World roundup: February 13 2023

Stories from Iran, the Philippines, Ukraine, 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

SYRIA

With the death toll from last week’s earthquake now topping 35,000, the US government is leading an effort at the United Nations Security Council to open at least one and possibly more cross-border aid corridors from Turkey to northwestern Syria in order to facilitate the distribution of relief. As it stands, the one open corridor was barely enough to supply aid to that region under normal circumstances, and the quake has triggered the need for additional support and has damaged roads in the corridor so as to reduce its capacity. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has agreed to allow the opening of two new corridors, which is good news if it actually happens.