Indonesia's Mount Semeru volcano erupts, top alert status triggered

1 Oct 03:54 Key points summarised by AI

Mount Semeru, Indonesia's highest volcano on Java, erupted, spewing hot ash clouds and lava, prompting authorities to raise the alert status to the highest level.
The eruption triggered the evacuation of nearly 2,000 people from at least six affected villages, with residents warned to avoid dangerous zones due to hot avalanches and ashfall.
This event occurred exactly one year after a previous major eruption killed dozens and caused extensive damage, with a key bridge rebuilt after last year's disaster again heavily damaged.
The eruption caused significant local impacts, including midday darkness due to colossal ash plumes, disruption of internet and phone services, and the distribution of masks due to polluted air.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.