Canadian govt to stop buying ads on Facebook, Instagram

23 Sept 06:37 Key points summarised by AI

Canada's government announced it will cease advertising on Facebook and Instagram, citing Meta's 'unreasonable' actions and an estimated annual cost of Can$10 million to Meta.
This decision directly counters Meta's move to block Canadian news content on its platforms, a protest against Canada's new Online News Act.
The Online News Act mandates that digital giants like Meta and Google compensate Canadian news outlets for content accessed through their services.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affirmed the government's resolve, stating they would not be 'intimidated by American billionaires' and emphasizing the commitment to supporting Canadian democracy and media.
The Act aims to provide an estimated Can$330 million annually to Canadian newspapers, addressing the closure of over 450 media outlets since 2008.

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.