Armed conflicts and attacks

Several fighters from both sides are killed after federal armed and troops opposition groups clash in South West State of Somalia. Two civilians are also killed. Militias loyal to former Southwest President Abdiaziz Laftagareen enter regional's capital city Baidoa, challenging two battalions of Somali National Army loyal to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The fighting is intensifying as federal forces are using heavy weapons. (Reuters) (Garowe Online) (i24 news)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_Armed_Forces
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_West_State_of_Somalia
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_leaders_of_South_West_State_of_Somalia
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdiaziz_Laftagareen
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baidoa
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_National_Army
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_President
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hassan_Sheikh_Mohamud
• https://www.reuters.com/world/somalia-federal-troops-armed-opposition-clash-baidoa-city-2026-08-17/
• https://garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-baidoa-erupts-in-heavy-fighting-as-laftagareen-forces-claim-to-seize-city
• https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/africa/artc-somalia-federal-troops-armed-opposition-clash-in-baidoa-city-report

Disasters and accidents

Floods and landslides caused by the southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Kujira kill at least 23 people and displace thousands across the Philippines. (AA)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsoon
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Kujira_(2026)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines
• https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/23-dead-as-monsoon-cyclones-displace-thousands-in-philippines/4029160

Disasters and accidents

Seven people are killed and several others are injured after a fire broke out in a hotel in Birbhum District, West Bengal, India. (Xinhua)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birbhum_District
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bengal
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India
• https://english.news.cn/20260817/67efeec788de4e05ac45b7ede2fe2b79/c.html

Politics and elections

Former South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is elected as the new leader of the Democratic Party, with 54.08% of vote against its former leader Jung Chung-rae. (The Korea Herald)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_South_Korea
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Min-seok_(politician)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_(South_Korea,_2015)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jung_Chung-rae
• https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10843221