ANKARA
Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments in Turkey, around the world and the coronavirus pandemic.
Developments in Turkey, coronavirus pandemic and other news
The Health Ministry confirmed 21,372 new infections and 157 coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, while as many as 16,492 more patients recovered.
Phase 2 trials of Turkey’s virus-like particle (VLP) coronavirus vaccine candidate have been completed, according to the country’s industry and technology minister.
Turkey’s president tried to reassure residents affected by high waters as he visited areas of the Black Sea region hardest hit by floods, as the death toll rose to 38.
Turkey received condolence messages from around the world because of the floods.
The nation’s current account balance posted a deficit of $1.127 billion in June, down $1.95 billion from the same month last year, according to the central bank.
Fitch Ratings affirmed Turkey's credit rating at 'BB-' with a stable outlook.
Turkey and Sudan set a target for $2 billion in trade in the next five years, said Turkey’s vice president.
The PKK terror organization is found to have used anti-tank rockets produced by the US and Sweden, along with French-German joint productions against Turkey.
A Turkish foundation has taken control of all schools in the Ethiopian capital previously run by the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 failed coup in Turkey, according to the foundation.
US Ambassador to Libya paid a visit to Turkey for talks with top Turkish officials on boosting US support for Libya’s general elections set for December.
Worldwide developments related to COVID-19
More than 4.62 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered worldwide, according to Our World in Data, a tracking website affiliated with Oxford University.
The US Mission to the United Nations in Geneva said it supports a World Health Organization statement on the next series of studies into the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, while reports said China rejected the proposal.
Australia’s New South Wales state reported 391 new infections, its highest single-day tally since the start of the pandemic.
The majority of new infections in Germany are among teens and young adults, according to the country’s disease control agency.
The number of active cases in Africa reached 923,044, according to an update of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Russia registered a record number of daily deaths for the second consecutive day, with the disease claiming 815 lives in the past day, taking the death toll to 168,864, said authorities.
Nigeria reported 753 new cases, according to health authorities.
The Philippines extended the ban on travelers from India and nine other countries until Aug. 31 to curb the spread of the delta variant, the highly contagious coronavirus strain.
Somalia received 302,400 doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, donated by the US through the COVAX facility, a global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Germany y moved to tighten travel rules, requiring unvaccinated travelers from the US, Turkey and Israel to quarantine for five days.
Zambia received an additional 119,200 doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine under the COVAX facility, assuring those due for a second dose of the jab in coming weeks that it was readily available.
Developments across world
Flooding sparked by heavy rains has killed at least 21 people and four others remain missing in central parts of China, according to local media.
At least one person was killed and two others remain missing after heavy rains in Japan, local media reported.
July 2021 was the warmest month ever recorded, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said as concerns continue to mount about the ravaging effects of climate change.
The British Columbia province in western Canada is still battling massive forest fires caused by increasing temperatures.
The Algerian Civil Protection authority announced that firefighters have put out all wildfires that erupted in northern Tizi Ouzou province, but they were still battling 35 other fires in 11 provinces.
Making rapid gains in the past few days, the Taliban have now taken control of 17 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals, sources confirmed.
The first group of roughly 3,000 American troops has arrived at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport, the Pentagon announced as the US expedites the evacuation of its embassy personnel.
The Russian foreign minister said the Afghan government requested to summon a meeting of the UN Security Council about the deteriorating situation in the country where the Taliban made significant military advancements.
The Afghanistan conflict is taking the heaviest toll on displaced women and children, said the UN Refugee Agency.
Germany announced it will substantially reduce its embassy staff in Kabul in response to the advances by Taliban insurgents and urged its nationals to leave the country immediately.
Washington’s top peace broker for Afghanistan reiterated that the US demanded an immediate end to Taliban attacks against cities and an agreement on a political settlement.
NATO is deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan, said the chief of the military alliance.
Canadian, American and British troops were on standby Friday, ready to head to Afghanistan to evacuate embassy personnel as the Taliban overruns key areas of the country.
The 27th Sarajevo Film Festival kicked off in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina featuring a special award for famed director Wim Wenders and five movies from Turkey’s national broadcaster.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis carried out a partial reshuffle of his Cabinet.
Forty countries have confirmed they will attend the Crimea Platform summit in Kiev on Aug. 23, according to Ukraine’s foreign minister.
The Israeli army attacked Palestinian worshipers with sound bombs after they performed Friday prayers at the Ibrahimi Mosque in the center of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.
France’s highest constitutional authority approved a controversial “anti-separatism” law that has been criticized for singling out Muslims, striking down just two of its articles.
Demonstrators in Lebanon attempted to raid the house of the central bank governor after his decision to completely lift subsidies on fuel, according to state media.
Tunisian President Kais Saied received a US delegation headed by Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer.
