Quake-hit Myanmar city becomes epicentre of junta election offensive

9 Sept 11:34 Key points summarised by AI

Mandalay, a city still recovering from a devastating earthquake, has become the strategic hub for Myanmar's military junta's controversial election offensive amidst ongoing civil war.
The junta is pushing for elections on December 28, despite a UN expert dismissing them as a "fraud" and rebels vowing to block the vote, leading to intensified military offensives in rebel-held regions.
The conflict has caused a new influx of displaced civilians into Mandalay, including war widows and those fleeing fighting, exacerbating humanitarian strain and diverting focus from earthquake recovery efforts.
Many displaced residents express deep war weariness and prioritize daily survival over the political process, highlighting the profound impact of both natural disaster and prolonged conflict on their lives.

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.