While the death penalty was imposed, the court granted a two-year reprieve, citing Tang’s confession, cooperation with investigators, and repayment of illegal gains. His political rights were revoked for life, and all personal assets were confiscated.

Tang, 61, previously served as governor of Gansu province and vice-chairman of Guangxi before leading the agriculture ministry. He was expelled from the Communist Party in November 2024, months after the party’s anti-graft watchdog opened its probe.

His case highlights the scope of President Xi Jinping’s comprehensive anti-corruption campaign, which has since 2012 led to the punishment of more than a million officials, including senior figures in the military and government.

Analysts note the campaign has reinforced Xi’s control over the ruling Communist Party, while Beijing insists it strengthens governance and public trust.

Tang’s sentencing follows high-profile corruption cases against two former defence ministers, Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, reflecting the campaign’s reach across both civilian and military institutions.

The Cambodian government has taken proactive steps to support rice farmers and stabilise prices in light of potential demand declines during the upcoming festive seasons observed in China and Vietnam. A significant US$150 million credit guarantee mechanism is set to empower rice mills by securing loans for the purchase of rice directly from farmers, supplementing this with an additional US$40 million dedicated to working capital. According to The Star , the government has allocated US$30 million to further bolster agricultural purchases and prevent the issue of unsold crops, in preparation for the festive period. Prime Minister Hun Manet has underscored the critical nature of these measures, along with considerations for tax waivers on agricultural lands and imports of farming equipment, aiming to modernise farming practices and promote local rice varieties. These initiatives collectively seek to enhance farmers' profitability and reduce dependency on imported rice.

New species discovered

A comprehensive biodiversity survey conducted within Virachey National Park in Cambodia has unveiled the presence of nine species for the first time, notably including the critically endangered large-antlered muntjac alongside various reptiles, bats, and flora. Led by Fauna & Flora in coordination with the Cambodian Ministry of Environment, this survey sheds light on the park's substantial biodiversity, reaffirming the imperative for its protection. Given its location in the Annamite Mountain range, Virachey is under constant threat from hunting and habitat degradation, Discover Wildlife says. The data collected during this survey is envisaged to inform and guide conservation strategies that will benefit both wildlife and the Indigenous communities relying on the park's resources.

Arrests over cocaine smuggling

In a significant law enforcement breakthrough, a Thai woman named Chamaiporn Singthong, 30, was apprehended at the Aranyaprathet immigration checkpoint while attempting to smuggle 6 kilograms of cocaine, estimated at a value of 16 million baht, back into Thailand from Cambodia. Her identification as a wanted suspect was made possible through advanced facial recognition technology. The illegal narcotics were ingeniously concealed in 656 individual small packages, ingeniously hidden within large rag dolls situated in her suitcase. Under interrogation, Chamaiporn revealed that her Nigerian spouse had compensated her with 100,000 baht to facilitate the transportation of the drugs, earmarked for distribution in Bangkok. According to Bangkok Post , this incident represents the largest drug seizure recorded at this checkpoint, prompting an expansive investigation by officers from Narcotics Board Region 2.

Garment export

Cambodia's garment export industry has experienced a substantial 24% growth in 2024, marking a significant upswing in this vital sector of the economy, according to Fibre2fashion .

Bribery, abuse of power

Sok Songha, the former head of the Anti-Drug Crime Office in Takeo, Cambodia, has been charged with corruption, facing allegations of bribery and abuse of power spanning from 2023 to 2024. He is at risk of facing a prison sentence of 7 to 15 years in accordance with Article 594 of the Penal Code, The Star reports. Co-accused Sok Kea remains in custody, although the specifics of his charges and their relation to drug-related activities remain unclear. Analysts and experts view this case as a pivotal moment that could instil deterrent effects against corruption within law enforcement; however, there is an overarching call for rigorous investigations into similar yet undisclosed cases that potentially link corruption to the pervasive drug trade in the region.

Toledo, who served as president from 2001 to 2006 , was found guilty of accepting $35 million in bribes from the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

The bribes were allegedly in exchange for awarding the company a lucrative contract to build a highway in southern Peru.

The court's decision follows years of legal proceedings, including Toledo's extradition from the United States in 2023.

Judge Inés Rojas, who presided over the case, emphasized the betrayal of public trust. "Peruvians trusted Toledo as their president, responsible for managing public finances and protecting state resources," she stated. "Instead, he defrauded the state, compromising the integrity of our institutions."

Several allegations against the minister were dropped; and prosecutors moved forward with only five charges - one for obstruction of justice and four related to the receipt of gifts from two businessmen including a billionaire property tycoon.

AFP reports that the remaining 30 will be taken into consideration for sentencing.

“As you know my lawyers have stated the position clearly and as you are well aware the matter is now sub judice. So it’s not appropriate for me to say anything more. And I just want to thank all of you for coming and let’s see how it goes," he told reporters after the Supreme Court hearing on September 24.

The 62-year-old resigned in January 2024 after formally being charged for offences including the acceptance of gifts including bottles of whiskey and golf clubs worth more than $300,000 from a Malaysian hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng.

Among those was a February 2019 occasion when Mapisa-Nqakula received more than $15,000 and a wig at a meeting at the country’s main international airport.

This is the second time allegations of corruption are being levelled against the former minister following previous accusations which led to a parliamentary investigation. The case was eventually dropped in 2021.

The case re-emerged after a tip-off by a whistleblower in 2023. Authorities have already searched her home in Johannesburg and seized evidence. She has not yet been arrested or charged as prosecutors indicated that she had not been properly informed of her allegations.

The Speaker of the National Assembly has since denied wrongdoing and promised to assist with investigations.

The Guardian reports that prosecutors gave her the opportunity to hand herself in at the police station to be taken to court to be formally charged.

She has taken a leave of absence from her role as speaker.

Mapisa-Nqakula is a member of the African National Congress (ANC).