Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - April 17, 2021

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic and other news in Turkey and around the world.

- Coronavirus and other developments in Turkey

Turkey registered 63,082 coronavirus infections, including 2,915 symptomatic patients and more than 56,510 recoveries.

The country’s case count exceeded 4.15 million, with recoveries totaling 3.59 million, according to Health Ministry data.

The death toll from the virus reached 35,320 with 289 additional fatalities.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed several prominent regional issues during a telephone conversation, including developments in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

Athens has "no right" to appoint the chief Islamic cleric, or mufti, of Muslims living in Greece, according to the Treaty of Lausanne, Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul.

Ibrahim Kalin, Turkey’s presidential spokesman condemned Israel’s latest attack on Gaza. The Foreign Ministry demanded Israel cease its aggressive policies.

Turkey's foreign minister reaffirmed that upcoming Geneva talks on the Cyprus issue will be informal.

- COVID-19 updates worldwide

The global tally for coronavirus infections surpassed 139.5 million, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University.

There is an alarming increase in cases and deaths worldwide and cases each week have nearly doubled in the past two months, according to the chief of the World Health Organization.

Pakistan reported 110 more deaths as a third wave of infections continues to take lives despite restrictions to contain the virus.

The number of deaths in Africa reached 117,057, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The South Sudanese government confirmed that the AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the African Union has expired before being used.

Afghanistan started administering vaccines to all citizens above the age of 18, the Health Ministry announced.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel received the AstraZeneca’s vaccine, her spokesman said.

Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that Italy's strict anti-coronavirus restrictions will be relaxed beginning at the end of the month, with a gradual approach to favor outdoor activities.

Brazil registered 3,305 coronavirus deaths and more than 85,700 cases in the past 24 hours.

- Other global developments

More than 100 million people in Africa are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, according to a Red Cross report.

Police in the US city of Indianapolis, Indiana confirmed the death of at least eight people in a mass shooting at a FedEx facility near the international airport. The suspected gunman killed himself.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden sharply criticized the American "epidemic" of gun violence, calling it an embarrassment for the country following the mass shooting.

Amid fears of further protests against France, Pakistan blocked access to all social media platforms.

Less than a week after Iran announced its controversial plan to ramp up uranium enrichment to 60%, its top lawmaker said the feat has been achieved.

Google may face a massive fine in Australia after a court found the company engaged in “misleading or deceptive” conduct, local media reported.

North Korea slammed Japan’s “unpardonable criminal decision” to release treated nuclear waste from the Fukushima plant into the Pacific Ocean.

NATO voiced concern about Russia's plans to restrict access to parts of the Black Sea and Kerch Strait.

In the meantime, in a tit-for-tat response to US sanctions, Russia said it will ask 10 US diplomats to leave the country and take other retaliatory moves.

Raul Castro announced he is stepping down as First Secretary of the Communist Party (PCC).