US vows 'economic asphyxiation' of Iran with new sanctions

13 Sept 06:20 Key points summarised by AI

The US Treasury Secretary unveiled plans for the 'economic asphyxiation' of Iran, expanding secondary sanctions to sever all economic lifelines and isolate the regime.
New sanctions target Iran's digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping sectors, alongside 60 global entities accused of aiding Iran's oil revenue, weapons procurement, and cyber operations.
Washington warns that countries and entities failing to comply with sanctions or facilitating money laundering for Iran will face severe consequences, including removal from the US dollar system.
Iran dismisses the threats, asserting readiness with a two-year plan to manage the impact, while the US maintains that military strikes remain an option alongside economic pressure.

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.