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US places sanctions on Myanmar's defence ministry, banks

13 Sept 06:41 Key points summarised by AI

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Myanmar's defense ministry and two state-owned banks, Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB), to curb the military junta's access to foreign funds.
These banks are critical channels for the junta to purchase arms, equipment, and raw materials from foreign sources, including sanctioned Russian entities, to support its ongoing 'brutal repression' since the 2021 coup.
Experts believe the sanctions, by targeting the junta's 'foreign currency treasuries,' could significantly hinder its ability to acquire foreign currency, thereby impacting its capacity to fund military operations and suppress opposition, despite the junta's dismissal of their impact.

18 Oct 12:30 Key points summarised by AI

A recent NIDA poll indicates that a plurality of the public (30.38%) anticipates Kla Tham Party MPs will vote to support all 18 cabinet ministers targeted in the upcoming no-confidence debate.
Respondents believe the Ministry of Interior (38.78%) and the Prime Minister’s Office (21.37%) will face the toughest questioning during the censure debate.
Economic issues, particularly alleged incompetence in addressing problems (34.27%) and the rising cost of living (25.88%), are cited as the primary concerns for the government during the censure.
The public holds high expectations for the Opposition's case, with 45.65% believing clear, concrete evidence will be presented against all 18 ministers, and 41.22% expecting substantial evidence against specific ministers.