HOLD - Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – Sept. 4, 2021

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

Turkey has administered more than 96.3 million coronavirus vaccine doses since launching a mass immunization campaign in January, according to official figures.

More than 49.1 million people have received their first dose, while nearly 38 million are fully vaccinated, said the Health Ministry.

The ministry also reported 22,857 new infections, while as many as 276 more patients died from the disease in the past 24 hours.

Turkey updated measures for passengers entering the country in a bid to curb the spread of the pandemic, the Interior Ministry said in a circular set to go into effect Saturday.

Suspension of direct flights from Brazil, South Africa, Nepal and Sri Lanka will continue until further notice.

Travel rules for Bangladesh, India and Pakistan have been eased and passengers from those countries, or those who have been to those countries in the last 14 days, will be required to submit a negative PCR test result obtained up to 72 hours before entry.

Passengers coming from the UK, Iran, Egypt and Singapore will be required to submit a negative result from PCR tests done no more than 72 hours before entry to Turkey.

Turkey’s vice president said that pollution in the Mediterranean Sea caused by an oil leak from Syria is now only on the surface and carried no risk to Cyprus.

The Turkish Coast Guard rescued as many as 174 asylum seekers in the Aegean Sea after they were pushed back by Greek authorities, according to the Coast Guard Command.

Turkey is set to host twin Grands Prix competitions in the 2021 FIM Motocross World Championship as the Round 9 (Bitci MXGP of Turkey) will start Saturday.

- Worldwide developments related to COVID-19

The European Union and Swedish-British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca settled a legal dispute, the bloc announced.

With the new agreement, AstraZeneca committed to delivering 135 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of the year, topping up the already 100 million doses that have been shipped.

As the delta variant continues to take a toll, many European countries are implementing measures that require citizens to certify that they do not risk spreading the virus.

The state of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia reported more than 1,400 cases in a record single-day figure since the pandemic reached the country, according to official data.

Kenya has received 141,000 single-dose coronavirus vaccines from Johnson and Johnson.

- Developments across World

A small group of women staged a rally in the Afghan capital of Kabul to demand that the Taliban ensure equal rights and allow them to be contributing members of Afghan society.

Washington is "working closely" with its allies in Turkey and Qatar on quickly reopening Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Without officially recognizing the regime, the European Union will operationally engage with the Taliban based on five criteria for the sake of the Afghan people, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell

The UN will host a ministerial-level humanitarian aid conference for Afghanistan next month in Geneva, according to a spokesman for the head of the international body. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will travel to Geneva to attend the Sept. 13 meeting, said Stephane Dujarric.

A group of UN human rights experts urged all nations to provide urgent protection to Afghan journalists and media workers who fear for their lives and are seeking safety abroad.

The Biden administration sanctioned four Iranian intelligence officers in retaliation for an alleged plot to kidnap a US-based Iranian dissident.

A child was killed and two civilians were injured following airstrikes by Russian warplanes in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province, according to Syria Civil Defense.

At least 48 people have died in the northeast US after remnants of Hurricane Ida caused record-breaking rainfall and mass flooding, according to multiple reports. New Jersey continues to have the highest death toll with 25 fatalities after roads became inundated with fast-moving floodwaters.

Italy's women's volleyball team reached the CEV EuroVolley 2021 final after beating the Netherlands 3-1.