Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 54 WHO 14 March 2020
• UN chief urges declaring war on COVID-19 People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday asked the world to declare war on COVID-19, two days after the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the situation as a pandemic.

United States

• With National Emergency Declaration, Trump Unleashes Presidential Power to Combat Coronavirus VOA 14 Mar 2020 -- By declaring the coronavirus pandemic a "national emergency" Friday, President Donald Trump is marshaling the full power of his office against the deadly virus after earlier measures fell short.
• Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing The White House 14 Mar 2020
• Statement from Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin Regarding House-passed Coronavirus Response Legislation US Treasury 14 Mar 2020
• Coronavirus Pandemic Prompts US National Emergency VOA 14 Mar 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency, clearing the way for more federal aid to stream to states and cities to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
• COVID-19 in US Migrant Detention Sites 'Just a Matter of Time' VOA 14 Mar 2020 -- At a time when people around the world are being told to keep a distance from one another to prevent coronavirus transmission, thousands of undocumented immigrants in U.S. detention facilities have no choice but to share often-cramped quarters where no physical distancing is possible.
• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Gives Novel Coronavirus Briefing New York State 14 Mar 2020
• Rush Transcript: During Coronavirus Briefing, Governor Cuomo Announces Department of Financial Services Will Require Insurance Companies to Waive Co-payments for Tele-health Visits New York State 14 Mar 2020
• State Health & Emergency Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 14 Mar 2020
• Statement by the Department of Defense on COVID-19 Response Measures on the Pentagon Reservation DoD 14 Mar 2020 -- "Today, the Secretary of Defense approved a recommendation to increase the Health Protection Condition level to BRAVO at the Pentagon Reservation, and CHARLIE at the Armed Forces Retirement Homes in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Washington, District of Columbia, to assist public health efforts and contain the spread of the virus at the Pentagon and associated facilities in the National Capital Regions, including the Mark Center, Defense Health Headquarters, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and DOD leased facilities, as well as our Retirement Homes."
• US House of Representatives passes coronavirus aid package bill Press TV 14 Mar 2020 -- The US House of Representatives has approved a coronavirus aid package that would provide free testing and paid sick leave for Americans hit by the global pandemic.
• Trump declares national emergency to open up federal fund to combat coronavirus People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday declared a national emergency to open up 50 billion U.S. dollars in federal aid to help combat the spread of COVID-19 across the country.

China

• China's flexible fiscal arrangements offer adequate medical expenses for treating COVID-19 patients Global Times 14 Mar 2020 -- A notice from Northern China's Hebei Province says any persons from abroad confirmed with COVID-19 infection if lies about their health condition will have to fund all expenses associated with treatment by themselves, triggering many to calculate how much the epidemic would cost the Chinese government as confirmed cases in China are treated free of charge.
• More returnees from Italy induce risks of COVID-19 spread in China's Qingtian county Global Times 14 Mar 2020 -- Even though the COVID-19 outbreak has manifested visible signs of waning in many parts of China, Qingtian, a county in East China's Zhejiang Province is under intense pressure to contain the virus spread as overseas returnees from Italy is catapulting the risk of infection.
• China to strengthen coronavirus prevention at border, aid overseas fight People's Daily 14 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.
• China's Xinjiang allocates 2.4 billion yuan for epidemic control People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- Northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has allocated a total of 2.4 billion yuan (about 338 million U.S. dollars) for efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, according to local authorities.
• 11 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection reported on Chinese mainland People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Saturday it received reports of 11 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 13 deaths on the Chinese mainland on Friday.
• Shanghai reports 4 new confirmed coronavirus cases People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- Shanghai reported four new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Friday, which are all imported cases from Italy, local health authority said Saturday.
• China to strengthen coronavirus prevention at border, aid overseas fight People's Daily 14 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.
• Last COVID-19 patient cured in north China province People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- The last patient infected with COVID-19 in north China's Shanxi Province was discharged from hospital on Friday, bringing existing confirmed cases to zero in the province.

