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News Reports

Current Operations

• Nevada Guard commits record 800 members to COVID-19 fight Army News 15 Apr 2020 -- About 700 more Nevada National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will enter the fight against COVID-19 this week, bringing the total number to about 800 – the largest state activation in Nevada National Guard history.
• Innovation drives COVID-19 fight at Detroit care center Army News 15 Apr 2020 -- "I've never seen 1,000 oxygen lines coming down from the roof of a convention center, and I've never seen walls made of portable plexiglass so they can be increased and decreased in size based on the number of patients we have – what we see here is an engineering marvel."
• Four task forces protect USAG Benelux from COVID-19 Army News 15 Apr 2020 -- Because of the threat of COVID-19, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux set up several task forces in March, including four to directly help prevent the spread of the virus on post.
• Maryland National Guard supports nursing homes Army News 15 Apr 2020 -- To protect the most vulnerable, the Maryland National Guard is working with the state health department to help safeguard people at nursing homes across the state.
• Combat Medics answer the call in response to COVID-19 Army News 15 Apr 2020 -- Combat medics with the Florida National Guard are the frontline Soldiers administering the COVID-19 test, which requires a specific skill set, discipline and focus.
• NY National Guard build COVID-19 test kits to save lives Army News 15 Apr 2020 -- The job doesn't look dramatic, but 30 New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen working at tables and packing boxes in an old armory are fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
• Connecticut Guard, Uruguay share COVID-19 best practices Army News 15 Apr 2020 -- The Connecticut National Guard hosted a video conference with military partners in Uruguay, its State Partnership Program counterpart, to share ways to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• Guard Assists Illinois Residents in COVID-19 Response DoD News 15 Apr 2020 -- About 31,000 Army and Air National Guard troops nationwide have been activated to support the COVID-19 pandemic response, and about 650 have been activated in Illinois, the chief of operations for the Illinois National Guard's joint task force said.
• Al-Shabaab Releasing False Information Following April 10 Airstrike AFRICOM 15 Apr 2020 -- U.S Africa Command is aware of two news affiliates alleging an innocent civilian was killed as a result of the command's precision airstrike in the vicinity of Jamaame, Somalia, on Apr. 10, 2020.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Submission to Congress of the Executive Summary of the Report on Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments (Compliance Report) Dept. of State 15 Apr 2020 -- The Executive Summary of the 2020 Report on Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments, otherwise known as the Compliance Report, has been submitted to Congress.
• Iranian Vessels Conduct Unsafe Interaction with U.S. Naval Forces in Arabian Gulf NNS 15 Apr 2020 -- On April 15, eleven Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels repeatedly conducted dangerous and harassing approaches of the USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Firebolt (PC 10), USS Sirocco (PC 6), USCGC Wrangell (WPB 1332) and USCGC Maui (WPB 1304) while the U.S. vessels were conducting joint integration operations with U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopters in the international waters of the North Arabian Gulf.
• Video: US Claims 11 Iranian Vessels Made 'Dangerous Approaches' of Ships in Persian Gulf Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- The US Navy has claimed that nearly a dozen Iranian vessels conducted "dangerous and harassing approaches" of several US ships that were engaged in exercises in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday.
• Unsafe Russian Intercept over Mediterranean Sea NNS 15 Apr 2020 -- On April 15, 2020, a U.S. P-8A Poseidon aircraft flying in international airspace over the Mediterranean Sea was intercepted by a Russian SU-35. The interaction was determined to be unsafe due to the SU-35 conducting a high-speed, inverted maneuver, 25 ft. directly in front of the mission aircraft, which put our pilots and crew at risk. The crew of the P-8A reported wake turbulence following the interaction. The duration of the intercept was approximately 42 minutes.
