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From Iran to #Sussexit: 2020's biggest stories explained From Iran to #Sussexit: 2020's biggest stories explained
(about 4 hours later)
Less than two weeks into the new year, you'd be forgiven for already falling behind on the news. The start of 2020 has seen a flurry of significant events around the world.Less than two weeks into the new year, you'd be forgiven for already falling behind on the news. The start of 2020 has seen a flurry of significant events around the world.
From a deadly plane crash to the British Royals - here is a catch-up of some of the biggest news stories so far this year.From a deadly plane crash to the British Royals - here is a catch-up of some of the biggest news stories so far this year.
US and Iran go close to warUS and Iran go close to war
What happened?What happened?
Tension between the US and Iran reached its most strained point in decades.Tension between the US and Iran reached its most strained point in decades.
Relations have gradually soured under the Trump administration, but reached a new low over recent events in Iraq.Relations have gradually soured under the Trump administration, but reached a new low over recent events in Iraq.
In late December, Washington blamed an Iranian-backed militia for the death of an American contractor and bombed bases associated with the group in response.In late December, Washington blamed an Iranian-backed militia for the death of an American contractor and bombed bases associated with the group in response.
The deadly raids sparked a backlash and the US embassy in Baghdad was attacked by protesters.The deadly raids sparked a backlash and the US embassy in Baghdad was attacked by protesters.
Then on 3 January Qasem Soleimani - one of Iran's most senior military figures - was killed in a US drone strike.Then on 3 January Qasem Soleimani - one of Iran's most senior military figures - was killed in a US drone strike.
Why does it matter?Why does it matter?
Soleimani was widely viewed as the second most powerful person in Iran. Millions came out to mourn him and leaders vowed "severe revenge" for his death.Soleimani was widely viewed as the second most powerful person in Iran. Millions came out to mourn him and leaders vowed "severe revenge" for his death.
His assassination sparked fears of escalation or even imminent war between the two nations.His assassination sparked fears of escalation or even imminent war between the two nations.
What comes next?What comes next?
After a period of mourning, Iran launched missiles at bases in Iraq housing the US military on 8 January, but no-one was killed in the strikes.After a period of mourning, Iran launched missiles at bases in Iraq housing the US military on 8 January, but no-one was killed in the strikes.
It is unclear if retaliatory actions will continue between the two but President Donald Trump said Iran "appears to be standing down".It is unclear if retaliatory actions will continue between the two but President Donald Trump said Iran "appears to be standing down".
Hours later came news of another major event.Hours later came news of another major event.
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Iran plane crashIran plane crash
What happened?What happened?
Shortly after Iran launched strikes on US targets in Iraq, it emerged a passenger plane had crashed in Tehran.Shortly after Iran launched strikes on US targets in Iraq, it emerged a passenger plane had crashed in Tehran.
It soon became clear that all 176 people on board Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 had been killed.It soon became clear that all 176 people on board Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 had been killed.
Iranian officials were quick to blame technical problems, but the timing raised suspicion.Iranian officials were quick to blame technical problems, but the timing raised suspicion.
A day later it emerged western intelligence sources had evidence the plane might have been shot down.A day later it emerged western intelligence sources had evidence the plane might have been shot down.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there was evidence from "multiple sources" to indicate it was hit by an Iranian missile - possibly by mistake. Early on Saturday, Iran's military said the plane had been shot down due to human error, saying it had flown close to a sensitive site belonging to the country's Revolutionary Guards.
Why does it matter?Why does it matter?
There were dozens of Iranians on the flight but also citizens of six other countries - including 57 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians, as well as people from Sweden, the UK, Afghanistan and Germany.There were dozens of Iranians on the flight but also citizens of six other countries - including 57 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians, as well as people from Sweden, the UK, Afghanistan and Germany.
An allegation a commercial plane was brought down, even accidentally, is extremely serious. If a commercial flight is brought down, even "unintentionally" as Iran's military is now saying, it is an extremely serious matter.
What comes next?
Iran denies the claim, but now faces mounting international pressure to be cooperative with their investigation.
"Canadians want answers. That means transparency, accountability and justice," Mr Trudeau said. "This government will not rest until we get that."
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Harry and Meghan 'step back'Harry and Meghan 'step back'
What happened?What happened?
The 8th of January had already been highly eventful.The 8th of January had already been highly eventful.
But later in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to "step back" as senior members of the Royal Family.But later in the day, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to "step back" as senior members of the Royal Family.
Prince Harry and Meghan said they intended to become financially independent and split their time between the UK and North America.Prince Harry and Meghan said they intended to become financially independent and split their time between the UK and North America.
