Kemerovo, Russia
At least 64 people—many of them children—died in a shopping mall fire in Kemerovo after emergency exits were blocked and a security guard had switched off the fire alarm system. The fire started at about 5 p.m. on March 25 and a criminal investigation has been opened.
Original story by Ivan Nechepurenko, March 26, 2018. The New York Times.
Paris, France
A French officer has died after switching places with a woman who was being held hostage. The gunman, who claimed to be tied to the Islamic State, shot and killed two people inside a Super U market and severely injured Colonel Arnaud Beltrame, who later died from the injuries.
Original story by Alissa J. Rubin, March 28, 2018. The New York Times.
Beijing, China
More than 14 years after a string of 11 rape-murders, Gao Chengyong has been sentenced to death after an investigation finally found him guilty. The story had caught national attention when investigators had to sift through 230,000 fingerprints and could not arrest Chengyong until 2016.
Original story by Chris Buckley, March 30, 2018. The New York Times.
Valencia, Venezuela
Approximately 68 people are dead after a fire sparked during a riot at a jail. Worried family members and loved ones gathered at the prison to demand answers only to be sprayed with tear gas by police officers in riot gear.
Original story by Ana Vanessa Herrero, March 28, 2018. The New York Times.
Click here for more brief bits of news from around the globe.