Devastating fire in North Macedonia
A small Balkan nation experienced a tragedy this past weekend, as an overcrowded nightclub was set aflame, AP News reported on March 16. The massive fire killed 59 people, injured 155 and is now North Macedonia’s deadliest tragedy in decades. The fire caused the roof of the single-story building to partially collapse. The ongoing investigation noted videos taken from inside that showed pyrotechnics on stage hitting Club Pulse’s ceiling as an unnamed band played. North Macedonia’s Interior Minister Panche Toshkiviski disclosed to officials that 15 people have been detained for questioning after an inspection revealed the club operated without a proper license. Toshkiviski also mentioned the number of people inside the club on Sunday was at least double its official capacity, 250.
North Korea denies G7’s nuclear demand
On Monday, North Korea vowed to “steadily update and strengthen” its nuclear capabilities, which showed its firm rejection of G7’s request for Pyongyang to stop its nuclear journey. The statement came after last week’s meeting with G7 foreign ministers in Charlevoix. In Sept. 2022, North Korea passed a law declaring itself a nuclear weapons state and gave itself the right to conduct preemptive nuclear strikes to protect itself. ABC News stated that year, Kim Jong Un called the decision “irreversible” and later amended the country’s constitution to enshrine the permanent growth of Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal. On Monday, North Korean diplomats announced their nuclear ambitions “will not change according to the recognition of anyone.” Their ambitions? ABC News wrote that state media believes it’s to build a nuclear-power submarine.
Attacks in the Suez Canal
President Trump formally accused Iran of supplying weapons and funding to Yemen’s foreign terrorist group Houthis, who targeted a US aircraft carrier near the Suez Canal. The Pentagon disclosed it had struck 30 targets in Yemen since Saturday, BBC writes. In a letter to the UN Security Council earlier this week, Iran’s UN denied it violated a UN arms embargo on Yemen and any involvement in destabilizing activities. On the morning of March 16, the Houthis launched drones and missiles at the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. A US official told BBC’s US partner CBS the aircraft shot down 11 drones. The Houthis declared they would continue to target Red Sea shipping until Israel lifted its blockade on Gaza. Since Nov. 2023, the Houthis have sunk two vessels, seized a third and killed four crew members.