Why does it matter?Why does it matter?
The news sent shockwaves through the international media, with headlines like "Megxit" splashed across newspaper front pages.The news sent shockwaves through the international media, with headlines like "Megxit" splashed across newspaper front pages.
Buckingham Palace was said to be "disappointed" and "hurt" at the announcement.Buckingham Palace was said to be "disappointed" and "hurt" at the announcement.
Such an action is almost unprecedented in modern royal history, with many comparing the move to Edward VIII's decision to abdicate the throne in 1936.Such an action is almost unprecedented in modern royal history, with many comparing the move to Edward VIII's decision to abdicate the throne in 1936.
What comes next?What comes next?
Much about the practicalities of their plan remains unclear, though the couple have maintained they will continue to "honour" their duty to the Queen.Much about the practicalities of their plan remains unclear, though the couple have maintained they will continue to "honour" their duty to the Queen.
People have joked about potential career options for the pair, with Meghan already having an "open invite" to join a US reality show.People have joked about potential career options for the pair, with Meghan already having an "open invite" to join a US reality show.
A palace spokeswoman said discussions for the plan were at an "early stage" and said there were "complicated issues that will take time to work through".A palace spokeswoman said discussions for the plan were at an "early stage" and said there were "complicated issues that will take time to work through".
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Bushfire crisisBushfire crisis
What happened?What happened?
Australia is continuing to struggle with massive and destructive bushfires.Australia is continuing to struggle with massive and destructive bushfires.
Millions of hectares of land have burned, thousands of homes have been destroyed and at least 27 people have died - including volunteer firefighters.Millions of hectares of land have burned, thousands of homes have been destroyed and at least 27 people have died - including volunteer firefighters.
The situation has been fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought.The situation has been fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought.
Why does it matter?Why does it matter?
Aside from the dangers to property and the public, there is great concern about the ecological impact of the fires.Aside from the dangers to property and the public, there is great concern about the ecological impact of the fires.
People are worried in particular about the nation's animals with estimates saying hundreds of millions may have died and many habitats been destroyed.People are worried in particular about the nation's animals with estimates saying hundreds of millions may have died and many habitats been destroyed.
Social media has been filled with campaigns to save animals and the fires even took centre stage in speeches at the Golden Globes on 6 January.Social media has been filled with campaigns to save animals and the fires even took centre stage in speeches at the Golden Globes on 6 January.
The crisis has piled pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has been snubbed by fire victims and forced to apologise for taking a holiday during the crisis.The crisis has piled pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has been snubbed by fire victims and forced to apologise for taking a holiday during the crisis.
What comes next?What comes next?
The scale of the fires has provoked sharp criticism of the government's climate policies from parts of the Australian public, and of Mr Morrison's handling of the crisis.The scale of the fires has provoked sharp criticism of the government's climate policies from parts of the Australian public, and of Mr Morrison's handling of the crisis.
Tens of thousands demonstrated across major cities on Friday calling for the country to transition away from fossil fuels.Tens of thousands demonstrated across major cities on Friday calling for the country to transition away from fossil fuels.
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UK's most prolific rapist revealedUK's most prolific rapist revealed
What happened?What happened?
Reynhard Sinaga, originally from Indonesia, was publicly identified for the first time on 6 January.Reynhard Sinaga, originally from Indonesia, was publicly identified for the first time on 6 January.
He was found guilty of 159 sex offences against 48 men, who he lured to his Manchester flat before drugging and raping them.He was found guilty of 159 sex offences against 48 men, who he lured to his Manchester flat before drugging and raping them.
The 36-year-old has been jailed for life with a minimum 30-year sentence.The 36-year-old has been jailed for life with a minimum 30-year sentence.
Why does it matter?Why does it matter?
Sinaga has been described as the "most prolific rapist in British legal history".Sinaga has been described as the "most prolific rapist in British legal history".
The shocking case has provoked discussion in the media about male rape, including stigma, as well as around the dangers of drink spiking.The shocking case has provoked discussion in the media about male rape, including stigma, as well as around the dangers of drink spiking.
What comes next?What comes next?
Sinaga recorded his crimes on his phone and is suspected of raping dozens of more men, who police have been unable to identify.Sinaga recorded his crimes on his phone and is suspected of raping dozens of more men, who police have been unable to identify.
After his crimes were made public, police said they had a "significant number" of calls from new potential victims.After his crimes were made public, police said they had a "significant number" of calls from new potential victims.
Read more:Read more:
Other major storiesOther major stories
These are just a handful of recent events. In other news:These are just a handful of recent events. In other news: