In first for Asia, Taiwan lawmakers back same-sex marriage

2 Oct 12:44 Key points summarised by AI

Taiwan made history as the first nation in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, with lawmakers passing the bill 66 to 27 amidst celebrations from thousands of demonstrators.
The new legislation grants same-sex couples legal protections similar to heterosexual marriages, effective May 24, and allows for the adoption of children biologically related to at least one partner.
President Tsai Ing-wen championed the bill, fulfilling a 2016 campaign promise, although the decision has drawn strong opposition from conservative groups and may complicate her 2020 re-election efforts.
This landmark vote, which followed a 2017 constitutional court ruling, is celebrated by rights groups as a significant stride for LGBTQ+ equality and a potential catalyst for change across Asia.

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.