Musings From Abroad

1 dead, others missing as explosion hits 3-storey building in Jersey Island

Published

2 years ago

December 10, 2022

An early Saturday morning explosion at a block of flats on the island of Jersey, off the coast of northern France, killed one person and left others missing.

The Chief Officer of the State of Jersey Police, Robin Smith said in a video statement. that the explosion occurred just before 0400 GMT and the fire has since been extinguished.

“Tragically we have one confirmed fatality,” Smith said.

He further revealed that a three-story building, located near the harbour in the island’s capital St Helier, had completely collapsed and a search and rescue operation had begun to find around a dozen other people unaccounted for.

Chief Minister of Jersey, Kristina Moore, said: “It’s a huge shock to everyone this morning but in the first instance our condolences go to the families who are affected and we’re all thinking and praying for those who are worried about their loved ones this morning.”

About 20 to 30 people had been evacuated and there were two “walking wounded” receiving hospital treatment.

Musings From Abroad

Brazilian meatpacker JBS invests $2.5 billion in Nigeria, builds six facilities

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Brazilian meatpacker JBS says it has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government for a $2.5 billion investment plan that will include the construction of six new plants in the African nation.

Three of the plants would deal in poultry, two in beef, and one in pork, according to a statement from JBS.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, JBS stated that it would develop a five-year investment plan in Nigeria, which would include budget estimates, feasibility studies, and an action plan for the development of the local supply chain.

The Nigerian government would then guarantee the sanitary, regulatory, and economic conditions required for the project’s viability, JBS continued.

Musings From Abroad

China’s Xi meets with Morocco’s Crown Prince

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s official media reports that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited Morocco briefly on Thursday.

According to Morocco’s MAP, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed Xi in Casablanca. The visit demonstrated the close ties of camaraderie, collaboration, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, it said.

China’s official broadcaster, CCTV, said that Xi and Hassan had a “cordial conversation” at the airport after being received by the Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

After attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, Xi paid the visit.

In recent years, China has increased its investments in Morocco’s rail and infrastructure. Morocco is desirable for Chinese electric car battery manufacturers because of its proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and an established automotive sector.

Morocco was chosen by Chinese EV battery company Gotion High Tech in June to establish Africa’s first gigafactory, which will cost $1.3 billion in total.