A devastating fire engulfed a high-rise building in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, resulting in the deaths of at least ten individuals and leaving 25 others injured. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, unfolded at the seven-story Afriland Towers, a building housing numerous commercial enterprises. Disturbing footage circulating on social media captured desperate occupants leaping from the third and fourth floors as flames and thick smoke rapidly consumed the structure. Many of the victims were workers trapped inside, unable to escape the inferno. Survivors sustained severe burns, fractures, and respiratory issues from smoke inhalation, while others faced life-threatening trauma from jumping to safety. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic, with some individuals too terrified to leap and others resorting to makeshift ladders for rescue. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (Lasema) attributed the fire’s origin to the basement, where electrical equipment overheated due to poor maintenance and inadequate ventilation. The agency highlighted critical safety lapses, including the absence of mechanical smoke extraction systems, non-functional public address systems, and insufficient evacuation signage. Additionally, sealed windows and the incapacitation of facility managers exacerbated the crisis. Lasema managed to extinguish the blaze after several hours, but the incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety standards in Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, while the Nigeria Federal Fire Service launched a comprehensive investigation into the causes, promising to implement all recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
分类： society
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Following L.A. wildfires, rebuilding could turn to at-risk youth
In the aftermath of Los Angeles’ most devastating natural disaster, a unique initiative is transforming the lives of at-risk young adults while addressing the city’s urgent need for skilled construction workers. Tevin Banks, a 21-year-old from Watts, South Central L.A., is among the first participants in the SOAR (Strengthening Opportunities and Resistance) program, which aims to train 2,000 young people for entry-level construction jobs. The program, launched in June 2025 by the nonprofit Life Aid Research Institute, responds to the labor demands of rebuilding efforts following January’s wildfires, which destroyed or damaged approximately 13,000 homes. Banks, who was arrested for robbery two years ago, saw the program as a turning point. ‘When I was sitting in the cell, I was just thinking to myself, like, I’m young, and I really see myself doing something,’ he said. SOAR combines life skills mentorship with hands-on training in 14 construction trades, including carpentry, masonry, and flooring. The program’s founder, John Wordin, envisions it as a dual solution: providing career opportunities for marginalized youth while meeting the city’s rebuilding needs. Despite challenges, including securing $1 million in funding, SOAR has already begun to make an impact. Students like Banks are learning from instructors such as Edward Romero, a former inmate turned journeyman floor layer, who embodies the program’s mission of second chances. Local construction companies, including Shirley Construction, have expressed interest in hiring graduates, with owner David Shirley praising their work ethic. ‘They’ve had a tough start,’ he said. ‘So we’re happy to offer them greener pastures.’ As rebuilding efforts are expected to ramp up in 2026 and 2027, programs like SOAR are laying the foundation for both personal and community renewal.
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French unions strike against austerity, pressuring Macron
France witnessed widespread protests on Thursday as teachers, train drivers, pharmacists, and hospital staff joined forces in a nationwide strike against impending budget cuts and unpopular pension reforms. The demonstrations, organized by major labor unions including CGT and Sud Rail, saw thousands gather in Paris and other cities, with high school students blocking school entrances and workers rallying against austerity measures. The protests were part of a broader ‘day of expression of railway anger,’ following months of strikes and a failed attempt to halt pension reforms earlier in the year. In Paris, metro services were severely disrupted, and regional trains faced significant delays, while high-speed TGV lines remained operational. The Interior Ministry estimated that up to 800,000 people participated in the strikes and protests, with unions condemning the government’s ‘brutal’ and ‘unfair’ fiscal plans. President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu are under mounting pressure to address France’s budget deficit, which exceeded the EU’s 3% ceiling last year. Lecornu, who relies on cross-party support to pass legislation, faces challenges in garnering parliamentary backing for the 2026 budget. The protests also impacted nuclear production, with workers at EDF reducing power output at the Flamanville 1 reactor. Pharmacists, angered by recent business changes, joined the strike, with 98% of pharmacies potentially closing for the day, according to the USPO union. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau warned of potential clashes, deploying 80,000 police officers, riot units, drones, and armored vehicles to maintain order. The strike even delayed plans to move the historic Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-meter-long masterpiece depicting the Norman invasion of England in 1066, which is set to be loaned to Britain. The protests underscore growing discontent with Macron’s administration and its handling of public finances, as workers demand increased investment in public services and higher taxes on the wealthy.
