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News Reports

Current Operations

• Drone attack targets U.S. base in southern Syria: media People's Daily 21 Oct 2021 -- A drone attack targeted a U.S. base in the al-Tanf area in southern Syria on Wednesday night, state news agency SANA reported.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Background Press Call on Climate Security The White House 21 Oct 2021
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Statement on the DoD Climate Risk Analysis DoD 21 Oct 2021 -- The Department of Defense will continue to work with the interagency, our allies and partners, and the international community to tackle the existential threat of climate change. We share this planet, and shared threats demand shared solutions.
• DOD Analysis Highlights Geostrategic Risks of Climate Change DoD News 21 Oct 2021 -- The Defense Department released an unclassified version of the Defense Climate Risk Analysis report today. As the global and cross-cutting consequences of climate change increase the demands on the department, the DCRA provides a starting point for a shared understanding of the strategic and mission risks of climate change and lays out a path forward.
• Warming Temperatures Could Spark Conflicts in Global Hot Spots, Reports Say VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- More than just altering the environment, climate change is threatening to permanently and dangerously reshape the global security landscape, according to a series of new assessments by U.S. military, intelligence and security officials.
• ODNI Releases National Intelligence Estimate on Climate Change Director of National Intelligence 21 Oct 2021 -- The Office of the Director of National Intelligence today released "Climate Change and International Responses Increasing Challenges to U.S. National Security Through 2040," the first NIE on climate change.
• DHS Releases New Strategic Framework for Addressing Climate Change DHS 21 Oct 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its first Strategic Framework for Addressing Climate Change to govern the Department's efforts to combat the climate crisis. DHS is at the forefront of national initiatives to address the impacts of climate change, including by leading efforts to build resilience in communities across our country.
• Navy and Army Demonstrate Advanced Hypersonic Technologies US Navy 21 Oct 2021 -- The Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) and the Army Hypersonic Program Office (AHPO) successfully conducted a High Operational Tempo for Hypersonics flight campaign on October 20, 2021.
• GOP Senator Wants More Cash for Pentagon Budget in Wake of Alleged PRC Hypersonic Missile Tests Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- Earlier this week, Western media alleged that China had carried out a missile test in the summer involving a nuclear-capable hypersonic glide vehicle. Beijing dismissed the claims, saying its test involved reusable rocket technology. On Thursday, the Financial Times reported that the PRC had carried out not one, but two hypersonic missile tests.
• Pentagon: US conducts tests to advance hypersonic weapon programs Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- The Pentagon has claimed the US Navy and Army successfully tested hypersonic weapon component prototypes that will help the development of new weapons, amid increasing tensions with China.
• MCSC begins fielding amphibious robot system for littoral missions USMC News 21 Oct 2021 -- In September, Marine Corps Systems Command began fielding an amphibious, unmanned robot system to support littoral operations globally.
• Investments in Technology Crucial to Staying Ahead, Innovation Unit Director Says DoD News 21 Oct 2021 -- An effective national technology strategy requires investments in critical and emerging technologies, the director of the Defense Innovation Unit said.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Spanish Minister of Defense Margarita Robles Fernández DoD 21 Oct 2021
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Danish Minister of Defence Trine Bramsen DoD 21 Oct 2021
• US Navy: 'Systematic failure' led to destruction of warship last year Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- A fire that destroyed a US warship last year was "clearly preventable," according to an inquiry which says a series of systematic failures led to the destruction of the assault ship.
• Air Force Materiel Command reaches IOC as servicing major command for Space Force US Air Force 21 Oct 2021 -- The Air Force Materiel Command declared Initial Operational Capability for its support to the U.S. Space Force on Oct. 1, 2021. The IOC milestone means AFMC is well on its way to fully supporting the Space Force as its servicing major command for Space Force-assigned Airmen.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With France Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly DoD 21 Oct 2021
• NATO Defense Ministers Discussing Afghanistan, Russia Tensions VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Brussels for a meeting of NATO defense ministers Thursday and Friday to talk about security issues in Afghanistan, tensions with Russia and technology policy.
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers on 21 and 22 October at NATO Headquarters NATO 21 Oct 2021
• Fifteen Allies deepen cooperation on Ground Based Air Defence NATO 21 Oct 2021 -- Defence Ministers from 15 NATO Allies reaffirmed their commitment to multinationally develop, acquire and deliver Ground Based Air Defence capabilities, which will protect Allied personnel, equipment and facilities from air based threats. This was done in the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers Meeting on 21 October 2021.
