The Philippines once again finds itself grappling with the enduring scourge of corruption, an issue that has haunted the last three presidents: Ferdinand Marcos Sr, Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, and now Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He is now trying to assume the mantle of anti-corruption reform, despite his own family name being historically associated with cronyism and ill-gotten wealth. Unlike Aquino, who launched his integrity drive at the height of his popularity, Marcos Jr faces diminishing political capital, factional rifts within congress, and a resurgent Duterte camp weaponising public anger. The stakes are high: scandals such as the multibillion-peso flood control controversy threaten to erode governance credibility at a time when systemic accountability is urgently needed. The president must move beyond rhetoric, pursuing transparency and reform even within his own circles. Without decisive action, the Philippines risks sliding into deeper political instability, echoing past failures to tackle entrenched corruption and injustice.

The International Criminal Court has opened its first-ever in absentia hearing against fugitive Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony, accused of 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. As head of the Lord’s Resistance Army, he terrorised northern Uganda for decades before his forces expanded attacks into Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan. The LRA became infamous for abducting children, mutilating civilians, and enslaving women. Survivors and advocates in Uganda have welcomed the proceedings, even though Kony remains at large. Some stress the trial’s importance for victims who lost lives, limbs, and livelihoods; others, though frustrated at the delay, acknowledge the symbolic value for healing and justice. The court-appointed counsel for Kony, however, argued that his fair trial rights are being violated. Though justice remains incomplete without his capture, the hearing underscores the ICC’s willingness to pursue accountability in complex cases.

Argentina’s political and financial turbulence deepened after Javier Milei’s party suffered a heavy defeat to the Peronist opposition in key local elections. The peso tumbled to a historic low, sliding nearly 5 percent against the US dollar, while stocks and international bonds plunged sharply, sparking concerns over Argentina’s economic stability. Milei’s reform agenda, once hailed as a potential turning point, now faces major obstacles as midterm elections loom on 26 October. Markets fear the government may burn through reserves to defend the peso, undermining its IMF-backed programme and raising the risk of default. The Peronists’ wider-than-expected 13-point victory in Buenos Aires province highlighted Milei’s growing political challenges.  These are compounded by corruption allegations involving his sister. Investor confidence, already shaken, has deteriorated further, with bonds and equities suffering their steepest losses since Argentina’s 2020 restructuring.

On 10 September, at Utah Valley University, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead while speaking at a Turning Point USA event. He was speaking to a crowd as part of his ‘American Comeback Tour’ when a single shot struck him in the neck, with eyewitnesses saying the bullet came from a rooftop position. A manhunt is ongoing; authorities have recovered a high-powered rifle from nearby woods, released images of a ‘person of interest’, and offered a reward for tips. Remarks from public officials, including Utah’s governor, have characterised the incident as a political assassination. President Trump said that rhetoric from the ‘radical left’ had contributed to the shooting. He promised to find those responsible for political violence, as well as the ‘organisations that fund it and support it’. He has ordered flags to be hung at half-mast in his memory. The authorities are doing everything they can to find the shooter, but so far without success.