Pool Deck and Support Columns Probed as Key Factors in Tragedy that Claimed 98 Lives

The investigation into the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, has revealed new insights into what likely caused the disaster that led to the deaths of 98 individuals. The building, located near Miami Beach, partially fell in the early hours of 24 June 2021, sparking an extensive search for survivors and later, the recovery of the deceased.

On Thursday, officials from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the same agency that investigated the 9/11 World Trade Center collapse, shared new findings. They are focusing on structural weaknesses in the pool deck and the supporting columns, which appear to have contributed significantly to the tragedy.

Dr Emel Ganapati, co-lead investigator, explained that the pool deck’s initial collapse at around 1am triggered a chain reaction, causing the building to crumble. First, the pool deck fell into the parking garage below, then 11 apartments from the tower above collapsed onto one another, followed by another 10 units.

The report suggests that the pool deck and parking garage did not comply with building codes when the building was constructed in 1981, and no efforts were made to bring them up to code before the collapse. The reinforcing structures, concrete cover, and strength discrepancies between the columns and slabs were all contributing factors to the failure.

Furthermore, the design of the pool deck itself did not meet the required strength specifications, which exacerbated the collapse. While the tower had some structural issues, it was the pool deck that showed the most significant flaws.

Eyewitness accounts have supported the investigators’ findings. One resident described the partial collapse, saying it felt as though the units were being “dragged down,” while another heard metallic noises before witnessing the pool deck fall into the garage. Some residents also recalled seeing parked cars sink into the ground.

Despite these updates, the investigation has not yet reached a final conclusion. According to officials, they are still evaluating the numerous potential factors that contributed to the failure. “We continue to study the causes and events that led to the collapse,” one investigator remarked.

Although they have ruled out the possibility of sinkholes or karstic voids being responsible, there remain several other hypotheses to consider. “What triggered the pool deck’s collapse?” asked Jack Moehle, another investigator. “Was it a failure within the deck, or did something in the tower cause it?”

The final report, which will provide a full account of the causes, is expected in 2025. The investigation has cost $30 million, funded by Congress, as officials work to uncover the full extent of what led to this devastating event.

Federal Ruling Upholds Humanitarian Parole, Despite Opposition from Republican-Led States

A federal judge in Texas has ruled in favour of an immigration policy that permits up to 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States on humanitarian grounds each month. The decision, made on Friday, rejects claims from Republican-led states who argued that the program placed undue economic strain on them.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton upheld the controversial program, known as the humanitarian parole policy, which has been part of President Joe Biden’s immigration strategy. Under the programme, asylum seekers from the four countries can enter the U.S. for two years with work permits. Tipton’s decision blocks attempts by Texas and 20 other states to shut down the programme, which they claim forces them to spend millions on healthcare, education, and public safety. One lawyer involved in the legal challenge argued that the programme has created an unofficial immigration system.

However, advocates for the federal government defend the policy, stating that the migrants admitted under this scheme help fill vital positions in sectors like agriculture, where there is a significant labour shortage.

Since its inception in late 2022, the program has facilitated the entry of over 357,000 individuals. Among them, Haitians make up the largest group, with 138,000 having entered through the program, followed by 86,000 Venezuelans, 74,000 Cubans, and 58,000 Nicaraguans.

Despite the ruling, the program’s future remains uncertain, as an appeal is widely expected. Tipton, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, previously ruled against Biden’s administration in 2022 on another immigration matter.

The program requires migrants to apply online, secure a financial sponsor in the U.S., and arrive at an airport before entering the country. Once admitted, they are permitted to work and stay in the U.S. for up to two years. In a trial held last August, Tipton had declined to impose a temporary order halting the parole program.

Several states have argued that the initiative benefits them, pointing to instances where migrants have filled critical job positions, such as a Nicaraguan worker helping a farm in Washington state.

In the face of opposition, Tipton questioned whether Texas could claim economic harm, given that the parole program had decreased the overall number of migrants entering the U.S.

The ruling comes at a time when the Biden administration had been preparing to end the controversial Title 42 policy, which had barred migrants from seeking asylum at U.S. borders due to the pandemic.

Proponents of the programme argue that many of the migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are fleeing oppressive governments and dangerous conditions in their home countries.

The case is one of several ongoing legal challenges to the Biden administration’s immigration policies. The ruling does not affect the humanitarian parole process for Ukrainian migrants, which remains uncontested.

Duchess of Sussex and Fellow Advocates Address Gender Inequality, Social Media Harassment, and Ageism in Entertainment

On International Women’s Day, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, joined a thought-provoking panel at the annual SXSW (South by Southwest) festival in Austin, Texas, to explore critical issues facing women, particularly mothers, in both traditional and social media. The event, which runs through March 16, also featured actress and author Brooke Shields, journalist Katie Couric, and sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen.

The conversation centred around how women are often misrepresented in the media, particularly the portrayal of mothers. Meghan highlighted a report funded by the Archewell Foundation, which revealed that working mothers earn just 62 cents for every dollar earned by working fathers. She stressed the ongoing need for better support for mothers, saying, “It’s almost feeling punitive when you’re a mom, juggling everything and caring so much, but not being supported in the best way possible.”

Nancy Wang Yuen chimed in on the importance of policymakers understanding the realities of working mothers. She explained that decisions affecting women are often made by people who are disconnected from the actual experiences of women. Yuen noted, “They’re deriving their ideas from television and film, which is not reality.” She emphasised that women’s progress directly correlates with societal advancement, particularly when women earn and contribute equally to the economy.

The panel also touched on the adverse effects of social media on women and girls, with Meghan sharing her own struggles with online harassment. Reflecting on her experiences during pregnancy and after the births of her children, she said, “I keep my distance from it for my well-being… It’s not just catty; it’s cruel.”

The discussion further tackled the issue of ageism, particularly in the entertainment industry, where women often face limited roles as they age. At 58, Brooke Shields pointed out how Hollywood struggles to recognise the value of older women. She stated, “At 58, you’re too old to be the ingenue, but not quite the granny yet.” Shields advocated for filmmakers who appreciate the life experience women over 40 bring to the screen, including raising children, managing careers, and navigating personal growth.