• Eleven Allies launch multinational projects to boost CBRN defence NATO 21 Oct 2021 -- The Ministers of Defence from 11 NATO Allies launched three multinational High Visibility Projects to provide CBRN protection equipment, develop and procure CBRN detection and identification systems, as well as potentially establish a network of CBRN defence facilities.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the first day of the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence NATO 21 Oct 2021
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Opening Remarks at Bilateral Meeting DoD 21 Oct 2021
• NATO Ministers Bolster Alliance Deterrence, Defense DoD News 21 Oct 2021 -- NATO defense ministers approved a plan that will make the alliance more responsive to the complex and changing security environment, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels, today.
• NATO Defense Ministers Meeting To Discuss 'Master Plan' To Deter Russian Threat RFE/RL 21 Oct 2021 -- NATO defense ministers are set to discuss a so-called "master plan" to defend the alliance against any potential Russian attack following a showdown with Moscow that saw Kremlin envoys to the alliance stripped of accreditation.
• NATO Chief Says Relations With Russia at Their Lowest Since Cold War VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday relations between the alliance and Russia are at their lowest point since the Cold War ended.
• UK Defenсe Ministry Confirms Information About Missiles' Deal With Ukraine Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- The UK Ministry of Defenсe on Thursday confirmed information about a deal to deliver missiles to Ukraine, adding that it was made public in June.
• UK in talks to sell missiles to Ukraine in first arms deal: Report Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- The United Kingdom is in talks with Ukraine to provide it with missiles for the first time under an arms deal, a report says.
• Moscow to React to Ukraine's Possible NATO Entry, Sees It as Dangerous Step, Deputy FM Says Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- Ukraine's possible NATO entry would be an extremely dangerous step, which would force Moscow to react, the alliance was warned about the possible consequences, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said on Thursday.
• Russia warns against Ukraine's accession to NATO Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- Russia has warned that any move towards the accession of Ukraine to the NATO would have consequences as it test-fired a submarine-launched Bulava ballistic missile.
• Answer of Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry KCNA 21 Oct 2021 -- The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK gave the following answer to a question put by the KCNA on Oct. 20 as regards the fact that the U.S. is unreasonably pulling up the DPRK over its test-firing of a new-type SLBM:
• North Korea accuses US of applying double standards over ballistic missile test Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- North Korea says the United States applies "double standards" in its approach to Pyongyang's weapons program and has overreacted to its recent missile test by calling for an emergency gathering of the United Nations Security

• Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 Crashes in Madhya Pradesh, Pilot Ejects - Videos Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- This is the first accident involving a single-engine Mirage 2000 in nearly a decade. The Indian Air Force operates three squadrons (18-20 fighter jets in each) of French-made Mirage 2000 jets.
• "Velayat Sky Defenders 10" drills begin IRNA 21 Oct 2021 -- Iranian Army's Air Defense Force started the main and operational phase of the drills dubbed "Velayat Sky Defenders 10" on Thursday.
• Homegrown Yasin-90 missile hits targets during nationwide aerial drills Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- Iranian Army's Air Force has showcased its capabilities during a large-scale aerial exercise, which included hitting targets with homegrown Yasin-90 standoff missile and domestically-produced rockets.
• Blinken Holding Final Day of Talks in Colombia VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- The United States and Colombia are holding high-level talks Thursday as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wraps up a trip to the region that has included a focus on migration policy and upholding democracy.
• Remarks by President Biden Before Air Force One Departure The White House 21 Oct 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks at the U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue US Dept. of State 21 Oct 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Participation in the Ninth U.S.-Colombia High-Level Dialogue US Dept. of State 21 Oct 2021
• Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre The White House 21 Oct 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Oct. 21, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 21 October 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 21 Oct 2021
• Pakistani Foreign Minister Pledges To Expand Trade After Visit To Kabul RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Oct 2021 -- Pakistan's foreign minister has visited Kabul for the first time since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, pledging to help its neighbor avoid an economic collapse.
• Private Groups Seek Government Funding to Keep Up Afghan Evacuation Flights VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- With winter closing in across much of Afghanistan, American veterans organizations and other private groups are pressing the State Department for funding to continue evacuating thousands of vulnerable Afghans who didn't make it out of the country during the massive U.S. airlift in August.
• UN Agency Launches Program to Restore Livelihoods of Afghan People VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- The U.N. Development Program is launching a plan to help millions of Afghans who have lost their livelihoods in the midst of the recent political turmoil regain the ability to earn a living and feed their families.