• US Navy: Russian Su-35 Conducted 'Unsafe' Interaction With Poseidon Aircraft Over Mediterranean Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- A US P-8A Poseidon aircraft flying in international airspace was intercepted by a Russian Su-35 over the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday, according to a news release by the US Navy.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 15 Apr 2020
• US military says coronavirus likely occurred naturally Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- The US military says that the coronavirus may have occurred naturally, casting doubt on claims that it originated in China.
• Statement on the DOD IG Report on JEDI Cloud Procurement DoD 15 Apr 2020 -- "The Inspector's General final report on the JEDI Cloud procurement confirms that the Department of Defense conducted the JEDI Cloud procurement process fairly and in accordance with law."
• Epidemic hinders US military presence near China Global Times 15 Apr 2020 -- Despite four aircraft carriers being affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the US is still holding naval operations near China in an attempt to maintain its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, but a Chinese expert said on Wednesday that the moves cannot conceal the US Navy's weak position and may also lead to further infections.
• Air Force makes final basing decision for next two Air National Guard F-35A bases US Air Force 15 Apr 2020 -- The Department of the Air Force selected Truax Field, Wisconsin, and Dannelly Field, Alabama, for the next two Air National Guard F-35A Lightning II locations.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Virtual Meeting With NATO Defense Ministers DoD 15 Apr 2020
• NATO Defence Ministers agree next steps in fight against Coronavirus NATO 15 Apr 2020 -- NATO Defence Ministers met today (15 April 2020) by secure video conference to decide the Alliance's next steps in the fight against Covid-19.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the virtual meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers' session NATO 15 Apr 2020
• US Space Command Claims Russia Tested Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- The US Space Command issued an announcement Wednesday, claiming it had knowledge that Russia had reportedly conducted a test for a direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile.
• Russia tests direct-ascent anti-satellite missile USSPACECOM 15 Apr 2020 -- U.S. Space Command is aware and tracking Russia's direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile test April 15.
• Esper Says South Korea 'Can, Should' Increase Payment for US Troops Stationed There Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- South Korea has the capability and should pay more for the US military stationed in the country, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said during a press briefing on Tuesday.
• Army experts boost NATO fight against COVID-19 disinformation UK MOD 15 Apr 2020 -- Defence Secretary Ben Wallace committed to supporting NATO's efforts to combat COVID-19 in a video conference with Allied defence ministers.
• UK arms giant sold £15bn in weapons to Saudi Arabia during Yemen war: Report Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- Britain's leading arms manufacturer is found to have sold above £15 billion ($18.9) worth of arms to Saudi Arabia since the kingdom started a brutal war against Yemen, the Arab world's most impoverished nation.
• Taiwan preparing for M1A2T tanks with help from U.S.: army CNA 15 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan has begun to prepare to train personnel and set up training facilities for the 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks the United States is to deliver to Taiwan from 2023 to 2026, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Wednesday.
• U.S. military aircraft spotted near southern Taiwan CNA 15 Apr 2020 -- A United States military reconnaissance plane was reported flying near Taiwan's southern airspace Wednesday morning, marking the 12th time in the past three weeks U.S. military aircraft have been spotted operating near Taiwan.
• Turkey: Stance on buying Russian S-400 unchanged; working group can resolve row with US Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- Turkey has once again defied US calls to abandon a deal for the purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems, repeating an offer for a NATO-led working group to resolve the long-running dispute with Washington.
• Briefing with Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources Francis R. Fannon On U.S. Diplomacy in Oil Markets US Dept. of State 15 Apr 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For April 15, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 15 April 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 15 Apr 2020
• Three ASEAN States Push Back on Beijing in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 15 Apr 2020 -- In an unusual show of unity against China, Southeast Asian nations have been pushing back on Beijing's sweeping assertion of sovereignty over the South China Sea amid dissatisfaction over its stance in negotiations for a Code of Conduct, analysts say.
• Chinese Ship Returns Near Vietnam Border VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- A Chinese ship was back in the part of the South China Sea claimed by Vietnam, days after China sank a Vietnamese fishing boat – adding to fears that Beijing might use the coronavirus pandemic to distract from its maritime maneuvers.
• End to Saudi-led aggression, blockade will secure peace in Yemen: Top Houthi official Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- A senior Houthi official says any possible peace plan to end the Saudi-led war in Yemen must envisage the cessation of the ongoing military campaign, lifting the all-out Saudi blockade as well as adoption of humanitarian and economic measures in favor of the war-ravaged country as demanded by the Yemeni nation.
• Saudi-led Coalition Conducts 26 Air Raids on Yemen's North, West – Houthi Spokesman Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- The Saudi-led coalition has conducted 26 air raids on Yemen's northern and western provinces despite the alliance's step towards a ceasefire in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Yahya Sarai, the spokesman for the Houthi rebel movement, said on Wednesday.
• Secretary General of Arab League Warns about Humanitarian Crisis in Syrian Refugees Camps SPA 15 Apr 2020 -- Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmad Abu Al-Ghait warned today about humanitarian crisis in the camps of the Syrian refugees due to the possibility of the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Turkish-backed Takfiri militants torch homes in northeastern Syria: SANA Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- Turkish-backed Takfiri militants have reportedly burned a number of residential buildings in the countryside of Syria's northeastern province of Hasakah.
• Russia, Turkey Hold 4th Joint Patrol of M4 Highway in Idlib - Russian Military Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- Russia and Turkey held the fourth joint patrol of the M4 highway in the Syrian province of Idlib, the Russian military said Wednesday.
• Turkey 'Neutralises' Armed Militants in Kurdish-Majority Southeast - Reports Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- Turkish gendarmerie forces have "neutralised" two armed militants in the Kurdish-dominated Sirnak Province in the country's southeast, media said Wednesday.
• Egyptian policeman killed, three wounded in attack on terrorists Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- An Egyptian police officer has been killed and three others have been wounded during a raid on the hideout of a Daesh-affiliated armed group in the capital Cairo.
• Libya's GNA says no more talks with Haftar Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- The Prime Minister of Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) says he would not negotiate with renegade General Khalifa Haftar over a political solution to the Libyan conflict due to the "crimes" he has committed.
• Libya government forces score major gains against rebels Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- Government forces in Libya have made major gains against armed rebels under the command of renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, capturing seven cities and towns.
• Former Nagorno-Karabakh PM Wins Election RFE/RL 15 Apr 2020 -- The former prime minister of the unrecognized region of Nagorno-Karabakh has won a runoff presidential election in the disputed region, an expected result after his rival asked his supporters not to vote in the second round.
• Russia Claims To Break Up Ukrainian Spy Group In Annexed Crimea RFE/RL 15 Apr 2020 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) claims to have uncovered a Ukrainian intelligence "sabotage and terrorism" group in annexed Crimea that included a female Russian military officer who allegedly divulged "state secrets."
• Ukrainian Spies Trying to Stage Terror Attacks Enlist Russians Detained in Crimea - Security Service Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- Russian law enforcers have detained in Crimea a group of Ukrainian intelligence officers recruiting Russians, trying to organise terror attacks and to steal information containing state secrets, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Wednesday.
• Two Myanmar Editors in Hiding Over Interview With Banned Arakan Army Radio Free Asia 15 Apr 2020 -- Two editors facing charges under Myanmar's Counter-Terrorism Law for interviews with the Arakan Army after the ethnic force was declared a terrorist group have gone into hiding to avoid arrest amid domestic and international appeals to drop their cases, supporters said on Wednesday.

News Reports

• Saudi Aramco Has Not Made Any Offers of Extended Payment Terms to Crude Oil Sales SPA 15 Apr 2020 -- Saudi Aramco Company has denied some media reports with regard to payment terms to crude oil sales.
• Oil War And Peace: A Russian-Saudi Standoff Is Over -- At What Cost To The Kremlin? RFE/RL 15 Apr 2020 -- When the alliance of oil-producing countries known as OPEC+ reached a deal to slash crude-oil output by a historic amount, it staved off a further collapse in the price of Russia's main export commodity.
• Teachers From China's Interior Encouraged to Settle in Xinjiang as Part of 'Aid' Program Radio Free Asia 15 Apr 2020 -- Teachers from China's interior are being encouraged to move to and settle in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) to provide "aid" for residents, according to sources, but members of the Uyghur exile community say the program is another measure aimed at "colonizing" their homeland.
• Safeguarding national security Hong Kong's constitutional responsibility: HKSAR chief executive People's Daily 15 Apr 2020 -- It is a constitutional responsibility for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to safeguard national security, the HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said here Wednesday, calling for enhanced alertness against potential dangers and joint efforts to promote public awareness of national security.
• Hong Kong's Top Judge Denies Interference From Mainland China Radio Free Asia 15 Apr 2020 -- Hong Kong's top judge on Wednesday said the city's Court of Final Appeal had never been interfered with by the ruling Chinese Communist Party, following a media investigation that found "multi-pronged" erosion of the city's promised judicial independence.
• China Prods Hong Kong to Enact National Security Law VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- China's top official in Hong Kong told the semi-autonomous city on Wednesday to urgently enact a national security law, shelved since 2003, to combat what he called violence, foreign interference and pro-independence forces. The comments come amid concern by pro-democracy lawmakers of China's interference in the territory's internal affairs, including the legislative council and judiciary.
• Milk Tea Alliance Takes on China's Little Pinks in Meme War Radio Free Asia 15 Apr 2020 -- Social media users from Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong have taken to Twitter in recent days to hit back at China's "Little Pink" nationalists, who started trolling Thai users after an online altercation with Thai actor Vachirawat Cheevaari (known as Bright) and his girlfriend Weeraya Sukaram.
• Minister directs China Airlines to better publicize Taiwan's image CNA 15 Apr 2020 -- Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Wednesday that he has directed Taiwan-based China Airlines (CAL) to find ways to better highlight the country's image, amid public calls for the airline's name to be changed .
• WHO counters Taiwan ad saying it is isolated from world health body CNA 15 Apr 2020 -- Responding to an ad arguing that Taiwan has been isolated from the World Health Organization (WHO), the world health body said Tuesday it has maintained regular technical exchanges with Taiwanese health authorities over several decades.
• WHO's list of ways it interacts with Taiwan CNA 15 Apr 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement Tuesday in response to a crowdfunded ad that Taiwan is isolated from the world health body.
• U.S. Agencies Warn of North Korean Cyberthreats Radio Free Asia 15 Apr 2020 -- U.S. government agencies issued a joint warning of worldwide threat of North Korea cyberattacks on Wednesday, a day after Pyongyang fired a barrage of short-range missiles into waters east of the Korean peninsula, in a show of force that analysts saw as possibly linked to the COVID-19 emergency.
• North Korea Hackers Pose 'Significant Threat' to Global Finances, US Warns VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- Banks and other financial institutions could soon find themselves in the crosshairs of North Korean hackers, according to a warning issued Wednesday by U.S. officials.
• Iraqi PM-designate says resolved to end illegal foreign military presence Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi has expressed his resolve to bring an end to any illegal presence of foreign boots on the ground in the Arab country, saying Baghdad will soon hold talks with Washington in this regard.
• With Masks, Sanitizer & Gloves, South Koreans Go to the Polls VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- South Koreans stood in socially distanced lines, disinfected their hands, and wore face masks and gloves inside polling stations, as they participated in one of the world's first major elections of the coronavirus era.
• Uzbek Central Bank Devalues Currency For Second Time In Three Days RFE/RL 15 Apr 2020 -- Uzbekistan's central bank has devalued its national currency, the som, against the U.S. dollar and euro for the second time in three days.
