Concerns voiced over COVID Deltacron XBC sub-variant

13 Sept 12:26 Key points summarised by AI

Scientists are closely monitoring Deltacron, a COVID-19 hybrid of Delta and Omicron, which combines Delta's lung-attacking ability with Omicron's high transmissibility.
This hybrid has mutated into several sub-variants, notably XBC with 130 mutations, raising concerns it could be as deadly as Delta, which had a 3.4% fatality rate.
First detected in the Philippines, Deltacron's sub-variants, including XBC and XBB, have since re-emerged and spread across various ASEAN countries.
Despite initial concerns about its potential severity, reported cases of both XBB and XBC in these countries are currently deemed not serious, with a low death toll.

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.