Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - January 21, 2021

By Erdogan Cagatay Zontur

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.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were officially sworn into office in a heavily guarded but sparsely attended ceremony at the US Capitol.

Trump departed the White House earlier last Wednesday for the state of Florida, opting to break with a tradition that embodies the US' peaceful transfer of power by not participating in the inaugural events.

- Coronavirus and other developments in Turkey

Turkey reported over 6,400 new coronavirus cases, according to Health Ministry data.

A total of 6,435 cases, including 752 symptomatic patients, were confirmed across the country.

Turkey's overall case tally is over 2.4 million, while the nationwide death toll has reached 24,487, with 159 fatalities over the past day.

The number of people in Turkey who have received their first dose of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus exceeded the 1 million mark as of Wednesday.

Turkey's Ambassador of the US Serdar Kilic congratulated President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on their inauguration.

The Turkish Education Ministry announced that in-person education at private coaching centers will start as of late January.

Turkey condemned Israel’s plan to construct over 2,500 new settlement units in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

- COVID-19 updates worldwide

The Portuguese Health Ministry confirmed more daily COVID-19 deaths and new infections on Wednesday than ever before during the pandemic.

A spike in coronavirus-linked fatalities continue to rise in Nigeria as the country's health authorities have confirmed 15 new deaths and 1,301 more infections in the last 24 hours.

Cambodia is set to receive the first shipment of coronavirus vaccine from China’s Sinopharm early February.

- Other developments

At least three people were killed after a powerful explosion on Wednesday destroyed a large residential building in central Madrid.

NATO and European and Latin American leaders congratulated new US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday as the pair were officially sworn into office at the US Capitol.