News from March 18, 2025 at 2 AM

At around midnight on March 16, a severe fire broke out at a nightclub in Kochani, North Macedonia, resulting in at least 53 deaths. Approximately 1,500 people were attending a band performance when the fire, suspected to have been caused by lighting effects or fireworks, led to chaos, stampedes, and suffocation. Fire and emergency services were urgently reinforced from nearby cities, but rescue efforts were extremely challenging. Witnesses reported many injured lying on the streets awaiting help, with some citizens transporting victims to hospitals in private vehicles. The North Macedonia Interior Ministry has detained individuals associated with organizing the event and launched an investigation. Interior Minister Toškovski and Prime Minister Mickoski have arrived at the scene. The government vowed to thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident and hold those responsible accountable.

On March 17, 2025, King Charles warmly welcomed new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Buckingham Palace, symbolizing support for Canada amid threats from US President Donald Trump. The King, who had to cancel a planned 2024 visit to Canada due to a cancer diagnosis, indicated a post-election visit to Canada would be a priority. Carney had a 30-minute private conversation with the King, followed by a meeting with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Carney expressed gratitude for constructive discussions with Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. At a press conference, Carney emphasized Canada's sovereignty. King Charles has demonstrated support for Canada through various symbolic gestures, while balancing UK's relationship with Trump.

On January 28, 2025, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) downgraded its global economic growth forecasts in its interim Economic Outlook report, projecting global GDP growth to moderate from 3.2% in 2024 to 3.1% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026. The U.S. GDP growth is expected to slow to 2.2% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026. This revision is primarily due to President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on imported goods. Economic growth outlooks for Canada and Mexico were also significantly slashed, with Canada's growth reduced from 2% to 0.7% and Mexico's from a 1.2% expansion to a 1.3% contraction. The OECD also raised its inflation forecasts, with U.S. inflation expected to reach 2.8% in 2025, up from the previous 2.1% estimate, and G20 economies' inflation rising from 3.5% to 3.8%.

From March 14 to midday on March 16, 39 tornadoes were reported in the United States. Portions of Pennsylvania, New York, and Mid-Atlantic and South-east states remained under a National Weather Service watch for damaging winds and tornadoes, as the death toll from weekend storms rose to 36 across six states. President Donald Trump, in a White House statement, announced the deployment of the National Guard to Arkansas and pledged assistance to state and local officials. Over 340,000 consumers were without power in the affected areas by late afternoon on March 16. Missouri reported the highest number of deaths at 12, with widespread destruction across 27 counties. Mississippi reported six deaths, 29 injuries, and damage in 21 counties. Arkansas saw three deaths and 32 injuries. Eight deaths were confirmed in a multi-vehicle crash in Kansas due to a severe dust storm. At least two deaths were reported in Alabama, with damage in 52 counties, and three deaths occurred in Texas due to dust storm-related crashes.

On March 17, US President Donald Trump announced the revocation of Secret Service protection for former President Joe Biden's children, Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Hunter Biden had been under Secret Service protection for an extended period, funded by US taxpayers. He declared that effective immediately, Hunter Biden would no longer receive this protection, and Ashley Biden, who had 13 agents, would also be removed from the list. This decision came hours after a reporter inquired about Hunter Biden's Secret Service detail, to which Trump responded that he had not been aware of it but would look into it.

Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor met with Donald Trump during a Saint Patrick's Day visit to the White House on March 17, where he criticized illegal immigration in Ireland. McGregor stated in the White House briefing room that Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness. Trump later hosted the former UFC star in the Oval Office. McGregor also posed for a picture with tech tycoon Elon Musk. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin swiftly反驳McGregor's remarks, stating they do not reflect the views of the Irish people. In November 2024, McGregor was ordered by an Irish court to pay damages to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2018.

Peru's government declared a state of emergency in the capital Lima on Monday, deploying soldiers to the streets to quell a recent surge in violence. The death of renowned cumbia musician Paul Flores, who was shot in a bus attack by unknown assailants on Sunday, sparked public outrage. The crime wave, including a rise in extortion, led President Dina Boluarte to suggest the death penalty for murderers, despite Peru only allowing execution for traitors. The 30-day emergency decree covers Lima and neighboring Callao province, granting authorities additional powers to deploy the military against lawlessness. In recent years, Peruvian officials have frequently declared emergencies amid spikes in criminal activity or social unrest. Monday's government actions follow weeks of escalating violence attributed to criminal groups targeting businesses, including transport companies, despite recent gang arrests.

The Vatican released the first image of Pope Francis since his hospitalization a month ago, showing him sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. In his written Angelus message on Sunday, the Pope mentioned facing a 'period of trial,' thanking well-wishers for their prayers and praying for peace in 'countries wounded by war.' This marked the fifth consecutive Sunday he was absent from his weekly blessing in person. The Vatican earlier this week stated that an X-ray confirmed 'improvements' in his condition, but he still required hospital treatment. The 88-year-old Pope has not been seen in public since his admission on February 14 and no photos had been released until Sunday. He has been treated for double pneumonia and other infections, suffering several respiratory crises, raising concerns about his health.

Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time on Sunday, blaming fast-fashion e-tailers Shein and Temu for its decline. The retailer is expected to cease all operations in the U.S. and has begun liquidation sales at over 350 locations. Despite months of seeking a buyer, no viable deal has been reached. In the six years since its first bankruptcy, the company faced the Covid-19 pandemic, high inflation, and new competition from Shein and Temu. Sparc Group, Forever 21's operating company, tried partnering with Shein in 2023 but failed to stem losses. While U.S. operations face liquidation, international stores and the website will continue. The company currently owes $1.58 billion and over $100 million to clothing manufacturers.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media on Monday the nomination of Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford as the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The position requires Senate confirmation. Trump stated that Bryan brings over three decades of experience in aviation and executive leadership to this critical role.

UK Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds will meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to advance discussions on a bilateral trade agreement. The talks aim to deepen UK-US ties in industry, business, and consumer sectors, building on discussions initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer last month. Reynolds stated that the UK and U.S. share a fair and balanced relationship, and his visit is the latest step in the UK's pragmatic engagement with the new administration. Unlike the European Union, Britain did not immediately retaliate against Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports effective March 12, hoping to negotiate a trade deal and avoid broader reciprocal tariffs Trump threatened to announce on April 2. Trump mentioned last month that the two countries might reach a bilateral trade deal to avert duties. The UK and U.S. engaged in five rounds of trade negotiations during Trump's first term but failed to reach an agreement. UK Ambassador to the U.S., Peter Mandelson, emphasized the importance of continued collaboration, particularly in artificial intelligence, to establish a full spectrum technology partnership.