Shopping mall fire kills dozens in Russia

Firefighters work at a blazing shopping mall in Kemerovo, Russia, on Sunday. At least 64 people, including nine children, have been confirmed dead in the fire at the shopping mall in the city of Keremovo in Siberia, according to Russian emergency services cited by local media on Monday. The death toll is expected to rise.SD-Agencies

52 hurt in clashes as Catalan ex-leader captured

Five months since being on the run from Spanish authorities, Catalonia’s former president was detained in Germany on an international warrant* on Sunday by highway police after the ardent* separatist* crossed the border with Denmark.

Carles Puigdemont’s capture, aided by Spanish intelligence services, sparked the protest of tens of thousands. Some of the demonstrators clashed with riot police, leaving more than 50 civilians and police officers injured and leading to four arrests.

France mourns hero who took place of hostage

France will pay a national tribute* to a security officer who died from gunshot wounds after voluntarily taking the place of a female hostage during a supermarket siege* by an Islamist militant, President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday.

Arnaud Beltrame, 44, a gendarme* who once served in Iraq, was raced to a hospital fighting for his life after being shot by the gunman during the siege at the Super U store in the southwestern town of Trebes near the Pyrenees mountains.

His actions were described as heroic by politicians across the political spectrum.

Italy elects parliament speakers, PM resigns

Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni formally resigned on Saturday following the election of new parliament speakers, but was immediately asked by the president to stay on while the country’s political factions jostle* to try to form a new government.

Italy’s inconclusive March 4 election saw a surge in populist and right-wing sentiment but produced no majority in parliament.

150 whales beached in Australia

More than 150 short-finned pilot whales* stranded* themselves on the southwestern tip of Australia, stunning parks officials and prompting a massive rescue effort to save as many as possible.

The mass beaching likely took place sometime on early Thursday morning at Hamelin Bay in Western Australia, according to the state’s parks and wildlife service. Videos of the scene showed dozens of the animals piled against each other on the shore.

Police question Netanyahu for second time

Israeli police questioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday as part of an investigation into a corruption case involving the country’s telecom giant.

Police were seen arriving at Netanyahu’s residence on Monday.

Two Netanyahu confidants have been arrested on suspicion of promoting regulation worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the Bezeq telecom company.

(SD-Agencies)