Does it actually work? A Chinese mother has gone viral online with an unconventional idea to help her elementary school son with homework: having him pedal an antique sewing machine while sitting at his desk to boost concentration and reduce restless behavior, allowing him to study for hours at a time.

The mother, from Anyang city in Henan Province, China, became an internet sensation after coming up with an unusual way to help her son with homework by having him "pedal a sewing machine" while sitting down to write, helping him maintain focus on his work longer.

Local media reports indicated that the boy had restless behavior during homework sessions, including playing with erasers, swinging his legs, and frequently getting up from the desk, which made it take longer to complete his assignments. Rather than scolding or forcing him as before, his mother decided to try new approaches.

Ultimately, she brought out her grandmother's antique sewing machine and placed it in the room, having her son pedal it with his feet while doing homework. She lubricated the machine to make it as quiet as possible and adjusted the desk and base so the child could sit comfortably without bending forward too much.

The results surprised the family. The boy could now sit and do homework continuously for over an hour, his hand writing while his feet pedaled steadily and consistently, showing noticeably improved concentration compared to before.

The video clip shared on social media showed the child's synchronized movements, with his head gently bobbing with the pedaling motion while his hand kept writing continuously, prompting many internet users to comment and share rapidly.

Many believed this method might have scientific backing. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, leg and foot movement may help stimulate body circulation, making the mind clear and improving focus. Others explained it from a sensory integration perspective, suggesting that repetitive movement may help restless children feel calmer and gain better self-control.

However, the trend also sparked debate about China's education system, as many pointed out that "many children face excessively heavy homework loads and study schedules," forcing parents to seek creative methods just to keep their children studying longer.

Currently, many Chinese families remain intensely competitive about education, with tutoring, online classes, and after-school activities. Various "concentration-boosting techniques" are increasingly being discussed, whether having children stand on exercise balls or use bike-like equipment while doing homework, reflecting parents' efforts to balance their children's studies with quality of life.

ASAP is showcasing subsidiary capabilities and implementing an aggressive strategy integrating car rental, electric vehicles, energy, insurance and technology businesses toward becoming a comprehensive innovative mobility service provider. Songvit Thitipunya, CEO of Synergetic Auto Performance Public Company Limited (ASAP), revealed that from this year forward, the company is advancing into a new growth phase by merging ASAP's full-service car rental business capabilities with the strengths of affiliated group companies including auto dealership, used car sales, insurance and other businesses. The company will leverage group-wide technological strength, human resources, financial capacity and robust business networks to support mutual growth with sustainable expansion targets while transforming from a traditional car rental business into a leader in automotive and comprehensive mobility ecosystem services. With over 30 years in auto dealership and more than 20 years in car rental with consistent customer trust, ASAP has strong business foundations, visionary management, quality personnel and capable business networks focused on maximum customer satisfaction, resulting in solid financial performance and steady growth. The company notes that every car rental represents an insurance business opportunity, every vehicle return is a used car sales opportunity, and every electric vehicle test drive is a future sales prospect, reflecting the integrated structure and potential of ASAP's new business model where all affiliated businesses interconnect and create synergistic feedback loops. For the core car rental business, ASAP plans to upgrade services to meet all customer segments including corporations, government and general consumers while expanding the EV fleet for premium and commercial electric vehicle markets, targeting 30% electric vehicles in new fleet additions. The company will also advance its "EV Fleet – Try Before Buy" strategy allowing corporate clients and fuel vehicle users to test electric vehicles before purchase decisions to generate leads for affiliated EV businesses. For short-term car rental, AI Dynamic Pricing will be implemented for real-time market-based pricing with expansion of direct website sales currently at 55% of total, plus co-branding collaboration with Trip.com to boost booking days by 58% compared to the previous quarter. Additional plans include expanding chauffeur services to premium corporate clients including airlines, private companies and industrial zones, particularly in Rayong province as the country's new economic and industrial hub. The used car business under the Casap brand maintains strong customer trust through quality inventory advantages and commercial vehicle offerings for SME business needs, distinguishing it from typical used car markets.

Solar energy is increasingly becoming a vital option for the modern world, with many countries accelerating support for residential solar panel installations to increase clean energy, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and enable people to generate their own electricity. However, behind rooftop electricity generation lies a critical issue regarding the "electricity billing system" that directly affects fairness for all electricity users nationwide—specifically the choice between "Net Metering" and "Net Billing" systems, which despite similar goals produce distinctly different impacts on the energy system and citizens.

Similarities and Differences Between Net Metering and Net Billing

Net Metering and Net Billing are electricity billing systems for homes with solar panel installations. Both share the common goal of encouraging people to produce their own electricity from solar energy and send excess power back to the electrical grid to reduce energy costs and increase household clean energy use. However, the key difference lies in "how the value of returned electricity is calculated."

Net Metering is a "kilowatt-hour offset" system where electricity produced by solar panels is deducted against electricity consumed from the grid on a one-to-one basis. This means excess solar production has a value equivalent to the retail electricity rate that consumers purchase from the utility—similar to depositing electricity in the system and withdrawing it later at the same value.

The advantage is that it provides relatively high returns to solar installers and incentivizes faster public adoption of solar panels. In some cases, it can use existing dual-directional spinning meters without equipment replacement. However, this system has a significant limitation: the buyback price does not reflect true electricity system costs, since what consumers pay includes not just generation costs but also power plant construction, transmission lines, distribution infrastructure, and entire network management expenses.

Net Billing, by contrast, is a "monetary offset" billing system that clearly separates the cost of electricity purchased from the grid and electricity sold back to the system. Excess solar power receives credits at a government-determined rate, which is typically lower than the retail electricity price because it accounts for comprehensive electricity system costs, including network maintenance and energy management. This system requires replacing existing meters with smart digital meters that can measure both purchased electricity and grid-injected electricity at each time interval to calculate net electricity costs.

The advantage is that it allows pricing flexibility to match energy costs during different periods, properly managing electricity system expenses without shifting costs to overall consumers. However, while both systems promote clean energy, Net Metering benefits solar installers more, while Net Billing is viewed as a more "balanced" approach that better protects fairness for all electricity users by reducing costs that might otherwise burden non-solar households and allowing the government greater flexibility to adjust solar buyback rates according to future energy circumstances.

Why Net Metering May Burden Non-Solar Users

Although Net Metering appears beneficial to solar panel installers, it actually creates burdens on others.

The Old Home Cafe, a trending Nonthaburi coffee shop, stands out as a cozy wooden house cafe on Nakorn In Road that captures the warmth of traditional upcountry homes. Owner Jib (Phatchranon Pilavong) previously worked in garment manufacturing for 13 years, producing OEM products for major brands, but when COVID-19 shuttered the clothing industry, she pivoted to baking and eventually opened this cafe with her sister.

Jib intentionally designed the cafe in a traditional wooden house style to evoke nostalgia for provincial homes, featuring old wooden doors, weathered windows, and rustic materials. "We're from the provinces but live in Bangkok and rarely get home," she explains. "We wanted to create a healing space for people far from home—The Old Home Cafe."

The menu offers affordable, delicious options reflecting Jib's philosophy of accessibility during difficult economic times. Signature items include the Old Coffee (a pulled americano with her grandmother's condensed milk recipe and Chinese pandan for sweetness), Thai tea made with four tea bases, and notably, khao soi sourced from a respected Phayao recipe. The carrot cake uses premium cream cheese, and the cafe also serves pad krapow, spaghetti, and northern Thai curries prepared as authentically as home cooking.

On May 25, 2569, the Thai Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast predicting thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in some areas of southern Thailand due to moderate southwest monsoon winds covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. Residents are urged to be cautious of heavy rain and water accumulation. Waves in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand will be moderate, with the upper Andaman Sea experiencing waves around 2 meters high, while the lower Andaman Sea and upper Gulf will see 1-2 meter waves. Areas with thunderstorms may experience waves exceeding 2 meters, and fishermen are advised to navigate carefully and avoid stormy areas. Between May 28-29, rainfall in the southern region will increase with heavy to very heavy precipitation expected, particularly on the western coast, as the southwest monsoon strengthens. Waves in the Andaman Sea will intensify, with the upper region seeing 2-3 meter waves and thunderstorm areas experiencing waves over 3 meters.

Regional forecasts from 18:00 today to 18:00 tomorrow:

Northern Region: 40% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. Low 24-27°C, high 35-38°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Northeastern Region: 20% chance of thunderstorms, primarily in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Chaiyaphum, and Nakhon Ratchasima. Low 25-28°C, high 36-38°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central Region: 30% chance of thunderstorms, mostly affecting Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Samut Songkhram. Low 25-27°C, high 37-38°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Eastern Region: 30% chance of thunderstorms in Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. Low 24-27°C, high 34-38°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Sea waves 1-2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Southern Region (East Coast): 40% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas, mainly in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. Low 23-27°C, high 35-37°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Sea waves approximately 1 meter nearshore, 1-2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in stormy areas.

Southern Region (West Coast): 60% chance of thunderstorms with heavy rain in some areas in Ranong, Phang Nga, and Phuket. Low 23-26°C, high 32-35°C. From Phang Nga northward: southwest winds 20-35 km/h, waves around 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Phuket southward: southwest winds 15-35 km/h, waves 1-2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in stormy areas.

Bangkok and Vicinity: 40% chance of thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon to evening hours.

Many households have experienced the problem of buying cabbage only to have it wilt, bruise, or rot quickly when stored improperly. Recently, a Japanese vegetable shop expert unveiled a "10-second freshness preservation technique" that effectively extends cabbage storage life by focusing on the cabbage core.

Aoba Tetsu, a Japanese vegetable and fruit expert with over 15 years of experience working in produce shops, revealed through a Yahoo Japan column that the simplest method uses a fork to maintain vegetable freshness, available at shops for 100 yen. Simply insert the fork directly into the cabbage core before refrigerating—taking less than 10 seconds—which noticeably extends the cabbage's freshness. If you don't have a fork, you can substitute 2-3 toothpicks.

She also recommends not placing cabbage directly in the refrigerator, as cold air will dry out the outer leaves. However, wrapping it too tightly in plastic creates moisture accumulation that causes rapid spoilage.

The proper method is: after inserting the fork into the cabbage core, wrap the head with newspaper or paper towels, place it loosely in a plastic bag without sealing it tightly, then refrigerate.

For longer storage spanning weeks, the expert reveals that Japanese farmers prefer removing the cabbage core and replacing it with paper towels dampened with water, then wrapping with newspaper and a plastic bag while changing the towels every 2-3 days. While this method requires more effort, it's ideal for those wanting extended cabbage storage while maintaining freshness.

Source: ettoday Compiled by Sanook Online News Team