World roundup: November 14 2022

Stories from Turkey, Nigeria, Russia, 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.

• The United Nations’ COP27 climate summit on Monday saw the unveiling of “Global Shield,” a new climate disaster initiative sponsored by the G7. It’s meant to facilitate access to relief funding and climate insurance for countries deemed most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Fiji, Ghana, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Senegal will be among the first countries to be given access to the program.

MIDDLE EAST

TURKEY

Turkish police have reportedly arrested a Syrian woman in connection with Sunday’s bombing on Istanbul’s busy Istiklal Street, which killed six people and wounded over 80 more. She’s accused of planting the bomb on behalf of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), or more specifically a PKK-affiliated “youth organization.” The PKK has denied any role in the bombing as has the Syrian Democratic Forces militia, whose central unit, the Kurdish YPG militia, is closely affiliated with the PKK. Turkish authorities reflexively accuse the PKK in situations like this, which doesn’t mean they’re wrong but I will note that they’re apparently not ruling out Islamic State involvement. Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu also lashed out at the US on Monday, because of the relationship between the US and the SDF.