, California. Luis Armando Albino, who was abducted at the age of six from a park in Oakland, California, in 1951, has been found alive more than seven decades later on the East Coast. The remarkable discovery was made possible through an online ancestry test, historical photos, and newspaper clippings.
Albino’s niece, Alida Alequin, 63, with the help of the FBI, the Justice Department, and local police, located her uncle living on the East Coast. Albino, now a retired firefighter and Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, was reunited with his family in California in June.
On February 21, 1951, a woman lured young Albino from the park where he was playing with his older brother, promising him candy. Instead, she kidnapped him and transported him to the East Coast. There, he was raised by a couple who adopted him as their own. The exact location of his residence on the East Coast remains undisclosed.
For over 70 years, Albino’s family never stopped searching for him. His photo was a constant presence in their homes, and despite his mother’s passing in 2005, hope never faded.
Alequin’s efforts were instrumental in locating Albino. She first suspected he might be alive in 2020 after a DNA test revealed a 22 percent match with a man who later turned out to be her uncle. Though initial searches yielded no results, her perseverance paid off. In early 2024, she revisited old Tribune articles and pursued new leads, ultimately prompting the reopening of Albino’s missing persons case.
On June 20, investigators confirmed Albino’s identity after comparing DNA samples from him and his sister. The reunion was emotional; Alequin recounted, “We didn’t start crying until after the investigators left. I grabbed my mom’s hands and said, ‘We found him.’ I was ecstatic.”
On June 24, with the FBI’s help, Albino traveled to Oakland and met with his family. The following day, Alequin drove him to meet his brother Roger in Stanislaus County, California. The siblings embraced and reminisced about the kidnapping and their shared experiences.
Luis returned to the East Coast but visited again in July for a three-week stay, marking his final visit with Roger, who passed away in August.
Alequin chose not to speak with the media on Albino’s behalf but shared her determination: “I was always determined to find him, and who knows, with my story out there, it could help other families going through the same thing. I would say, don’t give up.”
BANGKOK. Pormal nang naging legal ang same-sex marriage sa Thailand matapos pirmahan ng kanilang hari na si King Maha Vajiralongkorn, ang batas na ito. Ayon sa opisyal na Royal Gazette nitong Martes, naging ganap na batas ang same-sex marriage, dahilan upang kilalanin ang Thailand bilang unang bansa sa Southeast Asia at pinakamalaking bansa sa Asya na sumusuporta sa marriage equality.
Ang bagong batas na ito ay inaprubahan ng parlyamentaryo noong Hunyo at nakatanggap ng royal assent mula sa hari. Iiral ang batas na ito sa loob ng 120 araw matapos ang pagpirma.
Sa kasalukuyan, ang Thailand ang ikatlong bansa sa Asya na nagbibigay ng karapatang magpakasal ang same-sex couples, kasunod ng Taiwan at Nepal.
Sa buong mundo, mahigit 30 bansa na ang kinikilala ang legalidad ng same-sex marriage mula nang unang ipagdiwang ng Netherlands ang same-sex unions noong 2001.
VATICAN CITY. Despite battling a mild flu, Pope Francis is set to embark on a four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, starting this Thursday. The visit will highlight key issues such as the treatment of migrants and the abuse scandals within the Catholic Church. The Vatican confirmed that the 87-year-old pontiff, after canceling several meetings earlier in the week due to flu-like symptoms, will proceed with the scheduled trip.
From September 26 to 29, the visit is a rare European tour for the pope, who generally opts to visit regions with smaller Catholic populations or where previous pontiffs have not traveled. This journey comes just two weeks after Pope Francis returned from an exhausting 12-day trip across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Meeting Abuse Survivors in Belgium
Belgium has been among the countries grappling with widespread reports of clerical sexual abuse. In March of this year, Pope Francis removed a former Belgian bishop from the priesthood after he admitted to sexually abusing two of his nephews. Since 2012, more than 700 complaints of abuse involving the Catholic Church have been filed in Belgium, according to official reports.
As part of his visit, the pope is expected to meet privately with 15 survivors of clerical abuse, according to Belgium’s ambassador to the Vatican, Patrick Renault.
Celebrating 600 Years of Belgian Universities
The primary purpose of Pope Francis’ visit is to commemorate the 600th anniversary of two prominent Belgian Catholic universities. One of these is KU Leuven, where the pope will focus his attention on the pressing global issue of migration.
Luc Sels, the rector of KU Leuven, noted that Pope Francis will meet with some of the 160 refugees currently studying at the university. “It will be an intimate moment where the pope can exchange views with people from all over the world,” said Sels. These meetings will include one-on-one sessions where the pontiff will listen to personal testimonies from refugees and migrants.
Migration Crisis in Europe
Europe has been dealing with unprecedented migration levels in recent years, and Belgium is no exception. In 2023, the European Council on Refugees and Exiles reported that Belgium is facing a “severe reception crisis,” with the nation offering temporary protection to approximately 60,000 individuals. The pope’s focus on migration during his trip is expected to shed light on these issues, particularly in light of Belgium’s ongoing struggles to process refugee claims.
Declining Catholic Participation
Despite its Catholic heritage, Belgium has seen a sharp decline in church attendance. While the Vatican claims that about 72% of Belgium’s 11.6 million people identify as Catholic, a 2018 Pew Research study found that only 11% of Belgians attend religious services at least once a month.
Pope Francis’ visit is significant in this context. Geert De Cubber, a Catholic deacon in Ghent, compared this trip to the pope’s recent visit to Indonesia, where Christians are a small minority. “We should be humbled because what we see in his visits is… he mainly goes to the periphery,” said De Cubber. “Belgium was once maybe one of the centres of the Catholic Church in Europe, but today it’s the periphery.”
Health and Schedule
Pope Francis will begin his trip in Luxembourg on Thursday before heading to Belgium’s capital, Brussels, later that evening. Despite bouts of ill health, the pope showed resilience during his recent trip to Asia and Oceania and is expected to return to Rome on Sunday afternoon.
As Belgium and Luxembourg prepare for the visit, the focus remains on how the pope’s message of inclusivity, compassion for the marginalized, and accountability within the Church will resonate in these changing times.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia. Former Singaporean Transport Minister S. Iswaran has pleaded guilty to receiving illegal gifts, marking Singapore’s first ministerial criminal trial in nearly 50 years. On Tuesday, Iswaran, 62, admitted to charges of obstructing justice and accepting gifts from individuals with whom he had official business. The court has scheduled sentencing for October 3.
Initially facing 35 charges, prosecutors opted to proceed with only five. They reduced two corruption counts to charges of receiving illegal gifts and will consider the remaining 30 charges during sentencing. Iswaran received gifts valued at over 74,000 Singapore dollars ($57,000) from Ong Beng Seng, a Malaysian property tycoon, and businessperson Lum Kok Seng. The gifts included Formula 1 race tickets, wine, whisky, and a luxury Brompton bicycle.
Defense counsel Davinder Singh requested a maximum of eight weeks in jail, arguing that Iswaran accepted the gifts out of personal friendship, not for financial gain. Singh emphasized that the gifts did not undermine the government’s integrity. In contrast, prosecutors called for a six- to seven-month prison term, stressing that leniency could suggest tolerance of corruption.
Singapore’s reputation for clean governance is at stake, with the case coming just months after the appointment of new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The ruling People’s Action Party, known for its strict anti-corruption stance, faces scrutiny ahead of upcoming elections.
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