In Pics | Biggest events the world witnessed in 2021

From the extreme weather conditions across the world to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the continuing Covid pandemic, here's a look at some significant World events that happened in 2021.

Hundreds of Donald Trump supporters stormed into the Capitol, the seat of American democracy, on January 6 attempting to block the confirmation of Joe Biden's presidential election victory. Credit: Reuters Photo

On January 17, the Kremlin's most prominent critic Alexei Navalny was arrested on returning to Moscow, five months after being treated in Germany following a poisoning attack he blames on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Credit: AFP Photo

Two weeks later, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th US president, with Trump refusing to attend the inauguration. Credit: AP Photo

On February 13, Trump is acquitted on charges of inciting the Capitol insurrection at a historic second impeachment trial, but only after Senate Republicans close ranks. Credit: Reuters Photo

On February 1, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested in a coup that ends the country's decade-long experiment with democracy. Suu Kyi was sentenced in December to two years in prison for inciting public unrest and violating health rules and faces decades in jail if convicted in other trials. Credit: AFP Photo

On May 3, violence explodes between Israel and the Palestinians after clashes in the east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah, sparked by a years-long bid by Jewish settlers to take over Arab homes. Violence spread to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the occupied West Bank. A week after the first clashes, the Islamist movement Hamas, which rules in the Gaza Strip, fires rockets at Israel, which hits back, leading to an 11-day war in which 260 Palestinians die. Credit: AFP Photo

The Taliban fighters took complete control of Kabul on August 15, following a lightning offensive after the withdrawal of US and NATO troops, retaking power 20 years after being driven out by a US-led coalition. At least 123,000 diplomats, foreigners and Afghans are flown out in a chaotic evacuation. The last remaining troops pull out on August 30, marking the dramatic end of the United States' longest war. Credit: AP Photo

On June 13, Israel got a new government led by hardline Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, ending Benjamin Netanyahu's 12-year reign. Credit: Reuters Photo

Britain, which left the European Union's single market on January 1, faces empty shelves and a fuel crisis because of labour shortages, especially of lorry drivers. Credit: AFP Photo

Extreme climate events multiply across the world, from catastrophic floods in Germany and Belgium to devastating and long-running wildfires in the US, Russia, Turkey, Greece, Spain and Algeria. Credit: AFP Photo

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel bows out after 16 years in power. Social Democrat leader Olaf Scholz, allied to the Greens and the Liberals, succeeds her on December 8. Credit: Reuters Photo

In November, thousands of mainly Middle Eastern migrants camped out in freezing temperatures on Belarus' border with Poland seeking to cross into the EU. Credit: Reuters Photo

In November, the COP26 summit in Glasgow pledged to accelerate the fight against rising temperatures. But commitments fall short of what scientists say is needed to contain dangerous rises. Credit: AFP Photo

In December, dozens of tornadoes tear through six US states, killing at least 88. Credit: AFP Photo

The world sees a resurgence of the pandemic late in the year, as the highly infectious Omicron strain spreads at an unprecedented rate. With initial vaccine immunity wearing off, nations try to counter the virus with booster shots and a return to restrictions. Credit: Reuters Photo

In October, G20 leaders adopt a historic global agreement for a minimum 15 per cent corporate tax. Some 136 countries representing more than 90 per cent of global GDP sign the OECD-brokered deal to more fairly tax multinational companies. Credit: AFP Photo

In early December, the US, Canada, Australia and Britain announce a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February, in response to alleged rights abuses by China, notably against the Uyghur minority in Xinjiang. Credit: AFP Photo

Faced with mounting incursions by Chinese warplanes into Taiwan's air defence identification zone, Biden warns that Washington strongly opposes moves to