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Defense Policy / Programs
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Other Conflicts
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COVID-19 Pandemic News

Current Operations

• Pentagon raises number of US troops injured in Iran missile attack to 64 Press TV 31 Jan 2020 -- The Pentagon has yet again raised the figure of soldiers wounded in Iran's retaliatory missile attack in Iraq earlier this month to 64, saying they have suffered "traumatic brain injuries".
• U.S. Raises Injury Toll In Iran Attack For Fourth Time, Now Says 64 Hurt RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- The U.S. military has once again raised the number of U.S. service members who suffered traumatic brain injuries in Iran's missile strike on an Iraqi base earlier this month.
• Taliban-US Afghan Peace Talks Stall Again VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- The Afghan Taliban's turbulent negotiations with the United States on a peace deal have ground to a halt over differences on how to reduce insurgent violence.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Statement from the Press Secretary The White House 31 Jan 2020
• US Ends Self-Imposed Ban on Use of Landmines VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- United States military commanders can again use landmines in conflict zones, as President Donald Trump supported the change after a yearlong study concluded U.S. forces were unnecessarily vulnerable to attacks from a range of adversaries, from major powers to terrorist organizations.
• Landmine Policy DoD 31 Jan 2020 -- "Effective today, the Administration is rescinding the Presidential Policy concerning anti-personnel landmines (APL), in favor of a new United States landmine policy that will be overseen by the Department of Defense. The United States remains committed to working to minimize risks to civilians posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war. The United States also remains fully committed to complying with its treaty obligations regarding landmines and explosive remnants of war, as contained in Amended Protocol II and Protocol V, annexed to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons."
• US House passes measures seeking to pull war powers back from Trump Press TV 31 Jan 2020 -- The US House of Representatives has passed two pieces of legislation aiming to contain President Donald Trump's war powers.
• Department of Defense Press Briefing by Secretary Esper and General Milley in the Pentagon Briefing Room DoD 31 Jan 2020 -- Secretary Of Defense Mark T. Esper; Joint Chiefs Of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper's Meeting With Italy Minister of Armed Forces Lorenzo Guerini DoD 31 Jan 2020
• Esper, Italian Counterpart Reaffirm Shared Goals DoD News 31 Jan 2020 -- The United States and Italy honored and deepened their long-standing defense relationship during talks between Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini.
• DOD to Require Cybersecurity Certification in Some Contract Bids DoD News 31 Jan 2020 -- By the end of September, the Defense Department will require at least some companies bidding on defense contracts to certify that they meet at least a basic level of cybersecurity standards when responding to a request for proposals.
• Acting Secretary of the Navy Visits USS Gerald R. Ford NNS 31 Jan 2020 -- Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly embarked USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Jan. 31, following completion of the ship's aircraft compatibility testing.
• America's Most Advanced Aircraft Carrier Has Been Sailing Without Proper Defences – Pentagon Report Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- The embattled USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), flagship of the new Ford class of carriers which the US Navy plans to eventually replace its Enterprise- and Nimitz-class warships with, is currently years behind schedule, and facing a slew of issues which US lawmakers have complained seem to have no "end in sight."
• AFMC, ACC expand weapons system collaboration US Air Force 31 Jan 2020 -- A new weapons system collaboration program aims to synergize communication between program offices and operational wings, ensuring warfighters have the right technology to meet current and future warfighting needs.
• Sale of F-35 Aircraft to Poland US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2020 -- The United States welcomes the Polish government's decision to purchase 32 F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft worth $4.6 billion under the Foreign Military Sales program overseen by the U.S. Department of State.
• Poland Signs $4.6-Billion Contract For U.S. Fighter Jets RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- Poland signed a $4.6 billion deal with the United States on January 31 for the purchase of 32 of its advanced F-35 fighter jets to enhance air defense on NATO's eastern flank at a time of increased Russian military activity.
• USAFE welcomes Poland to European F-35 User's Group US Air Force 31 Jan 2020 -- Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, presented a letter to Maj. Gen. Jacek Pszczoła, inspector of the Polish Air Force, welcoming Poland to the European F-35 User's Group, in Dęblin, Poland, Jan. 31.
