For the first time in nearly three decades, Alabama will allow yoga to be taught in its public schools, but the ancient practice will be missing some of its hallmarks: Teachers will be barred from saying “namaste” and using Sanskrit names for poses. Chanting is forbidden. And the sound of “om” which combines breathing exercises and stretches, is a no-no. The changes follow the signing of a bill by Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, overriding a 1993 ban on yoga instruction in public schools by the state’s board of education. Some conservative groups had called for the prohibition to be preserved, contending that the practice of yoga is inseparable from Hinduism and Buddhism and amounted to a religious activity. The measure, which takes effect from August 1, gives school boards the final say over whether to offer yoga to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Participation will be optional under the legislation.
Seven killed in blast at pro-Palestine rally in Pak
A bomb blast at a pro-Palestinian rally left at least seven people dead and 14 injured in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province last week, reports said. The rally was organised by the Jamiat Ulema- i-Islam-Nazaryati, Balochistan government spokesman Liaquat Shahwani said while strongly condemning the attack saying terrorists wanted to “destroy Balochistan’s peace”. According to police, the explosive material was packed into a motorbike parked near the vehicle of a religious leader who was participating in the rally. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Pakistan gives US overflight permit for its Af presence
Pakistan has allowed the US military to have overflight and access to be able to support its presence in Afghanistan, a top Pentagon official has told lawmakers. Assistant secretary of defence for Indo-Pacific Affairs David F Helvey also told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that the US will continue its conversation with Pakistan due to the important role it has played to support the peace process in the war-torn country. Helvey said Pakistan has allowed the US to have overflight and access to be able to support its military presence in Afghanistan. “Pakistan has played an important role in Afghanistan they have supported the peace process,” he said. “We’ll continue conversations with Pakistan because their support and their contribution to the future of peace in Afghanistan is going to be critical,” the official said.
Myanmar poll body to dissolve Suu Kyi’s party
Myanmar’s junta-appointed election commission will dissolve Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party for vote fraud in a November poll, local media reported. News websites said the announcement was made at a meeting with political parties that was boycotted by many, including Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. The army seized power accusing the NLD of obtaining victory through a manipulated vote, though the electoral commission at that time had rejected its complaints. The NLD had committed fraud “so we will have to dissolve the party’s registration”, the chairman of Union Election Commission Thein Soe was cited as saying. The National Unity Government, an alliance of democracy groups, said it was a ploy to cling to power.
Tunisia pleads with parliament to approve $4 bn IMF loan
The governor of the Tunisian Central Bank Marouane Abassi said that there was no other solution for Tunisia than to turn to the International Monetary Fund to balance its budget, warning that appealing to its establishment would lead to a spiral of inflation. "If we do not negotiate with the IMF, no one will agree" to provide Tunisia with the external financing it needs, warned Abassi during a hearing in Parliament, while calls are multiplying not to take out a fourth loan in 10 years with the IMF. Tunisia, which is struggling to pay off its debts and balance its budget, is in discussions with the IMF for a new multi-year loan in return for socially difficult reforms designed to clean up its finances. The Central Bank is not ready to open the floodgates to finance the budget, because within four months we would find ourselves with triple-digit inflation," warned Abassi, giving "the example of Venezuela" where hyperinflation has accentuated the social crisis.
Spain intensifies deportations of Morocco migrants
Earlier this week, security forces in Spain's Ceuta border control were seen struggling to contain the crowd of migrants coming from Morocco. Later, Spain said it had already managed to deport some 6,000 people back to Morocco. Most of those who entered into the spanish enclave of Ceuta were young men and teenagers, who said they were willing to do anything to escape unemployment, poverty, and hunger in Morocco. Since the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, living conditions have severely affected in the North African country. Tensions are still running high between Spain and Morocco. Spain accused Morocco of "blackmail" for allowing migrants to cross into its territory.
