Departing Japanese Emperor Akihito thanks the people, prays for peace

14 Sept 01:02 Key points summarised by AI

Emperor Akihito, 85, concluded his three-decade reign by becoming the first Japanese monarch in two centuries to abdicate.
In his final remarks, Akihito expressed heartfelt thanks to the people for their support and prayed for peace and happiness in the new Reiwa era.
Throughout his reign, Akihito actively worked to ease painful memories of World War Two and connect with ordinary citizens, embodying a symbol of peace and democracy.
Crown Prince Naruhito, 59, will officially ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne in subsequent ceremonies, marking the beginning of the new Reiwa era.

Suchada: Meet the reluctant star of Thailand’s cryptic crypto drama

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Thai MP Suchada Zhang Thaensap faces intense scrutiny over her husband’s substantial 1.84 billion baht wealth, with opposition lawmakers alleging connections to international scam networks.
A significant portion of her husband, Taiyang Zhang's, declared assets includes a 1.44 billion baht loan to the now-bankrupt cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, which still owes him 1.34 billion baht.
Opposition MP Rangsiman Rome accused Suchada's husband of links to online scam networks and gambling sites, prompting Suchada to vehemently deny the claims, demand evidence, and file a defamation complaint.
Taiyang Zhang's background includes co-founding Ren Protocol, later sold to Alameda Research (linked to the FTX collapse), and some of his former associates have been convicted in crypto company failures.
Suchada, a former actress and first-time MP, maintains her husband's innocence, while her party leaders have distanced themselves from the allegations, deeming it a private matter.