Top 20 World News Stories You Need to Know – March 2025

Here are the top 20 world news stories from March 2025 with sources included:

1. Israeli Airstrikes Resume in Gaza: On March 18, Israel launched extensive airstrikes in Gaza, ending a previous ceasefire. The strikes resulted in over 400 Palestinian deaths, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. (The Guardian)

2. Anti-Hamas Protests Erupt in Gaza: On March 25, hundreds of Palestinians protested against Hamas's rule, demanding an end to the ongoing war and criticizing Hamas's governance. (The Guardian)

3. U.S. Enforces Tariffs on Foreign-Made Cars: Beginning April 2, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars and car parts, affecting both imported vehicles and U.S.-assembled cars with significant foreign components. This move aims to bolster domestic manufacturing but may lead to increased vehicle prices. (Financial Times)

4. OECD Warns of Global Trade Slowdown: The OECD cautioned that trade fragmentation could impede global economic growth, highlighting the risks of protectionist policies and the importance of maintaining open trade channels. (World Economic Forum)

5. Rachel Reeves' UK Budget Statement: UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented a budget aiming for fiscal stability, which included welfare cuts and measures to increase tax revenues. Critics expressed concern over potential negative impacts on public services and vulnerable populations. (The Guardian)

6. World Press Photo Awards Announced: The World Press Photo organization revealed the 42 regional winners for 2025, showcasing powerful images that highlight global issues such as politics, gender, migration, and climate crisis. (El Pais)

7. Alysa Liu Leads World Figure Skating Championships: At the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, Alysa Liu, returning from retirement, topped the women's short program with a score of 74.58 points, leading over competitors from Japan and the U.S. (People)

8. South Korea Battles Massive Wildfires: Multiple wildfires in South Korea's southern regions have resulted in 26 deaths and the destruction of over 300 structures. Thousands of personnel and helicopters have been mobilized to combat the blazes. (ABC News)

9. North Korea Sends Troops to Russia: South Korea's military reported that North Korea sent approximately 3,000 additional troops to Russia in January and February, supporting President Vladimir Putin's military efforts in Ukraine. (ABC News)

10. Russia Begins Construction of Bridge to North Korea: Russia has initiated plans to build a road bridge connecting it to North Korea, aiming to enhance economic and logistical ties between the two countries. (US News)

11. Sudan Files ICJ Case Against UAE: Sudan has filed an application against the United Arab Emirates at the International Court of Justice, alleging violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide through the UAE's support for the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. (Wikipedia)

12. ICC Arrest Warrant for Rodrigo Duterte: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested following an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity during his anti-drug campaign. (Wikipedia)

13. Fire in North Macedonia Nightclub: A fire broke out in a nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, resulting in at least 59 deaths and injuring 155 others, marking one of the country's worst fire disasters. (Wikipedia)

14. Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Resigns: Keith Rowley resigned as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago after nine years in office, with Stuart Young set to assume the role. (Wikipedia)

15. Somali President Survives Attack: Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud survived an attack on his convoy by al-Shabaab militants, which resulted in at least 10 fatalities. (Wikipedia)

16. Protests in Turkey Following Mayor's Arrest: Nationwide protests erupted across Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on charges of corruption and terrorism, leading to widespread civil unrest. (Wikipedia)

17. Kirsty Coventry Elected IOC President: Kirsty Coventry was elected as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee, becoming the first female and African to hold the position. (Wikipedia)

18. Heathrow Airport Power Outage: A major power outage caused London's Heathrow Airport to shut down completely, disrupting thousands of flights worldwide and highlighting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. (Wikipedia)

19. Curaçao General Election Results: In the Curaçao general election, the incumbent MFK party secured an absolute majority in parliament, ensuring their continued governance of the Caribbean island nation. (Wikipedia)

20. Hamas Resists Anti-Government Protests: Despite facing significant public dissent, Hamas maintains control in Gaza with approximately 20,000 fighters, as anti-government protests continue to challenge their rule. (Wikipedia)