From political upheavals to natural disasters, the world has seen several events that have held us captivated over the past few weeks. Here’s a brief recap of some of the top global Scotland News Today stories. Politics: The United States’ chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan dominated headlines. With the Taliban taking over the country, there have been concerns about the safety of Afghan citizens, especially women and children. Additionally, the US is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which caused extensive damage in several states.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration has announced a new vaccine mandate, requiring all employers with over 100 staff to ensure their workers are vaccinated or tested weekly. Elsewhere, in Germany, the country is set to hold national elections on September 26. Chancellor Angela Merkel is stepping down after 16 years in power, and the polls suggest that the contest is between the center-left Social Democrats and the center-right Christian Democrats. In Asia, the Taliban’s return to power has coincided with North Korea’s recent missile tests.
The country launched a series of ballistic missiles into the sea, defying international treaties. Meanwhile, Myanmar continues to be in the midst of a political crisis. The military coup that took place in February shows no signs of letting up, with protests and violence continuing. Disasters: Haiti was struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in August, which destroyed buildings and left thousands dead. The country is still recovering from the impact of the disaster, and aid efforts are ongoing.
Europe has been grappling with severe floods that have caused widespread destruction, particularly in Germany and Belgium. The floods have claimed over 200 lives and caused billions of dollars in damage. Wildfires have also been a cause of concern, particularly in the Western United States. Several states have battled with raging fires, which have destroyed homes and acres of land. Climate: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report in August that highlighted the urgent need for action to slow down global warming.
The report was a stark reminder of the consequences of climate change and urged governments to reduce emissions to avoid catastrophic events. Sports: The summer Olympics in Tokyo was a welcome distraction for sports lovers. The games saw records being broken and new stars emerging. The United States topped the medal charts, with China and Japan following close behind.
