Sierra Leone: Devastation After Fuel Tanker Collision
Friday, November 5, 2021: A fuel tanker exploded following a collision in the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown, killing at least 99 people and injuring a dozen others, officials said.
Around the Wellington PMB area
A fuel tanker exploded following a collision in the capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown, killing at least 99 people and injuring a dozen others, officials said.
The explosion took place late on Friday, November 5, 2021, after a vehicle struck the tanker in Wellington, a suburb east of the capital, Freetown.
Fuel spilled before igniting, and the resulting inferno engulfed bystanders, those trying to scoop fuel from the tanker, and vehicles at a busy intersection.
Several badly burned victims lay on the streets as flames blazed through shops and houses nearby. The extent of property damage was as yet unknown. Several eyewitnesses narrated in a video. Dozens of people are feared dead.
President Julius Maada Bio, who was in Scotland attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in a Tweet, said he was “deeply disturbed by the tragic fires and the horrendous loss of life.”
People survey the extent of the damage
Charred Motorcycle
In pictures (Courtesy BBC): Sierra Leone devastation after Freetown fuel tanker collision
Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said she saw “harrowing” photos, according to the BBC Africa.
After visiting the scene, Vice-President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said it was a "national disaster."
Doctors and nurses were doing their best under very difficult conditions with limited resources and equipment to provide care
President Julius Maada Bio on Sunday declared three days of national mourning following the death of over one hundred people. He promised to set up a Presidential Task Force that will investigate the causes of the disaster and make recommendations for change.
Mass Burial in Freetown. Many of the victims burnt beyond recognition - will be buried in the same cemetery as victims of the 2017 landslide
Mass Burial in Freetown. Many of the victims burnt beyond recognition will be buried in the same cemetery as victims of the 2017 landslide.
Last updated: 11/13 - 06:56 EST.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement issued by his Spokesperson on Saturday, that he was “deeply saddened by the extensive loss of life”, resulting from the crash, when the tanker collided with a lorry at a busy junction in the suburb of Wellington, spilling fuel, before igniting.
“The Secretary-General extends his deep condolences to the people and Government of Sierra Leone, and wishes those injured a speedy recovery”, said the statement.
Support on-going
“The United Nations is prepared to provide the necessary support in the aftermath of this tragic incident”, it continued.
The UN Office in Sierra Leone also issued a statement, wishing “fortitude and peace to the bereaved families, and the Government and people of Sierra Leone, in this period of grief.”
“Furthermore, as partners in the country’s development aspirations”, the UN family in the West African nation said it was closely monitoring the situation and would work with the Government to overcome what the country’s Vice-President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, reportedly described as a “national disaster”, after visiting the scene of the crash.
Specialized support
The World Health Organization (WHO) tweeted on Saturday that it was “mobilizing specialized supplies.”
“We are working to deploy burnt-patient care experts. We will provide more support as needed, at this terrible time for the people of Sierra Leone.”
Stay on top of Sierra Leone's latest developments on the ground with YAME (pronounced yuh-may) fact-based news and exclusive video footage.
What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State?
What is considered middle class? It might take more money than you think to reach this income tier.
Gabrielle Olya, yahoo!finance
Gabrielle Olya
yahoo!finance
gorodenkoff / Getty Images/iStockphoto
What is considered middle class? It might take more money than you think to reach this income tier. The Pew Research Center defines middle class, or middle-income households, as those with incomes that are two-thirds to double the U.S. median household income.
However, because the cost of living and average income varies so widely from state to state, the income needed to be "middle class" in one state could be much more or less than what it takes to be middle class in another. Using Pew's definition of middle class, GOBankingRates analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2018 American Community Survey to determine how much two-, three- and four-person families need to earn in every state to qualify for this classification.
Find out the states where it's easiest to be middle class. Last updated: June 17, 2021
Obama becomes minority owner, strategic partner for NBA Africa
Obama’s investment in the league will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent, reports CNN
yahoo!news (by Biba Adams)
NBA Africa oversees the Basketball Africa League
yahoo!news (by Biba Adams)
Former President Barack Obama’s investment in Basketball Africa will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent.
Former President Barack Obama has hit another milestone.
America’s beloved first commander-in-chief has become a strategic partner and minority owner in the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s African league — Basketball Africa.
U.S. President Barack Obama plays basketball during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House tennis court April 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
NBA Africa oversees the Basketball Africa League which has seen investment from former basketball stars, Dikembe Mutombo, Grant Hill, and Junior Bridgeman.
Obama’s investment in the league will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent, reports CNN.
The exact terms of Obama’s investment have not been disclosed.
In a statement, the former president wrote, “The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent.
