March 2018 Current Events: World News

Updated September 25, 2021 | Infoplease Staff

Disaster News | Science & Technology News | US News

The world is a very busy place, and it's hard to stay on top of everything. Infoplease has got you covered. Here are the world news events you need to know so far for March 2018:

  1. 11 Dead in Suspected Boko Haram Attack in Nigeria
  2. Burkina Faso Attacked by Al Qaeda Affiliate
  3. State of Emergency Declared in Sri Lanka
  4. Russian Military Plane Crashes in Syria
  5. Machete Attack in Nigeria
  6. Knife Attack in Vienna
  7. President Trump and Kim Jong-un to Meet
  8. Russia Successfully Tests Missile
  9. China’s President to Rule for Life
  10. Peruvians Favor Impeachment
  11. Zimbabwe Doctors go on Strike
  12. Bus Crash in Ethiopia
  13. 23 Russian Diplomats Expelled from Britain
  14. Finland is the World’s Happiest Country
  15. Slain Politician in Brazil Creates Outrage
  16. Putin Wins Reelection
  17. Norway’s Justice Minister Quits
  18. 3,000 Prisoners Pardoned in Zimbabwe
  19. 32 Die Near Afghan Shrine
  20. Most Kidnapped Girls Freed
  21. Peru’s President Resigns
  22. Terrorist Attack in France/a>
  23. Fire in Russian Mall
  24. Possible Ceasefire in Nigeria
  25. Russian Diplomats Expelled in Fourteen EU States
  26. Prison Riot and Fire in Venezuela
  27. Russia Expels Diplomats in Response

11 Dead in Suspected Boko Haram Attack in Nigeria

Boko Haram Attack

On March 2, weeks after the group abducted over 100 girls, Boko Haram raided the town of Rann. killing 11 people. Four soldiers, four police officers, and three aid workers are among the dead. Two midwives remain missing. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo

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Burkina Faso Attacked by Al Qaeda Affiliate

Burkina Faso

On March 3, an attack on the French embassy in Burkina Faso left 16 people dead, 8 of whom were gunmen. Another 80 people have been injured. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by a Mali-based Al Qaeda affiliate. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/ Ludivine Laniepce

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State of Emergency Declared in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

On March 6, a 10-day state of emergency has been called in Sri Lanka as an attempt to end the violence. Tensions between the Buddhist and Muslim communities have lead to a rise in violence. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Rukmal Gamage

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Russian Military Plane Crashes in Syria

Russian Plane

A Russian military plane crashed in Syria on March 6. All 38 members of the plane’s personnel have died, and the crash is suspected to be due to a technological malfunction. (BBC)

Photo Source: Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP

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Machete Attack in Nigeria

Nigeria

On March 7, more than 20 people died during a clash between herders and farmers in NIgeria. A group armed with machetes attacked the community in an act of revenge. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo

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Knife Attack in Vienna

Knife Attack in Vienna

On March 7, two knife attacks left four people injured in Vienna. It is still unclear as to whether the attacks are related. The suspects are still at large. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Ronald Zak

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President Trump and Kim Jong-un to Meet

Meeting

On March 9, it was announced that President Trump and Kim Jong-un are set to meet in person by May. This meeting could ease nuclear tensions. (BBC)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Koji Sasahara

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Russia Successfully Tests Missile

Russian Missile

On March 11, Russian President Putin stated that Russia had successfully tested a hypersonic missile. The missile is said to have hit the intended target, and Putin has stated it is part of his stockpile of “invincible” weapons. (BBC)

Photo Source: RU-RTR Russian Television via AP

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China’s President to Rule for Life

President Xi

On March 11, China’s parliament changed the country’s constitution to allow President Xi Jinping to rule for life. The constitution previously limited a president to two 5-year terms. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Andy Wong

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Peruvians Favor Impeachment

President Kuczynski

A poll released on March 11 suggests that a majority of Peruvians favor the impeachment of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Kuczynski barely avoided impeachment after a bid in December, and lawmakers continue to fight. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Martin Mejia

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Zimbabwe Doctors go on Strike

Zimbabwe Doctor Strike

On March 13, doctors working in public hospitals across Zimbabwe went on strike to protest the low pay and drug shortages. As of now, doctors in Zimbabwe make $1.50 an hour, and are protesting for an increase to $10 and hour and better working conditions. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi

