NATO defense ministers agreed to a new confidential master plan to defend against potential Russian attacks, which could include nuclear weapons, cyberwarfare, hypersonic missiles or space attacks on satellites, Reuters reported Oct. 21.
The Turkish Central Bank's Monetary Policy Committee reduced the one-week repo rate by 200 basis points to 16%, Bloomberg reported Oct. 21.
El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly ruled to prohibit mass public and private gatherings until Dec. 8, ostensibly to curb the spread of COVID-19, Deutsche Welle reported Oct. 21.
Colombia’s Congress approved the country’s 2022 budget, including a provision that lifts the prohibition of public contracts during the upcoming electoral period, El Colombiano reported Oct. 20.
Russia hosted the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, and neighboring representatives reaffirmed their recognition of Afghanistan’s sovereignty, as well as the need for practical engagement with the country, Ariana News reported Oct. 21.
The European Parliament voted 580-26 in favor of adopting a non-binding resolution on Taiwan that recommends the bloc begin a “public consultation and a scoping exercise” by the end of 2021 for a bilateral investment agreement with the island, the South China Morning Post reported Oct. 21.
Ukraine hit a new daily record for COVID-19 infections and deaths, with health ministry data reporting 22,415 new cases over the past 24 hours(exceeding the previous high of 20,341 on April 3), along with 546 new deaths (surpassing the record set days ago), Reuters reported Oct. 21.
Iranian-backed militants allegedly attacked the U.S. Tanf military outpost in southern Syria, the Washington Post reported Oct. 20.
France’s lower house of Parliament voted to extend the use of COVID-19 health passes until July 31, 2022, Le Figaro reported Oct. 20.
Brazil’s government postponed its official announcement of Auxilio Brasil, a new cash transfer program, after the country’s market fell in response to the news that funding for the program would supersede Brazil’s constitutionally mandated spending cap, Bloomberg reported Oct. 19.
