Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - Aug. 8, 2020

ANKARA 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 Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, who accepted a wear-a-mask challenge Friday by the head of the WHO, said Turkey reported 1,000 new coronavirus cases, bringing the number to nearly 238,500. While the death toll from the outbreak remains at 5,813, Turkey maintains tight measures. The Turkish administration harshly responded to a Greek-Egyptian demarcation maritime deal in the Mediterranean with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referring to the signing as "worthless." Ankara's battle against terror continues with full determination as 17 PKK/YPG terrorists were neutralized. In addition, more than a dozen PKK terror group suspects were detained in eastern Turkey. - Blast in Lebanon The deadly blast at the Port of Beirut left at least 154 people dead and more than 6,000 wounded, according to Lebanese officials who fear the death toll might rise. Turkish state-run organizations rushed to help Lebanon in an effort to tend to fresh wounds, sending humanitarian and health materials. Arab countries also provided aid. If you want to check the deadly 49 blast accidents in the past two decades, you can take a look at our infographic. - COVID-19 pandemic The coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 718,800 lives in 188 countries and regions since it originated in China last December. The US, Brazil, India, and Russia are currently the worst-hit countries. More than 19.2 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries exceeding 11.6 million, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University. Eurasian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Armenia and Georgia continue to report new deaths and cases related to the virus. Joining the US and Brazil, India has become the third country to cross 2 million cases. As for the continent of Africa, registered COVID-19 cases surpassed the 1 million mark. Spain registered more than 4,500 new cases with experts demanding an independent inquiry into the country's virus response. Extending its help to the international community at time of the pandemic, Turkey did not leave South Sudan alone in its fight against the virus and its aid agency started to construct public latrines, boreholes and showers in a border town. - Politics and other developments The maritime demarcation deal inked by Cairo and Athens for the Mediterranean region was severely criticized by Turkey. Libya also responded to the "so-called" agreement with its foreign ministry saying states bordering the Mediterranean should act in line with law. Former Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias criticized Athens for the agreement, saying Athens made concessions and Egypt gained more. He said the deal weakened Athens in the context of future negotiations with Albania and Turkey. -