China's 'Singles Day' shopping bonanza loses its lustre

1 Oct 08:12 Key points summarised by AI

China's annual 'Singles Day' shopping event experienced a significant decline in consumer enthusiasm and spending this year, indicating a loss of its traditional appeal.
The economic slowdown in China, coupled with consumer skepticism regarding deal quality and perceived pre-event price hikes, deterred shoppers from making large purchases.
The proliferation of livestreaming and other shopping festivals has diluted Singles Day's unique standing as the primary period for discounted goods, reducing its relative attraction.
This downturn in consumer spending reflects broader economic challenges in China, including recent deflation, despite ongoing efforts by Beijing to stimulate demand.

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.