Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Long Island Woman Sentenced to 13 Years' Imprisonment for Providing Material Support to ISIS US Dept. of Justice 13 Mar 2020 -- Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Zoobia Shahnaz was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment by United States District Judge Joanna Seybert for providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, specifically more than $150,000 to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), and attempting to travel to Syria to join ISIS. Shahnaz pleaded guilty in November 2018.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 53 WHO 13 March 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 13 March 2020 WHO
• Coronavirus update: new WHO fund, Guterres calls for 'prudence, not panic' UN News 13 Mar 2020 -- In a video message recorded on Friday afternoon, UN chief António Guterres assured the world that the COVID-19 virus will peak, and the global economy will recover but, until then, "we must act together to slow the spread of the virus and look after each other".
• WHO, UN Foundation and partners launch first-of-its-kind COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund WHO 13 Mar 2020
• COVID19 virus may survive in air for 3 hours, remain on plastics for several days, finds study Global Times 13 Mar 2020 -- As the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic continues to intensify globally, including the US, Spain and Italy, concerns over how long the virus could survive open surfaces are soaring among the public.

United States

• Letter from President Donald J. Trump on Emergency Determination Under the Stafford Act The White House 13 Mar 2020
• Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Conference The White House 13 Mar 2020
• Message to the Congress on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak The White House 13 Mar 2020
• Trump Declares National Emergency Due to Coronavirus Pandemic VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump Friday declared a national emergency, clearing the way for more federal aid to stream to states and cities to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
• Gen. Robert B. Abrams Holds a Press Briefing on U.S. Forces-Korea's Response to COVID-19 DoD 13 Mar 2020 -- General Robert Abrams, Commander, United States Forces-Korea, and Commander, United Nations Command, And Commander, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command
• Statement by Department of Defense on Enhanced Health Protection Measures for the Pentagon Reservation DoD 13 Mar 2020 -- "To assist public health efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect DOD employees and visitors, additional force health protections will be implemented at the Pentagon and associated facilities in the National Capital Region, including the Mark Center, Defense Health Headquarters, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and DOD leased facilities."
• Statement by the Department of Defense on Domestic Travel Restrictions DoD 13 Mar 2020 -- "Today, the Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist approved new travel restrictions for service members, DoD civilians, and their families assigned to DoD installations, facilities and surrounding areas within the United States and its territories."
• Air Force suspends all international military student travel to the US US Air Force 13 Mar 2020 -- Air Education and Training Command officials announced all travel for international military students scheduled to begin Air Force-sponsored training in the United States has been suspended effective March 13.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 13 Mar 2020 -- In an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 and to prioritize the health and safety of Department of the Air Force personnel, the following modifications have been made:
• Are US Hospitals Ready for Coronavirus? VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- Despite worldwide efforts to contain the new coronavirus, COVID-19 is now a pandemic. Health experts say community spread is happening in the U.S., and the known cases are just the tip of the iceberg.
• Efforts Underway in US to Build Coronavirus Safety Nets for Most Vulnerable VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- With cases reaching double digits in just a week, the coronavirus has hit home in the U.S. capital and surrounding areas.
• Rush Transcript: After Weeks of Demanding Approval, Governor Cuomo Announces FDA Gives New York State Authority to Conduct All COVID-19 Testing at Public and Private Labs New York State 13 Mar 2020
• State Health & Emergency Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 13 Mar 2020
• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Opens the State's First Drive-Through Covid-19 Mobile Testing Center in New Rochelle New York State 13 Mar 2020
• U.S. Created 'Protective Bubbles' Around Bases in South Korea, General Says DoD News 13 Mar 2020 -- Nine people working on U.S. bases in South Korea – service members, family members and contractors – have been diagnosed with COVID-19, said the top U.S. general there.
• Containment area set up in New York state as U.S. COVID-19 cases tops 1,600 People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- A growing number of cities, counties, and entities across the United States pushed out more stringent measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 on Thursday following President Donald Trump's address to the nation late Wednesday.
• NYC declares state of emergency to fight COVID-19 People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency for the city on Thursday due to a foreseeable COVID-19 outbreak, predicting that more than 1,000 cases could surface by next week.
• White House says Trump, Pence "do not require being tested" for COVID-19 People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence do not need to be tested for COVID-19 "at this time," said the White House on Thursday.
• CDC director says some COVID-19 deaths diagnosed as flu-related in U.S. People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Some COVID-19 deaths have been diagnosed as flu-related in the United States, Robert Redfield, director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has said.
• U.S. Washington state announces school closures in 3 counties hit hardest by coronavirus People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced Thursday that all K-12 schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties will close for the next six weeks as the coronavirus continues to spread.
• Sick people across US being denied coronavirus test: Report Press TV 13 Mar 2020 -- Sick people across the United States say they are being denied the coronavirus test, as American states scramble to slow the spread of COVID-19 and stop hospitals from being overwhelmed with a surge in critically ill patients.
• US State of Louisiana Postpones Primaries Due to Coronavirus Pandemic - Reports Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- The US state of Louisiana has postponed its primaries due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, becoming the first state to do so, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said in a press conference on Friday.
• Trump Coronavirus Address Leaves US Officials Overseas in 'Total Chaos' – Report Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office on the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in the country after the World Health Organisation officially recognised COVID-19 as a global pandemic.
• White House told federal health agency to classify coronavirus deliberations: Report Press TV 13 Mar 2020 -- The White House has ordered meetings where federal health officials discussed the coronavirus to be classified, according to four Trump administration officials.

