Malaysia to send officials to US for tariff talks: PM

13 Sept 15:17 Key points summarised by AI

Malaysia will dispatch officials to Washington for discussions on trade tariffs after the US imposed a hefty 24-percent levy on its imports.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim advocates "soft diplomacy" and quiet engagement, sending Malaysian officials alongside ASEAN colleagues to initiate dialogue.
The tariffs, imposed by US President Donald Trump, significantly impact ASEAN member states, with some facing duties as high as 49 percent.
Anwar emphasizes the mutual benefits of US-Malaysia trade and warns that these measures could harm both nations, while also urging ASEAN to diversify its markets.

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.