Electronic transportation devices are everywhere in New York City now – and from daily commuting to food delivery, they are revolutionizing how we get around. E-bikes and e-scooters are a convenient and low-cost alternative to cars. They help reduce congestion on our streets and make our city cleaner and greener. Tens of thousands of our delivery workers rely on them for their livelihoods, and we all rely on them when we have goods delivered. E-bikes are here to stay, and our city wants to make sure they are safe and reliable for all - both on the street and when they are being stored and recharged. While most of the e-bikes and e-scooters in our city are safe, there are some that do not meet safety standards and contain uncertified lithium-ion batteries. These faulty devices are causing fires and explosions, putting New Yorkers and our first responders in danger. Last week, the City Council and... Read more
Census 2020: Census takers will knock at your door if you have not yet completed the census
U.S. Census Bureau enumerators, commonly known as “census takers,” started going door-to-door to the homes of New Yorkers who have not yet completed the census. While census takers are well trained to help all residents complete the census, New Yorkers can avoid a knock at their door by simply going to my2020census.gov and filling out the census in just a few minutes. The census can also be completed over the phone at 1-844-330-2020. Additional phone numbers for direct service available in 13 languages are included below. We need all New Yorkers to fill out the census now before the new September 30th deadline. Also included below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about this door-knocking period, also known as Non-Response Follow-Up (NRFU). You can also find a video guide from the U.S. Census Bureau about the Non-Response Follow Up period in different languages here. Additional 2020 Census language guides and videos are available... Read more
Covid – 19: Large Events Are Canceled Through September 30
Under the Mayor’s Executive Order, large events requiring a city events permit will be canceled through September 30 as the City works to prioritize open spaces for public use. The City will not issue a permit for any event in a location that interferes with the Open Streets or Open Restaurants programs. Permits will also be denied for all events larger than one block, stage/video events that require amplification, street fairs, and events in parks that may unreasonably diminish public use. The City will refund or defer fees paid in connection with a denied permit. Events that do not conflict with Open Streets or Open Restaurant areas and are for locations, one city block or smaller, can still apply for a permit. Demonstrations, religious events, and press conferences will be exempt from the Mayor’s Executive Order and may receive permits. Keeping New Yorkers Cool and Safe This Summer The first... Read more
Burkinabè’s woman accuses her white’s husband of human trafficking
Ms. A. B has declared before the American jurisdictions that she was sold as an animal by her uncle and by the village chief to a white American citizen and who, according to her, forcibly married her. At a press conference on June 18, 2020 in Columbia County in New York State, A. B has explained how things have unfold. Indeed, it all started in 2001. According to A.B, a White man landed in a village in Est – Center of Burkina Faso where A. B lived with her family. The white man contacted A.B's uncle and the village chief, A.B's father having passed away. And this, after a call from A.B’s cousin who lives in Germany. According to A.B, the cousin is the friend of the white man and he is who has ordered A.B's marriage to the white man. At the time A.B was 18 – years -... Read more
Covid – 19 : If your child has a persistent fever …
Below you will find important updates and resources from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the City of New York. Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS) Update NYC families: if your child has a persistent fever, rash, abdominal pain, vomiting or other symptoms, call your doctor immediately. If you don’t have a doctor, call 311. So far there have been 110 cases of multi-system inflammatory syndrome have been detected in children in NYC hospitals. Antibody Testing Update The City of New York will offer free antibody tests to 70,000 New Yorkers. 1,000 tests will be given at each site every day by appointment only. Five sites have been selected to perform these tests: Bronx:Morrisania- 4006 Third Avenue Brooklyn:East NY - 127 Pennsylvania Avenue Manhattan:Upper Manhattan - 21 Old Broadway Staten Island:Concord - St. John’s Villa 57 Cleveland Place Queens:Long Island City - 34-09 Queens Boulevard You can make an appointment through nyc.bioreference.com/antibodysurvey. If you... Read more
African Pop – Up Festival is about supporting one another and African culture
African Pop – Up Festival one of the New York biggest cultural events was held in February 22, 2020 in Harlem as New Yorkers came together not only to celebrate African culture, and food, but also to support African small businesses. “Our goal is to highlight our culture and business and empower small business,” Akin Akinsanya Founder & Executive Producer of NY African Restaurant Week, said. Inside the hall there were multitude of people; they lined up to taste all kind of food; some sat down listing to music as the DJ increased the decibel; other just danced. A room was set apart for vendors. They were selling clothes, jewelries, cosmetics. I stood up by a stand. “Do you want me to take your picture mom?” I asked a beautiful mother who was selling traditional clothes. “Yes sure, this is a great day,” she said with a broad smile. ... Read more
New York City Census 2020 Bronx Media Roundtable: Get yourselves be counted, why is it so important?
