Vietnam says 'positive progress' in trade talks with US

13 Sept 21:34 Key points summarised by AI

Vietnam reported "positive progress" in trade talks with the U.S., aiming to avert a threatened 46% tariff by President Donald Trump.
Both nations identified common concerns and are scheduled for further discussions in early June to address Vietnam's substantial trade surplus with the U.S.
During the talks, Vietnam's delegation engaged with major U.S. tech and industry giants and secured an agreement with Westinghouse Electric for nuclear power development.
Coincidentally, President Trump's real estate group broke ground on a $1.5-billion luxury resort in Vietnam, with his son exploring additional investment prospects in the country.

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.