• China's Type 055 warship larger, more powerful than expected Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- It has emerged that China's most advanced destroyer, the 10,000-ton-class Type 055, is larger than previously reported as the Chinese Navy recently revealed it has an actual displacement of more than 12,000 tons. Experts said on Friday that the difference between 10,000 and 12,000 tons could be huge and indicate the warship is even more powerful than expected.
• Indian Air Force's AN-32 Aircraft Takes Flight Near Chinese Border With Bio-Fuel in Both Engines Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- The Indian Air Force (IAF) is aiming to cut fuel costs by around $4 billion by 2024. With the successful test of the biofuel- blend-powered transport aircraft , the IAF will gradually increase biofuel use across its fleet.
• The Spanish Air Force Buys PC-21 Training System Including 24 Aircraft Pilatus 31 Jan 2020 -- The Spanish Air Force, Ejército del Aire, is the third European air force to opt for the Swiss-produced PC-21, the Next Generation Trainer. Pilatus has committed to delivering a total of 24 PC-21s to Spain. The single-engine turboprop trainer aircraft will replace the Casa C-101 jet trainers used since 1980.
• Israel Tests Rocket Propulsion System for 2nd Time in 2 Months - Defence Ministry Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- Israel has successfully tested a rocket propulsion system for the second time in two months, the country's Defence Ministry confirmed on Friday, adding that the test took place at a military base in central Israel.
• Pompeo Assures Kyiv Of Washington's 'Unwavering' Support RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has vowed Washington's unwavering support for Ukraine as it battles Russia-backed forces in a deadly war in its easternmost regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy At a Press Availability US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2020
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo's Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Prystaiko US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Jan. 31, 2020
• Airbus Agrees to Pay over $3.9 Billion in Global Penalties to Resolve Foreign Bribery and ITAR Case US Dept. of Justice 31 Jan 2020 -- Airbus SE (Airbus or the Company), a global provider of civilian and military aircraft based in France, has agreed to pay combined penalties of more than $3.9 billion to resolve foreign bribery charges with authorities in the United States, France and the United Kingdom arising out of the Company's scheme to use third-party business partners to bribe government officials, as well as non-governmental airline executives, around the world and to resolve the Company's violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and its implementing regulations, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), in the United States. This is the largest global foreign bribery resolution to date.
• U.S. Department of State Concludes $10 Million Settlement of Alleged Export Violations by Airbus SE US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2020 -- The Department of State reached an administrative agreement with Airbus SE to resolve the alleged civil violations of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 22 U.S.C. § 2751 et seq., and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130. The Department of State and Airbus SE reached this settlement following an extensive compliance review by the Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance in the Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
• Airbus Agrees to Pay Nearly $4 Billion to Settle Bribery Case VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- In the largest settlement of its kind, European aircraft maker Airbus SE has agreed to pay nearly $4 billion to resolve foreign bribery and other charges with authorities in the United States, Britain and France, the Justice Department announced Friday.

Other Conflicts

• 31 January 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 31 Jan 2020
• US envoy warns Palestinians against confronting Trump plan at UN Press TV 31 Jan 2020 -- The United States' ambassador to the UN warns Palestinians against raising opposition at the world body to a US-hatched scheme, which Washington claims seeks to resolve the age-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but Palestinians have unanimously spurned.
• Possible Israeli annexation of the West Bank: Foreign Secretary statement UK FCO 31 Jan 2020 -- Unilateral move would be damaging to renewed efforts to re-start peace negotiations, and contrary to international law.
• US Middle East peace plan 'lopsided', says independent UN rights expert UN News 31 Jan 2020 -- A United States plan released this week to resolve the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is "lopsided" and will only entrench occupation, an independent UN human rights expert said on Friday.
• $1.4 billion needed this year to fund UN's agency for Palestine refugees UN News 31 Jan 2020 -- A minimum of $1.4 billion is needed to fund the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, known as UNRWA, the acting chief said on Friday.
• UN Warns Stability and Protection of Palestinian Refugees Threatened by Trump Peace Plan VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- UNRWA, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees, warns the recently unveiled Trump administration peace plan is likely to lead to greater instability and uncertainty for the 5.6 million refugees it assists in the Israeli occupied territories and the Middle East. It is appealing for $1.4 billion in funding for 2020.
• Syrian army forces liberate new areas in southern Idlib countryside Press TV 31 Jan 2020 -- Syrian government forces, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have managed to establish control over new areas in the southern countryside of the country's northwestern province of Idlib during the ongoing campaign against foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants in their last major stronghold.
• Myanmar Shrugs Off ICJ Genocide Measures, Sticking to Its Account of Attacks on Rohingya Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2020 -- A Myanmar government spokesman on Friday shrugged off the Jan. 23 ruling by the U.N.'s top court ordering the Southeast Asian country to implement measures to protect Rohingya Muslims from genocide and to preserve evidence of atrocities allegedly committed against the minority group during a military-led crackdown.
• 'Something To Hide?' CPJ Urges Russia To Allow Journalists To Travel Freely To Crimea RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Russia to immediately lift a ban imposed on Ukrainian journalist Taras Ibrahimov and allow him to freely report in Ukraine's Russia-occupied region of Crimea.
• Security Council renews Central African Republic arms embargo UN News 31 Jan 2020 -- The UN Security Council on Friday renewed the arms embargo against the Central African Republic (CAR) and extended the mandate of the expert panel assisting its sanctions committee for the country.

News Reports

• U.S. Senate Sets Final Vote On Trump Impeachment For February 5 RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- U.S. senators have approved a resolution calling for a final vote in the historic impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on February 5.
• Statement from the Press Secretary The White House 31 Jan 2020
• American president to bar nationals from 6 more countries from traveling, migrating to US Press TV 31 Jan 2020 -- US President Donald Trump is expected to announce immigration bans on nationals of six more countries – mostly Muslim-majority nations - in an expanded version of the original travel ban imposed after he took office.
• U.S. Official: Trump To Expand Travel Ban To Six More Countries RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump will issue an expanded version of his travel ban on January 31, a U.S. official said, a decision that could impact thousands of immigrants.
• DPRK Works Hard to Prevent Novel Coronavirus Infection KCNA 31 Jan 2020 -- The central, provincial, city and county emergency anti-epidemic headquarters, which were established under the unified guidance of the Non-permanent Central Public Health Guidance Committee of the DPRK, have pushed ahead with the campaign to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
• Coronavirus impact on Q1 economy bigger than SARS Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- The coronavirus outbreak could deal a heavier blow to the Chinese economy than the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) from almost two decades ago, weighing up to 2 percentage points on China's Q1 GDP growth for 2020 due to a steep decline in consumption, a key driver for the Chinese economy, said industry insiders and observers.
• Exporters see rebound when virus crisis ends Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- There are mounting concerns from Chinese exporters over trade hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus outbreak originating in China a global emergency.
• China has resources, resolve to effectively meet novel coronavirus challenge: IMF People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- China is a large economy with the resources and the resolve to effectively meet the challenge of the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Thursday.
• China's Economic Growth May Suffer Twin Blows Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2020 -- As the effects of China's coronavirus cloud prospects for the economy, signs from the state power sector have added to concerns about diminishing growth.
• Hong Kong Protesters Face 'Abusive' Policing, Suppression of Promised Freedoms: Report Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2020 -- Hong Kong protesters are 'bloodied but not broken' in the wake of abusive policing tactics for which the authorities have yet to be held accountable, according to an annual report from Amnesty International.
• Uyghurs in Saudi Arabia Flee to Turkey As Chinese Embassy Ends Passport Renewals Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2020 -- Ethnic Uyghurs of Chinese nationality in Saudi Arabia are increasingly seeking asylum in Turkey amid a policy by Beijing to stop renewing their passports, which rights groups say is part of a bid to force them to return home, where they face persecution and detention.
• Taiwan thanks EU for supporting its participation in the WHO CNA 31 Jan 2020 -- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Friday thanked the European Union (EU) for supporting Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO), amid a growing international response to a new form of coronavirus.
• Virus fears lead DBS to raise Taiwan GDP growth forecast 'modestly' CNA 31 Jan 2020 -- Amid concerns over the spread of a new type of coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China's Hubei Province, Singapore-based DBS Group said on Friday that it upgraded its forecast of Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP) growth for 2020 "only modestly."
• Watchdog Warns About 'Chilling Effect' Of Russia's Use Of Facial-Recognition Technology RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- Amnesty International has criticized Russia's plans to broaden the use of widespread facial-recognition systems, saying their expected deployment during public gatherings will "inevitably have a chilling effect" on protesters.
• Cruel sanctions by US on Salehi, AEOI will fail to interrupt Iran's nuclear program Press TV 31 Jan 2020 -- The United States' "cruel" sanctions on the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and its head, Ali Akbar Salehi, will fail to interrupt the Islamic Republic's peaceful nuclear program, says the nuclear body.
• Designation of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Its Head Ali Akbar Salehi and Renewing Nuclear Restrictions US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2020 -- "In response to the Iranian regime's series of provocative nuclear escalations, the Department of State designated the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and its head, Ali Akbar Salehi, pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) proliferators and their supporters. The United States is committed to taking any action necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon."
• Britain prepares to leave EU amid public concerns over uncertainty People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- Amid continuing public concerns over uncertainties, Britain is set to leave the European Union (EU) on Friday after its Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal was given final seal of approval in the European Parliament Wednesday.
• Brexit Has Put Scotland on the Wrong Road, Nicola Sturgeon Warns Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- On the day the UK is due to exit the European Union Scotland's First Minister told SNP activists that they must be patient in order to ensure that any future independence referendum is "legal" and "legitimate".
• Cheers and Jeers Punctuate Britain's EU Departure VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- For Brexiters there's delight.
• On Eve Of Pompeo Visit, A Shakeup In Belarus's Military And Snap Drills. What Gives? RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- Belarus's longtime ruler ordered a major shake-up of the country's military and security command on January 20, installing a new defense minister, a new general staff chief, and a new head of the Security Council.
• Tajik Claim Of Pipeline Progress Is Welcome News In Turkmenistan RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- When it comes to energy pipelines in Central Asia, the news is usually bad -- delays or disruptions but rarely anything positive.
• Georgia Extends Lobbying Contract With Trump-Tied Firm Amid Congressional Frustration Over Democracy RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- The Georgian government has renewed a lobbying contract with a U.S. firm with ties to President Donald Trump amid growing Congressional concern over the South Caucasian country's commitment to democracy.
• EU Top Envoy Says No Clash With U.S. Over Kosovo Talks RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- The European Union's top diplomat said on January 31 in Belgrade that the bloc was not competing with the United States in facilitating dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.
• Public Designation, Due to Gross Violations of Human Rights, of Paul Christian Makonda of Tanzania US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2020 -- "The Department of State is publicly designating Paul Christian Makonda under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2020 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights, which include the flagrant denial of the right to life, liberty, or the security of persons. "
• Joint Statement of Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, the United States And the World Bank US Treasury 31 Jan 2020 -- The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Water Resources of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan and their delegations met with the Secretary of the Treasury and the President of the World Bank, participating as observers in negotiations on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), in Washington, D.C. on January 28-31, 2020.
• US-Brokered Nile Dam Deal Still Deadlocked VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- The latest round of talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan in Washington has failed to reach a comprehensive agreement on the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD), a massive hydropower project on Ethiopia's Blue Nile River.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 11 WHO 31 January 2020
• Press Briefing by Members of the President's Coronavirus Task Force The White House 31 Jan 2020
• Taiwan confirms another case of Wuhan virus CNA 31 Jan 2020 -- Another case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was confirmed in Taiwan on Friday, bringing the number of cases in the country to 10, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said.
• 2 Taiwanese in China confirmed to have coronavirus infection CNA 31 Jan 2020 -- Two Taiwanese nationals in China were confirmed Friday to be infected with the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), according to the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan's top government agency handling cross-Taiwan Strait affairs.
• Tigerair Taiwan cancels flights to Macau amid coronavirus fear CNA 31 Jan 2020 -- Tigerair Taiwan, a subsidiary of Taiwan's China Airlines, will cancel some of its flights to Macau next month following the outbreak of a new form of coronavirus in the Chinese city of Wuhan and its spread to other countries.
• Over 30,000 surgical masks seized in outbound postal packages CNA 31 Jan 2020 -- More than 30,000 surgical face masks found in 123 postal packages bound for overseas have been seized by authorities in a single day, the Aviation Police Bureau said Friday.
• WHO decision makes little effect in curbing China Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Thursday (local time) in Geneva the novel coronavirus outbreak a global public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), putting pressure on China amid the deadly virus battle, as more countries are likely to issue travel advisories and impose trade restrictions.
• US' China travel ban an 'overreaction' to WHO declaration Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- The US warning against traveling to China due to the novel coronavirus spread is an overreaction, which would greatly hurt global tourism and hinder people-to-people exchanges, Chinese experts say.
• Medical supply shortage haunts Hubei Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- Thousands of medical personnel from across China have been rushing to Hubei, bringing medical supplies, as the extreme shortage of medical supplies has been haunting the epicenter of the novel coronavirus in the country.
• Shanghai regulates mask sales to prevent shortage: authority Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- Shanghai residents have to register to buy medical masks starting Sunday to alleviate the city's current shortage of masks during the fight against novel coronavirus, a local government spokesperson said Friday.
• CPC allocates 108 mln yuan for coronavirus control Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- The Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has allocated 108 million yuan (about 15.57 million US dollars) to prevent and control the novel coronavirus epidemic.
• Chinese premier urges vaccine, medicine development against epidemic Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday stressed speeding up the development of vaccine and medicine against pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus.
• China imported 56.228 million masks within 7 days Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- Customs departments nationwide have received over 16,000 batches of supplies from overseas, among which were a total of 56.228 million masks, to help fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus in China.
• Hubei adds 70 rural medical facilities against epidemic Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- More than 70 new medical facilities have joined in the battle against the novel coronavirus epidemic in the rural areas of central China's Hubei Province.
• China's Hubei reports 1,220 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- Central China's Hubei Province reported 1,220 new confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus and 42 new deaths on Thursday, local health authorities said Friday.
• China says has full confidence, capability to control epidemic People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- China has full confidence and capability to win the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.
• WHO regional official lauds China for making control of coronavirus outbreak top priority People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- Takeshi Kasai, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific, praised China for focusing its efforts on how to bring the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak under control.
• Hong Kong eyes 24 mln face masks from mainland to ease shortage People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is working with mainland authorities for a supply of more than 24 million face masks in an effort to ease local shortage of protective gear in the fight against spread of the novel coronavirus.
• Beijing launches temperature screening in all subway stations People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- Beijing subway authorities on Friday said they have launched temperature detection measures in all of the city's subway stations.
• Construction work of two hospitals underway to tackle novel coronavirus in Wuhan People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- As of Jan.30, major aspects of construction work pertaining to the Huoshenshan hospital have been completed. The assembly work related to the hospital wards is now underway, while the construction of pipe systems is now 60 percent complete.
• China's Jiangsu develops rapid test kit for coronavirus People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- Experts have developed a rapid nucleic test kit for the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the city of Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province.
• Iran health minister urges government to ban entry of travelers from China Press TV 31 Jan 2020 -- Iran's Minister of Health Saeed Namaki has demanded that the government prevent the entry of passengers from China amid the threat of coronavirus epidemic.
• Iran suspends flights to and from China amid coronavirus spread concerns Press TV 31 Jan 2020 -- Iranian Minister of Health Saeed Namaki says Iran has temporarily halted all flights to and from China as the novel coronavirus, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, spreads across the country and the rest of the world.
• Coronavirus Ravages Wuhan as Hospitals Turn Fever, Pneumonia Patients Away Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2020 -- Wuhan residents and a citizen journalist at the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic say the city is fighting a losing battle as the death toll rose on Friday to 213, with nearly 10,000 confirmed cases around the world.
• Hong Kong Threatened With Medical Strike Over Refusal to Shut Border Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2020 -- Medical staff in Hong Kong are threatening to strike if the city's government doesn't shut down its border with mainland China in the face of the coronavirus epidemic now spreading outwards from central China with nearly 10,000 confirmed cases and more than 200 deaths reported on Friday.
• Pakistan Halts All Flights To And From China Amid Coronavirus Fears RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- Pakistan says it is halting all flights to and from China after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ongoing coronavirus outbreak a global emergency.
• Pakistan Suspends Flights to China a Day After WHO Declares Global Health Emergency Over Coronavirus Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- Airlines around the world have been suspending all flights to China following the outbreak of the virus which has already claimed the lives of over 200 people.
