South Asia
Floods and landslides have caused over 150 deaths in India and Nepal, with several others reported missing. Experts have blamed extensive construction work in the affected regions, specifically for hydroelectric dams, which resulted in large-scale deforestation. [Al Jazeera]
A bomb attack along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan resulted in the death of four Pakistani security forces. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, the Pakistani Taliban has been considered responsible, as the region is used as a base by the members of the group. [Hindustan Times]
Central Asia and the Caucasus
Uzbekistan is set to hold its presidential election on Sunday. Incumbent President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is expected to win in a landslide. [The Diplomat]
During a joint press conference with Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić-Radman, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that the country is cooperating with Croatia to demine Azerbaijani territories that were liberated from Armenian occupation in 2020. [Azer News]
East and Southeast Asia
Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah rejected claims reportedly made by an Israeli minister who said that the country may be the next to join the Abraham Accords. Abdullah said on Wednesday that Malaysia “stands by its unwavering commitment in supporting the Palestinian cause and struggle against the Israeli occupation.” [Channel News Asia]
North Korea said that the United States (US) overreacted to this week’s test of a new ballistic missile from a submarine. A spokesperson at Pyongyang’s foreign ministry said the test was “[a] normal activity to carry out” and that its defence plan and was not aimed at the US or any other country. [Channel News Asia]
Europe
On Wednesday, the British government announced that it had successfully entered into a contract with Pfizer for 250,000 doses of its antiviral pill candidate that aims to cure highly vulnerable COVID-19 patients. The United Kingdom has seen a significant surge in COVID-19 infection cases, raising calls for another lockdown. [Politico]
On Wednesday, Germany proposed joint border patrols with Poland to counter the rise in illegal migration from Belarus. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer offered increased support on the Polish side to identify migrants entering Europe illegally and arrest smugglers. Europe has accused Belarus of intentionally creating a migration crisis in Europe to retaliate against European Union sanctions over human rights abuses and electoral fraud. [Euronews]
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the United Nations’ COP 26 Climate Summit next month in Glasgow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasised that climate change is an important part of Russian foreign policy. Russia aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, despite being one of the largest producers of oil and gas and being the fourth-highest emitter of carbon. [The Moscow Times]
Latin America and the Caribbean
On Wednesday, El Salvador’s Congress voted 73 to 11 to maintain the country’s total ban on abortion, despite women’s rights groups campaigning for exemptions to be made in cases of rape, risk to a woman’s health, or life-threatening deformities. This is the third time since 1998, when the country’s ‘right-to-life’ article was passed, that the Salvadoran Congress has rejected such a petition. [Associated Press]
The Venezuelan National Assembly approved a motion to launch negotiations with the Colombian Parliament to normalise currently strained diplomatic and trade relations. Venezuela has repeatedly accused Colombia of interfering in its internal affairs and creating unrest along their shared border. [Telesur]
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
The European Union has said that Turkey’s bid to gain membership to the bloc remains at a “standstill” due to the “continued deterioration of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights, and the independence of the judiciary” under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Turkish Foreign Ministry rejected these claims as “baseless.” [The New Arab]
The Ethiopian military launched its second air raid on Tigray this week. Government spokesperson Legesse Tulu claimed that the military targeted “facilities that the TPLF (Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front) have turned into arms construction and repair armaments sites.” At least 14 people were injured and three are in critical condition. [Al Jazeera]
North America
The United States (US) and the European Union (EU) announced an agreement to strengthen their joint engagement in the Western Balkans and reaffirmed their support for the EU’s enlargement progress. A joint statement by the US and the EU discussed support for the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and also mentioned the EU-led dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. [U.S. Department of State]
A small American remote base at al Tanf along the Syrian border with Jordan was attacked on Wednesday by drones and indirect fire. No deaths or injuries were reported. There are currently 1,000 American troops stationed in Syria, with most of them located in Syrian-Kurdish held locations to prevent the rise of ISIS. [ABC News]
Oceania
On Tuesday, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism, and Investment Dan Tehan warned of increased tariffs on exports if the country failed to commit to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. [Reuters]
A new climate council report called Australia the worst climate performer among rich countries and warned that it will remain last even if it commits to net-zero emissions by 2050. However, Australian Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor dismissed the report’s findings, calling it “complete rubbish.” [The New Daily]
Sub-Saharan Africa
Ugandan State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees Esther Anyakun said that over one million people in the country have been displaced as a result of flooding and heavy rain since April 2020. The effects of these climatic events are particularly hard-felt in mountainous regions and areas bordering water bodies. [Daily Monitor]
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has lifted the ‘dusk-to-dawn’ curfew that has been in place since March 2020, noting that five million citizens have thus far been vaccinated against COVID-19. [The East African]
World News Monitor: 21 October, 2021
A quick look at events from around the globe.
October 21, 2021
SOURCE: AP