Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing

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

Turkiye reported over 73,000 new coronavirus cases Sunday, according to new Health Ministry data.

The ministry confirmed 73,787 infections, 276 related deaths and 70,169 recoveries over the past day, while 419,556 virus tests were also conducted across the country.

To counter the spread of the virus, Turkiye has administered over 144 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched an immunization drive in January 2021.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will embark on a two-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Turkiye’s Communications Directorate said Sunday.

Turkish Airlines on Sunday celebrated the 75th anniversary of its service to Athens as its Feb. 12, 1947 flight to the Greek capital was the first time the airline carried the national flag in international skies.

Other developments worldwide

A woman and her two children died of hunger and thirst in southwestern Somalia as the local administration on Sunday feared more deaths due to an ongoing drought in Bakool province.

The UN World Food Program (WFP) on Sunday warned of rising poverty among Yemeni families amid continued fighting across the war-torn country.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was elected to a second term by a parliamentary assembly Sunday.

Germany’s reelected president on Sunday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to back off from military threats against Ukraine and seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Britain’s defense secretary said Sunday that Russia is “highly likely” to invade Ukraine despite diplomatic efforts by the West to defuse the crisis.

US President Joe Biden assured his Ukrainian counterpart on Sunday that the US would "respond swiftly and decisively" to any further Russian aggression against his country.

Ukraine’s foreign minister called on Russia and all participating states Sunday to hold a meeting within the next 48 hours to discuss Moscow’s military buildup along its borders.

Australia is completely evacuating its embassy in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv amid fears that a Russian invasion may be imminent.

The UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Libya, Stephanie Williams, discussed the latest developments in the country in separate meetings Sunday with interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and Prime Minister-designate Fathi Bashagha.

Armed groups in South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo recruited more than 470 children into their ranks last year, the UN’s Radio Okapi reported Sunday.

Canada is temporarily relocating some of its military personnel based in Ukraine to an undisclosed location in Europe ahead of an anticipated Russian invasion, the Canadian government said Sunday.

Voters in Switzerland overwhelmingly rejected a referendum Sunday on banning the use of animals as test subjects.

Madagascar's justice minister has resigned from his post in the wake of a corruption scandal.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen urged civilians in government buildings in Yemen’s capital Sunday to immediately evacuate, state media reported.