China

• Chinese Diplomat Accuses US of Spreading Coronavirus VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- Tensions between the U.S. and China may re-escalate after officials of both countries hurled verbal attacks at each other about the origin of the coronavirus, observers say.
• US sparks word war against China on COVID-19 Global Times 13 Mar 2020 -- Heated online discussions were sparked by the latest tweets by outspoken Chinese diplomat Zhao Lijian, who questioned the transparency of the US epidemic response mechanism, following the Trump administration's all-out campaign to smear China on its handling of the coronavirus crisis, as part of an information war embedded with racial discrimination and malicious accusations.
• Origin of COVID-19 in dispute; US accusations on China opposed: FM Global Times 13 Mar 2020 -- China has noticed that there are discussions on the origin of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), and some US official and congressmen made groundless accusations and attacked China, which we firmly oppose, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said in response to a question concerning the latest tweet by Chinese diplomat Zhao Lijian.
• US army might have brought epidemic to China, says Chinese FM spokesman in tweet People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian wrote on his Twitter account on Thursday that the US military may have brought the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to Wuhan.
• China does not rule out US role in coronavirus outbreak Press TV 13 Mar 2020 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not ruled out the possibility that the United States was to blame for the spread of the new coronavirus in the Asian country.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Believes US Army Might Have Brought COVID-19 to Wuhan Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- The US army might have brought the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to China's Wuhan, the city where the virus was first detected in the country, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday.
• China to strengthen coronavirus prevention at border, aid overseas fight Global Times 13 Mar 2020 -- A leading group of China's COVID-19 response Thursday called for more targeted prevention measures to stem the cross-border spread of the novel coronavirus and promised help for overseas fight against the pandemic.
• All 11 child cases of COVID-19 discharged from hospital in Shanghai People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- The last two children diagnosed with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from a Shanghai hospital on Friday, bringing the recovery rate of the total 11 child cases in the city to 100 percent.
• China's Hubei reports 5 new confirmed coronavirus cases People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Central China's Hubei Province reported five new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Thursday, local health commission said Friday.
• 8 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection reported on Chinese mainland People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Friday it received reports of eight new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and seven deaths on the Chinese mainland on Thursday.
• 1,318 recovered COVID-19 patients discharged on Chinese mainland People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- A total of 1,318 patients of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from hospital after recovery Thursday on the Chinese mainland, the National Health Commission said Friday.
• Chinese mainland reports 3 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- The Chinese mainland on Thursday reported three new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number of imported cases to 88, according to the National Health Commission Friday.
• Beijing launches transit center for inbound passengers from countries with virus risks People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Beijing has converted the New China International Exhibition Center into a transit center for inbound passengers from countries with high risks of COVID-19, according to a press conference Thursday.
• 3 imported COVID19 cases from the UK, US, Italy confirmed in Beijing, Shanghai Global Times 13 Mar 2020 -- Two new imported cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Shanghai on Thursday, involving Chinese citizens returning from the US and Italy respectively, while Beijing confirmed one imported case from the UK.

