Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – Jan. 25, 2022

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (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 reported more than 67,000 coronavirus cases Monday, according to the Health Ministry.

The ministry registered 67,023 new infections, 156 deaths and 78,362 recoveries over the past day. Also, 401,636 virus tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

To stem the spread of the virus, the country has also administered more than 140.93 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched an immunization drive in January 2021.

More than 57.3 million people have gotten their first jab, while over 52.2 million have received their second shot, the latest ministry data showed. Turkiye has also given third booster shots to 24.3 million people.

Meanwhile, heavy snowfall hit Turkiye’s largest city Istanbul on Monday, shuttering shopping malls and disrupting traffic.

Turkiye's mega-Istanbul Airport was shut to flights Monday due to heavy snowfall in the city.

- Other developments worldwide

Amid fears of Russian military action in Ukraine, NATO’s secretary general said Monday that the military bloc is considering deploying additional battle groups in southeastern Europe.

The UK said Monday that it is withdrawing some staff from its embassy in Ukraine “in response to the growing threat from Russia.”

The EU is not following the US in withdrawing its diplomats’ families from Ukraine, the bloc's foreign policy chief said Monday, amid rising fears of a Russian invasion.

NATO allies are sending more ships and jets to "enhance deterrence and defense" in Eastern Europe as Russia "continues its military buildup in and around Ukraine," the organization announced Monday.

The European Commission on Monday proposed a €1.2 billion ($1.35 billion) financial assistance package for Ukraine.

Roughly 8,500 American troops have been put on heightened alert in the US in case NATO activates its Response Force or if the security situation in Europe deteriorates further, the Pentagon said Monday.

A military junta in Burkina Faso declared a coup Monday, announcing a series of measures including the closure of the West African country's borders.

Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange has won the right to ask the British Supreme Court to stall his extradition to the US.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson received a further blow Monday evening as new allegations emerged suggesting he had another party during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

Several people have been injured in a shooting at a university campus in Heidelberg in southwestern Germany, police said Monday.

The United Arab Emirates said Monday that it intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels towards its territory.

Complaining of foreign influence and a fragmented public, former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced Monday that he had “suspended” his role in politics.