World roundup: December 12 2022

Stories from Nigeria, Hungary, Peru, and elsewhere

INTERNATIONAL

In today’s global news:

• Worldometer is tracking COVID-19 cases and fatalities.

• The New York Times is tracking global vaccine distribution.

MIDDLE EAST

YEMEN

Juan Cole discusses the United Nations’ latest report on the carnage caused by the war in Yemen—and the culpability the US bears for enabling it:

UN News reports that 11,000 boys and girls are estimated to have been killed or wounded by direct violence in the Yemen War that has been going on since the Saudi air assault of spring 2015. The figure was released by Catherine Russell, the head of the UN children’s fund, UNICEF.

The United States supported the war with strategic advice, in-air refueling of Saudi jets, and weapons sales until President Biden became president. He has stopped the direct US involvement in the war, and has directed that only defensive weapons be sold to the Saudis. Most contemporary munitions, however, are dual use and can be used for offense as well. Mr. Biden supported the two ceasefires this year but has not been able to get them renewed.