The world continues to face unprecedented challenges in the first half of 2021. From the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to the political and social turmoil in many countries, there have been significant developments that have impacted people’s lives on a global scale. In this report, we will look at some of the most noteworthy events that have taken place so far this year and examine their implications on the world stage. COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, which first emerged in late 2019, still poses a major threat to public health in 2021.

As of June 2021, there have been more than 173 million confirmed cases and over 3.7 million deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. However, the vaccine rollout is now underway in many countries, and there is hope that the pandemic will be brought under control in the near future. Some countries, such as the United States, are reporting declining case numbers and deaths due to the continuing vaccination programs. However, other countries, such as India and Brazil, are still struggling with high case numbers and deaths scaling up.

Many countries are re-instating or tightening restrictions to curb increasingly high case numbers associated with newly discovered strains. Politics and Social Issues The first half of 2021 has seen significant political upheavals and social unrest in many parts of the world. In Myanmar, a military coup took place on February 1, 2021, overthrowing the democratically elected government and resulting in widespread protests and violence. The country is now experiencing a military junta regime, and opposition leaders while held captive, continue to encourage the people to protest and refuse to obey.

On the other side, and following a controversial presidential election, the second impeachment of former US President Donald Trump—which ultimately ended in acquittal—highlighted a deepening partisan divide in America, America is divided and polarization heightened by economic crises and racial injustices. Climate change and its impacts are also a focal point of debate as the US re-joins the global effort on carbon emission reduction and climate initiatives under President Biden’s administration.

Meanwhile, Palestine and Israel continued to clash in an ongoing conflict that escalated in May 2021 after Israel evicted Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. The unrest quickly spread throughout the region, Germay News Today resulting in airstrikes, bombings, and heightened tensions. As this report was published, a cease-fire agreement has been reached, and the two sides have retreated to their territories but fear still grips the citizens of the region. In India, the farmers’ protest continued throughout the first half of 2021, with farmers demonstrating against new agriculture laws.

The movement was marked by intense police crackdowns, widespread internet shutdowns, and support from celebrities around the world- with some officials calling for a repeal of the law.