• Kyrgyzstan Asks China For Debt Relief Amid Economic Strain Of Pandemic RFE/RL 15 Apr 2020 -- Kyrgyzstan has asked China for debt relief as it struggles with the economic shocks of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Uzbekistan Calls For End Of Cotton Boycott Amid Coronavirus Pandemic RFE/RL 15 Apr 2020 -- Uzbekistan has called on a global human rights coalition, the Cotton Campaign, to lift an international boycott of Uzbek cotton and textiles, citing progress in eliminating forced labor and the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
• European Parliament Pushes For Eastern Partners' Greater Integration, Slams Russia RFE/RL 15 Apr 2020 -- The European Parliament will call for the creation of a "common economic space" between the EU and the six former Soviet republics of its Eastern Partnership program as part of a process of "gradual integration" into the bloc, according to a draft report seen by RFE/RL on April 15.
• US Returns $300 Million Seized From Malaysian Financier VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- The U.S. says it has returned $300 million to Malaysia that was stolen from the country's state-owned investment fund in part of an elaborate corruption scheme.
• For Algeria's Hirak Protest Movement, COVID-19 Could Prove an Opportunity VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- A year ago, Algeria's stunning popular uprising forced out longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and rocked a power establishment in place since independence.
• WHO at Forefront of Coronavirus Fight But Not Without Controversy VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- President Donald Trump's announced intention to halt U.S. funding to the World Health Organization is shining a new spotlight on the U.N. agency's role in combating the coronavirus pandemic and whether it has been too deferential to China, where the virus first erupted.
• Jimmy Carter, Bill Gates React to US Cutting Funds to WHO VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and U.S. billionaire Bill Gates have joined the chorus of those expressing concern about U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to suspend U.S. funding for the World Health Organization.
• WHO reviewing impact of US funding withdrawal amid COVID-19 pandemic UN News 15 Apr 2020 -- The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday upheld the importance of international solidarity in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic: a "dangerous enemy" to all humanity.
• US WHO Funding Cut Affects All Nations, China Says VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- China said Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withhold funding to the World Health Organization would affect all countries as the world faces a critical stage in combating the coronavirus pandemic.
• US Cut in WHO Funding Draws Criticism From World Leaders VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withhold funding to the World Health Organization is drawing criticism from world leaders, as coronavirus infections exceed 2 million worldwide.
• Capitol Hill Spars Over Trump WHO Funding Cut VOA 15 Apr 2020 -- Congressional Democrats condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement he would halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) based on his belief the international organization failed to hold China accountable for the coronavirus crisis.
• President Donald J. Trump Is Demanding Accountability From the World Health Organization The White House 15 Apr 2020
• Washington defunding WHO a 'move against humanity' amid global pandemic Global Times 15 Apr 2020 -- Halting funding to an organization that plays an irreplaceable and vital role in helping countries get prepared for and respond to the pandemic is a "move of genocide" against humanity, especially when most virus-stricken places are still suffering, and shifting the blame to the World Health Organization (WHO) won't help cover up US President Donald Trump's catastrophic mishandling of the coronavirus crisis, leading the US into a very dangerous situation, predominant experts and observers said.
• US halting funding to WHO unethical: China's top epidemiologist Global Times 15 Apr 2020 -- By halting funding to the World Health Organization, the US is only trying to divert attention from its failure to handle its domestic epidemic, China's top epidemiologist said on Wednesday, noting that the US decision is "unethical."
• American Medical Association: Trump's halting of WHO funding is "a dangerous step" People's Daily 15 Apr 2020 -- After US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would halt US funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Medical Association (AMA), the nation's largest association of physicians, immediately called on him to reconsider his decision, which they describe as "a dangerous step in the wrong direction", according to a report by The Hills.
• Trump's freezing of funding to WHO amid pandemic draws global censure Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump's move to freeze America's funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) – the body leading the global fight against the new coronavirus pandemic – has drawn global censure.
• WHO chief expresses regret over Trump move to cut funding Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed regret over the US president's decision to cut funding to the body at the time of the new coronavirus pandemic.
