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A new Gallup poll shows Americans increasingly perceive religion as influencing national life more than a year ago. The June 2025 report indicates 34% of U.S. adults say religion is gaining influence, up from 20% in 2024. Meanwhile, 59% believe religion is losing ground, down from 75% in 2024.

For Thai readers, this snapshot of American attitudes offers insight into global conversations about education, civil society, and policy. In Thailand, Buddhism remains central to national identity, while the constitution maintains a separation between religion and state. These contrasts highlight how society negotiates religiosity and public life in different cultural contexts.

A global push to standardize AI and computer science in high schools is gaining momentum. More than 250 top business leaders joined Code.org in urging policymakers to make AI and CS courses a requirement. The open letter argues that AI literacy is essential for students to compete in a rapidly changing economy. Thailand can draw practical lessons from this movement as it evolves its own education strategy.

The collaboration between business leaders and Code.org signals a rare alignment of industry and education. Signatories span technology, finance, manufacturing, and retail, stressing that without solid foundations in AI and CS, students risk falling behind in a job market where digital skills are increasingly non-negotiable. In the United States, policy actions already prioritize STEM and AI education, illustrating a clear model for national reform. As AI tools such as generative models and intelligent tutoring systems enter classrooms, the call for comprehensive curriculum updates grows stronger.

A wave of advocacy is sweeping across the education landscape as more than 250 top corporate leaders, together with Code.org—one of the world’s most influential computer science non-profits—have urged policymakers to make artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science classes a standard requirement in high schools. Their call, encapsulated in an open letter published earlier this month, highlights mounting pressure on the US and global education systems to ensure that today’s students are equipped for an era dominated by AI-powered technologies. This ambitious push, already supported by research and global industry trends, holds important lessons and opportunities for Thailand as it grapples with its own transformation in education and workforce preparation.

Walking has long been a staple in daily Thai life, weaving through the rhythms of city streets and countryside paths alike. But as urban lifestyles grow more sedentary and gym culture rises, many are left wondering whether this simple, accessible activity can genuinely help us build muscle, burn fat, or both. Recent research, highlighted in a comprehensive GQ feature, draws on a global body of evidence and new scientific studies that shed fresh light on the true impact of walking—insights that offer practical guidance for Thais seeking healthier habits.

Walking is woven into daily life across Thailand, from busy city sidewalks to peaceful rural trails. Yet with more sedentary routines and rising gym culture, many wonder if this simple activity can truly build muscle or torch fat. A recent feature in GQ reviews a global body of research and new studies, offering practical guidance for Thais seeking healthier habits.

As obesity and sedentary work rise in Thailand, understanding walking’s benefits could shape both national health strategies and personal choices. Data from a multi-regional study shows walking remains the most popular form of physical activity worldwide, including in Thai cities where parks, elevated walkways, and footpaths bustle with walkers of all ages. For millions who stroll for exercise or daily transport, the big question is whether they are reaping real health benefits.

A growing trend is reshaping retirement abroad, with Chiang Mai in northern Thailand emerging as a favored destination for foreign retirees. A Business Insider profile follows a former Disney Imagineer couple who traded high-pressure careers in the United States and Asia for a new life in Chiang Mai. Even as they faced health setbacks, their backgrounds in architecture and design helped them discover a balance of affordable living, accessible healthcare, and a creative lifestyle that many retirees in the West often seek. This story highlights both opportunity and challenge for foreign retirees in Thailand and invites reflection on healthcare, living costs, and the country’s evolving role in global retirement migration.

The safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines have returned to the spotlight following new regulatory actions and heightened public debate, but the scientific community continues to reaffirm their vital role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent scrutiny, triggered by policy changes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is prompting fresh discussion amid persistent misinformation and growing public concerns—even as evidence underscores overwhelming benefits for both individuals and public health at large (ABC News).

A surge of global discussion around mRNA vaccines has put their safety and effectiveness back in the spotlight. While regulatory moves spark public debate, the broader scientific consensus remains clear: mRNA vaccines play a vital role in reducing severe illness and death from COVID-19. In Thailand, the ongoing conversation informs local vaccination strategies, booster plans, and how to balance risks and benefits amid evolving variants.