Europe

• Europe becomes epicenter of COVID-19 pandemic: WHO People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- Europe has now become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more reported cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined, apart from China, the chief of World Health Organization (WHO) said here Friday.
• Italy's total coronavirus cases close to 15,000, death toll at 1,266 People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- The coronavirus epidemic continued to claim lives in locked down Italy on Friday, with 250 new deaths, bringing the country's total death toll to 1,266, according to new data released by the Civil Protection Department.
• Italy Records Nearly 3,500 New COVID-19 Cases, 175 Deaths Over Past 24 Hours - Authorities Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- Italy's coronavirus cases increased by over 3,500 cases in the past 24 hours with 175 deaths coming as a result of the pandemic, Head of Italy's Civil Protection Department Angelo Borrelli announced Saturday.
• Coronavirus updates: Spain declares emergency state, some EU states block entry Press TV 14 Mar 2020 -- The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency as the country — the second hardest hit by the new coronavirus in Europe after Italy — struggles to stem the spread of the flu-like pathogen.
• State of Emergency Declared in Spain, Wide-Ranging Lockdowns Imposed Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) disease cases in Spain has surged by more than 1,500 in 24 hours, exceeding 6,250, according to health officials. The death toll from the Chinese infection has risen to 193, with 133 victims in the capital city of Madrid alone.
• Spain Records Over 1,500 New Coronavirus Cases in 24 Hours - Health Ministry Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- Earlier this week, the World Health Organisation declared the spread of the COVID-19 a pandemic. The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed 145,000, with over 5,400 fatalities.
• Confirmed COVID-19 cases in UK jumps to 798 People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- The confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Britain has reached 798 Friday, an increase of 208 over 24 hours, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
• Emergency epidemic law passed in Denmark to combat COVID-19 People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- The Danish parliament passed emergency epidemic legislation before midnight on Thursday, giving the government far-reaching powers to contain the COVID-19 spread.
• French Health Minister Warns Certain Drugs May Aggravate Coronavirus Infection Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- The minister's remarks come as the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread to over 130 countries and territories, infecting more than 154,000 people and killing over 5,700 worldwide, including in France, where at least 91 deaths have been registered along with almost 4,500 infections.
• Austria's Coronavirus Infection Tally Rises by 151 to 655 Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- The number of coronavirus infections in Austria rose by 151 to 655 over the past day, with 7,467 people tested, the Health Ministry said on Saturday afternoon.

Russia

• Russia Confirms 14 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Number Reaches 59 Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- According to the coronavirus response centre, all people who got infected have recently visited countries that were hit hard with the coronavirus, and everyone who contacted them would be put under supervision.
• Russia Bans Upper House Lawmakers From Travelling Abroad Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- According to Russian Upper House speaker Valentina Matvienko, visits by foreign delegations from those countries deemed "dangerous" in terms of the coronavirus outbreak have also been suspended.
• Russia will close land borders with Poland, Norway over coronavirus pandemic: Premier Press TV 14 Mar 2020 -- Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin says Russia will close its land borders with Poland and Norway in a bid to curb the spread of the new coronavirus global pandemic.

India

• India Declares Coronavirus a 'Notified Disaster' Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- As per the latest statistics from India's Ministry of Health, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country has reached 84 (including foreign nationals) with two deaths as of Saturday evening. Besides this, the number of passengers screened at airports has reached 1,229,363.

Iran

• COVID-19: Iran Death Toll Rises; More New Cases In Kazakhstan As Central Asia Remains Sparsely Hit RFE/RL 14 Mar 2020 -- Another 97 people in Iran infected with the coronavirus have died, pushing the death toll to 611, state TV reported on March 14.
• Xi says China ready to provide further assistance for Iran against COVID-19 epidemic People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will continue to provide as much assistance as it can for Iran in the latter's fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Rouhani calls for taking collective measures in fight against coronavirus IRNA 14 Mar 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in a letter on Saturday called on the leaders of the regional and international states to take collective measures in fight against the spread of the coronavirus.
• Foreign Ministry holds meeting on ways to reduce coronavirus-originated problems IRNA 14 Mar 2020 -- A meeting was held at the Iranian Foreign Ministry on "Exploring Ways to Reduce Problems Due to Coronavirus Outbreaks through International Interactions".
• Coronavirus death toll reaches 611 in Iran IRNA 14 Mar 2020 -- The head of the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education said on Saturday that 12,729 people have so far been infected with the deadly coronavirus in Iran, 611 of whom have died while 4,339 have recovered.
• WHO commends Iran's priorities to contain coronavirus IRNA 14 Mar 2020 -- The World Health Organization's Emergency Director for the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Richard Brennan, said on Saturday that Iran's strategies and priorities to contain coronavirus epidemic are evolving as they pursue the right path.
• Washington Post hypes fake news on coronavirus 'burial pits' in Iran Press TV 14 Mar 2020 -- The Washington Post has turned to publishing fake news about Iran's response to the coronavirus outbreak, claiming that Iran has dug mass "burial pits" for victims of the disease and was covering the true number of deaths.
• Iran does 6,000 coronavirus test a day IRNA 14 Mar 2020 -- Head of Pasteur Institute of Iran (IPI) announced on Saturday that the country is daily doing 6,000 coronavirus test at 50 laboratories.
• There is no special section for coronavirus victims in Behesht-e Masoumeh Cemetery in Qom ISNA 14 Mar 2020 -- The CEO of Qom Cemeteries Organization denied Whashington Post's accusation, stressing that there is no special section for coronavirus victims in Behesht-e Masoumeh Cemetery in Qom.
• Coronavirus fight requires joint, coordinated regional, international measures: President Rouhani Press TV 14 Mar 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the fight against the coronavirus requires bolstering joint and coordinated regional and international measures, adopting serious strategies, and sustaining huge medical and care costs.
• IRGC opens three field hospitals as Iran fights corona epidemic: Commander Press TV 14 Mar 2020 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has opened three field hospitals in northern and southern Iranian provinces in line with efforts to fight the spreading outbreak of the novel coronavirus, a senior IRGC commander says.
• Iran may impose partial lockdown in 11 provinces to contain coronavirus Press TV 14 Mar 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has given his initial approval for imposing a partial lockdown on areas in nearly a dozen provinces in the country to help curb a coronavirus outbreak that has affected thousands of people.
• Almost 100 People Died From COVID-19 in Iran Over Last 24 Hours - Health Ministry Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- On Thursday, Alireza Vahabzadeh, an adviser to Iran's health minister, said that the total number of COVID-19 cases in Iran has risen to over 10,000, while the death toll has reached 429 people.

