Friday morning news: March 24, 2023

World Athletics Council » The World Athletics Council will no longer allow men who identify as women to compete in women’s track and field events. The council says it is trying to protect fairness in women’s sports.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe:

SEBASTIAN COE - The majority of those consulted stated that transgender athletes should not be competing in the female category.

The World Athletics Council announced the new rule yesterday. It is the main rulemaking body for the sport of track and field.

COE - Many believe that there is insufficient evidence that trans women do not retain an advantage over biological women and want more evidence that any physical advantages have been ameliorated before they are willing to consider an option for inclusion into the female category.

The International Swimming Federation banned men who identify as female from competing in women’s sports last year.

Wyoming abortion » A Wyoming state judge is considering whether abortion should be defined as healthcare. He blocked a law yesterday that protects babies in almost every case.

WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER: Wyoming’s constitution says residents have a right to healthcare. But lawmakers enacted a new law earlier this week that defines an unborn baby as a human… making abortion the ending of a life—not healthcare.

The judge put a two-week stay on the law while he deliberates, but it could be extended.

Meanwhile, court documents released yesterday say a woman accused of setting a Wyoming abortion center on fire has confessed.

Police say she set the fire last May and police arrested her earlier this week.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Tik Tok » Congress is considering whether TikTok needs more regulation in America.

Lawmakers from both parties accuse the Chinese-owned social media company of inappropriately using data from American accounts.

Congressman Troy Nehls:

NEHLS - We know the dangers. They're out there. Everybody knows, you all know the dangers that it poses to our children. And many Americans agree. Here it is. Half of our country's states are already banning the app on the government devices.

But TikTok CEO Shou Chew testified before a Congressional committee yesterday, saying the company is not sharing information with China.

CHEW - We will protect the U.S. user data and file it all from all. Our foreign access is a commitment that we've given to the committee.

Some have also criticized the app as harmful to children.

Biden Canada » President Joe Biden is in Canada once again today. WORLD’s Anna Mandin has more.

ANNA MANDIN: This is Biden’s first official trip north of the border since taking office.

He will meet with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa … and deliver an address to Parliament today.

Both leaders are expected to discuss North American trade and supply chains, defense cooperation, and climate change. Their meetings will also address immigration and additional support for Haiti and Ukraine.

Biden and the First Lady will also attend a gala during the two-day visit … before catching a flight back to the United States tonight.

For WORLD, I’m Anna Mandin.

Parent speech hearing » A House judiciary subcommittee met yesterday to discuss whether the Biden administration misused its authority … to silence parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hearing is in response to a 2021 Department of Justice memo that compared actions taken by frustrated parents to domestic terrorism threats.

The founder of Parents Defending Education Nicole Neily spoke at the hearing.

NEILY: Parents have a constitutional right to assemble, to speak, to petition their government for a redress of grievances. But sadly, the airing of these concerns is now viewed by elected officials as violent, offensive, or hateful.

The DOJ memo reportedly directed federal, state, and local law enforcement to investigate parents.

The department claims it has only investigated reports of intimidation and threats of violence aimed at school board officials.

Attorney General Merrick Garland added that the department supports free speech and the right to protest.

School Shooter » The manhunt for the suspected shooter of two faculty members at a high school in Denver is over. The shooter was found dead by authorities yesterday.

The 17-year-old apparently wounded the faculty members as they patted him down for weapons in the school’s office area, a safety precaution because of previous behavior.

Here’s one student from the school:

STUDENT: As soon as we have to start hiding, and I figure out it’s not a drill, I start to think, what if I’m not gonna make it tomorrow?

This mom says she’s worried about sending her child back to school.

MOTHER: I feel sick every day sending my kid to school, and how do we move forward after this?

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock says that when classes resume, the school will be staffed with two armed officers for the rest of the year. Other high schools in the city will also be staffed with officers.

Ukraine Children » Some Ukrainian children deported to Russian-controlled territories are reuniting with their families in Kyiv.

Swedish ambassador to the United Nations Anna Jardfelt is calling for the release of all deportees:

ANNA JARDFELT - Ukrainians, including children who have been forcibly displaced to territories temporarily under Russian military control and deported to the Russian Federation, must be allowed to return safely.

The Ukrainian government says Russia has kidnapped or deported more than 16,000 children since the war began. Russia describes the deportations as a humanitarian project.

ZAKHAROVA: [Speaking Russian]

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticizing the International Criminal Court for issuing an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the kidnappings.

I’m Anna Johansen Brown.

Straight ahead: Culture Friday with John Stonestreet.

Plus, heading back to a galaxy far, far away.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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