In a historic move, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation making Diwali a holiday for public schools in the city. The legislation requires that all public schools be closed on the “15th day of the eighth month of the Indian calendar in each year, which is known as Diwali,” a press release said. Kathy Hochul said the legislation is “an opportunity for our children to learn about and celebrate traditions from across the world.” There were 1,047,895 students in the NYC school system, the largest school district in the US, in 2022-23. Of these, 16.5% were Asians.
Kerala man held for shooting at pregnant wife
Amal Reji from Ettumanoor in Kerala’s Kottayam district was arrested for allegedly shooting and wounding his 32-year-old pregnant wife, Meera Abraham, at a church parking lot in Chicago, his relatives said. The couple, residing in the US for six years, has a four-year-old child. Meera, who also hails from the same district in Kerala, suffered gunshot wounds in her abdomen and chin during an altercation between the couple. Meera is said to be in critical condition due to excessive bleeding. She was three months pregnant.
Clerics held for sexual abuse in Pak madrassa
Two clerics have been arrested in Pakistan’s Punjab province over the alleged sexual abuse and torture of students at Jamia Al-Mustafa, an unregistered madrassa in Chakwal. The arrest followed a victim’s disclosure to his father about the mistreatment, prompting other students to come forward. Local police were subsequently involved, and a preliminary investigation revealed instances of sexual assault and torture. Fifteen students, claiming to be victims, underwent medical examinations. Doctors found assault marks on their bodies, including teeth marks and an English alphabet “Z” inscribed on several children’s backs with a sharp object. The madrassa’s spokesman reported to police that the seminary’s administration received complaints against the teachers, and surveillance footage confirmed their misconduct.
Fire at China coal company office kills 26
A fire that erupted in the office of a coal company in northern China has killed 26 people, state media said, raising the death toll from the latest in a series of deadly accidents to befall the coal industry. President Xi Jinping, on a trip to the US, urged the authorities to ensure more safety measures are put in place to avoid such incidents, Xinhua news agency said. At least 38 people were injured in the blaze, which broke out at the four-storey Yongju Coal Industry Joint Building in the country’s top coal-producing hub of Shanxi. Police have detained several people for questioning, state broadcaster CCTV said, adding that the cause of the blaze was being investigated.
Canadian man found guilty of murdering Muslim family
A Canadian man inspired by white nationalist beliefs has been found guilty of murdering four members of a Muslim family by running them over with a pick-up truck in an attack that sent waves of shock, grief and fear across the country and spurred calls to tackle Islamophobia. The 22-year-old Nathaniel Veltman, who had railed against immigration and Islam, was convicted of attacking the family in the Ontario town of London in June 2021. Salman Afzaal, 46; his wife, Madiha Salman, 44; their daughter Yumnah, 15; and Afzaal’s mother, Talat, 74, were killed. The couple’s nine-year-old son suffered serious injuries but survived. The family, originally from Pakistan, had been out for a walk near their home.
Five Indian origins killed in Melbourne SUV mishap
Five members of two Indian-origin families in Australia, including two children, were killed when an SUV ploughed into a dining area of a pub in Melbourne. Vivek Bhatia (38), his son Vihan (11), Pratibha Sharma (44), her daughter Anvi (nine), and partner Jatin Chugh (30) died after the BMW mounted a kerb and hit patrons on front lawn of Royal Daylesford hotel, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Many others who were injured have been shifted to hospital. The driver, a 66-year-old, was spoken to by police, but was not arrested or charged. The driver’s lawyer said he was an insulin-dependent diabetic who required immediate treatment from paramedics at the scene.
S Korea halts flights to limit distraction for students
More than half a million students in South Korea are sitting for the crucial national university entrance exam, with authorities set to take extraordinary measures to minimise distraction. The nine-hour test, which is being taken by 504,588 pupils, is crucial for securing spots in top universities. The importance of the test was reflected by the aggressive measures authorities were taking to prevent any disturbance. To reduce noise disruption during the listening portion of the English test, Seoul’s transportation ministry has announced a nationwide ban on all aircraft takeoffs and landings outside of emergency situations. The ban will be in effect for 35 minutes. More than 90 flights had to be rescheduled due to the exam.
8 kids among 11 killed in Myanmar air strikes
Air strikes by Myanmar’s military on a village in a western region have killed at least 11 civilians, including eight children, a leading opposition group and residents of the area said. The attack on Vuilu village, south of Matupi township in Chin state, also left four people wounded, according to independent local media. The military government has not announced attacks at the location. Chin state has been deeply involved in the armed struggle against military rule since the army takeover. The Chin National Front, an armed ethnic opposition group, and its allies seized Rihkhawda town which borders India. Ngai Tam Maung, a deputy minister of the humanitarian affairs and disaster management in the National Unity Government said two military jets dropped bombs on buildings in Vuilu.
US approves world’s 1st chikungunya vax
US health authorities approved the world’s first vaccine for chikungunya, a virus spread by infected mosquitoes that the Food and Drug Administration called “an emerging global health threat”. The vaccine, developed by Europe’s Valneva which will be marketed under the name Ixchiq, was approved for people aged 18 and over who are at increased risk of exposure, the FDA said. Ixchiq’s green-light by the US drug regulator is expected to speed the vaccine’s rollout in countries where the virus is most prevalent. Chikungunya, which causes fever and severe joint pain, is generally seen in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southeast Asia and parts of the Americas.