Johannesburg

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Dozens Killed as Fire Blazes Through Settlement

Johannesburg building was full of 'informal structures,' firefighters say

(Newser) - More than 70 people were killed early Thursday when fire swept through a five-story building in South Africa's biggest city. Authorities say squatters had moved into the formerly abandoned building in Johannesburg's central business district and created an "informal settlement" with many shack-like structures inside, the BBC...

5 Dead, Dozens Arrested After Church Hostage Situation

Incident in South Africa 'may have been motivated by a feud' between church members

(Newser) - Five people are dead and more than 40 have been arrested after an early-morning hostage situation at a long-troubled church near Johannesburg, police in South Africa said Saturday. A statement said police and military who responded to reports of a shooting at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church headquarters in Zuurbekom...

Arnie Addresses the Guy Who Attacked Him

The actor tweets after being drop-kicked

(Newser) - Hey, this is Arnold Schwarzenegger—of course he's not pressing charges. The action-movie star tweeted Sunday that he won't seek legal recourse against the man who attacked him while he schmoozed with fans in Johannesburg, South Africa, People reports. "I hope this was a wake-up call, and...

Elephant Chases Schwarzenegger's Car

And he has a typical Arnold reaction

(Newser) - What happens in Johannesburg stays in Johannesburg—unless you're Arnold Schwarzenegger and your safari vehicle gets chased by an elephant, in which case, yeah, the entire world is going to see that video. The clip, which Schwarzenegger uploaded himself to YouTube , shows exactly what transpired when the Terminator visited...

African Lion Jumps Through Window, Kills US Tourist: Report

Woman reportedly had windows down, against park regulations

(Newser) - South African media are reporting the death of an American woman at a lion park in Johannesburg, and the US Embassy says it has received reports of an "incident" involving an American citizen at the private park. The embassy says it has no information but will follow up to...

25 Hurt as Crazy Turbulence Hurls Fliers to Ceiling

Plane lands in Hong Kong, meets ambulances

(Newser) - A flight bound for Hong Kong today offers a pretty good argument for wearing your seatbelt. Some 25 passengers on a South African Airways jet from Johannesburg were hurt amid some serious turbulence, the South China Morning Post reports. The shaking was so strong that "most of the injured...

Trapped Miners Begin Emerging From Illegal S. Africa Mine

Rescuers in contact with 30 illegal miners near surface; more below

(Newser) - A handful of the 200-plus illegal South African miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine near Johannesburg have begun to emerge, reports the BBC . Rescuers are in contact with a group of about 30 miners who are near the surface, reports Reuters . "They told us there are about 200...

British Air Jet Rams Airport Building

4 people injured in Johannesburg incident

(Newser) - The wing of a British Airways jet hit an office building at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport last night, while taxiing in preparation for a flight to London. None of the more than 200 people aboard the plane were hurt, but four people in the building were, the BBC...

Who Was Reeva Steenkamp?
 Who Was Reeva 
 Steenkamp? 
Feb 14, 2013 3:00 PM CST

Who Was Reeva Steenkamp?

Friends, family mourn Oscar Pistorius' dead girlfriend

(Newser) - Most Americans had probably never heard the name Reeva Steenkamp before learning that double-amputee sprinting star Oscar Pistorius had been charged with killing her . But the 29-year-old Steenkamp was a pretty impressive person in her own right; she was a law school grad, a successful model, a future reality TV...

Hillary Clinton Busts a Move in South Africa

And everyone goes wild because it's ... Hillary ... dancing

(Newser) - She wears cool shades , she texts like a badass , and she continues to boogie down . A video of the secretary of state hitting the dance floor in Johannesburg, South Africa, last night seems to be the standout clip of the day. Buzzfeed touts the fact that she "got low....

