Riftrate · last 60 days
The world on 21 October 2026
Riftrate read 65.7 (Tension) on Wednesday 21 October 2026, down 3.6 points from the day before, and down 8.7 over 7 days.
Riftrate65.7Tension
Since yesterday▼ −3.6points
Over 7 days▼ −8.7points
Most intenseYemen33.1% of its news
Share today’s reading · ready-made posts
What moved it
- Geopolitical risk (GPR) ▲ +9.2 (effect on the index +1.8)
- War & military ▼ −7.9 (effect on the index -1.6)
- Escalation momentum ▼ −11.9 (effect on the index -1.4)
Top stories
- Russia frees jailed American as Putin meets US envoy for Ukraine talksCovered by 6 newsrooms: The Guardian, Africanews, Meduza, DW, The Hindu, EuronewsRussia United States Ukraine
- Putin agrees to resume three-way peace talks with Ukraine and U.S.Covered by 5 newsrooms: BBC News, France 24, Al Jazeera, The Hindu, MeduzaUkraine Russia United States
- Witkoff lauds Putin as 'humanitarian' as Russia releases US prisoner Stephen HubbardCovered by 5 newsrooms: CBS News, Euronews, NPR, Kyiv Independent, MeduzaRussia United States
- Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv region kill threeCovered by 4 newsrooms: Sky News, Meduza, Euronews, DWUkraine Russia
Where conflict is most intenseshare of its news about armed violence
| Country | Intensity | 7 days |
|---|---|---|
| Yemen | 33.1% | ▼ −0.3 |
| Gaza and the West Bank | 30.6% | ▲ +1.1 |
| Mali | 20.5% | ▲ +15.1 |
| Saudi Arabia | 18.6% | ▼ −4.5 |
| Sudan | 16.9% | ▼ −4.7 |
| Israel | 14.8% | ▼ −0.8 |
Most cited in the headlines
Coming up this week
25OctBrazil presidential runoff (if needed)27OctIsrael legislative election (Knesset)