Hong Kong police fire tear gas at protesters in shopping district

13 Sept 05:38 Key points summarised by AI

Hong Kong experienced a second day of intense clashes, with police deploying tear gas against pro-democracy protesters in a major shopping district.
The escalating four-month-long protests intensified just before China's 70th anniversary celebrations, threatening to overshadow the mainland's festivities.
Violence escalated following Saturday's clashes, where police used tear gas and water cannons against activists, reflecting growing public anger.
The movement, initially against an extradition bill, has broadened into demands for free elections and less intervention from Beijing, fueled by concerns over the erosion of Hong Kong's special freedoms.

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

Today 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.