• Pakistan Stops Flights To, From China Amid Coronavirus Concerns VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- Pakistan Friday temporarily halted all flights to and from China, effective immediately, a day after it decided to delay the opening of a key border crossing with the neighboring country following the coronavirus outbreak there.
• Russia Confirms First Two Cases Of Coronavirus, Two Chinese Nationals Quarantined RFE/RL 31 Jan 2020 -- Russia has reported its first two cases of coronavirus, as governments scrambled to control the spread of a new coronavirus that has already killed more than 200 people in China.
• Two First Cases of Coronavirus Confirmed in Russia Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- On Thursday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the new coronavirus a global health emergency.
• Indian Government Bans Exporting All Types of Respiratory Masks Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- The novel Coronavirus is spreading fast in China and causing health scares in many other countries with the World Health Organisation declaring it a global emergency. The death toll has swelled to 230, with 9,692 infected cases in China alone. As a precaution, health experts suggest wearing face masks in public places.
• Coronavirus: India Sends Special Flight to Wuhan to Evacuate its Citizens Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- On 30 January, the World Health Organisation declared the spread of the Novel Coronavirus a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern'.
• Two Cases of Coronavirus Confirmed in UK - England's Chief Medical Officer Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- Earlier in the day, the UK Foreign Office stated that a plane carrying 83 UK and 27 foreign nationals had left the Chinese city of Wuhan.
• Philippines' President Orders Travel Ban on Chinese Nationals From Hubei - Spokesman Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- The Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte has requested an entry ban on Chinese nationals from the Hubei province, where the novel coronavirus originates in, his spokesman said on Friday.
• Chinese Authorities Send Charter Flights Globally to Return Wuhan Residents - Foreign Ministry Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- China's Wuhan is ground zero for the latest strain of the coronavirus, dubbed 2019-nCoV, or more commonly the Wuhan virus that has spread to at least 19 countries, infecting 9,356 people in China alone.
• IMF Chief Says 'Some' Negative Impact From Coronavirus Likely in Q1 Sputnik 31 Jan 2020 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects some negative first quarter economic impact from China's coronavirus amid disruptions to travel, tourism and manufacturing, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said at a forum in Washington.
• China Expresses Confidence Coronavirus Epidemic Will Be Defeated VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- A high-ranking Chinese official says he is confident strong measures taken by his government to tackle the coronavirus outbreak are working and will succeed in preventing the deadly virus from spreading. Chinese authorities say the number of confirmed cases has risen to nearly 10,000, including 213 deaths.
• Coronavirus Concerns Spur Nigerian Authorities to Close Chinese Market in Abuja VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- Nigerian officials raided and shut down a popular Chinese supermarket in Abuja this week over concerns about the spreading coronavirus.
• Botswana Registers First Suspected Case of Coronavirus VOA 31 Jan 2020 -- Botswana has registered its first suspected case of the deadly coronavirus. A person arriving from China aboard Ethiopian Airways showed symptoms consistent with the virus.
• WHO says novel coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency, disfavors travel and trade restrictions People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday that the novel coronavirus outbreak has become a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
• China reports 9,692 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia, 213 deaths People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- Chinese health authorities announced Friday that 9,692 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus had been reported in 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps by the end of Thursday. A total of 213 people have died of the disease.
• China "confident in, capable of" containing, defeating epidemic: NHC People's Daily 31 Jan 2020 -- China is confident in and capable of effectively containing the novel coronavirus epidemic, and eventually defeating it, the National Health Commission said in a statement Friday.
• Hubei official removed for negligence on epidemic treatment capabilities Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- The health commission head for Huanggang, the second most affected coronavirus city in Hubei Province, the epicenter for the virus, was released Thursday due to a lack of knowledge on the city's disease treatment capabilities and resources.
• Virus inflection point could emerge in one month: expert Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- With measures taken to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, an inflection point is likely to appear within the next one or two incubation periods, according to one expert on Thursday.
• China remains confident in the fight against the coronavirus: official Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- China appreciates the efforts of other countries in helping to combat the novel coronavirus and is confident it will win the battle, a spokesperson from the National Health Commission (NHC) said at a press conference on Thursday.
• China has full confidence, capability to control epidemic: FM Global Times 31 Jan 2020 -- China has full confidence and capability to win the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.