At least 25 missing after Myanmar jade mine landslide

20 Sept 23:16 Key points summarised by AI

A landslide at an unregulated jade mine in Myanmar's Hpakant township left at least 25 people missing following torrential rains.
The incident occurred when a massive 150-180 meter high pile of earth, left behind by mining excavations, collapsed after being loosened by intense rainfall.
Search and rescue missions are ongoing despite fears of secondary landslides, but no bodies have been recovered yet.
The highly lucrative jade mining industry is largely unregulated, known for its dangerous conditions and frequent deadly accidents, often involving low-paid migrant workers or locals scavenging for jade.

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.