Critic of Chinese leader sentenced to 18 years in graft case

15 Sept 23:09 Key points summarised by AI

Ren Zhiqiang, a former state-owned real estate chairman, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on charges of corruption, bribery, embezzlement, and abuse of power.
Ren disappeared in March after publishing an online essay that publicly criticized President Xi Jinping's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, referring to him as a "clown."
His criticism targeted government censorship and the lack of transparency and accountability regarding the pandemic's origins and official response.
The sentencing underscores President Xi's ongoing crackdown on dissent and public criticism against his leadership in China.

Flooding persists in Bangkok and 22 provinces

Today 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.