Billionaire Branson soars to space aboard Virgin Galactic flight

15 Sept 08:01 Key points summarised by AI

Richard Branson successfully completed a historic suborbital flight aboard Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity, marking a significant milestone for his space tourism venture.
The mission, the company's first fully crewed test flight to space, positions Virgin Galactic to begin commercial operations in 2022, aiming to make space more accessible.
Branson's flight intensified his publicized rivalry with fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos, who plans his own space journey later this month.
Virgin Galactic has already secured 600 reservations for future spaceflights, priced at approximately $250,000 per ticket, with plans to eventually lower costs.

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.