Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - February 15, 2021

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - 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 registered more than 6,200 infections and an excess of 6,900 recoveries.

The country’s case count stands at 2.58 million with recoveries totaling 2.47 million, according to Health Ministry data.

The death toll from the virus reached 27,471 with 94 additional fatalities.

Turkish officials decried the execution of 13 Turkish citizens in a cave in northern Iraq and reiterated their determination in the fight against terrorism.

Turkish forces arrested 39 suspects over alleged links to the PKK/KCK terrorist organization.

Face-to-face classes across Istanbul have been suspended until Feb. 17 due to expected heavy snowfall, said the provincial governor.

- COVID-19 updates worldwide

The global tally for infections surpassed 108.7 million, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University.

Tunisia, Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq and Jordan announced more coronavirus infections and fatalities as efforts continued to contain the disease.

More than 15 million people in the UK have received the first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling it an "extraordinary feat.”

Lebanon’s national vaccination campaign against the coronavirus pandemic began Sunday.

Saudi Arabia extended precautionary measures against the coronavirus pandemic for an additional 20 days, in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.

South Africa will on Monday reopen 20 land border crossings that were closed last month to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said over the weekend.

- Other global developments

Turkey received condolences from around the world over a terror attack in which 13 Turkish citizens were martyred by the PKK terrorist organization in Iraq’s northern Gara region.

Catalan separatists increased their majority in the parliament of the wealthy Spanish region, while the far-right Vox party burst onto the scene, taking votes from more moderate unionist parties.

Kosovo's left-wing opposition leader Albin Kurti declared victory early Monday in the country's sixth general elections.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced Sunday they are expecting a second child.

The death toll has risen to 51 from a glacier break in northern India, with more bodies recovered during rescue operations, according to a fresh update released by authorities.

Protesters gathered in Paris to demonstrate against a proposed law they said was discriminatory toward Muslims.

The United Arab Emirates swore in its first-ever ambassador to Israel, with whom it normalized relations in September last year.