Taylor Swift mania hits Philippine classrooms

13 Sept 14:38 Key points summarised by AI

The University of the Philippines launched a celebrity studies course examining Taylor Swift's global pop culture impact, reflecting her immense popularity.
Over 300 students quickly enrolled, filling limited slots within minutes and prompting the administration to open an extra class due to overwhelming demand.
The course delves into Swift's influence through the intersection of sex, gender, and class, analyzing media portrayals and her status as a "transnational" figure in the Philippines.
This academic offering aligns with a growing trend, as U.S. universities like Harvard and Stanford also feature courses on Swift, highlighting her significance in contemporary studies.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Today 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.