South Korea reports 583 coronavirus cases, off 9-month high

14 Sept 00:18 Key points summarised by AI

South Korea reported 583 new COVID-19 cases, a slight decrease from the previous day's 629, which marked a 9-month high.
The majority of infections are concentrated in Seoul and its surrounding regions, prompting unprecedented curfews and reduced public transport operations starting Saturday.
Health authorities are concerned about the dwindling availability of sickbeds for severe COVID-19 cases, with current capacity projected to last less than two weeks.
The government is set to decide on Sunday whether to implement stricter measures, including closing karaoke bars and limiting religious gatherings, to address the critical situation.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Yesterday 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.