In the United States, the FDA has narrowed upcoming COVID-19 shots produced with mRNA technology to people aged 65 and older or those with high-risk health conditions. The agency notes new clinical trial requirements before broader use. At the same time, manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer have been asked to update warning labels to address rare heart-related risks observed in some recipients, particularly after a second dose in younger males. These actions have intensified public scrutiny, underscoring the need for clear, evidence-based information.

A new study points to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as a practical, affordable option for people whose depression persists after standard care. This finding has important implications for strengthening Thailand’s mental health services and support networks. The research highlights how MBCT can fill the “missing middle”—patients who are not well enough for intensive specialist care but still need more than basic treatment.

Depression remains a heavy burden for many individuals and their families in Thailand. About 30% continue to experience daily symptoms such as low mood, fatigue, and hopelessness despite therapy and medication. The impact extends to workplaces, communities, and the broader economy, where lost productivity and higher health costs are felt nationwide. Data from Thailand’s public health landscape show that depression is a leading contributor to disability and socioeconomic strain in the country.

A promising new study has shed light on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as an effective, affordable treatment for people whose depression persists despite standard care, with implications for improving support strategies in Thailand’s mental health services. The research, recently highlighted by The Conversation, found that MBCT could fill a crucial gap for the so-called “missing middle”—patients left behind after common therapy and medication fail to fully relieve their symptoms.

Around 30% of people living with depression face an unyielding daily struggle: even after therapy and medication, the fog of low mood, fatigue, and hopelessness lingers. This phenomenon not only takes a toll on individuals, but also affects Thai families, workplaces, and the broader economy, echoing trends observed globally. Depression, already a leading cause of disability in Thailand, imposes significant direct and indirect costs on society, including lost productivity and higher health care expenditures (WHO Thailand).

A new wave of international research points to a striking loneliness crisis among young men in the United States, with a notable gender gap that stands out even among wealthy Western nations. Aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 indicates that about one in four American men aged 15 to 34 felt lonely “a lot” the previous day. This rate is higher than the national average and higher than the loneliness reported by young American women. Experts say the pattern is intensely pronounced in the U.S. and not widely mirrored in other developed countries.

Recent international research has spotlighted a growing crisis of loneliness among young men in the United States, with a scale and gender disparity that stands out even among wealthier Western countries. According to aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 by Gallup, one in four American men aged 15 to 34 reported feeling lonely “a lot” of the previous day—significantly higher than both the national average (18%) and the rate among young American women (also 18%) (Gallup; UPI; Fortune). Experts warn that these findings suggest not only a deepening emotional health problem among U.S. young men, but also an exceptional pattern rarely mirrored elsewhere in the developed world.

Are young people today truly the most miserable generation in modern history? This provocative question, explored in a recent analysis by The Telegraph, is resonating far beyond Britain, echoing anxieties and debates already alive in Thailand and across much of the world. International research suggests that Generation Z—those born roughly between 1996 and 2012—may indeed be facing unprecedented mental health challenges, spurring experts to consider whether today’s youth are genuinely less happy than their predecessors, or simply more open and serious about discussing mental health in an era of growing uncertainty (The Telegraph).

A growing rise in gentle, respectful parenting is challenging physical and verbal punishment of children worldwide. In England, the debate has renewed focus on child rights, parental stress, and how laws reflect evolving attitudes. For Thai readers, this discourse prompts reflection on Thailand’s own traditions, laws, and approaches to discipline.

Traditional discipline has long circulated in many societies, often framed as “tough love” or necessary guidance. In 2025, social media moments have shown parents using infamous phrases, with children offering surprisingly loving, constructive replies. These viral exchanges illustrate a broad shift: parents are increasingly seeking alternatives to punitive methods, guided by research on long-term psychological effects. Research by major institutions highlights how negative parenting can shape self-worth and resilience.

A rising tide of modern parenting is directly challenging the physical and verbal punishment of children, igniting new debates about child rights, parental stress, and the legal status of corporal punishment worldwide—including in England, where the issue has come under fresh scrutiny. As discussion grows following high-profile endorsements of gentle, respectful parenting, Thai families and policymakers may find themselves reflecting on the country’s own traditions, laws, and cultural attitudes toward discipline.

