Radio Free Asia - CathNews New Zealand

Myanmar junta restricts cash withdrawal at banks amid economic crisis

Ronan — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 05:51:09 +0000

Amid steep inflation and a freefalling economy, Myanmar banks have begun restricting the amounts of cash that can be withdrawn daily, according to residents, a bank branch, and a bank officer who told Radio Free Asia it was to prevent a bank run.

"People have experienced more anxiety," the bank officer said, referring to the country's economic situation.

"We have restricted the amount of daily withdrawal — as any bank does not have enough cash for massive withdrawal — to prevent the collapse of banks," he said, speaking anonymously for security reasons.

Yangon residents, who also asked to remain anonymous for security, told RFA that restrictions began at the start of this week.

Myanmar junta restricts cash withdrawal at banks amid economic crisis

China to release pandemic whistleblower after jail term

Ronan — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 05:51:19 +0000

A Chinese citizen journalist who was imprisoned for three years after a secret trial for reporting on the Covid-19 situation in Wuhan City will be released at the end of this month after completing his jail term, says a report.

Fang Bin disappeared on Feb 1, 2020, after he live-streamed the pandemic situation from healthcare facilities and funeral homes in Wuhan in central China, where the first cases were reported, and remained traceless for the past three years, Radio Free Asia reported on April 18.

The police had informed Fang's family of his upcoming release on April 30, but did not inform them about the details of his conviction, said an unnamed source.

"Fang Bin was sentenced in secret by the Jiang'an District People's Court to more than three years' imprisonment," the source said.

China to release pandemic whistleblower after jail term

North Korean women told to have more children to boost military

Ronan — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 04:53:44 +0000

Government officials in a North Korean province have urged women to have more children as an act of "greatest patriotism" to help boost the military numbers, says a report.

The message was part of a series of ideological lectures arranged by North Korean officials for housewives in the northeastern province of North Hamgyong, Radio Free Asia reported on March 8.

"Last week, a lecture was held on active support for the People's Army, saying that having many children and sending them to the People's Army is the greatest patriotism," an unnamed North Hamgyong source told RFA on the condition of anonymity.

The lectures were conducted in advance as part of International Women's Day on March 8.

North Korean women told to have more children to boost military

Inflation tops 40% in Laos, squeezing state employees

Ronan — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 04:51:44 +0000

Inflation in Laos hit 40.3% in January, according to the country's National Statistics Bureau, and even normally well-off state employees are feeling the squeeze.

"We're seeing a lot of hardship," said a public sector worker in Phongsaly province, along northern Laos' border with China. "Most state employees have to bring their lunch to the office because goods such as food and gasoline are so expensive."

"The only people who aren't affected are high ranking officials," said the worker who, like other sources RFA (Radio Free Asia) spoke with for this report, declined to be named because he wasn't authorised to discuss the issue. He called for the government to increase the salaries of public sector employees so that "we can support our families."

Inflation tops 40% in Laos, squeezing state employees