Nigerian army chief killed in air crash
Nigeria's army chief Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru has been killed in a plane crash in the north-western state of Kaduna, officials say. The incident happened as the plane was trying to land in bad weather, the military said. Ten other officers, including the plane's crew also died. President Muhammadu Buhari said he was "deeply saddened" by the crash. Gen Attahiru, 54, only took up his post in January in an overhaul of the military's top brass. It was part of the government's plan to boost the military's efficiency in fighting a more than decade-long jihadist insurgency. The Nigerian Air Force said the incident happened as the plane was landing at Kaduna International Airport. On Twitter, the president said the crash was a "mortal blow... at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country".
Mount Nyiragongo eruption causes thousands to flee
Goma's sky turned a fiery red after the Democratic Republic of Congo's Mount Nyiragongo erupted for the first time in nearly two decades on Saturday. The government has launched an evacuation plan for the eastern city of Goma, which is home to nearly 2 million people. So far it is not known if there are any casualties. But locals reported the shocking scenes, "I saw how the volcano was invading us. It was around 18:00 we saw the fire coming towards the hill and we were all surprised, at 19:00 the situation worsened," said Nyiragongo resident Shimwiraye Alain. "We saw the lava going to Rwanda but afterwards we saw that it was going to the Majengo (a region in Goma), that's why people were panicking and they didn't know what to do. We didn't expect to see such eruption, we thought it was just going to throw lava, but we see how it progresses little by little". Taking their belongings, thousands of residents fled towards the border with Rwanda in the east hours before the government announced the evacuation plan.
Bullet train driver pulled up one minute late
The driver of a speeding Japanese bullet train handed over the controls to an unqualified conductor so he could answer an urgent call... of nature, a rail operator has revealed. The driver’s toilet trip might have gone unnoticed, except for the fact that his train with 160 passengers was subsequently one minute late, which prompted a probe in a country famous for punctuality. The driver confessed that he had left his post after experiencing abdominal pain and was away for three minutes as the train ran at 150kmph. Bullet trains are tightly controlled by computerised central command systems, but drivers are required to deal with any unexpected situation.
Philippines, China hold talks on SCS
The Philippines and China held “friendly and candid” talks on the South China Sea, the Philippines’ foreign ministry said, days after the minister ordered Chinese vessels out of the disputed waterway in an expletive-laced tweet. The presence of hundreds Chinese vessels inside the Philippines 322-km Exclusive Economic Zone has been the latest source of tensions between the two nations. “There was mutual recognition of the importance of dialogue in easing tensions ,” the department of foreign affairs said.
Is Boko Haram chief dead?
Nigeria’s military is investigating reports that militant group Boko Haram chief may have been killed or seriously injured following clashes with rival jihadis, an army spokesman said. Abubakar Shekau has been the figurehead of an Islamist insurgency that has since 2009 killed more than 30,000 people. A number of reports published last week in Nigeria media, citing intelligence sources, said Shekau was seriously hurt or killed. A Nigerian army spokesman said: “It’s a rumour. We are investigating it.” Shekau was said to have been killed on several occasions over the last12 years, only to later appear in a video post.
Probe into Trump co’s biz dealings
The New York attorney general’s office said it has now opened a criminal probe into former President Donald Trump’s company, increasing the legal risk for Trump and his family. AG Letitia James has been investigating whether the Trump Organisation falsely reported property values to secure loans and obtain economic and tax benefits. The latest announcement marked another escalation of the legal jeopardy Trump faces, taking to three the number of known criminal investigations. The Trump Organisation is yet to comment, but Trump has said in the past that the investigation by James, a Democrat, is politically motivated.
Berlo seriously ill, Italy court told
Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi is seriously ill and his trial on charges of bribing witnesses should be temporarily suspended, a Milan prosecutor said. Berlusconi, 84, has been in and out of hospital this year after contracting Covid-19 last September, and speculation has mounted over a deterioration of his health. “We definitely believe Berlusconi is seriously ill and is suffering from a serious disease,” prosecutor Tiziana Siciliano said. The judge will decide on whether to separate Berlusconi’s position from the other defendants on May 26, when there will be a new hearing.
