Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - Dec. 15, 2021

ANKARA (AA) – Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments in Turkey, around the world, and the coronavirus pandemic.

- World

A temperature of 38 C (100.4 F) in Verkhoyansk, Russia on June 20, 2020 has been recognized as a new Arctic temperature record, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said Tuesday.

Oil prices were mixed with the emergence of doubts over the impact of the new COVID-19 omicron variant on the global economic recovery and fuel demand.

The death toll following the eruption of the highest and most active volcano on Indonesia’s Java island has risen to 48, authorities said Tuesday.

The US House of Representatives will vote on congresswoman Ilhan Omar's legislation to combat Islamophobia.

Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have formally linked climate change and global security.

The gross domestic product (GDP) of the G20 area rose by 1.7% between the second and third quarters of 2021, according to data released Tuesday.

China launched a broadside against the US after Washington’s top diplomat Antony Blinken accused Beijing of taking "aggressive actions” in the Asia-Pacific region.

Five million Ukrainians may become refugees in the wake of a possible Russian invasion, said Ukraine's defense minister.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provides 33% protection against the omicron coronavirus variant, according to the results of a study done in South Africa.

- Developments in Turkey

Residential property sales in Turkey increased 59% year-on-year in November, the country's statistical authority said.

Armenia will appoint a special representative to normalize relations with Turkey, a spokesperson for the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

Turkish Cargo transported a satellite from Ukraine for its launch in the US, the firm said in a statement.

Turkey opened an honorary consulate in the city of Cordoba in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia.