This weekly podcast looks at the news and headlines from around the world to help you track and follow the important events and happenings in our world. This week, part of the globe is progressing with vaccinations against the pandemic while others are falling further behind. The middle class is falling behind - again. Biden and Putin don't like each other. China wants to be included on that list too. Myanmar violence intensifies. Extremism in the Sahel. The detachment between governments and their people appears to be escalating. Coups and protests demonstrate that reality on the extreme margins but increasingly even in the day-to-day norm, the perspectives of the world's leaders are far removed from the realities encountered by their supporters. The world is transitioning to new normals and we are not ready for the next crisis.

The Big Stories In This Weekly Update

* Biden and Putin trade words, so do the Chinese
* Pandemic update
* US migrant crisis
* Violence in the Sahel
* Myanmar intensifies
* Extremism in Sri Lanka
* Dust storm in China
* Inflation in Nigeria

Read More about the stories covered in this weekly news update here

Tense US-China Meetings – Washington Post

Demonstrators Killed in Bloody Crackdown in Myanmar – BBC

Days of Killing and Defiance in Myanmar – New York Times

Domestic Extremism Growing – Intel News

Pandemic Stalls Growth in the Global Middle Class – Pew Research Center

Homelessness Increases in the US – New York Times

Chile Is Latin America’s Vaccine Champion – Washington Post

Killings in Niger – Al Jazeera

Biden Administration Directs FEMA To Help At the Border – New York Times

Sandstorm in Beijing Sends Pollution to Maximum Level – Al Jazeera

Israel Behind Mysterious Attacks on Iranian Oil Tankers – Intel News

Global Vaccination Rates Are Rising, So Is Disparity – New York Times

Rising Inflation in Nigeria – Al Jazeera