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Bus Crash in Ethiopia

Ethiopia Bus Crash

On March 13, a bus crashed into a ravine in Ethiopia, killing 38 people. Most of the victims were students, and ten passengers survived the crash. (Reuters)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Dan Anderson

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23 Russian Diplomats Expelled from Britain

Spy Poisoning

On March 14, it was announced that the UK is expected to expel 23 Russian diplomats after deciding that the Russian state was responsible for the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Skripal, a former Russian spy, and his daughter were exposed to a nerve agent that is made in Russia. President Trump has expressed US support regarding this decision. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin

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Finland is the World’s Happiest Country

Finland Flag

According to a survey released on March 14, it was revealed that Finland is the happiest country in the world. Discontent in America has caused the country’s ranking to lower, and it has not even made the top 10. (Reuters)

Photo Source: 123RF/Oleksii Liskonih

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Slain Politician in Brazil Creates Outrage

Protests in Brazil

On March 17, thousands of Brazilians flocked the streets to protest the killing of Marielle Franco, a Brazilian politician. Franco was killed three days earlier when a car pulled up next to her and shot both her and her driver. (CNN)

Photo Source: AP Photo/Leo Correa

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Putin Wins Reelection

Russia

On March 19, Russian President Putin won reelection. During his speech, he stated that he has no intention to start an arms race and hopes countries can resolve their differences. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Bigstock/Mixstock

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Norway’s Justice Minister Quits

Norway Flag

On March 20, Norwegian Justice Minister Sylvi Listhaug quit in order to avoid a government collapse. The decision came after Listhaug made controversial comments on her Facebook page. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Bigstock/JackF

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3,000 Prisoners Pardoned in Zimbabwe

Jail Cells

On March 21, in order to avoid overcrowding, President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe pardoned 3,000 prisoners, most of whom were female inmates. Many juveniles and people with short sentences were also released. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Bigstock/ tmcnem

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32 Die Near Afghan Shrine

Afghanistan Flag

On March 21, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb near a shrine in Kabul. The explosion killed at least 32 people and wounded dozens of others. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. (Reuters)

Photo Source: 123RF/ Iúri Silvestre

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Most Kidnapped Girls Freed

Nigeria Flag

On March 21, 104 of the 110 kidnapped girls in Nigeria were returned to their hometown. Nigeria has stated that no ransom was paid for the girls’ return. (CNN)

Photo Source: Bigstock/SimeonD

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Peru’s President Resigns

Peru Flag

On March 22, Peru’s President Kuczynski resigned amidst a vote buying scandal. Kuczynski was facing an impeachment vote in a few days, but he still maintains his innocence. (BBC)

Photo Source: Bigstock/Gino Santa Maria

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Terrorist Attack in France

France Flag

On March 23, a hostage situation in the France town of Trebes left three people dead and another two wounded. The Islamist State has claimed responsibility. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Bigstock/Wavebreak Media Ltd

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Fire in Russian Mall

Russia

On March 25, a fire spread through a shopping mall in Russia, killing 64 people, 41 of whom were children. Bad wiring has been blamed for the fire. (CNN)

Photo Source: Bigstock/Mixstock

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Possible Ceasefire in Nigeria

Nigeria Flag

On March 25, it was announced that Nigeria was talking to terrorist group Boko Haram about a possible ceasefire. Nigeria’s president plans to create a long-lasting ceasefire. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Bigstock/SimeonD

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Russian Diplomats Expelled in Fourteen EU States

UN Flag

On March 26, fourteen EU states expelled Russian diplomats in response to the poisoning of a former spy. Denmark, France, Germany, and Britain are among some of the fourteen. Canada, China, and the US have also expelled Russian diplomats in response to the poisoning. (Reuters)

Photo Source: 123RF/Alexei Novikov

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Prison Riot and Fire in Venezuela

Prison Riot

On March 28, a riot and fire in the the cells of a police station in Venezuela killed 68 people. Riots are not uncommon in Venezuela, and investigations are ongoing. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Bigstock/ tmcnem

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Russia Expels Diplomats in Response

Russia

On March 30, in response to the Russian diplomats expelled from seventeen countries, Russia expelled diplomats from Italy, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, and Germany. (Reuters)

Photo Source: Bigstock/Mixstock

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