Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - Feb. 4, 2022

ANKARA 

Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic and other news in Turkiye and around the world.

Coronavirus and other developments in Turkiye

The Turkish Health Ministry reported over 107,500 new COVID-19 cases, 233 deaths and 88,014 recoveries over the past day. Also, 455,463 virus tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

To stem the virus’ spread, the country has also administered more than 142.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched an immunization drive in January 2021, according to ministry figures.

More than 57.4 million people have gotten their first jab, while over 52.4 million have been fully vaccinated, the ministry said. Turkiye has also given third booster shots to nearly 25.3 million people.

Israel's President Isaac Herzog will pay an official visit to Turkiye in March, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Meanwhile, Erdogan also said that Turkiye is ready to do its part to end tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

Turkiye neutralized at least 43 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, said the National Defense Ministry.

The second meeting of envoys from Turkiye and Armenia for the normalization of ties is set for Feb. 24, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Turkiye’s parliament ratified a bill on the historic Shusha Declaration signed with Azerbaijan last year.

Other developments worldwide

The leader of the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group was killed in an operation by US military forces Wednesday night, announced US President Joe Biden.

Russia banned Germany’s Deutsche Welle media company from broadcasting in the country in a retaliatory move against Germany’s decision to block Russia’s RT DE television channel.

At least 13 people were killed in an operation carried out by US forces early Thursday in Syria's Idlib province, according to civil defense teams.

NATO voiced concern over Russia’s recent military deployment in Belarus, urging Moscow to take steps to de-escalate tensions.

Children in Japan suffered a rise in abuse cases last year amid restricted welfare measures caused by coronavirus precautions.

Fighter jets from the British Royal Air Force (RAF) were scrambled for the second day in a row as unidentified aircraft were "approaching the UK area of interest."

Poland’s president and his Georgian counterpart expressed solidarity with Ukraine amid its tensions with Russia. 

The world’s largest cut diamond went under the hammer at the UK’s famous auction house Sotheby’s.