How Axelsen won Thai hearts after Olympic victory

13 Sept 06:06 Key points summarised by AI

Danish badminton star Viktor Axelsen initially disappointed Thai fans by defeating their national hero, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, in the Olympic men's singles final.
Axelsen quickly won over Thai netizens through his humble character and sportsmanship, notably praising Kunlavut as a future champion in his post-match interview.
His unexpected fluency in Mandarin, revealed in a widely shared pre-match interview clip, further surprised and impressed the Thai public.
Axelsen explained his Chinese language studies were motivated by a desire to learn from top Chinese players and explore career opportunities in China's robust badminton scene.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.