The world in 2021 is one where events can unfold at breathtaking speed. From pandemics to political upheaval, climate change to economic development, people around the world are constantly faced with new challenges and opportunities. In this brief report, we will take a look at some of the most significant global Germay News Today stories of the past year, to provide a snapshot of the context in which we find ourselves today. COVID-19: The pandemic that changed the world Without a doubt, the biggest news story of the past year has been the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since it first emerged in China in December 2019, the virus has spread rapidly around the world, infecting millions of people and causing widespread disruption. Governments have implemented measures ranging from lockdowns and travel bans to social distancing and mask mandates, in an effort to contain the virus and protect vulnerable populations. Alongside the human toll of the pandemic, there have been significant economic consequences. The global economy has contracted sharply, with businesses closing and millions of people losing their jobs.
Governments have responded with massive stimulus packages, but the longer-term impact of the pandemic on economies around the world remains to be seen. US Politics: A year of upheaval In the United States, 2020 was a year of political upheaval, as the country grappled with a contentious presidential election, ongoing racial justice protests, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In November, Joe Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump in a hotly contested election that saw record voter turnout.
Trump and his supporters, however, claimed that the election was rigged, and mounted numerous legal challenges in an attempt to overturn the result. Meanwhile, the country was rocked by protests following the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by police in Minneapolis in May. The protests sparked a nationwide conversation about police reform and racial justice, and led to a series of high-profile cases in which police officers were charged with crimes in connection with the deaths of black people.
Climate change: A growing crisis Even as the world grapples with the pandemic and political upheaval, the global climate crisis continues to pose a growing threat. In 2020, the world recorded its hottest-ever September, with temperatures more than 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Meanwhile, increasing extreme weather events, including wildfires and hurricanes, have caused widespread devastation and loss of life around the world. Governments have pledged to take action, with the Paris Agreement committing countries to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
However, progress remains slow, and many experts argue that more urgent action is needed to avert catastrophic outcomes. Conflict and crisis: Around the world Even as the pandemic dominates news headlines, conflicts and crises continue to erupt around the world.