On March 17, 2014, the following major news events occurred:

Major sponsors like Guinness and Heineken, as well as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio , boycotted the NYC parade due to its exclusion of openly gay organizations.

Reports confirmed that 16 people died in a stampede during a massive government job recruitment drive involving roughly 500,000 applicants.

Following a Sunday vote, Crimea's parliament formally declared independence from Ukraine to join Russia, reporting a 96% majority in favor.

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Chile, prompting temporary tsunami warnings. Culture & Sports

Government forces, supported by Hezbollah, seized the strategic rebel-held town of Yabrud near the Lebanese border.