US hits Myanmar with new sanctions on coup 2nd anniversary

13 Sept 13:24 Key points summarised by AI

The United States imposed fresh sanctions on Myanmar, marking the second anniversary of the military coup that initiated a violent campaign against democracy activists.
Sanctions target key figures including Myanmar's Energy Minister, top officials of the state-owned Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, the Air Force chief, and individuals linked to arming pro-regime militias.
Additional measures hit the military-controlled Union Election Commission and two state-owned mining companies, aiming to pressure the junta's financial and political infrastructure.
These actions, mirrored by Canada and Britain, come as Myanmar's junta casts doubt on its announced plan for new elections, citing a lack of 'normalcy' and ongoing resistance activities.

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.