Cambodian leader orders Mekong safe zones to save rare dolphins

23 Sept 06:24 Key points summarised by AI

Cambodian Premier Hun Sen ordered the establishment of new conservation zones along the Mekong River to protect critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
The directive mandates an "absolute ban" on all fishing within these designated areas, marked by floating markers, following the recent deaths of three dolphins from fishing nets.
This urgent action addresses the severe decline in the dolphin population, which has dropped from 200 in 1997 to approximately 90, with 29 deaths recorded in the last three years due to gillnets and illegal fishing.
Conservationists, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), have called for immediate and robust measures to combat destructive fishing practices threatening the remaining dolphins.

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.