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
It sounds as though the United Nations Security Council has reached a last second—or maybe a bit beyond last second—compromise on renewing the cross-border humanitarian relief operation from Turkey into northwestern Syria. Essentially it appears the rest of the Council has given in to a Russian demand for a six month extension as opposed to the customary year, with the possibility of a renewal in January but only if the Council proactively votes to approve it. That’s a shift from last July’s extension, which was technically also for six months but included an automatic extension unless the Council stepped in to block it. The way this resolution is structured Russia will have the option of vetoing the renewal if it wants. The resolution is likely to come to a vote either later today or tomorrow.
