19 Confirmed Dead So Far After Huge Poipet Casino Fire
At least 19 bodies have been pulled from a Poipet city casino, including Cambodian, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese workers — and the death toll could double, provincial authorities said Thursday afternoon.
In Mexico, Displaced LGBTQ+ People Push for Equal, Safe Jobs
Of 5 million people in Mexico – 5% of the population aged 15 years or over – who identify as LGBTQ+, nearly a third report being mistreated at work or not receiving the same benefits as their non-LGBTQ+ colleagues, according to the 2022 national survey on sexual diversity.
Australian Robodebt Scandal Shows the Risk of Rule by Algorithm
About 400,000 welfare recipients in Australia were wrongly slapped with fines as the result of an automated debt recovery scheme, known as Robodebt, set up by the former conservative coalition government.
Workers, Families Feel Rising Market’s Pressure: Economy 2022
As Cambodia touted recovering trade and GDP growth, thousands took to the streets this year over repression at work or struggles in the market.
Opinion: Buddhist Pagodas Can Be Active Part of Gender Equality Effort
Historically, Cambodia’s pagodas have seen gender inequality in various forms. But they are in fact potential agents of progress, writes Future Forum’s Chea Sameang.
Enslavement, Violent Crimes and Rule by Law: Justice 2022
“Peace” is written across every local and central government building in Cambodia, but not always found within them. This year has been marked by episodes of abuse and corruption from government officials, as well as intimidation against whistleblowers and journalists.
Russian LGBTQ+ Museum Closes After New Law Bans ‘Gay Propaganda’
The founder of Russia’s only LGBTQ+ museum said he was forced to close its doors after President Vladimir Putin signed a law expanding restrictions against what lawmakers call “gay propaganda.”
Since Release From Jail, Rapper Kea Sokun Still Speaks Out — but ‘in the Right Way’
For more than a year now since his release from jail, Sokun has been trying to raise awareness on social issues — toeing the line between rebellious social commentary and avoiding offense.
Fossil Fuels, Fairness, Finance: Climate Fights to Watch in 2023
What will 2023 bring? We asked top climate analysts and activists what they predict for the new year.
Greed for Land Consumes Lakes, Forests: Environment 2022
An insatiable craving for land uprooted several communities in 2022, not to mention the ecosystems destroyed in its path.
Zero-Plastic Ambassadors Want to Clean up Chong Kneas
Siem Reap’s Chong Kneas commune campaigned to change habits in their community and push people to think before throwing their trash into the Tonle Sap lake.
Politics 2022: Hun Sen, Candlelight and Unrelenting Pressure
Prime Minister Hun Sen and the ruling Cambodian People’s Party continued to maintain a tight grip on power this year and showed little inclination easing pressure on political opponents and dissidents.
Sexual Harassment in Public Spaces Is a Weapon of Control
Sexual harassment in public is too often used as a weapon to keep its victims, most often women, in their place — both figuratively and literally, writes Future Forum’s Theang Soriya.
Will COP15 Push Business to Account for Its Damage to Nature?
Campaigners say governments should make it mandatory for big businesses, including financial institutions, to disclose how their operations affect biodiversity.
‘Community Zones,’ Land Titles Planned Inside Protected Areas
The government will take nearly 1 million hectares out of protected areas across the country to create “community zones” with land titles, but the exact locations of these areas — and who will get titled land — are still unclear.
Forest Torture Sparks Attempted-Murder Arrests in Sihanoukville
A man was “severely tortured” in a forest, extorted for $80,000 and required 15 stitches on his abdomen in a Sihanoukville attempted murder case, authorities said.
Four Land Disputants Arrested in Mondulkiri
Mondulkiri prosecutors are questioning four people arrested after a confrontation between authorities and residents over an alleged land grab in Keo Seima district.
Ten Suspects Jailed Over a Ton of Ketamine
Police confiscated more than a ton of ketamine and other drugs in one crackdown after 10 days of investigation, arresting 10 people.
Tears, Laughter as High School Exam Results Posted
More than a quarter of high school seniors failed their final examinations in results posted across Phnom Penh and Kandal campuses on Thursday.
Security Visits to Protesters’ Families ‘Not a Threat’: Hun Sen
State security officers took photos of overseas protesters to find their families in Cambodia and question them — “and this is not a threat,” Prime Minister Hun Sen explained in a speech inaugurating a new road in Preah Sihanouk province.
36 Opposition Members Convicted in Mass Trial Verdict
UPDATED — Former Cambodia National Rescue Party vice president Mu Sochua and 35 others were convicted by a Phnom Penh court this morning for plotting in a case linked to the exiled opposition leader’s attempted return to the country in 2021.
Kem Sokha Treason Trial: Verdict Set for March 3
After three years of trial hearings — and five years since Kem Sokha was arrested — closing arguments in the opposition leader’s protracted treason trial were squeezed into one day of hearings.
Scam Rescue Leader to Be Released Soon After Appeal Court Reprieve
A Chinese man who was jailed while leading efforts to rescue hundreds of forced scam laborers is expected to be released from Preah Sihanouk prison soon after his sentence in the “blood slave” case was reduced.
Singer-Turned-Online Seller Arrested Over ‘Tong Tin’ Fraud
A former singer at Phnom Penh’s infamous Rock Entertainment nightclub has been charged with financial crimes and could face years in jail over a tong tin savings scheme she claims went awry.
Gold Surge Reflects Stricter Border Control, Speculative Investments: Asean Research
The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office said Wednesday that Cambodia’s wild swings in gold imports and exports over the past three years could be linked to speculative investments and stricter border controls capturing more accurate data.
Mekong River Body Raises ‘Alarm’ Over River Plastics
Mekong countries are producing 8 million tons of plastic waste a year — three-quarters of which is littered or inadequately disposed of — polluting rivers and endangering environmental and human health, the intergovernmental Mekong River Commission said.
In Closing Arguments, Gov’t Says It Will Sue Kem Sokha
Closing arguments commenced in the Kem Sokha treason trial on Wednesday, with government lawyers indicating that they will file a civil suit for damages against the opposition leader at the end of the criminal case.
Anti-Drug Officer Arrested for Defrauding Villagers in Loan Scheme, Tong Tin
The Kandal Provincial Court charged a drug police officer with allegedly defrauding at least 18 families out of almost $200,000 in a loan scheme.
Another Dead Mekong Dolphin Puts Pressure on Population
An Irrawaddy dolphin was found dead in Mekong river this weekend, according to a conservation group, marking a worrying rise in deaths of the critically endangered species.
Briefs: Ex-Opposition Agronomist Gets Third Gov’t Role, Reshuffle in Siem Reap
New Agriculture Ministry official Yang Saing Koma gets a new position. Siem Reap district governors were shuffled around earlier this month.