• HRW Calls For 'Better Pathways' For At-Risk Afghans RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Oct 2021 -- Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on United Nations agencies and governments to increase their support for Afghans at risk who are seeking to flee their homeland or have already fled and are now in countries neighboring Afghanistan, transit countries, and countries of resettlement.
• Putin Says Russia Mulling Removing Taliban From Terrorist List RFE/RL Gandhara 21 Oct 2021 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is considering removing the Taliban from its list of extremist organizations as it expands engagement with the new rulers in Kabul.
• Moscow conference on Afghanistan urges invaders to take responsibility Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- Russia hosts a third conference involving Afghanistan's neighbors and new interim rulers, urging that the country's decades-long invaders take responsibility towards its betterment.
• $667 million funding call to help Afghans through economic crisis UN News 21 Oct 2021 -- Afghanistan's economy is imploding, with all but three per cent of households expected to fall below the poverty line in coming months, the UN said on Thursday.
• Erdogan threatens use of heavy weapons against Syrian army in Idlib Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated support for terrorist groups in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, warning that if necessary Ankara can use heavy weapons against Syrian government forces in the area.
• Erdogan Warns Turkey Could Deploy Heavy Weaponry Against Syrian Army Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- Damascus has repeatedly condemned Turkey's illegal deployments in its northern territories, and has demanded that all foreign militaries and militias not explicitly invited into the war-torn country by its internationally recognised government leave immediately.
• Two airstrikes target Ethiopia's war-battered Tigray Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- The Ethiopian military has launched two airstrikes on rebel targets in Tigray, as part of a second round of bombardments in the war-battered region this week.
• New Airstrike Hits Capital of Ethiopia's Tigray Region VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- Ethiopian forces carried out an airstrike Thursday on Mekelle, their third on the Tigray regional capital this week, as the government attempts to weaken the Tigrayan forces they've been fighting for almost a year.
• India Decides to Deploy More Troops in Kashmir Amid Spike in Violence Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- In recent weeks, India-administered Kashmir has witnessed a surge in violence, including a spate of suspected terrorist attacks on civilians. At least 33 people have been killed in the heavily militarised region since early October.
• Dread among Tibetans as 'butcher of Xinjiang' named new Tibet party boss Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2021 -- The newly appointed Chinese Communist Party (CCP) boss in Tibet, a hardline apparatchik under multiple international sanctions for severe human rights abuses in neighboring Xinjiang, is expected to apply to Tibet's Buddhists the same harsh policies carried out against the Muslims in Xinjiang, Tibetans and experts said.
• India Deploys Modern Howitzers in Ladakh Region Bordering China Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- India has deployed modern M-777 ultra-light howitzers and L-70 Bofors artillery guns in the Tawang sector of the Ladakh region bordering China, the Indian army said on Thursday.
• British Troops Engage with Terrorist Fighters in Mali UK MOD 21 Oct 2021 -- British Forces deployed in Mali have killed two armed terrorist fighters after being engaged by small arms fire while on patrol.
• UN Says Boko Haram is Weakened, but Remains a Threat, Calls for Renewed Efforts to Rebuild Cameroon VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- A top U.N. official for central Africa recently visited the Lake Chad Basin to assess living conditions in the area. Years of attacks by Boko Haram have left much of the infrastructure there in ruins.

News Reports

• US House Votes to Hold Trump Adviser Bannon in Contempt VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to hold Steve Bannon, one of former President Donald Trump's longtime advisers, in contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with a congressional inquiry into the January 6 rioting at the U.S. Capitol.
• DOD Begins Fielding 5G Communications to California First Responders DoD News 21 Oct 2021 -- First responders often face communications challenges that hinder collaboration and real-time situational updates, especially in remote areas while responding to natural disasters such as fires, storms, earthquakes and flooding.
• FATF Works to Strengthen Financial Transparency, Combat Misuse of Virtual Assets US Treasury 21 Oct 2021 -- The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) concluded its October plenary today, the sixth session since the start of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With hybrid participation both virtually and in-person in Paris, FATF advanced its core work on virtual assets, beneficial ownership transparency, and illicit finance risks.
• Valdai Discussion Club meeting Kremlin 21 Oct 2021 -- Vladimir Putin took part in a plenary session of the 18th annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club.
• Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, October 21, 2021 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21 Oct 2021
• Europe's Energy Crunch Set to Worsen as Russia Refrains From Boosting Gas Exports VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- A week ago, President Vladimir Putin said Russia would be prepared to increase natural gas exports to help Europe with an energy crunch that has triggered soaring prices. But there are no signs he will make good on promise of relief, say energy experts.
