Portal:Current events/2021 October 12

October 12, 2021 (Tuesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
- Indian Armed Forces kill three suspected terrorists during a gunfight in Shopian. Another security operation is carried out several hours later at an apple orchard, resulting in the deaths of two more terrorists. The raids came a day after five Indian soldiers were killed by suspected terrorists. (Al Jazeera)

Arts and culture

Korean wave
- American streaming service Netflix, the world's largest entertainment company by market capitalization, confirms that the South Korean television series Squid Game is its most-watched program worldwide, having been viewed by more than 111 million accounts since its release in September. (AFP via ABS-CBN News)

Business and economy

Economy of France
- President Emmanuel Macron announces a €30 billion plan to re-industrialize France, in order to address what he called "a kind of growth deficit" and make France reclaim its title as a "global leader in innovation and research". (CNA)
Economy of Ukraine
- The European Union vows to help Ukraine with its gas supplies as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underlines his concerns of potential Russian political leverage in the region in the aftermath of the agreement with Germany regarding the Nord Stream pipeline. (Deutsche Welle)
The European Commission raises a climate bond worth €12 billion (US$13.9 billion) as part of its European Green Deal, the largest climate bond issued in the global capital market. (AFP via Times of Malta)

Disasters and accidents

2021 Pacific typhoon season
- At least nine people are killed in the Philippines during floods and landslides caused by Tropical Storm Kompasu. (Reuters)
At least 25 people are killed and several others are injured in a bus crash in Mugu District, Nepal. (BBC News)
A train kills three people and injures a fourth, all of whom were lying on the tracks in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. (Deutsche Welle)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Romania
    - Romania reports a record 16,443 new cases and 442 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 1,382,531 and the nationwide death toll to 40,071. (Romania Insider)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports a record 973 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 218,345. (ABC News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in San Marino
  - The need to show an immunity passport for access to indoor premises where it is not possible to guarantee an interpersonal space, as well as for access to events, including sporting events, shows, entertainment events, parties and events where dancing takes place and for practicing contact sports, comes into force. (San Marino RTV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in India, COVID-19 vaccination in India
  - Indian drug regulator approves the emergency use of the Bharat Biotech Covaxin vaccine for children aged between 2 to 18. (Hindustan Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Panama, COVID-19 vaccination in Panama
  - Panama approves the usage of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as booster for high-risk people, including healthcare workers, bedridden residents, nursing home residents, and people aged over 55. (Reuters)
Iqaluit, capital city of Canada's Nunavut territory, is placed under a Do Not Drink Water advisory until further notice due to the possibility of contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons. Both boiled and filtered water are not safe for consumption at this time. (CTV News)

International relations

Foreign relations of Afghanistan
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that Germany "is not yet prepared to recognize the Taliban government" since they have not met demands of inclusiveness. However, Merkel reassures the promise of Germany's 600 million euro aid to the country. (Reuters)
The International Court of Justice rules in favor of Somalia in its dispute with Kenya over a maritime border rich in gas and oil. Kenya labels the case as "biased" and says that it does not recognize the ruling. (BBC News)

Law and crime

LGBT rights in Botswana
- A panel of judges in Botswana postpone a ruling on a case brought by the government to overturn the 2019 decriminalization of homosexuality in the country. Prior to being decriminalized, gay sex was punishable by up to seven years' imprisonment. (Reuters)
2021 Cuban protests
- The Cuban government rejects a request from the opposition to hold a protest in Havana on November 15, claiming involvement of the United States government. (AFP via France 24)

Science and technology

Discoveries of exoplanets
- NASA astronomers announce the discovery of TIC 257060897b, a Hot Jupiter exoplanet that is 50% larger and 30% less massive than Jupiter. The discovery was made using the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. (Science Times)