Brunei's polo-playing prince marries commoner

14 Sept 12:30 Key points summarised by AI

Brunei's Prince Abdul Mateen, a high-profile royal, married commoner Yang Mulia Anisha Rosnah in an Islamic ceremony, marking the start of a lavish 10-day celebration.
The royal wedding will culminate in a grand palace ceremony and an elaborate public procession, anticipated to host international royalty and political dignitaries.
Prince Mateen, a helicopter pilot and polo enthusiast, is recognized for his significant social media presence and diplomatic roles, despite being far down the line of succession.
The extravagant event highlights Brunei's immense wealth, predominantly derived from its oil reserves, showcasing the sultanate's absolute monarchy and rich traditions.

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.