“By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people.”
The former president’s father was from Kenya on the east of the continent.
NBA Africa’s CEO Victor Williams reportedly wants to build corporate partnerships, expand content and media rights, and support local governments seeking to build new basketball arenas.
NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams (Photo: NBA Africa)
The league is currently made up of 12 teams and games are broadcast to 215 countries and territories across the continent.
According to CNBC, 55 players in the NBA are either native Africans or first-generation immigrants from the continent. The Basketball Africa League is being viewed as a new source for scouting and developing players.
Former NBA players Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are investors in the NBA Africa league via Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation which also counts NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum on its board.
Silver shared a statement of glowing praise about the former president, writing, “We are honored that President Obama has become a strategic partner in NBA Africa and will support our wide-ranging efforts to grow the game of basketball on the continent.”
“In addition to his well-documented love for basketball, President Obama has a firm belief in Africa’s potential and the enormous growth opportunities that exist through sports. NBA Africa will benefit tremendously from his engagement.”
Former President Obama has long expressed his love for basketball, previously acknowledging that while he loved the sport, he did not possess the skills to go professional. Still, throughout his presidency, Obama often played basketball on White House grounds and even invited NBA stars like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant to go head-to-head with him.
Related Article: NBA Communication
Obama Foundation
And Congratulations! New Graduates
Students have worked hard to get here. It has been a long time coming, and this last year has probably been very challenging. After all the festivities are over, it is time to change focus and to anticipate, 'What's Next.' Time for the next step –Universal job skills that can boost your career. If mastered, it can improve your job prospects.
By Theo Edwards
So What Next
Time for the next step –Universal job skills that can boost your career.
Students have worked hard to get here. It has been a long time coming, and this last year has probably been very challenging. After all the festivities are over, it is time to change focus and to anticipate, 'What's Next.' Time for the next step –Universal job skills that can boost your career. If mastered, it can improve your job prospects.
Transitioning to your next step:
It is not a coincidence some people can hop jobs and industries with ease. They move from one role to a seemingly unrelated one –these lucky souls have universal job skills that have stood the test of time – (aka) transferable skills.
Great communication skills. Can you string two sentences to your colleagues with ease, and do you listen well? Can you put yourself in someone else shoes? These skills may leapfrog you to the front of a job queue. Remember communication, is not just verbal. Good writing grammar spelling is crucial to getting ahead despite what your friends might say. Almost everyone has to send work emails, and as you progress up the promotion chain, you will probably need to write reports.
Flexibility, adaptability, and innovation: Change is a given in organizations, and those people who can be flexible, adapt to change, and innovate are sought after. The employer is more impressed with the person who embraces the new system and sees the potential improvements it brings - rather than the employee who grudgingly accepts that s/he will have to change. Being open to new ideas is an invaluable skill.
Great interpersonal skills. The personable person gets ahead at work. Working well with others is a prerequisite for almost every job – even if you only see your colleagues at weekly team or Zoom meetings. What’s more, if you can build internal or external relationships, organize colleagues to collaborate, you will rack up both brownie points and achievements. Some of the skills you need to succeed in interpersonal relationships are listening, fairness and empathy. Being resilient and able to bounce back is also essential.
Technical skills and initiative universally regarded -Computer skills. Good computer skills get you noticed even if your job doesn’t directly rely on them. You might help your boss solve a confusing and difficult problem or question with an Excel spreadsheet or even more demonstrate the use of the company database more efficiently to colleagues.
Knowing how to find information is a beneficial skill in most industries. The ability to research a subject or issue and give options, tell the boss what the company has done in the past in similar circumstances, or find out how other organizations tackle it.
Finally, relax easy and kudos on your achievement as a COLLEGE GRAD.
International Women's Day - March 8, 2021
Rise WindsorEssex- Omolade Williams as a woman entrepreneur and women in STEM. Read about Omolade's entrepreneurial journey and dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Omolade Williams
A woman entrepreneur and women in STEM
On Day 3 of #InternationalWomensDay – feature Omolade Williams!
Omolade's entrepreneurial journey and dedication to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
As a British Born African, I migrated to Canada from the United Kingdom under the Ontario PNP Skilled Workers program. I was educated in the UK at a Master’s level with other professional certifications; predominantly in Information Systems and Business.
Unfortunately, after landing in Windsor I was unsuccessful in gaining employment in my profession. I since retrained as a skill trades Millwright to earn above the minimum wage. My previous work experiences span charitable organizations, government, local councils, businesses, and corporations; mostly in the UK.
As a black female immigrant to Canada, the challenges to finding professional employment are magnified, particularly with the question often put by employers, “Do you have Canadian experience/qualifications?”.
