New Zealand begins COVID-19 vaccinations programme, Australia starts Monday

13 Sept 10:33 Key points summarised by AI

New Zealand launched its official COVID-19 vaccination program on Saturday, prioritizing border and quarantine staff with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Australia is set to begin its inoculation drive on Monday, focusing on hotel quarantine, healthcare workers, and aged care residents across 16 hubs.
Both nations, recognized for their successful pandemic containment, reported no new community COVID-19 infections despite recent localized clusters.
New Zealand anticipates a year-long rollout to vaccinate its 5 million citizens, while Australia aims to inoculate its 25 million population by October.

Sihasak urges Thais in Europe to stay alert as protests spread

Yesterday 12:06 Key points summarised by AI

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow advises Thai nationals in Europe to avoid protest areas and reconsider non-essential travel, citing widespread unrest in countries like France, Italy, and Spain.
The warning comes as demonstrations escalate, with some turning violent, prompting concerns for safety and leading to an emergency Cabinet meeting in Italy and a proposed postponement of diplomatic talks.
Thai embassies and the Department of Consular Affairs issue advisories, urging citizens to monitor local developments, follow official announcements, and register their travel details for assistance, while emphasizing that no Thais have been directly affected yet.