A final act of love and loyalty by two kids on the South Korean ferry – Vigilantes chase drug lords through caves – As the World Cup looms, Rio is looking less secure than hoped – and a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

The death toll from the sinking of a South Korean ferry is now 184 lives lost with 118 still missing.  Eleven crewmembers are now under arrest, although the anger of the families is spreading to the coast guard for the perceived late start and slow pace of the recovery operation, which did rescue 174 people.  Some mothers slapped the deputy chief of the coast guard, who stoically accepted the blows.  And there are more heartbreaking stories of the bodies of the mostly teenage passengers – One girl and boy were found in the sunken vessel with their life jackets tied together so they wouldn’t be separated.

Most western climbers have given up this year’s plans to ascend to the top of Mount Everest.  Most of the Sherpa mountain guides are on strike because of the avalanche that killed 13 of their comrades and the meager compensation offered by the Nepal government.  Some climbers describe a sour and threatening atmosphere at base camp.  But New Zealander John Gully of Everest Treks probably said it best: “Basically I don’t give a damn about the plans of wealthy white men, because that’s insignificant in comparison to this tragedy.”

Thousands of people in Bangladesh held emotionally-charged protests on the anniversary of the Rana Plaza Disaster, when 1,129 people were killed in the collapse of an illegally modified industrial building crammed with clothing sweatshops.  The survivors – from workers who lost limbs to families who lost breadwinners – are demanding changes to protect worker safety.  But in the year since the disaster, little has changed.  Western companies still contract dangerous sweatshops that pay too little, and the government isn’t in a hurry to crack down on Bangladesh’s most lucrative industry.

Pakistani military jets launched a major offensive against militants in the mountains near the Khyber Pass, putting an abrupt end to a cease-fire with the Taliban.  Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had declared the truce at the beginning of March to try to reach some accord with the militants.  As many as 40 militants were killed.

Bolivia’s military is sacking 702 enlisted soldiers for demanding changes to the military structure that would allow them to pursue careers as officers.  The army, navy and air force accused the men of “sedition, rebellion”, and of attacking “the honor of the armed forces”.  President Evo Morales hasn’t commented on the dismissals.

More clashes in Rio de Janeiro, less than 50 days until the start of the World Cup.  Crowds were returning in the rain from the burial of a popular television dancer who was allegedly killed by police when he tried to visit his four-year old daughter in a favela above the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches.  Police apparently mistook the handsome and clean-cut dancer for a drug dealer.  Brazil has been trying to clamp down on unrest before the massive event – thus far, unsuccessfully.

Mexican vigilantes are searching a network of caves for the last fugitive leader of the Knights Templar drug cartel.  Earlier this week, the vigilantes took control of the town of Arteaga in Michoacan state, apparently because the government couldn’t be bothered.  They found evidence of a hideout about 100 meters into the nearby caves, and hope the clues will lead to Servando “La Tuta” Gomez, the only one of the cartel’s top four leaders who has not been captured or killed.

MH370:  Nope.  Not Yet.

An Islamic court in Nigeria has sentenced a 63-year old man to death by stoning for raping a 10-year old girl and infecting her with HIV.  The defendant climbed he had been incited by the devil.  His two wives have already died of AIDS-related complications. 

South Sudan is withdrawing the case against four top politicians accused of treason that triggered the civil war.  The four deny plotting a coup and deny any links to the current fighting.  One million people have been forced from their homes since the trouble started in December, and hundreds of civilians were found slaughtered in a rebel stronghold earlier this week.

Baby Seals!

A 77-year old man was struck by a speeding train in the Czech Republic.  He survived with minor injuries.  But not only did this person driving by not stop to help, the cops fined him for crossing the tracks while the gates were down.

Russia has extended the house arrest of opposition figure Alexei Navalny for another six months.  Navalny apparently used social media despite being banned from computers.  His supporters had feared Putin’s government would attempt to jail him.

A 21-year old man has died after being crushed by a part of the 30-meter high crucifix erected in honor of Pope John Paul II on a hill in northern Italy.  John Paul II and his predecessor, Pope John XXIII, will be declared saints of the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday.