The latest news of the day, continuously updated 24h. From official news sources such as CNN, BBC, VOA, Inside Science,...

The 2024 Best Countries for Education rankings by U.S. News & World Report highlight Europe and North America as global leaders, praised for strong public systems, prestigious universities, and high student performance. The survey, based on nearly 17,000 respondents, assessed countries on public education quality, likelihood of attending university there, and top university reputation.

The United States ranks first, with compulsory education starting as early as age five. In 2023, 61% of U.S. high school graduates enrolled in college, and the country hosts seven of the world's top 10 universities, including Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. U.S. students scored above average in reading and science but slightly below in math on OECD's 2022 PISA test.

The United Kingdom takes second place, with compulsory schooling until at least 16 (18 in England). U.K. students scored above average across all subjects, and the nation boasts Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College among the world's best.

Germany ranks third, known for pioneering kindergartens and offering multiple education tracks, from vocational to academic. German students performed slightly above average in PISA's 2022 assessments.

Canada comes fourth, providing free public education domestically and excelling across all PISA subjects, while drawing international students to its top-ranked universities.

France is fifth, with compulsory schooling from ages three to 16, government-funded higher education, and strong PISA results in math and science.

Completing the top 10 are Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Sweden, and Denmark, underscoring the dominance of developed nations in global education standards.

At an RMIT Vietnam–Deloitte roundtable titled “Human value & AI—Navigating hidden impacts & fostering growth & resilience,” experts discussed how AI is reshaping work while emphasizing the need to keep people at the center of change.

Keynote speaker Yun-Han Lee of Deloitte SEA stressed that organizations need a new “human value proposition” for the AI era. Drawing from Deloitte's 2024 report, he outlined trends like rapid adoption, uneven maturity, shifting C-suite perspectives, and the rise of agentic AI. While AI boosts productivity, Lee warned of “silent impacts” such as burnout, loneliness, and the erosion of judgment, urging leaders to design AI collaboration intentionally.

Panelists from Masan Consumer Holdings, STADA Pymepharco, Janus Executive Search, and Deloitte agreed that empathy, critical thinking, and human judgment remain irreplaceable. Vo Thi Minh An noted that in Vietnam, only 20% of jobs currently require AI skills, but empathy tops hiring needs. Pham Thi Quy Hien described Masan's Copilot rollout for 5,000 staff, emphasizing psychological safety. Ho Thi Bach Quyen highlighted culture-building and leadership behaviors to foster trust, while Vo Kim Thoa stressed that humans must remain “in the loop” for validation and accuracy.

Breakout sessions explored making AI a time-saver rather than a stressor, rethinking workflows, and ensuring responsible, transparent use. Dr. Luong Thanh Thao summed up that AI should support inclusion, growth, and safer operations, with privacy protections and oversight.

The event closed with a shared commitment to align AI with human needs, trust, and resilience, framing the challenge as not only technological but profoundly human.

A 57-year-old surfer was killed in a shark attack off northern Sydney's Long Reef and Dee Why beaches on Saturday, prompting widespread beach closures. Police said the man, an experienced surfer with a wife and young daughter, lost multiple limbs, and despite being pulled to shore by fellow surfers, resuscitation attempts failed. His surfboard was found snapped in half.

Authorities believe a large shark was responsible, with experts set to analyze the victim's injuries and damaged board to determine the species. In Australia, most fatal bites involve great whites, bull sharks, or tiger sharks.

Surf Life Saving NSW closed beaches from Manly to Narrabeen for at least 24 hours, with drones and surf lifesavers on waterskis patrolling for shark activity. Local surf clubs canceled water activities for the weekend.

This is the first fatal shark attack in Sydney since 2022, when British instructor Simon Nellist died off Little Bay, and only the second since 1963. Nationally, the last deadly incident occurred in March at Wharton Beach in Western Australia.

Since 1791, Australia has recorded over 1,280 shark incidents, with more than 250 fatalities. Authorities and surf lifesaving officials expressed condolences to the victim's family, calling the event a rare but tragic occurrence.

Malaysia's Cameron Highlands has been ranked the most favorite rural destination in Asia by Agoda, based on accommodation searches between Feb. 15 and Aug. 15 across eight Asian markets for towns with under 50,000 residents. Thailand's Khao Yai came second, followed by Indonesia's Puncak.

Located about 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur in Pahang, Cameron Highlands sits at nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, giving it a cool climate year-round, with summer temperatures ranging from 18–25°C. Famous for its tea plantations, vegetable farms, and flower gardens, it also offers attractions such as the Mossy Forest, hiking trails, and the Cameron Lavender Garden.

The region, named after Scottish explorer William Cameron, remains a popular getaway for both domestic and international travelers seeking a temperate retreat.

Tropical Depression Tapah has strengthened into a storm in the South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in China's Guangdong Province on Sept. 8, bringing heavy rains to northern Vietnam's mountains. As of Saturday afternoon, Tapah had winds of 74 kph with gusts up to 102 kph, moving northwest at 15 kph. Forecasts predict it will intensify as it approaches Guangdong, with winds possibly reaching up to 149 kph before weakening over land.

Meteorological agencies differ slightly: the Japan Meteorological Agency projects Tapah will peak at 72 kph before weakening, while Hong Kong forecasters see winds up to 90 kph, with lingering impacts on Vietnam's northern provinces including Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Lang Son.

The storm is already producing dangerous seas, with winds near the center up to 102 kph, gusts to 149 kph, and waves of 3–5 meters, posing risks to vessels. Vietnam's agriculture ministry has ordered provinces from Quang Ninh to Dak Lak to monitor conditions, track ships, and prepare rescue operations.

Tapah is the seventh storm in the South China Sea this year. Previous storms have caused severe damage, such as Storm Kajiki in August, which killed or left missing nine people and caused VND2.9 trillion ($114 million) in losses. Meteorologists warn that 5–7 more storms could form before year's end, with 2–3 likely to hit Vietnam, and early cold fronts may worsen flooding risks.