WHO experts to visit China to plan COVID-19 investigation

13 Sept 10:35 Key points summarised by AI

Two World Health Organization experts are in Beijing to prepare the groundwork for a larger international mission investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their primary task is to define the scope and terms for the WHO-led mission, aiming to understand how the virus transitioned from animals, likely bats, to humans.
The investigation is politically sensitive, with the U.S. criticizing WHO's handling of the outbreak and China's previous lack of transparency regarding early virus data.
Over 120 nations called for this inquiry, though China had previously insisted WHO lead the investigation and wait until the pandemic was under control.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.