15 killed in Kenya market fire
Nairobi, June 28 : At least 15 people were killed and 70 others injured on Thursday when a massive fire ripped through one of Kenya's largest open-air markets.
The St. John Ambulance service in Kenya said the fire broke out in the Gikomba market in central Nairobi at around 2.30 a.m., although the cause of the blaze was yet to be determined, reports Efe news.
"Multi-agency search and rescue operations ongoing, 15 residential apartments and several shanties affected," the service said in a statement.
The injured were rushed to the Kenyatta National Hospital. Kenya's Red Cross said the fire had been contained.
The Gikomba market, a popular commercial centre for second-hand clothes and electronic gadgets, has been damaged by several fires in recent years.
Gikomba inferno death toll hits 15, nine other bodies feared trapped in a flat currently on fire. #GikombaFire pic.twitter.com/zSuQomh185
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Modi urges industry to ramp up investment, prioritise research to scale up manufacturing
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged industry leaders to step up investments, embrace emerging technologies and prioritise research to help India Inc fully leverage the vast opportunities offered by free trade agreements with various nations.
"The days of cutting corners in research are over. We must now make substantial investments in research and development and ensure that our products meet global quality standards. Now we have got opportunities to move forward, so we should have only one mantra - Quality, Quality, Quality," he said while addressing a second webinar on Budget 2026-27.
Stressing that India has entered into free trade agreements with numerous countries, he said, these agreements have opened up a wide range of opportunities for the country.
"In such a situation, he said, "our responsibility is that we should never compromise on quality."
Today, the world is seeking reliable and resilient manufacturing partners, he said, adding that India has a strong opportunity to fulfil this role.
"Our direction is clear. Our resolve is clear. Build more, produce more, connect more, and now the need is to export more," he said.
Pointing out that a significant transformation is currently underway in the global economy, he said that markets are no longer focused solely on cost; sustainability has become an equally important consideration.
"The Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Mission is a key initiative driving this shift. Incorporating sustainability into core business strategies is now essential. Industries that invest early in clean technologies will gain better access to emerging markets in the years ahead," he said.
Highlighting the importance of infrastructure and logistics, he said, they serve as fundamental pillars of our growth strategy.
This year's budget proposes a record level of capital expenditure to support these priorities, he said.
As India emerges as a beacon of hope for the world thanks to its robust economy, and as global supply chains undergo transformation, the prime minister said, rapid economic development has become the cornerstone for realising the vision of Viksit Bharat.
