Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – Feb. 15, 2022

By Faruk Zorlu

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

Turkiye reported over 76,000 new coronavirus cases, according to new Health Ministry data.

The ministry confirmed 76,632 infections, 266 related deaths, and 74,936 recoveries over the past day.

As many as 438,553 virus tests were also done across the country.

To counter the spread of the virus, Turkiye has administered over 144.17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched an immunization drive in January 2021.

Over 57.57 million people have received the first jab, while more than 52.64 million are fully vaccinated. Third booster shots have also been given to more than 26.28 million people.

Turkiye and United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed 13 agreements on various areas during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the Gulf country.

- Other developments worldwide

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared Feb. 16 as “the Day of Unity.”

The US is moving its embassy operations in Ukraine from the capital Kyiv to the country's western city of Lviv, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Greece advised its citizens to leave Ukraine “immediately”, discouraging all travel throughout Ukraine, according to the country’s Foreign Ministry.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged financial support to Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv but ruled out sending weapons to the country to deter Russia from possible attacks.

The Israeli army killed a Palestinian and wounded five others after storming the Silat Al-Harithiya village, north of the occupied West Bank.

Team USA speed skater Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to win the individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics in a time of 37.04.

French police killed a man who attacked them with a knife at the Gare du Nord train station in the capital Paris.

The researchers of Ankara University in the Turkish capital discovered two planets in the Kepler-451 binary star system, which is 1,336 light-years from Earth.

Washington, D.C. is ending its COVID-19 vaccination requirement and mask mandate, the US capital’s mayor said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act in a move designed to clear a blockade in the capital Ottawa and other areas in connection with trucker-led protests against COVID-19 health rules.