Singapore curbs payments to and from Myanmar
Today's news: One of the Thai king's sons is back from the United States. Viet Nam’s president met with the country’s bishops. South Korean cities organise "blind dating" for singles to facilitate nuptials. The term "homosexual" can no longer be used in Iraqi media. In Russia, more and more inmates from women’s prisons are enlisting with the military.
SINGAPORE – MYANMAR
United Overseas Bank (UOB), one of Singapore's top banks, announced that, starting next month, it will restrict all payments to and from Myanmar in a bid to curb its military junta's access to the global financial system. It will also close foreign currency accounts that Myanmar banks have at its Hong Kong branch. The UOB was hitherto known as the junta’s favourite bank. Meanwhile, UN experts have reported rising war crimes in Myanmar, including mass executions and sexual violence.
THAILAND
This week, Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the second of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's four sons, returned to Thailand from the United States, where he had been exiled along with his mother, Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, and four other siblings. Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the expected heir to the throne, is in a coma and unlikely to recover. It seems, however, that, for the prince, this is only an exploratory visit.
VIET NAM – VATICAN
After his visit to the Vatican and the meeting with the Pope on 27 July, Vietnamese President Võ Văn Thưởng met with the country's bishops at their headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City. The meeting, much appreciated by both sides, lasted more than an hour. Recently, the Holy See and Viet Nam reached an agreement on the status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Viet Nam.
SOUTH KOREA
More and more South Korean cities are organising "blind dating events" for singles in an attempt to boost the country’s falling birth rate. According to the authorities, young people have taken "a negative attitude towards marriage"; with dating events they hope people living in the same area will be able to get to know each other. Many South Koreans believe that staggering childcare costs and unaffordable rents are the real problem, not to mention poor job prospects and crushing work hours.
IRAQ
Iraq's official media regulator now requires all media to say “sexual deviance" instead of “homosexuality”. The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) also banned the word "gender”. A government spokesperson said a penalty for violating the rule had not yet been set but could include a fine.
RUSSIA
More and more inmates from Russian women’s penal colonies are enlisting for the war in Ukraine, this according to Olga Romanova, founder and head of Russia Behind Bars (Русь сидящая, Rus Sidyashchaya), an NGO dedicated to convicts and their families. In exchange for a pardon, the new recruits are required to sign a two-year contract with the Russian Ministry of Défense.
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan will deliver 100,000 tonnes of oil to Germany this month via the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, crossing Russia’s Samara region. This is the largest delivery since the two countries signed oil deals last February.
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