Portal:Current events/2020 January 18

January 18, 2020 (Saturday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
- Afghan presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi says that the government rejects the proposed "reduction in violence" by the Taliban as an "ambiguous term with no legal or military parameters". On Friday, the Taliban proposed a ten-day truce and to hold follow-up discussions with Afghan government officials. (Al Jazeera)
Yemen Civil War (2015–present)
- 2020 Ma'rib attack
  - Eighty military personnel are killed by ballistic missiles and drone strikes in an attack reportedly carried out by the Houthis against a military camp in the Yemeni city of Ma'rib, according to Saudi state TV. The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack. (BBC News)
Somali Civil War (2009–present)
- 2020 Afgooye bombing
  - An al-Shabaab car bombing kills four people and injures at least 20 others near Afgooye, Lower Shabelle, Somalia. (Al Arabiya)

Arts and culture

Megxit
- Officials within Buckingham Palace announced that effective around Q2 2020, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex will retain, but will no longer publicly use, the style His/Her Royal Highness, and will no longer receive public funds for royal duties. (BBC News)
- The couple will also repay £2.4 million of public money spent on renovating Frogmore Cottage. (RTÉ News and Current Affairs)
- The couple will keep their titles as Duke and Duchess of Sussex. While Prince Harry will lose all his military appointments, he will remain a prince. (Sky News)

Disasters and accidents

Winter Storm Jacob
- A historic blizzard strikes Atlantic Canada, with St. John's in Newfoundland worst affected – over 30 inches (76 cm) of snow fell during the day, breaking the city's all-time daily snowfall record. 21,000 homes are without power and one person is missing. (The Weather Channel)
- High winds and heavy snowfall impact the Midwest and mid-Atlantic states of the United States, with the heaviest snowfall recorded in Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit. (The Weather Channel)

International relations

Seoul-based NK News reports that North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho has been replaced. His successor is expected to be publicly announced next Thursday. (Reuters)

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