ISTANBUL: Turkey’s president has announced a four-day lockdown starting New Year’s Eve to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting Monday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the curfew would begin the evening of Dec. 31 and go until the morning of Jan. 4
The government this month re-introduced weekend lockdowns as well as nighttime curfews amid a spike in infections and deaths. It has avoided a full lockdown since the beginning of the pandemic to keep the country’s beleagured economy running.
Erdogan also announced some rental support for businesses and promised to continue discounts for value added taxes.
Monday’s health ministry statistics showed a record of 229 confirmed new daily deaths, bringing the total death toll to 16,646. The 7-day average of confirmed infections hovers above 30,000, making Turkey one of the worst-hit nations in the world.
Turkey implements nationwide curfew amid COVID-19 crisisUS sanctions NATO ally Turkey over Russian missile defense system
Horned dinosaurs’ weapons evolved to handle the forces of combat 
Artemis II results show how much science people can do at the moon 
Crossword: Time lines 
Many American diets may not include enough of this essential nutrient 
A telling hole in a Neandertal bone hints at a bitter end 
Brain implants are helping people who’ve lost their voice 
WHO scales up Ebola readiness in 22 countries across three continents 
Ukraine: Civilian casualty rates among ‘deadliest’ in years, as energy attacks intensify 
As disasters mount, next UN climate summit faces a test of trust 
Gaza: 340 children killed despite ceasefire agreement – UNICEF