The year 2021 has been a year of major events and developments that have shaped the global landscape. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continued to dominate headlines, with new waves and variants of the virus leading to lockdowns and restrictions in many parts of the world. The year also saw significant geopolitical shifts, with new leaders emerging in key countries, and tensions escalating between major powers. Here is a summary of some of the major Canadian News Today stories of 2021:
COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak havoc in 2021, with new waves of infections and deaths in many parts of the world. The rollout of vaccines provided hope, but also exposed inequities in access and distribution, as richer countries secured most of the early supplies. The emergence of new variants, such as the Delta variant, led to renewed restrictions and concerns over the efficacy of existing vaccines. With the pandemic far from over, the global community faced ongoing challenges in managing the health, economic, and social impacts of the virus.
US Politics
The inauguration of President Joe Biden in January 2021 marked a major shift in US politics, following four years of the Trump administration. President Biden immediately set about reversing many of his predecessor’s policies, particularly in the areas of immigration, climate change, and healthcare. The year also saw the conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for racial justice in the US.
Geopolitical Tensions
Geopolitical tensions were a key theme in 2021, with new rivalries and alliances emerging among major powers. The US and China continued to clash over trade, human rights, and territorial disputes, while Russia faced new sanctions and diplomatic isolation over its aggressive actions in Ukraine and elsewhere. The crisis in Afghanistan intensified with the withdrawal of US troops, and the Taliban’s rapid takeover of the country, raising concerns over terrorism and human rights abuses.
Global Climate Crisis
The year also saw ongoing developments in the global climate crisis, with record-breaking heatwaves, wildfires, and hurricanes causing devastation in many parts of the world. Major climate summits, including the COP26 meeting in Glasgow in November, aimed to accelerate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, progress remained slow and insufficient, with many countries failing to commit to ambitious targets.
Sporting Events
Sporting events provided some much-needed respite for people around the world in 2021, despite ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic. The Tokyo Olympics, delayed from 2020, took place in a bubble environment with no spectators, while major football tournaments, such as Euro 2020 and the Copa America, were held with limited crowds. The death of football legend Diego Maradona in November was a poignant moment for fans around the world, as they mourned the loss of one of the sport’s greatest ever players.
Conclusion
Overall, the year 2021 was one of significant events and developments, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities facing the global community. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, the global climate crisis, and major sporting events were just some of the issues that dominated headlines and shaped the world in the past year. As we look ahead to 2022, it remains to be seen what new challenges and opportunities will arise, and how the global community will respond to them.
