GLOBAL
A summary of headlines in the month of August 2021
Written by Chia Kye Shean
TOKYO: After being delayed for an entire year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has finally took place from 23rd July to 8th August 2021. As part of the drastic measures taken to curb the spread of the disease, events took place entirely behind closed doors, leaving the stands empty. Despite so, the summer Olympic Games was truly an exciting one as it featured new sports such as surfing, karate, skateboarding, rock climbing and baseball/softball.
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Once again without fail, the Olympic Games have managed to reignite the patriotism in Malaysians as we celebrate the hard work and achievements of our athletes. 'The Pocket Rocketman' Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang won a silver medal in the men's keirin event while the badminton pair - Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik delivered a bronze in the men's doubles competition.
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Be sure to tune in to watch the remaining of Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and support our athletes!
AFGHANISTAN: After two decades of war, President Joe Biden decides on complete U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan by 9/11. This was quickly followed by the takeover of the Taliban across several major cities, including Kabul - the capital of Afghanistan. With the collapse of Afghan security forces and the fleeing of President Ashraf Ghani, the people were in great fear for the future. Afghans rush to flee the country, hoping to escape the chaos. Some were so desperate, they clung to the side of a military jet as it took off and then plunged to their deaths.
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Over the past 20 years, the Taliban vowed to respect women's rights within the norms of Islamic law - encouraging them to return to work and have allowed girls to return to school. With the Taliban takeover, many fear that this could mean a severe rollback of rights, especially regarding the concerns of their health, safety and basic right to education.
More than one year into the Covid-19 pandemic, the world is grappling with a highly transmissible delta variant that has caused a renewed surge in infections in countries from the U.K. and the U.S., to those in Africa and Asia. The delta variant, which was first detected in India last October, has been found in more than 130 countries globally, according to the World Health Organization. It is also said to be the most transmissible variant of the coronavirus that first emerged in China in late 2019.
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While people who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are most at risk, kids and young people are a concern as well as studies have shown that children and adults under 50 are 2.5 times more likely to become infected with Delta. Although there are still much more to learn about the variant, the most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to get fully vaccinated. So, if you haven't already, mask up and get vaccinated ASAP!