• Kremlin Says It Doesn't 'Respect' EU Decision To Award Navalny Its Top Rights Prize RFE/RL 21 Oct 2021 -- The Kremlin says is has no "respect" for the decision by European lawmakers to award jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny with the Sakharov Prize, the European Union's highest human rights honor.
• Navalny Associate Sobol Added To Russia's Wanted List RFE/RL 21 Oct 2021 -- Russian opposition politician Lyubov Sobol, a close associate of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, has been added to Russia's wanted list after she fled the country days after being found guilty of breaking coronavirus measures.
• Kremlin Slams European Parliament's Decision to Award Sakharov Prize to Navalny Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed the belief that the European Parliament that awarded the 2021 Sakharov Prize to jailed opposition figure Alexey Navalny depreciates the name of the prize.
• Turkey Apprehends Six Men Suspected Of Planning Attacks Against Kadyrov's Critics RFE/RL 21 Oct 2021 -- Turkish authorities have arrested four Russian citizens, one Ukrainian citizen, and one Uzbek national on charges of "military and political espionage" linked to alleged plans to attack Chechen opposition activists residing in Turkey.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on October 21, 2021 PRC MofA 21 Oct 2021
• US ambassador nominee's remarks full of Cold War and zero-sum mentality, inconsistent with facts: Chinese FM Global Times 21 Oct 2021 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry opposed the remarks of Nicholas Burns, who was nominated as US ambassador to China, saying his remarks were full of Cold War and zero-sum mentality and inconsistent with facts, after Burns smeared China's Xinjiang, Xizang and Taiwan policies at a hearing on Wednesday.
• China's claim to practice 'democracy' is bid to undermine concept: analysts Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2021 -- Recent claims by Chinese leader Xi Jinping that China has its own brand of "democracy" are a bid to water down the concept, and minimize its ideological power against the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party (CCP), analysts told RFA.
• On the Continued Erosion of Freedoms in Hong Kong US Dept. of State 21 Oct 2021 -- The United States remains seriously concerned at the continued erosion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including political participation, in Hong Kong.
• Foreign Secretary Statement on Hong Kong Councillors UK FCDO 21 Oct 2021 -- Foreign Secretary Liz Truss issued a statement today (21 October) on the disqualification of District Councillors in Hong Kong.
• Oaths by 16 HKSAR district council members announced invalid People's Daily 21 Oct 2021 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Thursday announced that oaths taken by 16 District Council (DC) members on Oct. 8 were invalid.
• Growing Numbers of Nations Criticize China's Treatment of Uyghurs VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- More than 40 countries expressed their concern in a formal statement Thursday at the United Nations about the situation of ethnic Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in China's semi-autonomous Xinjiang province.
• Joint statement on the human rights situation in Xinjiang UK FCDO 21 Oct 2021 -- Cross-regional statement delivered by France on behalf of 43 countries at the UN General Assembly Third Committee.
• Chinese government targets Uyghur children with 'pomegranate flower' policy Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2021 -- The Chinese government is pairing up ethnic majority Han Chinese youths with Uyghur children in the latest phase of a coercive surveillance and assimilation program that Uyghurs say shows Beijing's genocidal intent toward the Muslim minority in the far-western Xinjiang region.
• Senators Query US Company About Uyghur Forced Labor VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers is seeking answers from Arizona-based Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) about its alleged role in using Uyghurs as forced laborers in China.
• China drops Caixin from list of news sources pre-approved to syndicate content Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2021 -- China's internet regulator has updated a whitelist of pre-approved media organizations whose copy may be freely used by websites behind the Great Firewall, omitting the cutting-edge, privately owned Caixin Media.
• Taiwan's foreign minister to visit Slovakia, Czech Republic CNA 21 Oct 2021 -- Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) will visit the Slovak Republic and Czech Republic next week to enhance closer ties with the two Central European countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced Thursday.
• European Parliament passes report on enhancing Taiwan-EU relations CNA 21 Oct 2021 -- The European Parliament passed a report Wednesday on enhancing European Union-Taiwan relations, including calling on the EU to begin preparing for the possible signing of a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) with Taiwan and to change the name of the EU representative office in Taipei.
• China expresses dissatisfaction with planned trip by Chinese Taipei min. to Europe Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- China expresses strong dissatisfaction with a plan by Chinese Taipei's foreign minister Joseph Wu to visit Europe and make a virtual address to a forum in Rome next week.
