Taiwan leader gets election boost from unlikely place: China

25 Sept 03:34 Key points summarised by AI

Chinese President Xi Jinping's early 2019 speech advocating "one country, two systems" for Taiwan, coupled with a threat of force, galvanized President Tsai Ing-wen's base and significantly boosted her approval ratings after her immediate rejection.
Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests served as a stark warning against China's "one country, two systems" model, allowing Tsai to effectively campaign on safeguarding Taiwan's sovereignty and further solidifying her anti-China stance.
Reassuring U.S. support through legislative actions and military equipment sales emboldened Taiwanese voters to resist China's pressure, indirectly strengthening Tsai's position as a leader capable of standing up to Beijing.
Tsai's strategic campaign revamp, utilizing memes and social media, effectively leveraged these external factors to connect with young voters and present herself as a strong defender of Taiwan's independence.

Six injured after car smashes into On Nut shopping mall

Yesterday 22:44 Key points summarised by AI

A 67-year-old woman drove her car through the glass frontage of a Bangkok shopping mall, injuring six people, including a six-year-old girl.
The driver claimed she accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake after being startled, causing the vehicle to surge forward.
She apologized to the victims, promising insurance coverage and additional financial aid, while police continue to gather statements before filing charges.