International
France bans Muslim students from wearing ‘Abaya dress’ in schools
France bans Muslim students from wearing ‘Abaya dress’ in schools
The abaya, a lengthy, baggy clothing worn by certain Muslim women, will no longer be permitted in French public schools.
Prior to the start of the new academic year at the beginning of September, the French education minister made the prohibition official on Sunday.
Since 2004, students cannot wear headscarves in public schools in France due to a tight ban on religious symbols.
“When you walk into a classroom, you shouldn’t be able to identify the pupils’ religion just by looking at them,” education minister Gabriel Attal told France’s TF1 TV.
“I have decided that the abaya could no longer be worn in schools.”
The abaya is usually defined as a loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress, frequently worn by women in parts the Arabian Peninsula, most of the Middle East and sometimes in North Africa.
READ ALSO:
- BREAKING: Residents storm Bayelsa warehouse, loot palliatives
-
CNG/LNG vehicles can travel 2000km without refilling – NGEP
-
Irate Lagos residents beat robber with toy gun to death
But the question of whether the abaya is a religious symbol is the subject of debate.
Late last year, former education minister Pap Ndiaye identified the abaya as a garment that can “take on a possible religious character” even if it is not an explicitly religious symbol.
The debate continued to escalate this year.
France’s Council of Muslim Worship said the abaya is “mistaken” by some as a Muslim religious sign.
“Any item of clothing is not a religious sign in itself,” the group said in a statement in June.
“You only have to travel through Muslim-majority countries to realise that the citizens of these countries, of all faiths, are indistinguishable based on the clothes they wear,” it added.
In 2010, France banned full face veils in public, angering some in its five million-strong Muslim community.
The country is governed by strong rules on secularity that mean no displays of religion in public institutions.
In schools, the laws were originally aimed at removing any traditional Catholic influence from public education, but have been updated over time to include other religions.
Jewish kippah, “oversized” crosses and other religious symbols are also banned from state schools.
France bans Muslim students from wearing ‘Abaya dress’ in schools
(SkyNews)
International
American man arrested for beating tourist to death at Ireland hotel
American man arrested for beating tourist to death at Ireland hotel
A 30 year old American man whose name was not given by security officials, has been arrested for beating up a 60 year old tourist to death at the Ballyfin Demesne hotel in Laois, Ireland.
The Irish police force commonly known as ‘Garda Síochána’ announced that the incident occurred in the late hours of Tuesday, November 12.
Ballyfin Demesne hotel, is a popular luxury five-star hotel located in Laois, Ireland and special guests such as Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, George Clooney e.t.c had made use of the hotel in times past.
The victim was discovered unconscious in the late hours of Tuesday, November 12 and was then rushed to the hospital were he died due to severe beating inflicted on him by the culprit.
READ ALSO:
- Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
- NNPCL sacks CFO, announces three new appointments
- NRC increases trips on Abuja-Kaduna route from four to six
Independent local councilor James Kelly stated that nearby communities were ‘stunned’ upon learning about the incident at the renowned hotel.
He said, “There would be a lot of staff from the area and they’re totally shocked by what has happened here.
“It’s something we didn’t think we’d be waking up to this morning.”
The police also noted that a senior officer has been assigned to lead the investigation and an incident room has been set up at Portlaoise Garda Station, Ireland.
Furthermore, a family liaison officer will be designated to assist the family of the deceased.
International
FBI raids home of crypto platform Polymarket CEO, after accurate prediction of Trump win
FBI raids home of crypto platform Polymarket CEO, after accurate prediction of Trump win
The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday carried out a raid at the home of Shayne Coplan, CEO of cryptocurrency prediction outlet Polymarket.
Authorities seized Mr Coplan’s phone during the raid, according to New York Post which first reported the incident.
Mr Coplan, 26, has been running the famous platform for bets throughout the 2024 presidential election in the United States.
READ ALSO:
- 24-hour power supply: FG seeks private sector support for $10bn funding gap
- Shell working to address Nigeria’s energy challenges – MD
- 12-yr-old Nigerian girl invents air filter, gets $11.5m funding
It wasn’t immediately clear why the search was conducted, but Polymarket promptly said it might be due to its activities during the election. Users on the platform had correctly predicted Donald Trump was going to defeat Kamala Harris. The company paid out a substantial amount to winners following the election.
“This is obvious political retribution by the outgoing administration against Polymarket for providing a market that correctly called the 2024 presidential election,” a spokesperson for Polymarket said in a statement from its headquarters in New York. “Polymarket is a fully transparent prediction market that helps everyday people better understand the events that matter most to them, including elections.”
It was unclear whether or not the FBI would be filing charges after the raid.
FBI raids home of crypto platform Polymarket CEO, after accurate prediction of Trump win
International
Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion
Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion
Two employees of Givaudan sense colour, a factory known for making colourings for beverages, located in Louisville, Kentucky, United States (US) were killed in an explosion that took place at the company’s facility.
The factory reported that the incident which took place on Tuesday, November 12 in the afternoon have also destroyed buildings around the company.
READ ALSO:
- Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested
- Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
- A’Ibom police saved man from being lynched after son’s corpse found in carton
Louisville Mayor, Craig Greenberg stated that firefighters managed to rescue and evacuate numerous individuals from the site, including some who sustained life-threatening injuries.
He also confirmed that all employees present at the plant during the explosion have been accounted for.
Earlier reports indicated that at least 11 workers were hospitalized.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion
-
International3 days agoBelgium University offers scholarship up to €12,000 for Master’s students
-
Sports3 hours agoBREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
-
Railway2 days agoNigerian railway adds extra train to Friday, Saturday trips on Lagos-Ibadan route
-
International2 days agoUK announces 45,000 seasonal worker visas for 2025
-
Aviation5 hours agoDisaster averted as bird strike hits Abuja-Lagos Air Peace flight
-
Education1 day ago12-year-old Nigerian girl Eniola Shokunbi invents air filter to reduce spread of diseases in US schools
-
International3 days agoSaudi crown prince says Israel committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza
-
Business2 days agoTop 5 crypto apps that work with Nigerian Bank accounts