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Weekly quiz: Why were these nuns on the run?
This week, London became the epicenter of heightened tensions as a rally in the city sparked widespread attention. Meanwhile, the boxing community came together to honor the legendary Ricky Hatton, celebrating his remarkable contributions to the sport. On the entertainment front, the cult favorite series *The Summer I Turned Pretty* reached its dramatic conclusion, leaving fans eagerly anticipating future developments. Amidst these events, it’s worth reflecting on the broader global happenings over the past seven days. For those keen on testing their knowledge, Ben Fell has curated a quiz to challenge your memory of recent events. Whether you’re revisiting last week’s quiz or exploring the archives, there’s no shortage of engaging content to delve into. In Europe, Austria has been making headlines, particularly in discussions surrounding religion and its societal impact.
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Egypt’s billboard boom strains eyes but raises profits
Cairo’s bustling streets, already notorious for their chaotic traffic, are now facing a new challenge: an overwhelming surge in flashy billboards. These large, brightly lit advertisements, which have more than doubled in number over the past six years, are raising concerns about driver concentration and the quality of life for residents. According to AdMazad, an advertising analytics firm, the number of billboards has skyrocketed from 2,500 in 2019 to approximately 6,300 today, with digital ads increasing more than tenfold to over 300 in the same period. This translates to more than 30 billboards per square kilometer in inhabited areas. The proliferation of these ads is largely attributed to the expansion of Egypt’s transport network under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has invested billions in new roads and bridges. While the advertising industry has become a significant source of government revenue, generating 6.3 billion Egyptian pounds ($130 million) in 2024, the psychological and visual impact on drivers and residents cannot be ignored. Psychotherapist Khaled Salaheldin warns that constant exposure to idealized lifestyles can lead to feelings of inadequacy, especially in a country grappling with inflation and subsidy cuts. In response, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has called for stricter regulations to ensure that advertisements preserve urban aesthetics and societal norms.
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Beetle that threatens Australia’s grains industry found in imported nappies
Australia has raised alarms after discovering khapra beetle larvae in imported nappies sold nationwide, posing a significant risk to the country’s grain industry and agricultural exports. The larvae were detected in the brand Little One’s Ultra Dry Nappy Pants Walker Size 5, exclusively sold by Woolworths, Australia’s largest supermarket chain. The agriculture ministry has been working with the importer and retailer to trace and treat affected products since the discovery in New South Wales on September 7. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins emphasized the urgency of containing the pest, stating that around 1,500 of the 2,000 cartons have been tracked down, but some remain in circulation. Khapra beetles, native to India, are classified as the most significant pest threat to Australia’s A$18 billion grains industry. Their establishment could lead to trading partners rejecting Australian goods, causing substantial economic losses. Woolworths has removed unsold nappies from shelves and quarantined them, while the manufacturer, Belgian company Ontex, has suspended operations at its Sydney facility pending comprehensive checks. The ministry has urged consumers who purchased similar nappies to seal them in a bag and contact authorities. The incident underscores the critical need for stringent biosecurity measures to protect Australia’s agricultural sector.
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Egypt says 3,000-year-old bracelet was stolen and melted down
A priceless 3,000-year-old gold bracelet, dating back to the reign of Pharaoh King Amenemope, has been stolen and melted down in a shocking theft from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The Egyptian interior ministry revealed that the artifact was taken from a museum safe nine days ago by a restoration specialist. The specialist allegedly collaborated with a silver jeweler, who sold the bracelet to a gold jeweler for $3,735. The gold jeweler then sold it to a foundry worker for $4,025, who melted it down along with other jewelry. All four individuals involved have been arrested, confessed to their crimes, and had the proceeds seized. Legal action is now being pursued against them. The theft was discovered as museum staff prepared to ship artifacts to Rome for an exhibition. The tourism and antiquities ministry announced immediate measures, including circulating images of the bracelet to airports, seaports, and border crossings to prevent smuggling. The bracelet, adorned with lapis lazuli beads, was part of the museum’s vast collection of over 170,000 artifacts, including Amenemope’s gilded funerary mask. This incident occurred just weeks before the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which will house King Tutankhamun’s treasures.
