A 5.3-magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Alanya district in Antalya on 6.21 am today, on January 5. While no losses of life or property have been reported, the quake was felt in Alanya, Manavgat and Gazipaşa districts.

The Ministry of Health has announced that over 382 thousand tests were conducted, 54,724 people were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and 137 people died of the disease in Turkey in the last 24 hours.

The number of daily new infections neared 45,000 as the Omicron variant spreads in the country.

The government has implemented major increases in energy prices and taxes amid already high inflation.

The Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) levied on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products has been increased by 47.4 percent. That being the case, the amount of tax to be paid for a pack of cigarettes has been increased from 9.76 to 14.39 lira.

The bird population in the İzmir Bird Sanctuary is the highest at this time of the year. While some birds spend the whole winter in Turkey, some will set off for Africa at the end of February.

The Ministry of Health has announced that over 362 thousand tests were conducted, 33,520 people were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and 129 people died of the disease in Turkey in the last 24 hours.

Two children of the woman reportedly walked to a village in Van’s Özalp and took shelter there. The Governor’s Office has announced that the children have been handed over to the soldiers of Iran by villagers.

The number of daily infections has risen from low 20,000s to over 39,000 in a few days as the Omicron variant spreads.

The number of daily cases jumped from low 20,000s to over 36,000 within a few days while there has been no increase in hospitalizations, according to the minister of health.

No scientific information has been published about Turkovac even though the mass production of the vaccine has begun. The Turkish Medical Association has addressed several questions to the authorities about the issue.

Heavy rainfall in Edirne and Kırklareli caused floods in streams with dozens of people evacuated.

People increasingly use heating stoves amid high heating costs, according to NGOs.

The sharp increase comes after the Ministry of Health announcement that the omicron variant is spreading in the country.

The ministry announced over 26,000 daily new coronavirus cases and 157 days.

Minister Koca has called on people to get booster shots.

Among Turkey's adult population, 91.51 percent received at least one vaccine dose and 82.80 percent received at least two doses.

More than 2,500 migrants have died or went missing while trying to cross into Europe since the start of the year, according to UN figures.

Dozens of refugees were allegedly pushed into the Evros River by Turkey's soldiers and two of them went missing in late August.

More than 700,000 vaccine shots were administered in a day, according to the ministry.