Hong Kong voters queue up early over fears of later clashes

13 Sept 11:17 Key points summarised by AI

Massive early voter turnout in Hong Kong saw residents queue by the hundreds for district council elections, driven by fears that ongoing unrest could halt voting and a desire to express their stance on the city's political crisis.
These elections are widely viewed as a crucial 'referendum' on the anti-government protest movement and a key indicator of public support for Chief Executive Carrie Lam's embattled administration.
A record 4.1 million people registered to vote for 452 district seats, with young pro-democracy activists now contesting many previously uncontested seats, signaling a significant political challenge to pro-Beijing candidates.
The polls proceed amidst a backdrop of six months of sometimes violent unrest, including a seven-day police standoff at Polytechnic University, underscoring the profound political challenges facing Hong Kong.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Yesterday 16:00 Key points summarised by AI

Persistent flooding continues across Bangkok and 22 Thai provinces, though water levels are gradually receding in many affected areas.
Over 604,000 families, impacting approximately 1.83 million people, are still grappling with the widespread flood conditions.
The national flood death toll has reached 80 since mid-September, with fatalities reported across various provinces.
Major regions like Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, and Bangkok report significant numbers of affected households, with hundreds of thousands still in trouble.