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 72.59 million COVID-19 vaccine doses since it launched a mass vaccination campaign in January, according to officials figures.
The Health Ministry also confirmed 22,083 new infections and 69 coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, while as many as 5,752 more patients recovered.
Meanwhile, efforts in Turkey continue to contain 14 forest fires that have erupted since Wednesday, while 57 have been brought under control, according to the nation’s president.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul that 45 helicopters are being used in the effort.
"As of today, the number of planes has increased to five of six with the planes from Russia and Ukraine," he said, adding that Azerbaijan was also sending an amphibious plane.
Turkey has brought 74 fires under control, according to a senior official.
"Between July 28-30, out of total 85 forest fires, 74 have been brought under control," Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said on Twitter.
COVID-19
The number of COVID-19 vaccine shots administered worldwide topped 4.07 billion, according to Our World In Data, a tracking website affiliated with Oxford University.
China, where the virus originated in late 2019, ranks first globally with more than 1.62 billion jabs given. India follows with over 456 million, according to the available data.
Infections are up 80% in the past four weeks in five of the World Health Organization's (WHO) six regions, according to the head of the UN’s health agency.
In Africa, deaths have risen 80% in that period, mainly driven by the Delta variant found in at least 132 countries.
"Almost 4 million cases were reported to the WHO last week, and on current trends, we expect the total number of cases to pass 200 million within the next two weeks. And we know that is an underestimate," Tedros Ghebreyesus said during a webinar.
Meanwhile, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni eased a total coronavirus lockdown late Friday which he imposed 42 days ago.
Museveni said he partially opened up because the virus situation has tremendously improved. “By the time I announced the total lockdown last month, each day 1,735 new cases of COVID19 were being reported, but now they have reduced to only 71 per day,” he said in an address to the nation.
“By that time, out of every 100 people who were tested, 22 had COVID 19 but now only eight out of 100 are found infected. It is for those reasons that I am now partially opening up,” he added.
Developments across the world
Israel blamed Iran on Friday for carrying out an attack in the Indian Ocean on a shipping vessel owned by an Israeli magnate, according to media reports.
Israel’s Channel 13 News reported the views of a senior Israeli official about the attack on the ship that was en route from Tanzania to the United Arab Emirates.
The official, who did not want to be named, said Iran is behind the targeting of the Israeli ship. There is an Iranian terrorist attack, two innocent people died, the report said.
In Mali, Prime Minister Choguel Maiga laid out on Friday a plan to end the country’s political crisis, pledging to improve security and conduct credible elections to end military rule.
Maiga was named new prime minister last month after a military junta ignored calls from the international community to return power to the deposed civilian government.
Maiga outlined key priorities of his government's action plan in coming months before appointed members of the National Council of the Transition (CNT), which assumed the role of the National Assembly in the capital of Bamako.
