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World chess has banned transgender women from competing

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World chess has banned transgender women from competing.

Excuse me?

In a sport where the heaviest lifting a player does is moving pawns around, chess’s top governing body (FIDE) said it needs two years to make a final decision on whether trans women may compete with other women. Or, as the FIDE put it, “further policy may need to be evolved in the future in line with research evidence.” In the meantime, the FIDE says trans women have “no right” to compete in women's tournaments. The federation also plans to strip away women’s titles from players who’ve transitioned from female to male…but not the other way around.

Why?

Guess. One professor said the updates suggest “that males are somehow strategically better.” In case you missed it, there’s been no recent research that proves men are smarter than women. Yosha Iglesias, a FIDE chess master and trans woman, said the regulations make it sound as if trans players are “the biggest threat” to women in chess. The new policies go into effect next week.

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Women make up less than 15% of chess players in the US. Now, the game’s leaders are making the barrier to entry to the sport higher and implying trans women have some sort of mental advantage over the other women players. Check yourselves, mate.

and also...this

Who’s leaving their post…

The head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency. Yesterday, MEMA Administrator Herman Andaya resigned amid mounting backlash over the agency's slow response to the Maui wildfires. Critics have called out the department for not sounding the alarms. When asked earlier this week if he regrets not sounding the sirens, Andaya said “I do not.” Andaya said it's because the sirens are generally used to warn the public about tsunamis. He added that he was worried people would head to higher ground and the mountains — where the fires were ablaze. Now, Maui county officials said Andaya is resigning due to health reasons and are looking for an immediate replacement. The fires have killed 111 people, and the death toll is still expected to rise. The cause is still under investigation.

…Oh and speaking of natural disasters, Hurricane Hilary could turn into a Category 4 storm as soon as today and bring 120 mph winds and up to 10 inches of rain in some areas. The worst of its impacts could hit California by Monday.


Who got kicked to the curb...

Vlatko Andonovski. Yesterday, the US Soccer Federation announced an interim replacement for the former head coach of the US Women’s National Soccer Team. Andonovski’s resignation surprised exactly no one, considering the team’s earliest-ever World Cup exit this month. Now, Andonovski said “it’s been the honor of my life to coach” the team. His temporary replacement will be Twila Kilgore, Andonovski's former assistant and the first American-born woman to earn a pro coaching license for soccer.


Why you can't get the mojo dojo casa house...

High mortgage rates. Yesterday, Freddie Mac announced rates hit 7.09% this week, the highest since April 2002. Those hoping to refinance a mortgage one day or buy a house: good luck out there.


What Blockbuster-ed too close to the sun...

Netflix.


What has people shrugging their shoulders (while they still can)...

Barbie Botox.


Who has Lizzo's back...

Her other dancers.

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