Asia Today: Chinese city tightens rules, Victoria might, too

13 Sept 22:16 Key points summarised by AI

China's Xinjiang capital, Urumqi, has significantly tightened travel restrictions due to a COVID-19 outbreak, mandating two-week quarantines for high-risk arrivals and health proof for others, while urging locals to stay within the city.
Xinjiang's outbreak has recorded over 600 cases since mid-July, with another outbreak in Dalian, Liaoning, also prompting widespread testing efforts across China.
Hong Kong is grappling with a third wave of infections, reporting nearly 150 new cases on Friday, even as authorities partially eased dining restrictions while maintaining closures for other businesses and limiting public gatherings.
Australia's Victoria state is contemplating stricter pandemic measures after logging its second-highest daily COVID-19 count (627 cases), with Premier Daniel Andrews warning that current infection rates remain "far too high" despite an ongoing lockdown in Melbourne.
South Korea reported 36 new COVID-19 cases, predominantly linked to international arrivals, including clusters among workers airlifted from Iraq and crew members from Russian cargo ships.

Detained Suu Kyi receives UK royal package: Myanmar govt

Today 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's detained Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, received a package from Britain's King Charles III, which included two gardening books, a sealed envelope, and diplomatic communication.
The event marked the first release of images of Suu Kyi in two months and saw Myanmar authorities describe her as a "special female prisoner" for the first time.
Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a 2021 military coup that triggered an ongoing civil war, remains under house arrest on charges that rights groups contend are politically motivated.