Indonesia greets Ramadan with mass prayer as COVID curbs ease

14 Sept 00:39 Key points summarised by AI

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, welcomed Ramadan with mass Tarawih prayers at Jakarta's Istiqlal mosque, marking a significant return to communal worship.
The gatherings were possible due to eased COVID-19 restrictions, a stark contrast to the past two years when high infection rates prevented such large-scale events.
President Joko Widodo further signaled optimism by permitting the annual 'mudik' (exodus) tradition, allowing millions to travel and visit families after a two-year ban, reflecting the improved pandemic situation.

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.