Monday, August 31, 2026

2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says that a supertanker caught fire after hitting two naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC accuses the United States of responsibility for the attack, which the United States Central Command on an X post denies.

2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis

Saudi shipping company Bahri says that two Filipino crew members were killed after unidentified projectiles struck the oil tanker SIDR while it transited the Strait of Hormuz.

United Arab Emirates in the 2026 Iran war

The United Arab Emirates defense ministry reports that an Iranian drone has been intercepted over the country's airspace. Additionally, Iran's army says that they have attacked the Al Minhad Air Base, which the UAE denies.

Gaza war

Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip kill ⁠at least five people.

Aerial warfare in the Russo-Ukrainian war

Ukraine tightens security measures for Kyiv's public transport, schools, and parliament amid increased Russian drone attacks, including restrictions on large school gatherings, possible remote learning, and expanded shelter arrangements.

Myanmar civil war

Twelve civilians are killed in an attack by alleged armed People's Defence Force members after they claim to have entered a village in Mahlaing Township, Mandalay Region, Myanmar.

Colombian conflict

A car bomb outside a police station in Los Patios, Norte de Santander, Colombia, kills one civilian and injures 11 others, including two officers. Police attribute the attack to the National Liberation Army.

Mexican drug war

A car bomb outside a police station in Ojocaliente, Zacatecas, México, leaves ten people injured. Authorities arrest one suspect related to the attack.

2026 Bishkek SCO summit

The 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit is held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, which coincides with the country's Independence Day and the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Nomad Games.

Greece–Israel relations

Israel and Greece sign a €3 billion (US$3.48 billion) arms export deal that will enable the Israeli defense ministry to build the "Achilles Shield", a multi-layered air defense array similar to the Iron Dome, made entirely by Israeli systems, including David's Sling, SPYDER, and Barak MX.

India–Pakistan wars and conflicts

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, orders India to comply with the Indus Waters Treaty and restrict work on two hydroelectric projects that could violate it. India rejects the ruling and maintains that the treaty remains suspended.

Italy–Spain relations

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni announces that Italy will extend its suspension of the Schengen free movement agreement with Spain for another 15 days in response to the migrant crisis event at the Ceuta border fence with Morocco.

2025–2026 Kosovo political deadlock

Kosovo's Vetëvendosje and Democratic League parties agree to support former Constitutional Court judge Bekim Sejdiu for president, potentially ending nearly two years of political deadlock and enabling the formation of a new government.

Corruption in South Korea

A South Korean court sentences Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han to two years in prison for bribing officials, including former first lady Kim Keon Hee, in an effort to obtain policy favors.

Kidnapping of Shelly Kittleson

A judiciary in Iraq sentences Kata'ib Hezbollah member Amir Rahim Jabbar to 15 years in prison for his role in the kidnapping of American journalist Shelly Kittleson.

Murder of Tupac Shakur

A jury in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, finds former Crips gang leader Duane Davis guilty of first-degree murder for orchestrating the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur during a drive-by shooting in Paradise in 1996.

2026 Times Square stabbing

A woman stabs two people in Times Square, New York City, U.S., killing a Bank of America vice president and injuring another person, before police fatally shot her after she refused commands to drop her knives.

Justice

Three people are killed in a mass shooting at a shooting range in Danilovgrad, Montenegro. The perpetrator then opened fire against police officers in the near city of Herceg Novi, before killing himself.

Justice

A tribunal of first instance in Brussels, Belgium, orders biometrics company Semlex and 13 other defendants to stand trial over alleged corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud linked to a passport contract in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Justice

A suspect is arrested in relation to a mass shooting over the weekend at a rave in Aarau, Aargau, Switzerland, which killed a woman and injured five other people.

2026 Nepal–Tibet floods

It is reported that school principal Rajendra Dawadi saved over 900 students and 16 faculty members at the Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School in Bidur, Nuwakot District, Nepal, 10 minutes before flash floods hit the area last week.

2026 Nepal–Tibet floods

The death toll from the flash floods in Nepal has reached past 950. Additionally, hundreds are reported to be feared stuck in hydropower tunnels in wake of the floods.

2026 Grand Canyon flood

The death toll from the flash flood in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States, last Saturday rises to two, while the number of people missing falls from more than 20 to one after park rangers locate most of those previously unaccounted for.

2026 Indonesia wildfires

The Mount Sinabung stratovolcano in North Sumatra, Indonesia, erupts, sending ash 3,500 meters into the air. Residents and visitors around Lake Lau Kawar are ordered to evacuate.

2026 Ebola epidemic

The total amount of cases of ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo exceeds 6,000.

Health

A data from the Methane Alert and Response System reports that Turkmenistan has started the process of clearing methane leaks from its oil and gas facilities.

AI boom

Adobe Inc. reaches a US$4 billion deal to offer free access to AI tools in Saudi Arabia with its Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Humain.

Culture

Dale Sanders reclaims his record of being the oldest person to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, one of the world's longest hiking-only trails, after completing it at age 91.