Miami’s public schools have embarked on the largest artificial intelligence (A.I.) classroom rollout in U.S. history, equipping over 105,000 high school students with Google’s Gemini chatbot and training more than 1,000 educators on cutting-edge A.I. tools. In a stunning reversal from initial bans on classroom chatbots, leaders in the nation’s third-largest school district say this rapid adoption is crucial to readying students for a future dominated by digital intelligence—an approach that could have profound implications for education reform in Thailand and beyond (NY Times).

A new wave of alarm is sweeping the global health community after research revealed that a severe shortage of omega-3 fatty acids threatens the well-being of millions around the world, including in Thailand. The findings, published in the journal AJPM Focus and led by a team at Case Western Reserve University, underscore a rapidly growing gap between dietary needs and omega-3 availability—a situation with stark health implications for populations who increasingly rely on modern, industrialized food systems. The research warns that 85% of the world’s population is not receiving sufficient omega-3 in their diets, a deficiency that can contribute to elevated risks of chronic diseases and developmental disorders (scitechdaily.com).

A new global alert warns that a severe shortage of omega-3 fatty acids could affect millions, including people in Thailand. Research led by Case Western Reserve University and published in AJPM Focus highlights a widening gap between dietary needs and available omega-3 sources. The study suggests that a large portion of the world’s population does not get enough omega-3s, raising concerns about heart health, brain development, and inflammatory conditions. Data from international health research indicates that 85% of people may be deficient, underscoring the urgency of addressing nutrition in modern, industrialized food systems.

A large-scale AI classroom rollout is reshaping how students learn. In Miami, more than 105,000 high school students now use Google’s Gemini chatbot, with over 1,000 teachers trained in AI tools. After an initial pause on classroom chatbots, district leaders argue that careful, supervised use is essential to prepare students for a future shaped by digital intelligence. The experience offers both inspiration and caution for Thailand as it strengthens its own education reforms.

A major international survey has revealed that nearly half of teachers say the 2024-25 school year has been the most stressful of their careers—surpassing even the tumult of the pandemic era. The findings paint a stark picture of working conditions for educators, and recent research confirms many of these pressures are mirrored among teachers in Thailand, raising urgent questions about the future of the teaching profession and student outcomes locally and globally.

A major international study shows nearly half of teachers say the 2024-25 school year is the most stressful of their careers, surpassing even the peak pressures of the pandemic. The findings spotlight working conditions for educators worldwide and align with Thai research that paints a similar picture of burnout risk among teachers here. The results raise urgent questions about how to sustain teaching quality and student outcomes in Thailand and beyond.

A new report reveals that childhood food insecurity remains a pressing and unevenly distributed problem across the United States, with alarming rates in some rural communities. According to Feeding America’s latest annual “Map the Meal Gap” study, released on May 14, 2025 and first reported by Axios, nearly one in five American children—estimated at about 14 million—live in food-insecure households. In certain rural counties, over 40% and up to 50% of children experience food insecurity—meaning their families struggle to reliably access enough nutritious food for a healthy, active life (Axios, Feeding America).

A new national study shows that childhood food insecurity in the United States remains an urgent, uneven challenge. The latest Map the Meal Gap report indicates that nearly 14 million American children live in households without reliable access to nutritious food, with some rural counties reporting that 40% to 50% of children are affected. This information underscores how hunger can affect health, learning, and future opportunities for young people. For Thai readers, the findings illuminate issues to watch as Thailand continues its battle against malnutrition and poverty.

A sweeping body of recent research from the United States is sounding the alarm: boys and young men are increasingly struggling, not only in their education but also in their mental health and transitions into adulthood. While girls and young women surge ahead in academic achievement and social maturity, many young males are reporting feelings of being undervalued and adrift. These challenges, documented in a comprehensive analysis published in The New York Times, reflect a significant gender gap with implications that extend far beyond U.S. borders—including Thailand, where similar trends have emerged in recent years (nytimes.com).