Latest news with #Samira
Metro
19-05-2025
- Metro
Mum of student killed in Strand crash 'almost reached her' as she lay dying
The mum of a student killed in the Strand crash was just yards from her injured daughter, but unable to reach her as she lay on the ground dying. Aalia Mahomed, 20, died, and two others were injured when a van crashed into the pedestrianised area outside King's College London campus on the Strand. The second-year physics and philosophy student was sitting down with friends outside the university when the van ploughed through the closed gates on March 18. Her family described Aalia as a 'ray of sunshine' as they tried to come to terms with her sudden death. Samira Shafi, Aalia's mum, described how she rushed to the crash scene after being alerted by her daughter's friend. Samira told BBC London: 'I got a call from Aalia's friend. There was just blue lights everywhere, it was cordoned off. 'It is a pedestrian zone and it's really hard to make sense of any of it because she wasn't doing anything dangerous – she was sitting on a bench in a pedestrian area in some sunshine.' The mum reached the area in 10 minutes after the frightening call. But as the emergency scene was cordoned off, she couldn't get to her injured daughter. She continued: 'I was told to stay back quietly because several people had been hurt, and so that's what I did. 'But later on based on the time that I got there, I worked out that I was there for nine minutes before Aalia's death was called. 'Maybe if she'd heard my voice she might have pulled through.' She added: 'Aalia wasn't just a daughter, she was my best friend and my rock.' Samira said that although an investigation is being carried out, the past eight weeks 'have felt like a lifetime.' She said: 'I haven't got answers to what happened that day. 'It's been slow. I keep being told an investigation is being carried out and these things take time, which I appreciate. 'But the silence is quite difficult for us because for us these eight weeks have felt like a lifetime.' She said she appreciates there is a process 'that needs to take place, but I would hope it's done as swiftly as possible to get us on some level of clarity.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and on suspicion of drug driving. He remains on bail. More Trending Metro understands that family liaison officers are in contact with the family. Chief Superintendent Thomas Naughton, from the Met's roads and transport policing command, told Metro: 'Aalia's family continue to be supported by specialist officers, we regularly meet with them to discuss the progress of the investigation and to ensure they are receiving the support they need. 'Our investigation continues at pace and we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service. A 26-year-old man remains under investigation on conditional police bail following his arrest at the scene.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Raid of Café Diana in Kensington uncovers 45 tubs of 'illegal' shisha tobacco MORE: Brockwell Park festival organisers give major update over Mighty Hoopla MORE: Man says cafe staff refused to serve him because of his face tumours
CBS News
06-05-2025
- CBS News
Pyramids, flamingo watching and beaches: Philadelphia middle schoolers head to Mexico on school trip
A group of local middle schoolers is making their way to Mexico for the trip of a lifetime. The eighth graders at Jacquelyn Kelley Discovery Charter School in Philadelphia make a trip like this every year to experience the history, culture and natural wonders of another country. In the past, the school has sent students to Germany, Spain, Italy and Thailand, to name a few. This year, it's wings up to Mexico for a week-long, life-changing educational expedition. Students arrived at JYK Discovery Charter School late Monday night. They stowed their bags on the bus and said goodbye to their families before heading to the airport a little after midnight. They'll arrive in Cancun Tuesday morning to kick off seven days of sightseeing across the Yucatan and the Mayan Riviera, including stops at famous cathedrals, palaces, plazas and a visit to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itza. There's also plenty of fun built into the itinerary with activities like a flamingo watching tour, swimming in a cenote and spending a day at a beach in Tulum. The students are most excited about spending time at the beach and trying authentic Mexican food. "I never really had Mexican food like that," Samira, a student on the trip, said. "So I want to try it and see what they got." "I'm excited to make new memories with my friends, enjoy my time there, just explore new things and see what I like," said Jaydah, another classmate making the trip. "They're going to be getting an opportunity to visit a variety of different pyramids, going on a variety of different excursions to give us some experience, understand some of the culture, definitely be part of the language, and get a chance to enjoy and have some fun," said Fred Fields, an IT support specialist at JYK Discovery Charter School. All of the students on the trip will be keeping a daily journal of their travels, and they'll write an essay afterward summarizing all of the history, culture and natural wonders they experienced abroad.
15-04-2025
Tourist Resorts Flourish Amid Yemen's Challenging Tourism Landscape
Despite the ongoing challenges facing Yemen's tourism sector, "tourist resorts" have emerged as a beacon of hope, providing a sanctuary for young people and families while boosting domestic tourism. These resorts, equipped with comfortable rooms, swimming pools, steam baths, and lush green spaces, have become popular destinations for relaxation and leisure. While most resorts are rented out during the summer, those in Sana'a have become year-round attractions, particularly for women and families seeking a safe and enjoyable environment. However, the rise of these resorts has not been without challenges. According to Samira, a worker at a resort in Sana'a, visitors often seek refuge from the "Zainabiyat," the female police force affiliated with the Houthi group. The Zainabiyat have been known to impose restrictions on social gatherings, including concerts, and have previously banned such events at weddings in areas under Houthi control. The flourishing of tourist resorts in Yemen highlights the resilience of the local population and their ability to adapt to difficult circumstances. These resorts not only offer a haven for relaxation but also serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of Yemenis in the face of adversity. The situation remains complex, with ongoing efforts to balance leisure activities and societal restrictions in Houthi-controlled regions.
