Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – Jan. 20, 2022

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) - 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 has administered more than 140 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched an immunization drive in January 2021, according to official figures released Wednesday.

One more PKK terrorist surrendered to security forces in Turkiye as a result of persuasion efforts, the Interior Ministry announced Wednesday.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met Wednesday with Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop in the capital Doha.

Turkiye's envoy to Libya met Wednesday with Libyan parliament speaker Aguila Saleh in his hometown of al-Qubah.

The Turkish president announced Wednesday that the country would be sending a "charity train" to Afghanistan carrying emergency goods.

- Other developments worldwide

Pakistan on Wednesday reported almost 5,500 new coronavirus cases, the highest single-day tally since August last year.

China’s daily tally of locally transmitted virus cases dropped significantly Wednesday, a welcome boost in its bid to rein in the latest outbreak ahead of next month’s Beijing Winter Olympics.

Germany on Wednesday reported more than 110,000 coronavirus cases in a day, a new record since the pandemic began two years ago.

Japan widened coronavirus restrictions Wednesday to over a dozen provinces as the country reported a record number of new infections driven by the omicron variant.

Football fans can now apply for 2022 FIFA World Cup tickets as the ticket section of the FIFA website went live Wednesday.

Bulgarian and US forces have started a joint military exercise that will run for over six months, the Bulgarian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

Germany on Wednesday reiterated its opposition to sending weapons to Ukraine amid escalating tensions with Russia.

The fate of Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on discussions among local lawmakers with the support of the Turkish president, Serb leader Milorad Dodik said Wednesday.

Former officials of ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s regime ended their hunger strike Wednesday, according to a defense lawyer.

Germany has been involved in “intensive talks” with Russia on the Ukraine issue since the beginning of January, the German chancellor said Wednesday.

US President Joe Biden announced his nominees Wednesday for ambassadors to four countries that include Brazil, the UK, Chad and Denmark.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Wednesday that most coronavirus restrictions in England will be scrapped next week as the omicron wave seems to have peaked.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged EU countries Wednesday to define the bloc's "own doctrine of security" and discuss it with Russia.

Three lions and two pumas were confirmed to be afflicted with the coronavirus, according to a recent study in South Africa.