• U.S.' China envoy pick decries 'unjust' bullying of Taiwan CNA 21 Oct 2021 -- The U.S.' presumptive ambassador to China said his government has "every right" to expand arms provisions to Taiwan in the face of military intimidation from Beijing.
• North Korea sends farmers to labor camps for hiding corn amid food shortages Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2021 -- Authorities in North Korea have sentenced five farmers to disciplinary labor for hiding corn meant for redistribution to state supplies, sources in the country told RFA.
• South Korea's launch of first space rocket fails Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- President Moon Jae-in has stressed that his administration would press ahead with space projects after South Korea's first domestically built rocket failed to fully place a dummy satellite into orbit.
• South Korea's Space Rocket Nuri Fails to Place Dummy Satellite Into Orbit Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- South Korea's first domestically developed space rocket Nuri (KSLV-II) has failed to place a dummy satellite into orbit, President Moon Jae-in said on Thursday after studying a report on its flight.
• South Korea Launches First Domestically Built Rocket VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- South Korea's space agency launched its first domestically built rocket into space Thursday but failed to put its 1.5-ton dummy payload into orbit.
• South Koreans Shrug as North Korea Launches More Missiles VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- North Korea has conducted eight missile launches this year alone — the latest was this week's test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile. But in South Korea, which arguably has the most to lose from a conflict with the North, people aren't overly concerned.
• US in talks with ASEAN, Singapore to restrict Myanmar junta's access to funds Radio Free Asia 21 Oct 2021 -- Washington is talking with ASEAN member Singapore about limiting the Burmese military regime's access to money, as part of efforts to pile pressure on the junta chief who has been barred from an upcoming regional summit, a senior U.S. State Department official said Thursday.
• Kazakh President Warns Against 'Illegal Public Gatherings' Ahead Of Opposition-Planned Rallies RFE/RL 21 Oct 2021 -- Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has warned of repercussions for what he called "illegal public gatherings" ahead of protest rallies planned by exiled opposition politician Mukhtar Ablyazov.
• Financial sanctions could be imposed on Poland: French minister Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune has warned that the European Union is prepared to impose financial sanctions against Poland, as tensions continue to escalate between Warsaw and the bloc over a recent Polish court ruling challenging the supremacy of EU law.
• Hungary's Orban Backs Poland in Row With EU, Speaks Against Anti-Warsaw Sanctions Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- The primacy of the EU law is actually not enshrined in the treaty on becoming a member state, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Thursday, commenting on possible sanctions against Poland in light of its ruling on the national constitution supremacy.
• U.S., EU Call For Respect For Bosnian State Institutions After 'Divisive Rhetoric' RFE/RL 21 Oct 2021 -- The United States and the European Union on October 20 expressed serious concerns about "divisive rhetoric" in Bosnia-Herzegovina and called on all parties to respect state institutions.
• Venezuela's parliament, Colombia's senate agree to start negotiations to restore ties: Caracas Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- Venezuela's parliament and Colombia's senate have agreed to start negotiations to resume relations between the two South American countries, Caracas says, as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urges normalizing bilateral ties.
• Parliaments of Venezuela, Colombia Agree to Discuss Normalization of Relations Sputnik 21 Oct 2021 -- The parliaments of Venezuela and Colombia have agreed to cooperate to restore and normalize relations between the two countries, Venezuelan National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodriguez said.
• Thousands of Sudanese protesters want military out, demand civilian rule Press TV 21 Oct 2021 -- Huge crowds of people have marched in different parts of the Sudanese capital and other cities in demonstrations to reject military rule as the ongoing political turmoil deepens across the African country.
• Thousands Gathered in Sudan's Capital Call for Fully Civilian Government VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- Protests erupted in the streets of Khartoum on Thursday over Sudan's hybrid transitional government.
• Romania's Acting Defense Minister Tapped For Prime Minister Post RFE/RL 21 Oct 2021 -- Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has nominated acting Defense Minister Nicolae Ciuca as prime minister in a second bid to end a political stalemate that has hampered efforts to tackle an huge surge of COVID-19 infections and deaths.
• Moldova Reaches Provisional IMF Loan Deal Worth $564 Million RFE/RL 21 Oct 2021 -- Moldova has reached a provisional loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) worth about $564 million over 40 months.
• UN Rights Commission Condemns South Sudan Security Crackdown VOA 21 Oct 2021 -- A United Nations rights commission in South Sudan says the government is harassing activists, journalists and their families, limiting their activities, and targeting their work and finances.