New attacks on shipping as Iran war talks hit fresh impasse

14 Sept 02:14 Key points summarised by AI

Shipping in vital global oil chokepoints faced new attacks, including a suspected Houthi strike killing four crew members in the Red Sea and a US Navy action disabling a ship violating an Iranian blockade.
Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless the US met its conditions, including the release of frozen assets, signaling a fresh impasse in war talks and dimming prospects for peace.
The escalating tensions and uncertainty led to a rise in oil prices and a retreat in global shares, reflecting renewed pessimism about a swift resolution to the conflict.
Both US President Trump and Iranian officials intensified their rhetoric, with Trump issuing threats and Iran's Revolutionary Guards hinting at developing capabilities for operations on "enemy soil."

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Yesterday 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.