March 1 — North America: UNITED STATES
The United States President Barack Obama signs an order putting sequestration cuts into effect. Sequestration is a series of automatic, across-the-board cuts to government agencies. The cuts were originally enacted by the Budget Control Act of 2011, when Congress and the White House debated about how to cut the US deficit, and initially was set to begin on January 1. However, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 moved this date to March1 by which Republicans, who insisted on significant spending cuts, and Democrats, who wanted to raise taxes, failed to reach an agreement. The spending reductions will amount to more than $85 billion each year from 2013 through 2021, with about half the cuts coming from the defense budget. The critics of sequester warn that it will slow both the U.S. and global economies.
March 3 — South Asia: PAKISTAN
A series of bomb attacks targeting Shia Muslims kill 45 people, injure 150, and destroy several buildings in the Pakistani city of Karachi. Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, has been heavily influenced by the resurging Taliban, who frequently target minorities. During the previous two months, about 200 people were killed in several attacks on Shia communities.
March 4 — Europe: LATVIA
Latvia officially applies to adopt the euro currency in 2014, which would make it the 18th member of the Eurozone. After economic troubles during the recession and a financial international bailout, Latvia is now the fastest-growing economy in the European Union.
March 5 — Latin America: VENEZUELA
Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chavez, dies after a long battle with cancer at the age of 58. This polarizing politician who stayed in power for 14 years led a socialist Bolivarian revolution and was a staunch opponent of the United States. Vice President Nicolas Maduro takes over the duties of the president until an election next month.
March 6 — Africa: Sudan/SOUTH SUDAN
Sudan and South Sudan agree to resume the production of oil and its transfer across their border after a year of disputes. South Sudan owes three quarters of the oil production, but it needs Sudan’s pipelines to transport it. The dispute was about how much payment Sudan should get for South Sudan’s usage of its pipelines and territory.
March 7 — East Asia / North America / International Organizations:
NORTH KOREA / SOUTH KOREA / UNITED STATES / UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations Security Council unanimously approves new sanctions against North Korea in response to its third nuclear test last month. The sanctions freeze assets and ban travel on some individuals and companies connected with North Korea’s military. (March 11): The United States and South Korea begin joint annual military exercises that involve more than 13,000 troops. (March 26): Angered by the new sanctions and the U.S.-South Korean military drills, North Korea threatens the U.S. territory with a pre-emptive nuclear attack and strikes of U.S. military bases in Japan. At the same time, it carries out large military exercises. (March 30): North Korea announces that it is entering into “a state of war” with South Korea.
March 9 — Europe: MALTA
Malta’s Labour Party defeats the governing Nationalists Party in general elections and returns to power after 15 years. The party ran on the promises to lower the costs of electricity, which are among the highest in the world. Malta is the smallest but most successful member of the Eurozone, with its economy relying on tourism and financial services.
March 9 — Africa: KENYA
Kenyan Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of Kenya’s first president, wins the election for president, defeating Prime Minister Raila Odinga by a slim margin. Odinga challenges the result, but the country’s Supreme Court upholds it after a partial recount. Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto are wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for the 2007 election violence.
March 11 — Europe: HUNGARY
Hungary’s parliament approves a controversial constitutional amendment that limits the powers of the constitutional court and imposes other contentious laws that are seen as limiting freedom of expression and civil liberties. The changes are possible because the ruling conservative Fidesz Party holds two-thirds of the seats in the parliament. The opposition boycotts the vote. Critics say that the new amendment undermines the country’s democracy and allows the Fidesz party to consolidate power. The European Union, the United States, and human rights organization express their concerns over the amendment.
March 12 — Latin America / Europe: FALKLAND ISLANDS / UNITED KINGDOM
The people of the Falkland Islands vote almost unanimously to remain a part of the British overseas territory. Argentina’s response to the results of the referendum is that it is irrelevant to its claims of the islands.
March 13 — Europe: VATICAN CITY
The College of Cardinals elects a new pope, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who takes the name of Francis I. The new Pope succeeds Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned after eight years in office, and is the first Latin American and non-European to be elected to the post. As the head of the Vatican state and the leader of 1.2 billions of Catholics around the world, Francis I faces many challenges, such as ongoing scandals over clerical sex abuse, the role of women in the Church, and corruption in the Vatican.
March 14 — Middle East: ISRAEL
Five weeks after the elections, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forms a coalition government. The new coalition includes his alliance of Likud-Yisrael Beitenu, the centrist Yesh Atid and Hatnua party and the far-right Jewish Home.
March 19 — Middle East: IRAQ
A series of car and suicide bombings targeting public places in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, kills about 60 people and injures about 150. Sunni Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda are accused of these violent attacks.
March 21 — East Asia: MYANMAR
Clashes between Muslim and Buddhist communities in Myanmar’s central town of Meiktila leave at least 30 people dead and several mosques burned. (March 25): Large group of people attack the Muslim communities in the town of Oh The Kone, destroying their homes, shops, and burning mosques.
March 23 — Middle East: ISRAEL/TURKEY
Israel apologizes to Turkey for killing nine Turkish activists during the 2010 commando raid onto a ship carrying humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip that was under the Israeli blockade. Israel also agrees to compensate the families of the killed activists. The incident caused major rift in the Israeli-Turkish relations.
March 24 — South Asia: PAKISTAN
Pakistani former President Pervez Musharraf returns to Pakistan after four years of self-imposed exile to take part in the general elections in May. He faces death threats and a number of charges connected with his rule as president, but the Pakistani authorities have granted him protective bail.
March 24 — Africa: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The Seleka rebel coalition in the Central African Republic (CAR) breaks the January ceasefire agreement and captures the capital, Bangui, forcing President Francois Bozize out of the country. South African peacekeepers fail to stop the rebels. Rebel leader Michel Djotodia declares himself president and promises elections in 2016.
March 25 — Europe: CYPRUS
Cyprus secures a $13-billion bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In return, Cyprus agrees to implement tough austerity measures, including restructuring of its banks, privatization, and raising taxes. People with deposits larger than $130,000 are facing losses, while deposits of $130,000 or less are guaranteed.
March 26 — Middle East / International Organizations:
SYRIA / ARAB LEAGUE
Syria’s opposition National Coalition represents the country of Syria during the Arab League summit in Doha, Qatar. The event is seen as a major diplomatic win for the Syrian opposition.