Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – Feb. 16, 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 94,700 new coronavirus cases, according to new Health Ministry data.

The ministry confirmed 94,730 infections, 309 related deaths and 102,673 recoveries over the past day.

As many as 461,955 virus tests were also done across the country.

To counter the spread of the virus, Turkiye has administered over 144.32 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched an immunization drive in January 2021.

Over 57.58 million people have received their first jab, while more than 52.65 million are fully vaccinated. Third booster shots have also been given to more than 26.36 million people.

- Other developments worldwide

New York City fired over 1,400 municipal workers who refused to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the mayor’s office announced.

New Zealand and China have agreed to start implementing their upgraded free trade deal this April, a New Zealander official said.

Many are feared dead after a Spanish fishing boat sank in frigid Canadian waters.

Italian authorities issued an international arrest warrant for Brazilian football star Robinho after he was convicted of rape.

A retired US Marine captain was sentenced to 210 years in prison for raping and abusing minors in Cambodia.

The Russian lower chamber of parliament, the State Duma, voted for the recognition of Ukraine's breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic dissolved parliament and set April 3 as the date for a parliamentary election.

Three Horn of Africa countries are facing the worst drought in recent history, with 4.1 million people in Somalia in need of urgent humanitarian food assistance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said.

Fifty-four unmarked graves at two former Indian Residential Schools in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan have been located with ground-penetrating radar, the Keeseekookse First Nation said at a news conference.

The president of Serbia presented Hollywood star Johnny Depp with a gold medal for promoting the nation.

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was captured at the request of the US on drug trafficking charges.