A notorious Indonesian animal market has ended its brutal dog and cat meat trade, campaigners say

13 Sept 16:17 Key points summarised by AI

Tomohon Extreme Market in Indonesia has officially ceased its "brutally cruel" dog and cat meat trade, marking a significant victory for animal welfare campaigners.
This ban follows a years-long campaign by local activists and international celebrities, who highlighted the horrific slaughter methods and associated public health risks like rabies.
The city of Tomohon's Regional Secretary announced the permanent end of the trade, vowing strict enforcement and encouraging consumption of hygienic alternatives like pork, beef, and chicken.
Humane Society International (HSI) will rescue all remaining live dogs and cats, taking them to sanctuaries, as Tomohon becomes Indonesia's first market to go dog and cat meat-free.

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.