South Korea

• S.Korea's COVID-19 cases rise to 8,086, death toll at 72 People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- South Korea confirmed 107 more cases of the COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago as of midnight Saturday local time, raising the total number of infections to 8,086.

Japan

• Japan passes bill enabling Abe to declare state of emergency to combat COVID-19 outbreak People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- Japan on Friday passed a special bill enabling Prime Minster Shinzo Abe to declare a state of emergency if necessary to bolster measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 as the number of infections continue to rise nationwide.

Saudi Arabia

• KSA Reports 17 New Cases of Novel Coronavirus, in Details SPA 14 Mar 2020 -- Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) announced here today monitoring and registration of 17 new cases, infected with the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), amid extensive international and local efforts to contain and eliminate the pandemic.
• Ministry of Sports: Suspending All Sport Activities in the Kingdom and Closing of Private Sports Halls and Centers SPA 14 Mar 2020 -- The Ministry of Sports announced the suspension of all sports activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in all tournaments and competitions, as well as the closure of private sports halls and centers, starting tomorrow, March 15, 2020, until further notice.

Israel

• Israel to Use Anti-Terror Tech in Fight Against Coronavirus - Netanyahu Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- Israeli will use counter-terrorism technology to detect coronavirus patients and those who skip mandatory quarantine, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday.

Taiwan

• CECC to raise travel alert for 27 European countries to highest level CNA 14 Mar 2020 -- Taiwan will upgrade its travel warning for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and 27 countries in Europe to its highest level, effective March 17, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Saturday.
• COVID-19 infections rise to 53 in Taiwan with confirmation of 3 new cases CNA 14 Mar 2020 -- Three new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease have been confirmed in Taiwan, all of which are believed to have been imported, bringing the total number in the country to 53, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Saturday.
• Diplomats in Taipei briefed on Taiwan's COVID-19 response CNA 14 Mar 2020 -- Diplomats and foreign representatives in Taipei were briefed Friday on the state of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease outbreak in Taiwan and the country's prevention and containment efforts, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
• Taiwan bans travel by military personnel to contain virus spread CNA 14 Mar 2020 -- Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Saturday temporarily suspended all overseas travel by the country's military personnel, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

North Korea

• Stricter anti-epidemic measures adopted Pyongyang Times 14 Mar 2020 -- The DPRK is further intensifying nationwide anti-epidemic effort in a scientific manner to prevent COVID-19 from entering and spreading in the country.

Other Countries

• Philippine President Duterte tests negative for COVID-19 People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has tested negative for COVID-19, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said on Friday.
• Brazilian President Bolsonaro tests negative for COVID-19 People's Daily 14 Mar 2020 -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tested negative for COVID-19, confirmed his official Twitter account and Facebook page on Friday.
• Kuwaiti Health Ministry Reports Four New Cases of Novel Coronavirus SPA 14 Mar 2020 -- Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has reported four confirmed cases of Novel Corona virus (Covid 19) during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases registered in Kuwait to 104 cases.
• Syria parliamentary elections adjourned to May 20 over coronavirus concerns Press TV 14 Mar 2020 -- Syria has decided to delay parliamentary elections, initially scheduled for April 13, in a precautionary step against the new coronavirus as the contagion continues its rapid spread around the world.
• Jamaica Bans UK Travel, Quarantines Coronavirus-Stricken Township - Prime Minister Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- The announcement comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country reached eight just three days after the first case was diagnosed. The first case was a woman who arrived from the United Kingdom earlier in March and did not seek medical attention for five days after her arrival.
• Colombia to Close Border With Venezuela Amid Coronavirus Pandemic Sputnik 14 Mar 2020 -- Colombia will close its border with Venezuela due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic at 05:00 a.m. (10:00 GMT) on Saturday, President Ivan Duque said.
• Haiti's First Suspected Coronavirus Case Tests Negative VOA 14 Mar 2020 -- Haiti's first suspected coronavirus case has tested negative, the country's new prime minister says.