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Remains found in search for missing boy to be removed
In a deeply unsettling development, human skeletal remains believed to be those of Daniel Aruebose, a seven-year-old boy missing for several years, were discovered on a site in Donabate, County Dublin. The remains, found on Portrane Road, are set to undergo a paediatric post-mortem examination later this week, as reported by Irish broadcaster RTÉ. The discovery has prompted urgent calls for an independent statutory review into the case, which was raised in the Dáil, Ireland’s lower house of parliament, on Thursday. Concerns about Daniel’s whereabouts were initially flagged last month by Tusla, the state agency responsible for child welfare and protection. The area where the remains were found had been under investigation for weeks, following an initial examination at The Gallery Apartments in Donabate, where Daniel lived. Gardaí have announced a “careful and sensitive exhumation” will be conducted, with DNA analysis to confirm the identity of the remains. Tánaiste Simon Harris described the situation as “horrific and tragic,” emphasizing the need to establish facts before drawing conclusions. Taoiseach Micheál Martin echoed these sentiments, calling the discovery “deeply shocking and sad,” while cautioning against a “rush to judgement.” Ireland’s Minister for Children, Norma Foley, confirmed that a rapid review by Tusla and the National Review Panel will examine the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s disappearance. Tusla revealed it last had contact with Daniel’s family five years ago, raising questions about the agency’s follow-up procedures. The case has also prompted Tusla to initiate wellbeing checks on cases closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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India 20-day-old baby girl found buried fighting for life
A harrowing incident in Uttar Pradesh, India, has drawn global attention after a 20-day-old baby girl was discovered buried alive in the Shahjahanpur district. The infant was found by a shepherd who, while grazing his goats, heard faint cries emanating from beneath a mound of earth. Upon closer inspection, he noticed a tiny hand protruding from the soil. The shepherd immediately alerted villagers, who subsequently called the police. Authorities arrived promptly and rescued the infant, who was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit of a government-run hospital. Hospital officials report that the baby is in critical condition, battling severe infections and complications from the ordeal. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, the principal of the medical college, stated that the infant was brought in covered in dirt, with mud lodged in her mouth and nostrils, causing oxygen deprivation. Despite initial signs of improvement, her condition has since worsened due to infections and insect bites. Dr. Kumar emphasized that the baby’s wounds appeared fresh, suggesting she was buried shortly before being discovered. A team of specialists, including a plastic surgeon, is working tirelessly to save her life. Police have yet to identify the perpetrators, but the incident highlights the persistent issue of gender-based violence in India, where a cultural preference for male children has led to widespread female infanticide and abandonment. This case is not isolated; in 2019, a premature newborn girl was found buried alive in a clay pot, though she eventually recovered. India’s skewed gender ratio, one of the worst globally, is a consequence of deep-rooted social discrimination against girls, who are often viewed as financial burdens. Activists argue that illegal sex-selective abortions and post-birth killings of female infants remain prevalent, particularly in impoverished communities. The baby’s plight has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of laws against gender-based violence and greater societal change to address this ongoing crisis.
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€1.2m of suspected cocaine seized in Dublin
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, Irish police, An Garda Síochána, have confiscated cocaine worth approximately €1.2 million during coordinated raids in Dublin. The operation, conducted on Wednesday, targeted two separate residences in the city. At a property in Dublin 11, authorities uncovered 12 kilograms of suspected cocaine, estimated to have a street value of €840,000. Simultaneously, a search in Dublin 15 led to the discovery of an additional 5.5 kilograms of the illicit substance, valued at around €375,000. The seized drugs are now slated for forensic analysis to confirm their composition and origin. Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were apprehended at the scenes and subsequently charged in connection with the drug seizures. Both individuals are scheduled to appear before Blanchardstown District Court on Thursday morning. This operation underscores the ongoing efforts by Irish law enforcement to combat the illegal drug trade, which continues to pose significant challenges to public safety and health in the region.