Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - July 25, 2021

By Ali Murat Alhas

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

Developments in Turkey, coronavirus pandemic and other news

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan marked the first anniversary of the reopening of Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, saying it was the "symbol of the revival of our civilization."

Erdogan also marked the 98th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne and noted: "Our heroic nation's struggle for independence, crowned with victory despite all manner of impossibilities and difficulties, was confirmed in the international arena with the Treaty of Lausanne."

The Foreign Ministry said that Turkey rejected a UN Security Council's statement as well as "unfounded claims" of several countries about the reopening of Maras in Turkish Cyprus.

Two Turkish soldiers were "martyred" in northern Syria and two were wounded when an armored vehicle carrying troops was struck by terror elements which were later confronted with retaliatory attacks.

Communications Director Fahrettin Altun slammed France for passing a controversial bill, saying it would further marginalize Muslims and other religious minorities.

As Turkey's coronavirus vaccination campaign continues with pace, it has administered more than 65.6 million shots with anyone older than the age of 18 eligible for vaccination.

- COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 vaccine shots administered across the world topped 3.83 billion, according to Oxford University's website, ourworldindata.org.

China ranks first with more than 1.52 billion jabs. Turkey is ninth.

As cases are again on the rise across the EU, countries are adopting new measures and tightening existing restrictions to stem the outbreak.

- World

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) condemned an "unprincipled" statement by the UN Security Council on the reopening of Maras in Turkish Cyprus.

"We consider the statement made by the UN Security Council Presidency on July 23, 2021, to be an unprincipled statement meant to salvage the day in the face of the pressures from the Greek Cypriot side and Greece," according to a statement from the TRNC Presidency.

Palestinian resistance group Hamas decried a decision by the African Union to grant Israel an observer status at the pan-African bloc.

The Moroccan coast guard rescued 368 irregular migrants off its coast in the Mediterranean Sea; 208 others were rescued off the Tunisian coast.

The UN said it was concerned about escalating violence in northwest Syria as seven civilians were killed in attacks by regime forces and allied militias in Idlib.

US President Joe Biden reaffirmed support for Afghan forces, according to the White House, that said Washington would continue to support development and humanitarian aid for Afghans; the US is committed to backing Afghan security forces to defend themselves.

The imam of a mosque in France's Loire region was dismissed at the behest of Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on grounds that a verse and hadith he recited in an Eid al-Adha sermon were deemed “contrary to the values of the Republic.”

The death toll from rain-related incidents in India's western Maharashtra state reached 136, a state minister said, adding the situation was under control and all efforts were being made to assist residents.