World swimming bans transgender athletes from women's events

14 Sept 02:59 Key points summarised by AI

World swimming's governing body, FINA, has enacted a new policy effectively banning most transgender women from competing in women's events.
The policy permits only swimmers who transitioned before the age of 12 to compete in women's categories, citing scientific evidence of an unfair advantage for those who transition after puberty.
FINA also proposed establishing a new 'open competition category' for transgender athletes, with a working group tasked to develop its framework over the next six months.
The decision has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who label the policy as 'deeply discriminatory, harmful, unscientific' and a violation of athletes' privacy and human rights.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 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.