Forbes
27-03-2025
- General
- Forbes
How The High Atlas Foundation Transforms The Lives Of Moroccan Women
'I'm very proud because now I'm a powerful woman.' That simple statement, made by Samira—a 33-year-old Moroccan woman who was married at 15, never had a job and was once too shy to show her face in public—captures the heart of what the High Atlas Foundation is achieving in Morocco. She shared these words with me during my recent volunteer trip to Morocco, and in that moment, her confidence and pride embodied the Foundation's mission: transforming and empowering not only communities, but women. Founded in 2000 by Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir, a former Peace Corps volunteer turned development leader, the High Atlas Foundation is a nonprofit headquartered in Morocco. Its mission is to improve the lives of Morocco's most underserved populations by enabling them to identify their own development priorities—and then working together to make them a reality. While its agricultural projects have led to the planting of over five million fruit and nut trees across the country and its clean water initiatives have improved public health, the cornerstone of the High Atlas Foundation's work is women's empowerment. Many Moroccan communities—especially in rural areas—grapple with poverty, limited access to water and education and gender inequality. In some of these areas, the average household income is just $1,000 per year. Women are often denied independence, education and the legal knowledge to defend their rights. The earthquake in September of 2023 exacerbated these conditions, leaving parts of the land decimated and stripping many of their livelihoods. 'The key to all of it,' says Ben-Meir, 'is to pursue the projects that the people of Morocco say they need the most.' For many Moroccan women, that means independence—financial, personal and emotional. I had the chance to meet many of these women during my recent visit, and I was struck by how happy and proud they were to be working, earning money and creating products. What stood out most was the deep sense of community—they were not only gaining independence, but doing it alongside other women and across generations. Some women worked with their daughters, passing down skills and confidence. In one especially moving moment, the women—who were fasting for Ramadan—cooked us a meal, welcoming us with warmth, laughter and generosity. A meal prepared for us by the women of the High Atlas Foundation Collective. The demand for the Foundation's services is increasing, but scaling the operation takes time. 'We found that if we'd like to involve local women, they need to be free in their minds,' said Fatima Zahra Laaribi, a Lead Empowerment Trainer at the Foundation. 'Most of them couldn't leave their villages without their husband's permission. After participating in our workshops, we help them turn their visions into reality.' Since 2016, nearly 3,000 Moroccan women have participated in these 'IMAGINE' workshops. They are transformative spaces where women are encouraged to explore their goals, confront limiting beliefs and build confidence. Many participants go on to launch cooperatives producing beautiful handwoven rugs and baskets and contribute to the High Atlas Foundation's sustainable agriculture initiatives by sewing biodegradable tree sacks. A Moroccan woman weaving a rug at the High Atlas Foundation collective. Witnessing the tree sack initiative was a highlight of my visit. The Foundation received $160,000 in funding to help three women-led cooperatives produce 1.4 million biodegradable sacks—used to nurture saplings in their nurseries. For many of the women and girls sewing these sacks, it's the first time they've ever earned money. 'They now make $150 a month,' says Ben-Meir. And for families earning $1,000 a year, that's transformational. 'Many of the women say it has improved their relationships with their husbands as they are able to contribute financially to their families,' adds Laaribi. 'For example, the women are now paying electricity bills and sending their children to school.' The High Atlas Foundation employee, Fatima, sewing tree sacks. While many NGOs struggle to create lasting impact, the High Atlas Foundation continues to thrive. Ben-Meir offers some important tips: The High Atlas Foundation doesn't dictate solutions—it listens. 'Helping people define their most sincere needs' is, according to Ben-Meir, the most important step. Yoseff Ben-Meir, founder of the High Atlas Foundation From the tree nurseries to the cooperatives, the Foundation invests in projects that generate long-term income and ownership. 'We are always encouraging our staff and volunteers to write about their experiences,' Ben-Meir explains. Sharing these stories helps raise awareness and attract support. Success doesn't come overnight. 'Nothing can replace the non-stop, year-after-year effort—we're all giving more than we ever imagined we could,' he says. Morocco, says Ben-Meir, is uniquely positioned for this kind of grassroots change. 'Morocco wants this! Morocco wants women's liberation. Morocco wants multiculturalism.' While Ben-Meir says this sort of effort wouldn't be successful in certain other Middle Eastern countries, he says, 'Morocco sets us free to do this work.' While recent USAID funding cuts have impacted development programs around the world, the High Atlas Foundation remains resilient. Their model offers a powerful example for nonprofits everywhere. 'I'm a new Samira,' said the woman who once couldn't speak without covering her face. Today, she leads girls who have dropped out of school, teaching them to weave, sew and contribute economically. 'Now my kids and my husband see me differently. I'm proud of my achievements.' In the hills of the Atlas Mountains, transformation is happening. And for those of us lucky enough to witness it firsthand, it's deeply moving to see what empowerment really looks like.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
Monongalia County Sheriff's Office searching for runaway teen
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — The Monongalia County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating a runaway teen it says was last seen in downtown Morgantown. According to a release, Samira Perry, 16, was last seen in the Stewart Street area of downtown Morgantown on Wednesday, March 12 at 4:57 p.m. At that time she was said to be wearing a white robe with a large pink bag. Alaskan woman charged after allegedly hiding juvenile from being taken into state custody in Monongalia County The release said that Samira stands at about 5'1, weighs 125 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. She is also described as walking with a limp. Anyone with any information on Samira's whereabouts should contact the Monongalia County Sheriff's Office at 304-291-7260 or by calling 911. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
