World roundup: July 15 2022

Stories from Sri Lanka, Libya, Russia, and more

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

IRAQ

Hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets in Baghdad on Friday after political leader Muqtada al-Sadr called for a “mass prayer.” Sadr’s aim was clearly to show his political opponents that he commands substantial popular support—support that could, say, be channeled into protests if he were to be of a mind to do so. Mission accomplished, presumably. Sadr may have pulled his party out of parliament last month but he’s still aiming to control the political process from the outside.