'Highly unlikely' existing vaccines will fail against Omicron: WHO

13 Sept 06:27 Key points summarised by AI

Preliminary data suggests Omicron does not cause more severe disease than previous COVID variants, with early indications pointing towards less severity.
Existing vaccines are 'highly unlikely' to completely fail against Omicron, especially in preventing severe illness and hospitalization.
While Omicron appears more transmissible and may lead to reinfections, the WHO emphasizes that vaccination remains the 'best weapon' and current public health measures are still crucial.

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

Today 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.