China charges Canadians with spying, 18 months after arrest

15 Sept 01:31 Key points summarised by AI

China formally charged ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor with espionage, 18 months after their initial arrest.
Their detention is widely perceived as retaliation for Canada's arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition warrant.
The charges escalate diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Ottawa, impacting trade and raising concerns about the Canadians' welfare and the transparency of their impending trials.
Experts anticipate swift, secret trials for Kovrig and Spavor, with verdicts likely predetermined, contrasting sharply with Meng's ongoing, drawn-out extradition case.

Six injured after car smashes into On Nut shopping mall

Today 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.