South Africa Sees Rarity: Snow
 South Africa Sees Rarity: Snow 
Aug 7, 2012 4:42 PM CDT

South Africa Sees Rarity: Snow

Nation in midst of winter cold snap

(Newser) - People slowly came outside despite the cold wind today across South Africa, pointed their mobile phone cameras to the sky, and opened their mouths to taste a rare snowfall that fell on much of the country. The snow began this morning, part of an extreme cold snap now biting into...

'Obscene' Zuma Painting Case Heads to Court

It 'presents me as a womanizer, philanderer,' says South African president

(Newser) - The ruling South African party is heading to court today to support President Jacob Zuma's demand that an "obscene" painting of him be censored. The painting, which was vandalized earlier this week at a Johannesburg gallery, features Zuma with his genitals exposed. It's "rude, crude, and...

Lion Kills S. African Zookeeper
 Lion Kills S. African Zookeeper 
Feb 15, 2012 1:00 AM CST

Lion Kills S. African Zookeeper

Employee came out of retirement because of staff shortages

(Newser) - A Johannesburg Zoo employee who came out of retirement because of staff shortages was killed by a lioness at a breeding facility outside the city. The 63-year-old, who had nearly 40 years of experience working with animals, was attacked while feeding the lions, the BBC reports. An enclosure was found...

Zuma Sues Newspaper for $730K Over Rape Cartoon

He's just getting cartoon more publicity, argues newspaper lawyer

(Newser) - South African President Jacob Zuma is suing a political cartoonist, the former editor-in-chief of the Johannesburg Sunday Times, and Avusa Media for showing him about to rape a blindfolded woman representing justice. The husband of multiple wives is seeking $730,000 for humiliation, degradation, and damage to his reputation. The...

Underground Acid Lake Threatens Johannesburg

City needs millions to pump toxic water from mines

(Newser) - Johannesburg is frantically attempting to procure millions of dollars for a new pumping station, before a rising tide of toxic mine water seeps into the city’s streets. Abandoned mine shafts in and around the city have filled up with ground water, which oxidizes with the metals within the mines,...

Spain Wins First World Cup
 Spain Wins First 
 World Cup 
UPDATED
Jul 11, 2010 4:42 PM CDT

Spain Wins First World Cup

Decisive goal in 1-0 contest is latest ever in a final

(Newser) - Andres Iniesta scored with 4 minutes of extra time remaining to give Spain a 1-0 win over the Netherlands and its first World Cup title today in Johannesburg. With the teams facing a penalty shootout in a game of few clear chances, Iniesta collected a sliding pass from substitute Cesc...

World's Worst Commutes
 World's Worst Commutes 
Jul 2, 2010 11:31 AM CDT

World's Worst Commutes

Beijing and Mexico City lead the way

(Newser) - IBM surveyed drivers in 20 of the world's biggest cities to find the worst commutes. The bottom 5 (based on a slew of factors including time stuck in traffic and stress) in the commuter pain index are:
  1. Beijing (99 on a scale of 100)
  2. Mexico City (99)
  3. Johannesburg (97)
  4. Moscow
...

Fan Stampede Mars Pre-World Cup Match

At least 15 injured just 5 days before tournament begins

(Newser) - Fans stampeded outside the gates of a stadium playing host to a World Cup warmup match today near Johannesburg, injuring at least 15. A police officer was seriously hurt as violence marred the countdown to the first African World Cup, which begins Friday. " He was crushed by the gates...

South Africa Seeks a Billion Condoms for World Cup

Authorities fear major spike in HIV/AIDS

(Newser) - Britain has pledged to supply 42 million condoms in response to South Africa's hunt for a massive billion condoms to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS during this summer's World Cup. Authorities fear a spike in visitor sex and some 40,000 prostitutes expected to travel to Johannesburg to...

Huge Welcome Home for 'First Lady' Semenya

(Newser) - World champion sprinter Caster Semenya received a heroine's welcome today in Johannesburg, where thousands of South Africans waved signs reading "Our first lady of sport" and "100% female woman." The 18-year-old runner, caught up in suspicions about her gender, had a huge smile as spectators sang and...

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