Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - Sept. 8, 2021

By Dilara Hamit

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.

- Coronavirus and other developments in Turkey

Turkey has administered over 98.86 million coronavirus vaccine jabs since the country launched an immunization campaign in January, according to official figures released Tuesday.

Over 50.34 million people have gotten their first vaccine dose, while more than 38.99 million are fully vaccinated, the Health Ministry said. The data showed that 81.08% of the country's adult population has received at least one dose of a two-shot vaccine.

Turkey has also administered third booster shots to over 9.12 million people. The ministry also reported 23,638 new coronavirus cases while 274 more people died of the disease in the past 24 hours.

The Mu variant of COVID-19 has been detected in at least two people in Turkey, the country’s health minister said.

Turkey is carefully following developments in Afghanistan as the Taliban announced an interim government for the country, said the Turkish president.

The second round of political consultations between Turkey and Egypt began in the capital Ankara.

- COVID-19 updates worldwide

Four in five people in the UK aged 16 and over have now been fully vaccinated, the government said as it prepares to launch a new campaign to boost vaccination rates.

The US has surpassed 40 million coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Bangladesh started giving a second dose of coronavirus vaccine for over 5 million people who were vaccinated last month under a special drive.

- Other global developments

France’s top court said cement giant Lafarge should face an investigation on charges of complicity in crimes against humanity for allegedly financing the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group in northern Syria.

Scotland’s first minister reiterated that she aims to hold a public vote on independence from the UK by the end of 2023.

The Taliban announced an “interim government” in Afghanistan to be led by Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund.