1. French officer who swapped places with a hostage in terror attack dies – CNN 24.03.2018

A police officer who swapped places with a female hostage during an attack by an ISIS supporter on a supermarket in southern France has died of his wounds, French authorities said.

Lt. Col. Arnaud Beltrame, 45, was shot in the neck Friday after offering to take the place of a woman during a gunman’s assault on the Super U supermarket in Trèbes.

[…]

Last year Beltrame was appointed deputy commander of the anti-terror police in the Aude region.

According to the newspaper La Dépêche du Midi, Beltrame led a simulated terror attack in December on a supermarket for training purposes, similar to the one Friday in which he lost his life.

2. Because you have no real jobs

Why we’ve been arguin about Lara Croft for two decades – Vox 17.03.2018

3. Judge delays paedophile’s sentencing so he can go on holiday with his family – ChronicleLive 21.03.2018

A paedophile has had his sentencing postponed so he can enjoy a holiday in the Lake District.

[…]

The South Shields sex offender pleaded guilty to attempting to engage a child under 16 in sexual activity at a hearing on Wednesday, March 14.

The 24-year-old was warned he faced jail by Judge Amanda Rippon, who then agreed to the defence’s request of a delay for the pre-booked break.

4. Argentinians being Argentinians

(Spanish) A man changes his name, from Sergio to Sergia, to retire earlier since the law allows that to women.

English version

5. That’s not really how it works, though

Mother crashed car into pole to prove to kids God is real, police say – WSB-TV 23.03.2018

 Police say a mother intentionally crashed her SUV into a pole to prove to her two small children that God is real.

Investigators say Bakari Warren, 25, told officers after the crash that she did it on purpose to show her kids that if they believe, God would protect them.

6. Azathoth confirmed for real

Why the big bang was not the beginning – New Scientist 14.03.2018

First hints are emerging of a universe that existed before our own: an alien world of chaos where time, space and geometry were yet to form

Although everyone has heard of the big bang, no one can say confidently what it was like. After all, recounting the beginning of time is about finding not just the right words, but the right physics – and ever since the big bang entered the popular lexicon, that physics has been murky.

Perhaps no longer, thanks to an unusual way of delving into our universe’s backstory that has emerged over the past few years. In this view, the essence of space and time can exist beyond the confines of the cosmos, but in a state of roiling chaos we would not recognize. 

“Outside the ordered universe is that amorphous blight of nethermost confusion which blasphemes and bubbles at the center of all infinity—the boundless daemon sultan Azathoth, whose name no lips dare speak aloud, and who gnaws hungrily in inconceivable, unlighted chambers beyond time and space amidst the muffled, maddening beating of vile drums and the thin monotonous whine of accursed flutes.”