World roundup: March 30 2022

Stories from Yemen, Pakistan, Ukraine, 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

YEMEN

As I learned a short time after I sent out yesterday’s roundup, Yemeni Ansar Allah/Houthi rebels have decided not to reciprocate a ceasefire by the Saudi-led coalition that went into effect Wednesday morning. In rejecting the ceasefire, which could in theory have run through Ramadan (the United Nations has been pushing for such a month-long ceasefire for some time now), the rebels reiterated their demand that the Saudis lift their air and sea blockade of northern Yemen as a ceasefire precondition. The Saudis have instead been insisting on a straight exchange, ceasefire for ending the blockade.

The Saudi ceasefire was unilateral and so as far as I know it’s in place as I write this, but realistically it can only be expected to last until the next rebel attack on Saudi Arabia. The Houthis are wrapping up their own three-day ceasefire, announced over the weekend, but the overlap between the two will only be a few hours barring some new development. Ramadan is expected to begin at sundown on Friday in most places, so there’s not much time left to try to negotiate a joint ceasefire.