Armed conflicts and attacks
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Syrian Civil War, 2019 Northwestern Syria offensive
- The Al-Qaeda-linked faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) acknowledges "a redeployment" south of the strategic town of Khan Shaykhun. (AP News)
- Pro-government media reports that the Syrian Army has entered the northern sector of the town of Khan Shaykhun, following the reported HTS withdrawal. (Al-Masdar)
Health and enviornment
- The Spanish Ministry of Health declares an outbreak of listeriosis in Andalusia as a national health alert after cases are reported in Asturias, Madrid, Catalonia and Extremadura, including one death. (RTVE)
International relations
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2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis
- Nicolás Maduro confirms US reports that top Venezuelan officials have been having secret meetings with members of the Donald Trump administration. Maduro claims the talks encourage Trump to listen to him, US sources claim the talks encourage Maduro supporters to defect. (The Guardian)
Law and crime
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Crime in Brazil
- Thirty-seven passengers on a bus over Rio–Niterói Bridge, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, are held hostage before police shoot dead the armed hijacker. After closer inspection, police discover the hijacker used a fake plastic gun. (BBC), (Extra)
- Former professional basketball player Mateen Cleaves is acquitted of several sex crimes in a court in his hometown of Flint, Michigan. (MLive), (WJRT-TV)
- A modification of the Volcker rule is approved by the OCC and the FDIC. The new version eases rules on proprietary trading by Wall Street banks but is criticized by consumer groups who see risks for the protections on taxpayer money. (Reuters)
- The Texas Department of Information Resources reports the computer systems of 23 towns in the state were hit by a ransomware attack on August 16. "One single threat actor" is suspected. (Insider)
Politics and elections
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Politics of Italy, Conte Cabinet
- The President of Italy accepts Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's resignation. (Reuters)
Science and technology
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List of unmanned aerial vehicles
- The Russian Ministry of Defence announces that the six-tonne satellite-controlled reconnaissance drone Altius-U has performed its maiden flight. (TASS)