• WHO must be supported - UN chief People's Daily 15 Apr 2020 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday that the World Health Organization (WHO) must be supported, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump' announcement of halting his country's funding to the organization.
• Trump says halting U.S. funding to World Health Organization People's Daily 15 Apr 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration is halting the nation's funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), a move experts have warned against, as COVID-19 continues to take a toll globally.
• Pelosi Statement on President Trump Halting WHO Funding Speaker of the House 15 Apr 2020 -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after President Trump announced that he would halt funding to the World Health Organization in the middle of the coronavirus crisis
• Russia sees Trump's 'selfish' WHO decision 'most concerning' Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump's 'selfish' decision to cut funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) is worthy of condemnation, the Kremlin says.
• Trump halts WHO funding as world scrambles to contain coronavirus pandemic Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has halted funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) as the new coronavirus pandemic continues to take a heavy toll across the globe, accusing the international body of mishandling the deadly flu-like pathogen.
• Pelosi Warns Trump of Swift Challenge to 'Senseless' US Order to Stop Funding WHO Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday accused President Donald Trump of illegally cutting off funding to the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) and warned the president to expect a quick challenge to his action.
• Not the Right Time: India Expresses Disagreement Over US Cut of Funds to World Health Organisation Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has pulled funding for the World Health Organisation while alleging that the UN agency is responsible for the economic chaos and thousands of deaths caused by the pandemic. The US is one of the founding members of the organisation.
• Kremlin on US Suspension of WHO Funding: G20 Supports WHO's Coronavirus Response Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- G20 nations have supported the World Health Organization (WHO)'s coronavirus response at the recent teleconference, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, commenting on US President Donald Trump's recent announcement that Washington will suspend WHO funding over its alleged failure to properly tackle COVID-19.
• UN Chief Says It Is 'Not the Time' to Reduce WHO Resources to Fight COVID-19 Sputnik 15 Apr 2020 -- The statement follows the announcement made by US President Doland Trump that the United States would halt funding for the World Health Organisation (WHO), which the president accused of mismanaging and covering-up the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
• WHO counters Taiwan ad saying it is isolated from world health body CNA 15 Apr 2020 -- Responding to an ad arguing that Taiwan has been isolated from the World Health Organization (WHO), the world health body said Tuesday it has maintained regular technical exchanges with Taiwanese health authorities over several decades.
• WHO's list of ways it interacts with Taiwan CNA 15 Apr 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement Tuesday in response to a crowdfunded ad that Taiwan is isolated from the world health body.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on April 15, 2020 PRC MofA 15 Apr 2020
• China calls on ASEAN Plus Three countries to work for early victory against COVID-19 in East Asia People's Daily 15 Apr 2020 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ASEAN Plus Three or APT) to pool efforts in clinching an early victory against COVID-19 in East Asia.
• China, ASEAN join hands in fighting COVID-19 People's Daily 15 Apr 2020 -- As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has swept across the globe during the past months, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have worked closely in fighting the pandemic, offering strong support to each other all along.
• ASEAN Plus Three countries pledge to jointly fight COVID-19, keep markets open People's Daily 15 Apr 2020 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan and South Korea (ASEAN Plus Three or APT) on Tuesday pledged to enhance cooperation in jointly fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and stabilizing and invigorating the regional economy.
• Politicizing COVID-19 will only help virus, says SCO Secretary-General People's Daily 15 Apr 2020 -- Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will continue to take decisive action together to counter the spread of COVID-19, and politicizing the virus is of no benefit to anyone but the virus itself, said Vladimir Norov, the SCO Secretary General.
• IMF warns of social unrest amid coronavirus pandemic Press TV 15 Apr 2020 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned about a new wave of social unrest around the world as a result of the economic stress caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
• IMF projects global economy to contract by 3 pct in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic People's Daily 15 Apr 2020 -- The global economy is on track to contract "sharply" by 3 percent in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, much worse than during the 2008-09 financial crisis, according to a World Economic Outlook (WEO) report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday.