The people of 17 August

Several fighters from both sides are killed after Somali federal forces and opposition groups clash in the South West State. Two civilians are also killed. Militias loyal to former state president Abdiaziz Laftagareen enter the regional capital Baidoa, challenging two battalions of the Somali National Army loyal to Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Conflict · 17 Aug · with Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Former South Korean prime minister Kim Min-seok is elected as the new leader of the Democratic Party with 54.08% of the vote against its former leader Jung Chung-rae.

Politics · 17 Aug · with Jung Chung-rae

South Sudanese president Salva Kiir meets with Darfur governor Minni Minnawi in Juba, South Sudan, to discuss efforts to end the conflict in Sudan.

Conflict · 17 Aug · with Minni Minnawi

Kurdistan Region prime minister Masrour Barzani reports that Iran has launched a drone attack on the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) prime minister’s office. No casualties are reported.

Conflict · 17 Aug

United States president Donald Trump orders the Department of Defense to substantially reduce the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost and his relationship with North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un. The drills begin as scheduled.

World · 17 Aug · with Kim Jong Un

The trial of Duane "Keffe D" Davis for his alleged role in the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur begins in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.

Crime & Justice · 17 Aug

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner Rodney S. Scott pauses construction of a $1.7 billion border-security project in Big Bend National Park, Texas, while the CBP reviews the plan amid bipartisan local opposition and environmental concerns.

Politics · 17 Aug

A Russian court sentences Yabloko deputy chairperson Lev Shlosberg to 11 years and one month in prison for discrediting the armed forces and spreading disinformation after he publicly condemned the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Crime & Justice · 17 Aug