Vietnam's power crisis hits local firms, foreign investors

26 Sept 08:27 Key points summarised by AI

Severe Power Outages Disrupt Northern Vietnam: An unprecedented heatwave and drought have crippled hydropower plants, causing widespread blackouts and sudden power cuts across northern Vietnam, particularly impacting industrial zones.
Foreign and Local Firms Suffer Massive Losses: Manufacturers like Samsung and Apple supplier Foxconn, along with numerous local companies, report "uncountable" financial and operational losses due to lengthy power interruptions, often with no warning.
Investor Confidence and Supply Chains Jeopardized: International chambers of commerce have petitioned the government, warning that the energy crisis damages Vietnam's appeal to foreign investors and threatens to disrupt global supply chains, potentially leading companies to relocate production.
Long-Term Energy Security Concerns Emerge: With electricity demand surging and a government target to reduce consumption, the crisis highlights Vietnam's persistent energy security challenges, prompting questions about its sustainable development and future investment climate.

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.