Day: July 3, 2021

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 more than 28.76 million coronavirus vaccine doses since the launch of a mass vaccination campaign in January, according to official figures.

More than 16.47 million people have received their first doses, while an excess of 12.28 million have been fully vaccinated, Health Ministry’s data showed.

The ministry also confirmed 7,656 new infections, including 605 symptomatic patients in the last 24 hours. The number of new cases on Friday was 7,773.

Turkey’s overall case tally is now more than 5.09 million, while the nationwide death toll has reached 47,271 with 137 new fatalities.

As many as 11,180 more patients won the battle against the virus, taking the number of recoveries past 5.09 million.

More than 53.70 million coronavirus tests have been conducted.

A gendarmerie officer was killed in a clash as part of a domestic anti-terror operation in eastern Agri province, according to the Interior Ministry.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to transfer operations of the country’s three mineral mines to two Turkish companies.

– COVID-19 updates worldwide

More than 1.84 billion vaccine shots have been administered worldwide, according to figures compiled by online portal Our World in Data.

China leads the global count with 602.99 million jabs, followed by the US with 292.1 million.

India administered 203.17 million shots, Brazil have given 66.43 million and the UK 63.35 million.

Germany has given some 49.26 million shots, France 34.94 million, Italy 33.56 million and Mexico 29.24 million.

Turkey is ranked 10th on the list with more than 28.75 million, followed by Russia, Spain, Indonesia and Canada.

One month before placing its national budget for the next fiscal year with a special allotment for addressing the coronavirus, Bangladesh marked a rise in coronavirus casualties, according to the latest update by its Health Ministry.

Villagers in Uganda were instructed by the president to avoid the capital city as part of measures against the virus.

Afghanistan closed all educational institutions as nationwide COVID-19 cases marked a record high.

– Other global developments

Chelsea won the 2021 Champions League title by beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final.

Colombian President Ivan Duque deployed military troops to the western province of Valle del Cauca and its capital, Cali, as four people died in demonstrations against a government tax reform.

A container ship was successfully re-floated in the Suez Canal after running aground due to sudden engine failure while transiting the waterway, the Suez Canal Authority said in a statement.

The government set up by ousted lawmakers in Myanmar has formed the People’s Defense Force to challenge the military junta, which overthrew the elected government on Feb.1.

A landmine blast in northern Afghanistan killed at least four people, including professors and students, and injured 11 more from al-Biruni University, according to officials.

Tunisia rescued at least 117 irregular migrants off the coast of Sfax in southern Tunisia who were trying to reach Europe on a plastic boat, according to the Defense Ministry.

Russia agreed to soon release $500 million from a previously agreed credit to Belarus, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Bashar Assad regime in Syria has seized a neighborhood of 40,000 residents in the center of Daraa province in the south for eight days to prevent access of basic human materials.

On June 25, the regime and its supporter, Russia, asked residents in the Daraa al-Balad neighborhood and the former military opposition there, to surrender light arms and allow houses to be searched.

The Daraa-based Reconciliation Center and local public figures in the region opposed the request on grounds that it was against an agreement reached with the regime in July 2018, under the mediation of Russia, which ceding only heavy weapons of the opposition.

The regime responded by imposing a full blockade on civilians.

The regime banned the entry of basic humanitarian materials such as medicine, food materials and fuel by barring entry and exits of the region for eight days, and counting.

According to activists, another reason for the blockade is that residents objected to setting up ballot boxes across the province for the so-called presidential election.

– Blockade protested

Hundreds of civilians in Daraa al-Balad gathered in the courtyard of the al-Omari Mosque after Friday prayers to protest the blockade.

Demonstrators raised banners reading anti-regime slogans including: “We are here, we are resisting.”

– Birthplace of Syrian revolution

Following the Syria civil war which started in 2011, Daraa remained under Syrian opposition’s control for years.

In 2018, Russia, along with the regime, signed a deal allowing thousands of rebels and civilians safe passage to other opposition-held regions while they launched an attack in Daraa, the birthplace of the Syrian revolution.

Syria has been ravaged by civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Spending more time outdoors during the summer can lead to a higher risk of “summer diseases,” including heatstroke, infections, insect bites and food poisoning, a Turkish doctor warned on Friday.

In a statement from Bayindir Health Group, Dr. Serpil Kilinc said extended exposure to the sun and environments with high temperatures causes heatstroke where the body fails to balance its temperature through perspiration.

Heatstroke comes with various symptoms such as sweaty cold skin, fatigue, thirst, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and urine concentration.

With the increase in temperatures, the skin will turn hot and dry, the body temperature will rise, breathing and pulse will speed up, accompanied by behavioral disorder and mental fog.

Kilinc also warned about food poisoning resulting from insufficient protection of food from heat, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomachache and diarrhea.

She said being in environments where maintenance of air conditioners have not been conducted properly may lead to atypical infections with high fever.

