Malaysian court to deliver verdict in corruption trial of former first lady Rosmah

13 Sept 21:50 Key points summarised by AI

Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, awaits a verdict in her corruption trial, facing charges of soliciting and receiving bribes for a $279 million government solar project.
The charges carry a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a hefty fine, though Rosmah could seek a stay on sentencing pending appeals.
This trial unfolds just days after her husband, Najib Razak, began a 12-year jail sentence for corruption linked to the 1MDB scandal, underscoring Malaysia's ongoing crackdown on graft.
Rosmah maintains her innocence, claiming she was framed, and has filed a last-minute application to recuse the judge overseeing her trial.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.