Arrests made after many fatalities in North Macedonia nightclub fire
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What are the main stories covered in this episode?
This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Janet Jalil and in the early hours of Monday the 17th of March, these are our main stories. Prosecutors in North Macedonia are investigating whether a fire in a nightclub that killed nearly 60 people could be linked to bribery and corruption. The United States says its airstrikes on Saturday killed several Houthi leaders in Yemen. The Trump administration deports more than 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador despite an order by a U.S. judge banning such a move. Also in this podcast, how a glamorous new soap opera seeks to overturn stereotypes about Black Americans.
That's not the experience of most of Black America, so that's cool that other people get to experience Black excellence, you know, and our drama. Music Thank you.
North Macedonia's interior minister says prosecutors are investigating whether corruption and bribery are linked to a fire in a nightclub that killed 59 people. Panche Toskovski said the venue in the eastern town of Kochani did not have a legal license to operate.
What happened during the North Macedonia nightclub fire?
A special team has been set up to look into the cause of the fire in the early hours of Sunday morning, which broke out after a popular band used fireworks during a performance. The flames spread quickly as the ceiling was made of highly flammable material. Our Balkans correspondent, Guy Delaney, sent this report from Cotcheny.
This was the moment when a great night out turned into a disaster. Pyrotechnics ignited on stage as part of the performance by the band DNK in Cochini, a small town about 60 miles to the east of North Macedonia's capital, Skopje. At first they watched as flames crept across the ceiling while staff tried to put out the fire with extinguishers, but the mood swiftly switched to panic as the blaze intensified. Survivors described the chaos as they fought to escape through the only exit.
The fire broke out. Everyone started screaming and shouting, get out, get out. But unfortunately, there was only one exit. I don't know how, but I ended up on the ground. I couldn't get up. People started stomping on me. I don't know how, but somehow I managed to get out. I'm fine now, but there are many dead. My sister died. I was saved and she wasn't.
Here in Koceni, police have sealed off access to the Pulse nightclub. It's behind a green and yellow painted hotel on a roundabout on the outskirts of town, and it's now considered a crime scene. Liupso Kosevski is the public prosecutor.
I can guarantee that the investigation will be thorough and fast. We will engage experts from all fields and determine the reasons for the accident and those responsible for it. At the moment, people are being detained and questioned, and we cannot disclose any details.
The government has held an emergency meeting and declared a week of national mourning. It's also calling for an urgent safety inspection of all clubs and music venues.
Kai Delaney reporting. The Houthis in Yemen say more than 50 people were killed in US airstrikes on Saturday. Washington says some key Houthi figures were among the dead, but the group hasn't confirmed this. The US military says it shot down drones launched by the Iranian-backed group in response to the strikes. Donald Trump has said he'll hold Iran responsible for the attacks the Houthis are carrying out on commercial shipping. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi's political bureau, told the BBC that the US president's actions are likely to further increase tensions in the region.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What are the main stories covered in this episode?
0:37–1:55
2
What happened during the North Macedonia nightclub fire?
1:55–7:52
3
Why is the US deporting Venezuelan gang members despite a court order?
7:52–12:55
4
What caused the prolonged mission for astronauts on the ISS?
12:55–15:55
5
What are the challenges of long-term space missions?
15:55–21:03
6
How is China addressing its aging population problem?
21:03–31:52
Speakers
16 identifiedMore from Global News Podcast
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