New York City census 2020 in partnership with New York City , New York libraries, and community groups, has held in February 20, 2020 in the Bronx Kingsbridge library a media roundtable to discuss about the census activity in the Bronx and the importance to be counted. Seven panelists from Mayor’s office of immigrant affairs, New York census 2020, New York library, and from diverse community groups, have explain to the media how and why every single person should be counted. They also talk about the work community leaders have done to mobilize community groups. Why should we be counted? We should be numbered because “the decennial census determines how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed every year for key programs and services; the census also determines each state’s fair share of representation in Congress, as well as how local, state, and federal legislative district lines... Read more
Guinea opposition rejects Conde’s ‘constitutional coup d’etat’ plans
Guinean opposition coalition have denounced what it calls a constitutional coup d’etat, after President Alpha Condé announced plans for a constitutional amendment, on Thursday (December 19). His opponents insist the move is part of a ploy for Condé to seek a third term in 2020, which the current constitution prohibits. The proposed draft sets the terms at six years instead of five renewable once, and does not state whether he would be allowed to run. Thursday’s announcement by 81-year-old Conde has further provoked Guineans who have recently staged weekly protests against a possible third term. The demonstrations have left at least 20 civilians dead and dozens arrested. Initially hailed for ushering in change when he came to power in 2010, Alpha Conde has cracked down on the opposition in recent years. Read more
Wiping out the daughters: Burkina Faso’s controversial mosquito experiment
A radical experiment to genetically modify a strain of mosquito in order to stop them breeding malaria-carrying daughters is one of the latest efforts to tackle the deadly scourge of malaria At 6.30am five-year-old Osman Balama and his mother reach the state hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso, the second-largest city in Burkina Faso. He hasn’t been feeling well for a few days and his mother is worried that he has contracted malaria. The waiting room is already full of mothers and grandmothers with young children on their laps, all with the same tired look as Osman. “The rainy season has started,” says Sami Palm, head of the clinic. “That means more mosquitos. I’m certain that almost everyone here has malaria.” Two red lines on the detection strip confirm malaria. “He doesn’t need to stay in the hospital, because he isn’t vomiting and isn’t extremely sick,” Palm says. Osman is sent home with medication... Read more
AZAABAN and African Ancestry gave opportunity to seven African Americans to reconnect with their ancestral land, Burkina Faso.
By : Bazona Barnabé Bado
A welcome ceremony was held in August 5, 2018 to honor seven African Americans who after a DNA testing found their roots in Burkina Faso their ancestral land. The ceremony was initiated by AZAABAN a nonprofit organization, which is providing the best approaches for African Americans to know about the historical background of their ancestors -their origins, their ethnic group, and their culture. - The seven African Americans who were welcome by their respective ethnic groups living in New York, were Lyela, Kasenna, Samogo, and Bissa. “We must welcome them and accept them with all our heart,” said Tene Ouedraogo/ Ouele, the founder of AZAABAN, which stands for “welcome” in Kasenna language. [caption id="attachment_1579" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Tene Ouedraogo/ Ouele, the founder of AZAABAN[/caption] Without African Ancestry a company, which “is committed to providing a unique service to the black community by working daily to improve the cultural, emotional, physical,... Read more
Burkinabè d’ici et d’ailleurs : Notre méchanceté c’est notre péché originel
Les mots tels qu’unité, fraternité et amour sont presque absents du vocabulaire de la majorité des Burkinabè qu’ils soient restés au pays ou vivant à l’étranger. « Le Burkinabè est méchant, mesquin et médisant, » affirmait Ablassé Ouédraogo, ancien ministre des affaires étrangères, ancien Directeur général adjoint de l’Organizations Mondiale du Commerce et actuellement président du parti « Le Faso Autrement ». Avant lui c’est le Professeur Laurent Bado président du parti le « PAREN » qui a eu à diagnostiquer le syndrome Burkinabè et à travers son microscope a détecté trois virus connus sous le nom des « 3 B de Laurent Bado » qui dévastent les Burkinabè dans leur ensemble. Ces « 3 B » sont connus sous les noms de « la Bière, les Brochettes et la Baise » qu’ils en raffolent. On pouvait en sourire s’il n’y avait pas les « 3 M » de Ablassé... Read more