Europe

• WHO: Europe Replaces China as Epicenter of Pandemic VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- The World Health Organization said Friday that Europe had now replaced China as the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.
• First Four Towns Quarantined in Catalonia Due to Coronavirus Outbreak Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- The Catalan government has put four towns with a population of more than 66,000 under quarantine after over 60 cases of the coronavirus disease with three fatalities were recorded in the Igualada municipality, located in the province of Barcelona, over the past 24 hours, Catalan Interior Ministry spokesman Mikel Buk said.
• Norway Imposes 'Strictest Measures Since WWII' to Quell Coronavirus Outbreak Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- The measures include the closure of all educational institutions from nurseries to universities, the cancellation of cultural and sporting events, a ban on serving food, and even travel restrictions for healthcare professionals.
• Reactions Mixed as France Takes Tough New Coronavirus Measures VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- The spreading coronavirus outbreak has prompted several European countries to announce nationwide school shutdowns. That includes France. Some observers believe it may only be a matter of time before the country and others follow the path of Italy in putting citizens in nationwide lockdown.

Russia

• Russia Confirms 11 New Coronavirus Cases in Past 24 Hours - Health Authorities Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- Russia has registered 11 new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the coronavirus response centre said on Friday, adding that six out of 11 cases were detected in Moscow and in the Moscow Region.

India

• 76-Year-Old Man Dies in India Marking Nation's First COVID-19 Death Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- Towards the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus outbreak originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan begin its march to becoming a global pandemic. The cause of the virus is linked to China's unregulated trade and consumption of exotic wildlife animals including bats, snakes, and birds.
• Update on COVID-19 India PIB 13 Mar 2020 -- The Government of India, along with States/UTs, has taken several preemptive, timely and proactive measures for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19.Continuous review and monitoring of the situation at the highest political and administrative levels perpetuated decisive preventive and pre-emptive actions in public interest such as travel restrictions, suspension of visas and self-quarantine measures.

Pakistan

• Pakistan Seals Borders, Shuts Schools, Bans Public Events Over Coronavirus VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- Pakistan moved Friday to temporarily seal borders with Iran and Afghanistan, close all educational institutions and ban large gatherings at public places for three weeks, including wedding parties, to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from spreading in the region.

Canada

• Canadian PM to be in quarantine after wife tests positive for COVID-19 People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in isolation for two weeks after his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, tested positive for COVID-19, the Prime Minister's Office said Thursday.
• Canadian Parliament to Be on Shutdown for at Least 5 Weeks Amid Coronavirus Outbreak Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- Canada's Parliament will be suspended past the March recess period scheduled for next week, Chief Opposition Whip Mark Strahl said on Friday.

Iran

• Phony Figures? Iran's Coronavirus Outbreak Believed To Be Far More Serious Than Reported RFE/RL 13 Mar 2020 -- The coronavirus outbreak in Iran is among the most severe in the world and by far the largest in the Middle East, with official figures saying some 500 people have died and more than 11,000 are infected.
• US Fears Iran Facilitating Spread of Coronavirus VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- Iran's struggle to contain its coronavirus pandemic could have a ripple effect across the Middle East, with some U.S. officials suggesting it could further destabilize an already volatile region.
• Iran Foreign Ministry elaborates its anti-COVID 19 measures IRNA 13 Mar 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi elaborated on the measures taken in fighting coronavirus and also the foreign contributions rendered.
• Official: Coronavirus infects 11,364; kills 514 in Iran IRNA 13 Mar 2020 -- Head of the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education said that so far 11,364 people have been infected with the deadly coronavirus in the country and 514 of them have died due to the virus and 3,529 have also recovered.
• FM Spox highlights skill, efficiency of Iranian medical staff in coronavirus combat IRNA 13 Mar 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi highlighted the skills and efficiency of the Iranian medical staff in fighting coronavirus outbreak and said Iran does not need American doctors because it has one of world's best, most efficient and zealous healthcare sector.
• Iran Armed Forces will start clearing streets nationwide to fight coronavirus: Commander Press TV 13 Mar 2020 -- Iran's security forces will begin to empty shops, streets and roads nationwide within 24 hours as part of measures to contain the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, says a top military commander.
• Iran slams Trump's 'hypocritical, repulsive' virus aid offer amid US 'medical terrorism' Press TV 13 Mar 2020 -- Iran slams a recent offer by US President Donald Trump to "assist" it to counter the coronavirus outbreak as a repulsive display of hypocrisy amid Washington's sanctions and medical terrorism targeting Tehran.

