Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - April 17, 2020

ANKARA (AA) - Good morning, Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic and other news in Turkey and around the world.

Turkey confirmed 125 more deaths from the novel coronavirus in the country over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 1,643.

Turkey’s Parliament on Thursday passed a bill prepared by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party to cushion the virus’ impact on economic and social life.

The novel coronavirus pandemic has so far killed 320 Turkish citizens living abroad, said diplomatic sources.

Scientists in Turkey have developed a test kit for coronavirus, a major step aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on imports.

Turkey’s state aid agency distributed aid to the people of Kosovo to help the Balkan country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Turkey's Historical Kemeralti Bazaar and its surrounding area have been added to the temporary UNESCO World Heritage List.

- Coronavirus worldwide

The global death toll from the novel coronavirus crossed the 145,000 mark, while the number of cases reached 2.15 million, according to a running tally by the U.S.’ Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, more than 548,000 people have recovered from the COVID-19 disease worldwide.

Italy, one of the worst-hit countries in Europe, has allowed some shops such as bookstores and children’s clothing outlets to reopen, but extended the lockdown until May 3. Italy late Thursday reported 578 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, down from the previous day, bringing the total number of fatalities to 22,170.

The number of coronavirus cases in Russia rose to 27,938, as 3,448 more people were infected. Marking the highest numbers of deaths in a single day during the pandemic, the country reported 34 new deaths, raising the tally to 232.

France reported 753 more fatalities due to coronavirus, bringing the death toll to 17,920. A total of 668 sailors on France’s flagship aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle have tested positive for the virus, according to France’s Defense Ministry.

With 92 new deaths reported in Iran, the death toll rose to 4,869, state media said.

Spain announced 551 more deaths from coronavirus, pushing the total number of fatalities up to 19,130, according to Spain’s Health Ministry.

Botswana is expected to deport 500 Zimbabwean nationals over COVID-19 restrictions imposed by its neighbor, according to local media.

Strengthening its measures against coronavirus, Japan decided to declare a nationwide state of emergency, local media reported.

Several Arab countries reported increases in cases and deaths from coronavirus.

In Somalia, at least six healthcare workers including doctors contracted coronavirus from a patient in the capital Mogadishu, according to the country’s Health Ministry.

With the highest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia, Philippines reported 207 new coronavirus cases, raising the national total to 5,660.

China added another 1,290 people to its coronavirus death toll in the city of Wuhan, ground zero of the pandemic spread, bringing the total to 3,869.

In Belgium, 1,236 new coronavirus infections and 417 deaths were registered, bringing the total number of cases to 34,809 and the death toll to 4,857. Belgian authorities plan to do 200,000 tests in nursing homes in the coming weeks.

The COVID-19 death toll in Africa is nearing the 1,000 mark as 36 new casualties were recorded over the past 24 hours, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday.

Britain reported 861 new fatalities from coronavirus, while the country's death toll climbed to 13,729.

The death toll in the U.S. from the novel coronavirus topped the 31,000 mark on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The G7 leaders called for reform at the World Health Organization (WHO) for what they say is a lack of transparency in response to the coronavirus crisis, the White House said.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem will be closed for worship during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan for the first time in its history in an effort to stem the virus’ spread, said the authority responsible for overseeing the city's Islamic and Christian holy sites.

- Economic impact of pandemic

The Google News Initiative (GNI), which works with the news industry to help journalism thrive in the digital age, has launched a relief fund to help newsrooms deal with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile in Turkey, employers have been barred from laying off workers during the COVID-19.

Automotive giant Mercedes-Benz will restart production in Turkey next week after a suspension due to the pandemic.

More than 5.2 million Americans filed unemployment claims last week as businesses remained mostly closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Labor Department said Thursday.

The International Monetary Fund's head Kristalina Georgieva said more than 100 countries have asked for a bailout amid the pandemic.

- Politics, sports

South Korea’s ruling party clinched a landslide victory in general elections held amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to unofficial results.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin announced that he will return the mandate to form a government to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden has applied to extend his residence permit in Russia for three more years, according to his lawyer.

Mauritania's new president on Thursday sent a letter of congratulations to Bashar al-Assad, head of the Syrian regime, on Syria's national day, according to the Mauritanian News Agency.

In the U.S. National Football League, the Los Angeles Rams’ Brian Allen tested positive for coronavirus.

The UEFA Executive Committee said Thursday it will meet next week to examine the future of European football amid the pandemic.

France called off all amateur football leagues for the 2019-2020 season due to the pandemic.

The pandemic is hampering sports events across the globe, but a Turkish beverage company will hold a running contest for kids at home to be broadcast live online, a rare practice in sports, the company said on its website.

- Conflict report

A Turkish soldier was martyred in a terrorist attack in northern Iraq, the Defense Ministry said.

A PKK terrorist recently released from a prison in Iran due to coronavirus was remanded into custody in eastern Turkey.

In a phone call with Kais Saied, the head of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) Presidential Council, Tunusia’s President Fayez al-Sarraj reiterated his country’s support for Libya's UN-recognized GNA.