Iran-US talks to continue through the night

15 Sept 22:31 Key points summarised by AI

US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland are set to continue overnight, aiming to permanently end the Middle East war despite a contentious start marked by US threats and an initial walkout by the Iranian delegation.
The ongoing conflict in Lebanon, including Israeli strikes and Iran's support for Hezbollah, remains a major sticking point, with Washington and Tehran exchanging threats in parallel with the peace talks.
Discussions in the first round focused on implementing a memorandum of understanding and de-escalating the situation in Lebanon, rather than Iran's nuclear program, as the US hopes to 'turn over a new leaf' in regional relations.
Iran reiterated its right to enrich uranium but denied intentions to build nuclear weapons, while also threatening to re-close the strategic Strait of Hormuz if clashes in Lebanon persist.

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.