South Korea

• S.Korea's COVID-19 cases rise to 7,979, death toll at 67 People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- South Korea confirmed 110 more cases of the COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago as of midnight Friday local time, raising the total number of infections to 7,979.

Japan

• COVID-19 infections in Japan rise to 676 People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Japan's health ministry and local governments said on Friday that the number of COVID-19 infections stood at a total of 676 infected people in Japan as of 10:30 a.m. local time.

Taiwan

• American man confirmed as Taiwan's 50th COVID-19 case CNA 13 Mar 2020 -- An American man in his 50s has been confirmed as Taiwan's 50th case of the coronavirus disease COVID-19, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced Friday.
• NT$60 billion budget to cope with coronavirus clears Legislature CNA 13 Mar 2020 -- A special budget plan worth NT$60 billion (US$1.99 billion) to support efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 and cope with its impact on the local economy was approved by the Legislative Yuan Friday.

North Korea

• Strict Top-Class Anti-Epidemic Measures Enforced in DPRK KCNA 13 Mar 2020 -- The nationwide anti-epidemic work to prevent the inroads of COVID-19 has been intensified in response to the spirit of the enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.
• North Koreans Ignore Government Advice to Wear Masks to Prevent COVID-19 Radio Free Asia 13 Mar 2020 -- Residents of North Korea, facing a confusing mix of warnings and an information gag order that has left them uninformed about the COVID-19 epidemic, are ignoring the advice of authorities to wear face masks in public to prevent the spread of the deadly illness, RFA has learned.

Other Countries

• Coronavirus cases outside China top 44,000: WHO People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- A total of 44,067 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported by 117 countries and regions outside China as of 10:00 CET Thursday, an increase of 6,703 infections compared to the previous day, according to the daily situation report released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Singapore bans visitors from 4 European countries, imposes limit on gatherings in fighting COVID-19 People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Singapore will impose travel restrictions on visitors from Italy, France, Spain and Germany, and limit the size of gatherings to no more than 250 people, authorities announced here Friday.
• UN confirms 1st COVID-19 case at New York headquarters People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- A delegate from the permanent mission of the Philippines to the United Nations has tested positive for COVID-19, the first known case at the UN headquarters in New York, a UN spokesman said Thursday.
• Northern Lao province closes 10 border crossings with Vietnam to prevent COVID-19 People's Daily 13 Mar 2020 -- Authorities in northern Laos' Huaphan province called for the temporary closure of 10 traditional border crossings with Vietnam as part of efforts to prevent an outbreak of the COVID-19.
• Myanmar Steps up Efforts to Calm Fears Over Coronavirus Amid Rumors, Panic Buying Radio Free Asia 13 Mar 2020 -- The Myanmar government on Friday reassured citizens that food supplies were adequate and urged people not to panic over the coronavirus pandemic, amid rumors about the spread of highly contagious virus in the country, which has yet to see any confirmed cases.
• COVID-19: Ukraine Reports First Death; Iran To Empty Streets; Kazakhstan Announces First Cases RFE/RL 13 Mar 2020 -- Ukraine has reported its first novel coronavirus death. Authorities said on March 13 that an elderly woman died after being hospitalized a day earlier in a western region of the country, prompting security officials to announce a border closure to foreigners within 48 hours.
• Australian Home Affairs Minister Tests Positive for Coronavirus Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- Canberra previously cancelled mass events as there are at least 156 coronavirus cases across the country, according to official data, while three people have succumbed to the infection.
• Nepal Suspends All Permits for Mount Everest Climbers Amid Coronavirus Spread Sputnik 13 Mar 2020 -- Nepal previously confirmed its first case of coronavirus infection, introducing strict measure against COVID-19, as the country shares a border with China, where the infection originated, and India, which has reported at least 75 positive cases of the virus.
• Ethiopia Confirms First Case of Coronavirus VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- Ethiopia's Health Minister Lia Tadesse confirmed the country's first case of coronavirus Friday.
• COVID-19 Cases Grow to 24 in South Africa, Outside of False Positive VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- South Africa's health minister on Friday announced that the nation has seen eight new cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the nation's total caseload to at least 24.
• Sudan Sees First Death From Coronavirus VOA 13 Mar 2020 -- Sudan's health ministry has reported the country's first coronavirus death: A 52-year-old man who had traveled from the United Arab Emirates died Thursday.