Myanmar troops withdraw from border town following clashes: ethnic armed group

17 Sept 12:19 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar junta troops have withdrawn from Myawaddy, a critical border town, following intense clashes with the Karen National Union (KNU).
A KNU spokesman confirmed capturing military battalion 275, leading to the retreat of about 200 soldiers towards the Thai border.
The loss of Myawaddy, a vital trade hub generating an estimated $1.1 billion annually, represents a significant blow to the cash-strapped junta.
This event adds to a series of defeats for Myanmar's military, further weakening its position since the 2021 coup.

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.