Portal:Current events/2019 August 29
August 29, 2019 (Thursday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Papuan conflict
- Tensions escalate between Indonesia and Pacific Island nations as the situation in the province of West Papua worsens after an Indonesian soldier and a West Papuan are killed in clashes. Vanuatuan Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu said "something must be done", amid calls to invite United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to investigate murders and torture in the area. (Radio New Zealand)
Crime and law
- The Supreme Court of Thailand upholds death sentences against two migrant workers convicted of murdering two UK tourists and raping one. Rights groups claim the men were scapegoats and tortured into false confessions by police under pressure to solve the crimes, which attracted international attention. (The Guardian)
International relations
- China–United States trade war
- China announces that it will not immediately retaliate on the latest U.S. import tariffs, but is instead "lodging solemn representations". (Bloomberg)
Politics and elections
- Politics of Italy
- President of Italy Sergio Mattarella tasks demissionary Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte with the formation of a new cabinet, a coalition of Five Star Movement and Democratic Party. The premier-designate reserves the right to accept the mandate, pending further talks with both parties. (ANSA)
- Brexit
- The Court of Session in Edinburgh begins hearing arguments in a case challenging UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend the UK Parliament. The challenge, seeking an indict, the Scottish equivalent to an injunction, to prevent the move, is being brought by Members of the Scottish Parliament. (BBC)