Portal:Current events/2019 August 30

August 30, 2019 (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)
- The Yemeni Ministry of Defense says 300 people were killed and wounded in United Arab Emirates air raids in southern Yemen over the two previous days. The UAE Foreign Ministry has said the "preemptive operation" targeted "terrorist militias". (Al Jazeera)
Israel–Lebanon conflict
- Israeli Defense Forces name three senior Iranian officers and point out that the leader of the Quds Force is in Lebanon "with his family". Amid the campaign for the 17 September legislative election, Israel says Iran is moving to convert Hezbollah's arsenal of what Israel says is more than 100,000 rockets into precision-guided missiles. (CNN)

International relations

Pope Francis sends a video message to the people of Mozambique before his visit to the African country next week. He stresses reconciliation after years of conflict. The Pontiff says that “although I will be unable to travel beyond the capital, my heart reaches out and embraces you all, with a special place for those who live in difficulty.” (Holy See Press Office)

Law and crime

Brexit
- A Court of Session judge refuses to grant an interdict, the Scottish equivalent to an injunction, preventing the upcoming suspension of the UK Parliament. The judge rules there is "no cogent need" for such an emergency measure as the suspension is not scheduled until September 9. However, a full hearing on the lawfulness of the suspension is brought forward to Tuesday. The case against the UK government is being brought by Members of the Scottish Parliament. (BBC News)
- Former Prime Minister Sir John Major announces he will join a case brought by anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller seeking judicial review of Parliament's suspension in the High Court under English law. The case challenges the lawfulness of current UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's advice to Queen Elizabeth II in asking her to suspend the UK Parliament. The case is due for a preliminary hearing next Thursday with a full hearing the following day if the High Court approves one. (BBC News)
- The High Court in Belfast hears a claim under Northern Irish law brought by Raymond McCord, a campaigner for Troubles victims, challenging the constitutionality of suspending the UK Parliament. Sir Declan Morgan, The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, adjourns proceedings until next week. (BBC News)
- A cross-party group of over fifty members of the suspended Parliament pledge to carry on meeting in the absence of Parliament. (The Guardian)
Hong Kong protests
- Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow are arrested, charged and released on bail. (BBC News)
September 11 attacks
- A military judge sets 11 January 2021 as the starting date for the selection of a military jury in the trial of five suspects, among which is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, held in Guantanamo Bay. (The Guardian)
List of mass shootings in the United States in 2019
- At least 10 teenagers (age 15 to 18) are injured in a mass shooting at a high school football game at Ladd–Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (CNN)

Politics and elections

Politics of the United States
- Madeleine Westerhout is forced to resign as Director of Oval Office Operations at the White House after leaking private information about the Trump family and White House operations to reporters at a private dinner. Westerhout had allegedly bragged about her personal access to U.S. President Donald Trump. (BBC News)
- White House aides admit that President Trump made up a phone call from China last weekend. (The Independent)