“Besides, spending time outdoors in summer, in picnic, green areas causes an increase in the incidence of diseases transmitted by insects,” said Kilinc. “Mosquito bites are very dangerous in areas where malaria is common. Bee stings can cause allergic reactions, people need to be careful with that. Tick bites cause Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever,” she said.

“You should not be outside when the heat is intense. Wear glasses and a hat when going out,” to protect from heat-related diseases, she said. “Sunscreens with appropriate factors should be used. Thin and light-colored clothes should be preferred and plenty of liquids should be consumed.”

“Food should be stored under a certain temperature in the refrigerator and consumed immediately after cooking. Skins of fruit must be peeled before eating even if it is washed,” said Kilinc.

Drawing attention to the significance of hygiene, Kilinc said, “You should definitely take a shower before and after swimming in the pool. During the summer months, eating, drinking and sleeping patterns should not be changed due to the late sunset. Sports should be done in cool environments and heavy exercises should be avoided.”

Source: Anadolu Agency

A Malaysian Muslim youth group voiced concern on Friday about rising suicides in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The President of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Force (ABIM) Muhammad Faisal bin Abdul Aziz told Anadolu Agency that the phenomenon of suicide in Malaysia shows that people are in a critical situation.

“This can be seen through several heartbreaking incidents, including the increasing number of suicides,” he said.

Police recorded 468 suicides in the first five months of 2021, climbing from an annual total of 631 in 2020 and 609 in 2019.

At least two suicide deaths occurred daily on average from 2019 to May 2020, it said.

Abdul Jalil Hassan, director of Bukit Aman Criminal Investigations Department (CID), said that from 2019 to May 2021, at least 281 men and 1,427 women committed suicide with 872 between 15 and 18 years old.

“By state, Johor recorded the highest number of suicides in 2019 and 2020 with 101 cases, while Selangor registered the most cases this year as of May with 117 cases,” he said.

Police noted three main reasons for suicides, including troubled family relationships, emotional pressure and financial constraints.

ABIM encouraged people to work to help each other in difficulties regardless of race and religion by supporting the “White Flag Campaign” that urges those in desperate need of food and assistance to display a white flag in front of their home as a sign they need immediate help.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Azmi Abdul Hamid, president of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM), said increased suicides cases could be a ticking time bomb that would worsen the situation in Malaysia.

“If the government does not take all these signals seriously, it is feared that the situation will become more serious,” he said in a statement.

The Health Ministry on Tuesday implored Malaysians to be more mindful and sensitive of their surroundings and look for warning signs.

Health Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah said that some individuals are at a higher risk of suffering from mental health issues including depression, especially when under tremendous stress or when isolated from a support network of friends and family.

“Therefore, the public is urged to be more aware of family members and people around them who may display signs of depression that could lead to suicide,” he said.

Malaysia has recorded more than 765,000 coronavirus cases, including 5,327 deaths, with nearly 7,000 daily new cases.

The government imposed a total lockdown until the number of daily cases dips below 4,000.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The leaders of the Western Balkans strongly criticized the EU for failing to start membership talks with Western Balkan nations.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic attended the Prespa Dialogue Forum in Ohrid city of North Macedonia on the second day of “Restoring the synergy between the EU and the US for the Western Balkans”.

Rama criticized the EU, saying bloc members are more depressed and angry than those in the Western Balkans.

“We don’t need to say to people from Europe anymore: ‘Listen, if you don’t take us, someone else will, a third actor will come to us,” said Rama.

He also made analogies with expressions insulting the EU.

“No! Forget it! I don’t want to express myself ‘we are angry, depressed’ anymore. No, we are not angry, we are not depressed, they, those in the European Union, are more depressed, angrier than we are. So let’s not talk about anger and depression, ” he said.

Brnabic said the group has to overcome feelings of anger and depression in connection with statements by her Albanian counterpart.

“Right now you’re depressed, angry, and then you expect nothing and you’re free. I think that’s how we all feel. It’s a great feeling and we wouldn’t have had it without the EU. Thank you very much for that,” said Brnabic.

Kurti said his country was disappointed because the EU did not start negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, and reiterated that the EU is the only alternative.

“Kosovo is the only country whose citizens are not granted visa liberalization. However, we must show strength and patience. We must not make hasty decisions that do not serve the interests of our countries, our citizens, or our region,” he said. “Yes, the EU is slow. Yes, they lack unity, but still, the EU is ours. It’s our best hope, and I have to be honest, it’s the only alternative we have. It’s not that we don’t have any other choice because we naturally belong there.”

Zaev said the Western Balkans are strong and stable when transatlantic ties are strong.

He said the EU can set priorities, criteria, or membership dates that it cannot determine the future of Europe with its geographical location, culture and European identity.

North Macedonia is hosting the 2021 Prespa Forum Dialogue International Conference “Western Balkans: The Missing Puzzle For Completing Europe”

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı attended the meeting representing Turkey.

Source: Anadolu Agency