The Philippines is holding mid-term elections on Monday, which are seen as crucial to popular President Benigno Aquino's reform agenda. Below are key facts and figures on the Philippines and its political system: THE COUNTRY AND ITS POLITICAL SYSTEM -- The Philippines became an independent nation in 1946, following more than 400 years as a colony of either Spain or the United States. National languages are Tagalog and English. Its system of government is a US-style democracy with a president, a bicameral legislature and an independent judiciary.

It has been hailed as a chance to heal a traumatised nation, but former foot soldiers of the brutal Khmer Rouge say Cambodia's genocide trial is a waste of money that will only re-open old wounds. The landmark case against the most senior surviving leaders of the hardline communist regime, which began in 2011, has been described as one of the world's most complex in decades and is costing tens of millions of dollars.

By John O'Callaghan SINGAPORE (Reuters) - They crammed into an art cafe in Singapore and pulled no punches, deriding authoritarian officials who ruled with an "iron fist" and complaining that government ministers with million-dollar salaries were out of touch. One woman, a middle-aged professional, got nods of agreement when she said modern Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, had done great things but that new ways were needed from current leaders still practising a "do-as-I-say style of parenting".

Nadera Begum, a Language Movement activist, died of old age complications at her Uttara residence in the city on Friday. She was 84.Nadera, wife of ex-finance secretary late Gholam Kibria, is survived by two sons and a daughter and a host of relatives and well-wishers.Nadera was also a former teacher of English department at the Dhaka University. Inspired by her second brother Shaheed Munier Chowdhury, she had joined the Language Movement in 1948 when she was a student of Dhaka University.