Anadolu Agency’s Morning Briefing - Feb. 3, 2023

WASHINGTON (AA) - Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments around the world.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of nine countries Thursday, including those which have closed their consulates under the pretext of a terrorist threat in Türkiye, according to diplomatic sources.

The Pentagon is tracking a suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon over the continental US, an official said Thursday.

The US House of Representatives voted along party lines Thursday to remove one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress from her seat on the influential Foreign Affairs Committee.

Türkiye summoned Norwegian Ambassador Erling Skjonsberg over plans to desecrate the holy Quran in the Scandinavian country Friday, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

Norway withdrew permission to burn the Quran, Islam's holy book, after Ankara warned against it, Türkiye’s foreign minister said Thursday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday that Russia doubts German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's refusal to send fighter jets to Ukraine, saying the latter is known for his shifting positions in the war that started last February.

The EU will impose new sanctions on Russia on the first anniversary of the war against Ukraine, the president of the European Commission said Thursday.

Austria said Thursday that it is expelling four Russian diplomats, accusing them of “acts incompatible with their diplomatic status.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said changes in the government are necessary to prevent the abuse of power as he continued to purge top government officials accused of corruption.

The Israeli army on Thursday tore down two Palestinian-owned homes in the north of the occupied West Bank, citing a lack of building permits.

North Korea warned the US on Thursday that it would face the "toughest reaction" if rumors of “demonization” of Pyongyang spread again.

The US has transferred former Guantanamo Bay detainee Majid Khan to the small Central American nation of Belize, the Pentagon announced Thursday.