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Why did the Johannesburg fire claim so many lives?

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Overnight, a devastating fire tore through a dilapidated five-story apartment block in Johannesburg, claiming the lives of over 70 individuals. This tragic incident stands as one of the most severe disasters in a city grappling with widespread poverty, household fires, and homelessness.

The apartment building, now a charred and smouldering structure, remained a grim scene as emergency personnel gathered nearby and covered bodies with blankets on a neighboring street. The property is under the ownership of municipal authorities, who struggled, even after 12 hours since the fire’s outbreak, to provide a clear account of the occupants. Reports indicate that criminal gangs might have exploited the building, renting out rooms in a process referred to as “hijacking.”

Among the witnesses, student Thando le Nkosi Manzini recounted seeing a man tragically leap from the fourth floor, losing his life instantly. Survivor Omar Arafat, while wiping away tears with his t-shirt, shared the harrowing tale of losing his sister in the fire, an escape he narrowly managed. The fire not only claimed lives but also left individuals like Arafat and his family with nothing, their possessions consumed by the flames.

The toll of this tragedy is substantial, with Thembalethu Mpahlaza of Forensic Pathology Services confirming the recovery of 74 bodies, including 12 children and 24 women. Additionally, more than 50 people were initially reported as receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the fire.

The President addresses the nation

Addressing the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his condolences and voiced a desire for comprehensive investigations to prevent such a catastrophe from recurring. As Ramaphosa visited the site, the anguished cries of grieving relatives filled the air, underscoring the profound impact of the disaster.

Ramaphosa acknowledged the urgency of addressing housing challenges within the inner city, labeling the incident a “wake-up call.” Initially, authorities speculated that squatters occupied the building. However, Lebogang Isaac Maile, head of the Human Settlements department for Gauteng province, indicated that criminal gangs might have exploited vulnerable individuals by extorting them or providing rentals.

The building, historically a heritage structure from the apartheid era, holds significance as a site where Black South Africans once obtained “dompas” documents allowing them to work in white-owned areas. Johannesburg’s deep-seated disparities remain evident, with staggering poverty, unemployment, and housing shortages. The city is home to approximately 15,000 homeless people, exacerbating the housing crisis.

Household fires, especially prevalent in impoverished neighborhoods, are a recurrent issue in Johannesburg. Residents often resort to candles and wood fires due to chronic power shortages. The exact cause of this devastating fire remains under investigation.

Maile emphasized that this tragedy underscores the chronic housing problem within the province, with around 1.2 million people in dire need of housing solutions. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address housing disparities and prevent further loss of life in the future.

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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing immediately

Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety

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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety

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In Short:
– Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, risking global tensions and retaliation from other nations.
– Proliferation concerns are rising as nuclear states modernise arsenals and the New START Treaty nears expiration.
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately, aiming to align with testing programs from other countries according to the conversation.Resuming explosive nuclear tests would likely trigger retaliatory responses from nuclear-armed nations like Russia and China, worsening the arms race and increasing global risks.

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The potential for worldwide radioactive fallout remains high, even for underground tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 states, prohibits such testing, yet the US remains a signatory without ratification, bound not to violate the treaty’s intent.

Nuclear weapon testing, once crucial for understanding weapon effects and military planning, has diminished. Since World War II, nuclear tests have largely focused on developing new designs. Significant environmental and health concerns led to a moratorium on atmospheric testing in the early 1960s and the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.

Many countries, including the US, stopped explosive testing in the 1990s. Technological advancements allowed nations to develop nuclear weapons without the need for actual explosions.

Proliferation Risks

Nuclear proliferation continues, with all nine nuclear-armed states investing heavily in modernising their arsenals. This raises concerns about lowered thresholds for using such weapons.

Recent conflicts involving nuclear threats have escalated, and the number of nuclear weapons operationally available has begun to rise again. Russia has tested advanced nuclear weapons, while China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities.

The New START Treaty, which confines the nuclear capabilities of the US and Russia, is set to expire soon, with no successor treaty negotiations underway.

The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight this year, highlighting the heightened dangers facing the world today.

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US–China trade talks are a handshake, not a deal

Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.

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Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.


Presidents Trump and Xi extend their tariff truce in an informal meeting, with US cuts and Chinese promises on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.

Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX cautions this is unofficial and deeper issues between the two super powers remain.

#USChina #TradeTruce #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #Soybeans #RareEarths #UnofficialDeal #TickerNews


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Markets cautious as rate cut hopes fade

Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.

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Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.


Central banks pull back on rate cut expectations as tech stocks wobble and inflation pressures persist. Markets adjust cautiously to the Fed’s new tone.

#Markets #Fed #InterestRates #Inflation #TechStocks #CapitalMarkets #TickerNews #Economy #FinancialUpdate


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