I was blessed to have been born, bred, educated, and 'lived' my education and opportunities in the UK. My son, and others with whom I’ve crossed paths, may not have been as fortunate as me prior to arriving in Canada, hence the birth of my initiative: Beneficent Learning Access (BLAccess).
BLAccess aims to bridge the gap between employers and professional immigrant employees through education focused on culture, diversity, and inclusion. Challenges exist for both employers and employees to understand each other.
I am inspired by current challenges endured by the underrepresented, marginalized immigrants and black professionals; as a consequence, relish nothing more than seeing potential where others do not and bringing it to life.
I’m taking a very active role in promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Technology; and generally workplace inclusivity. In addition, I’m one of WEtech Alliance’s business advisors; I sit on Windsor Hackforge and The Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women (W5) Board of Directors; I am also a startup member for a couple of local organizations. Finally, I am the Chapter Lead for the Canadian Learning Codes for Girls and Mentor for Black Boys Code, Windsor Chapter.
Banana Republic Blues
I never thought I would be comparing Washington DC to the Green Zone in Baghdad; however, the MAGA crowd brought us to the brink of a very un-American insurrection. Trump stormtroopers aimed was to overturn the will of the American people and, in true Jim Crow fashion, tried to disenfranchise African Americans and other minorities.
The MAGA crowd
I never thought I would be comparing Washington DC to the Green Zone in Baghdad; however, the MAGA crowd brought us to the brink of a very un-American insurrection. Trump stormtroopers aimed was to overturn the will of the American people and, in true Jim Crow fashion, tried to disenfranchise African Americans and other minorities.
The world citadel of democracy was brought low by a rogue’s gallery of white supremacists’, conspiracy theory nuts, and slavish devotees of the cult of Trump.
In Picture: Trump' Stormtroopers
January 6, 2021 will forever be remembered as a day of infamy. You do not have to be Nostradamus to know what was going to happen next.
I kept my literary powder-dry on the outcome of the election. Like an exhausted boxer in the last round, waited for Trumps' spurious clowns to reach their logical conclusion and bow to the inevitable.
The fresh promise of a New year had barely ushered in when Donald J Trump and his merry band of ‘stormtroopers’ attempted to shred the Constitution in a failed de facto coup -so much for law and order.
There is plenty of blame to go around, and Trump is not the only one with blood on his hands.
The catalyst for the Capitol insurrection was based; on a web of hate, disinformation, and misguided racial animus. Social media and political toadies like Jim Jordan, Ted Cruz, and Josh Hawley -helped spread venom into the body politics. Furthermore, acolytes like Rudy Giuliani, Roger Stone, and Rush Limbaugh perpetuate the Myth of a stolen election. Grumpy ‘Moscow’ Mitch McConnell, William Barr exchanged their morality and patriotic duty for political power.
The communal ties that bind our nation have been torn a shred by a megalomaniacal faux tyrant, political poseur, and a mean-spirited dilettante.
Trumps' primary legacy is a nation ravaged by disease, economic devastation, and increased racial animosity. Therefore impeachment seems to be a 'fitting coda' to His four-year reign of terror and endless scandals.
Globally the image of America as a shining bastion of democracy has been shattered.
There have been a few profiles-in-courage on the Republican side: Senator Mitt Romney and Congresswoman Liz Cheney deserve praise for their commitment to truth and honor.
The future of the GOP cloudy on the horizon; a fratricidal civil war is looming between traditional conservatives and Trump-republicans. One can only hope, for the sake of our democracy, the better angels prevail over those who live in the alternative universe of hate and deception.
Hopefully, Joe Biden offers America a chance to reset. He will need all his political acumen to raise the American phoenix from the ashes.
America is a divided nation- One of the most disappointing aspects of the 2020 election despite some disastrous policies and chaotic reign, 74 million Americans still voted for the continuation of Trumps' strange brew of political Theatre.
Trump abrogated every oath he took to protect us from all enemies: foreign or domestic. He left an indelible dark stain on the psyche of our nation.
A major tenet of American democracy is the peaceful transition of power, this sacrosanct principle Trump sought to overturn in a demonic attempt to retain the White House.
With a failure to concedes election, Trump unleashed a motley crew of domestic terrorists on the nation without regard for life or liberty.
Rather than suppressing voter turnout, we need a new Republican party that competes for everyone's vote.
Time to choose country over party, virulent ideology, and political opportunism. We have stared into the abyss and seen the enemy within. Political philosopher, Edmund Burke: '...all that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to stand by and do nothing.' After the events at the Capitol, doing nothing no longer seems to be a viable option.