Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – Jan. 21, 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

The Turkish Health Ministry reported nearly 72,000 COVID-19 cases Thursday.

Poland's charge d'affaires to Turkiye paid a visit Wednesday to the headquarters of Anadolu Agency, the country's premier news source.

In easing tensions with Ukraine, Russia's talks with the US and NATO will be "decisive," Turkiye's foreign minister has said.

Turkiye's Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop met Thursday with Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the deputy prime minister and interior minister of the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi to discuss bilateral ties.

Turkiye's foreign minister on Thursday lambasted the Greek Cypriot administration for hosting an office belonging to the YPG/PKK terrorist organization.

At least 744 historical artifacts were seized in western Turkiye on Thursday, said a security source.

Turkiye wants peace to prevail and hopes no other negative developments happen in the region, the Turkish president said Thursday, referring to tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

- Other developments worldwide

Uzbekistan’s daily COVID-19 count spiked to its highest mark in six months Thursday.

The Chinese and American navies were once again face to face in the South China Sea on Thursday.

Germany on Thursday surpassed 130,000 daily coronavirus cases for the first time, as the highly contagious omicron variant continues to surge across the country.

The Iranian, Russian and Chinese navies will begin a large-scale joint military exercise in the Indian Ocean on Friday, an official announced Thursday.

Israeli army detained seven Palestinians on Thursday, including a disabled man.

Japan’s daily COVID-19 tally topped 46,000 on Thursday to set a new record for the third consecutive day.

A stampede at a religious gathering in Liberia has killed at least 29 people, a minister said Thursday.

Vaccine holdouts in Italy might find it harder to look after their looks from Thursday as tightened government restrictions mean they will need a COVID pass to visit hair salons or beauty parlors.

Four civilians were killed and 10 others injured in rocket attacks by the YPG/PKK terrorist group Thursday in northern Syria’s Afrin district.

In a bid to ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia, Turkiye may host the next round of the Trilateral Contact Group, comprising Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), diplomatic sources said Thursday.

Britain on Thursday warned Russia that it would be a “disaster” if it launches any incursion into Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Russia on Thursday that it would “pay a heavy price” for any military aggression against Ukraine.

British auction house Sotheby’s sold a group of six rare paintings of Ottoman sultans for £1.34 million ($1.83 million) Thursday.