[RECAP] News Unplugged - Monday, January 25

IOC ACCOMODATES TRANSGENDER ATHLETES

On Sunday, International Olympic Committee officials announced that they have changed their policy to further allow for transgender involvement in Olympic sports.

Since 2003, athletes that identified as transgender were required to have sexual reassignment surgery and a minimum of two years of hormone therapy in order to qualify for the games. With the new changes made to these dated guidelines, surgery is now no longer a requirement.

It is believed that this issue has been brought to greater attention since former Olympic decathlon champion, Bruce Jenner transitioned to becoming female, Caitlin Jenner last year.

MAN CHARGED WITH SASKATCHEWAN SHOOTINGS

Last Friday, the remote Dene community of La Loche, Saskatchewan was shaken by a school and home shooting.

A 17-year old male suspect has since been charged for the murders of four individuals, as well as seven counts of attempted murder, and is set to appear in court today. Victims of the shootings include two teachers, Marie Janvier and Adam Wood, as well as brothers, Dayne Fontaine age 13, and Drayden Fontaine age 17.

Saskatchewan premier, Brad Wall, has come out to offer his condolences in stating:

“Words cannot express my shock and sorrow at the horrific events today in La Loche. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and friends and all the people of the community.”

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 63 SYRIANS DEAD AFTER RUSSIAN AIR STRIKES

It is reported that at least 63 people have died in Syria as a result of what is believed to be Russian air strikes.

The attacks took place last Saturday in Khasham, just outside of the city of Deir Ezzor. Russian forces have been taking part in these airstrikes as a result of the ongoing tensions between the Islamic state of Iraq and ISIL.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 4,272 people have been killed in air strikes in Syria since the beginning of the war, with an estimated additional 250,000 civilian deaths as a result of the conflict.

 YOGA RETURNS TO UOTTAWA

After being temporarily suspended since last November, free yoga classes are now back on at the University of Ottawa.

Originally, the program had been cancelled as part of an accessibility review under the accusation of “culturally appropriating Hinduism”. However, after reexamination, the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa has announced that the yoga classes will resume this week starting Tuesday under a new teacher.