Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Global COVID-19 cases surpass 500,000, vaccine at least 12-18 months away: WHO People's Daily 28 Mar 2020 -- Confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has surpassed half a million with more than 20,000 deaths, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday, calling them "tragic numbers."

United States

• President Donald J. Trump Approves Colorado Disaster Declaration The White House 28 Mar 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Massachusetts Disaster Declaration The White House 28 Mar 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Michigan's Disaster Declaration The White House 28 Mar 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Guam Disaster Declaration The White House 28 Mar 2020
• Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing The White House 28 Mar 2020
• Remarks by President Trump at Naval Station Norfolk Send-Off for USNS Comfort | Norfolk, VA The White House 28 Mar 2020
• Remarks by President Trump Before Air Force One Departure The White House 28 Mar 2020
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 28 Mar 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Kentucky Disaster Declaration The White House 28 Mar 2020
• Trump, Esper Send Off USNS Comfort to Join New York's COVID-19 Fight DoD News 28 Mar 2020 -- The United States is at war with an invisible enemy in the coronavirus, President Donald J. Trump said from the dock at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, where he and Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper saw off the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort as it left for New York City to join the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Department of Defense Statement on the use of National Guard Forces Under Title 32 Section 502(f) DoD 28 Mar 2020 -- "On Friday, Secretary Esper modified and accelerated the process for how the Department of Defense authorizes the use of National Guard forces under Title 32 Section 502(f)."
• Partnering With the U.S. Defense Industrial Base to Combat COVID-19 DoD 28 Mar 2020 -- "The Department continues to aggressively partner with the defense industry to mitigate impacts from the COVID-19 national emergency."
• Pentagon says it is alarmed by coronavirus trend in several US states Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- Top American military generals say the US Defense Department is monitoring coronavirus infection trends in several cities and states with concern and considering where to deploy troops, as the sum of known US infections climbed well past 100,000, with more than 1,600 dead.
• Trump Considering Imposing Quarantine in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut Amid COVID-19 Outbreak Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- The US recently became the country with the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections in the world, with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 85,356 infections and 1,246 deaths.
• Trump Gives Sendoff to Hospital Ship in Coronavirus Fight VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump sent off a Navy hospital ship from Norfolk, Virginia to New York Saturday to help ease the burden on the city's health care system that is being overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic.
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order Moving New York Presidential Primary Election to June 23rd New York State 28 Mar 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 28 Mar 2020

China

• In China, Officials Exclude Asymptomatic COVID-19 Carriers From Data VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- Around the world, if someone tests positive for COVID-19, it is a confirmed case. But that is not always how it works in China.
• COVID-19 Started in China. To Change the Narrative, China Started to Tweet VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- Jeff Kao is a ProPublica reporter who analyzed thousands of fake and hijacked Twitter accounts to see how China spreads propaganda online.
• Chinese mainland sees 20 provincial regions clear of COVID-19 for over 28 days Global Times 28 Mar 2020 -- Twenty provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland had reported no new domestic COVID-19 cases for more than 28 days by the end of Friday, a health official said Saturday.
• China donates additional 20,000 COVID-19 fast test kits to Cambodia Global Times 28 Mar 2020 -- China donated an additional of 20,000 fast test kits for COVID-19 to Cambodia on Saturday to help fight the virus, said a statement from the Cambodian Health Ministry.
• Experts elaborate on Chinese experience in fight against novel coronavirus People's Daily 28 Mar 2020 -- China has shared its experience in prevention and control of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with more than 100 countries, as numbers of infection cases continue to grow around the world, a Chinese epidemiology expert said at a recent press conference.
• Chinese mainland reports zero increase in domestic COVID-19 cases People's Daily 28 Mar 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Saturday that no new domestically transmitted cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported on the mainland on Friday.
• China's Wuhan comes back to life after two-month lockdown Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the global new coronavirus outbreak first began late last year, has eased travel restrictions after more than two months of lockdown.
• China will help, US needs to act: Xi to Trump Global Times 28 Mar 2020 -- Less than 20 hours after the G20 leaders' online summit ended, US President Donald Trump, who had rarely interacted with Chinese President Xi Jinping at this unusual meeting in addressing the widening pandemic, invited the Chinese top leader to a phone call on Friday morning, proving that the coronavirus spread has become so severe in the US that Washington had to seek Beijing's help despite the war of words provoked by the Trump administration in recent days.
• Strictest foreigner entry policy proactive to cutting infections Global Times 28 Mar 2020 -- China has taken its strictest measure toward foreigners since the opening-up and reform, which temporarily forbids foreign nationals from entering the border to avoid a second wave of the coronavirus outbreak. Experts said the unprecedented move is necessary and responsible, given that the pandemic has been worsening overseas and China's precautionary measures could avoid the emergence of another Wuhan.

Europe

• N. Ireland Bans Meetings of More Than Two People As Part of New Anti-Coronavirus Measures Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- Social gatherings of more than two people have been banned in Northern Ireland as part of new stringent social distancing measures aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19, the country's executive announced in a statement.
• UK worried about spread of coronavirus to colonies and occupied territories Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- As the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in the UK rises to 1,019, the British government is also increasingly worried about the spread of the COVID-19 disease to British colonies and overseas territories.
• Germany will not ease shutdown until at least April 20 - paper SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- Germany will not ease measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus before at least April 20, Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff told a German newspaper, according to Reuters.
• Chinese Firm Offers to Replace Faulty Test Kits Sold to Spain VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- A Chinese company offered Friday to replace thousands of faulty coronavirus test kits after Spanish health authorities – desperate for materials to cope with the world's second highest COVID-19 death toll – complained they did not work as promised.
• Coronavirus response: second C-17 cargo plane arrives in Romania with 100,000 protective suits NATO 28 Mar 2020 -- A military plane filled with 45 tons of medical supplies landed at Bucharest airport on Saturday morning (28 March 2020). The C-17 Globemaster cargo plane, which arrived from the Republic of Korea, carried 100,000 protective suits as part of efforts to combat the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The protective suits were purchased by the Romanian government as part of the efforts to combat COVID-19.

Russia

• Russia Capable of Producing Sufficient Number of COVID-19 Tests - Health Minister Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- The Russian Health Ministry does not see any shortage in production capacities to make as many tests for coronavirus disease diagnostics as necessary, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told reporters on Saturday.
• Russia Building 16 New Multi-Purpose Medical Facilities Across Country – Defenсe Ministry Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- The Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday that a massive construction of additional military medical facilities was underway across the country to be completed by mid-May and be used for assistance to civilians as well, should the need arise.
• Spread of COVID-19 in Russia to Decline in May - WHO Representative on Health Ministry's Assessment Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- Earlier this week, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) representative in Russia, Melita Vujnovic, said that there was no need for a hard quarantine in Russia, adding that Moscow was "one step ahead" in its fight against COVID-19.
• Russia Registers 228 Coronavirus Cases Over Past 24 Hours - Operational Headquarters Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- The number of patients infected with COVID-19 in Russia has increased by 228 people over the past 24 hours, the country's operational headquarters for preventing the spread of coronavirus said in a statement on Saturday.
• Still Working After All These Fears: Russian Clerks, Couriers Remain On The Job As COVID-19 Crisis Unfurls RFE/RL 28 Mar 2020 -- Authorities in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar – like their counterparts across the country – have urged nonessential workers to remain at home in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone is urged to practice social distancing: refrain from gatherings and stay at least 2 meters from one another.

India

• Indian Railways Turns Coaches Into Isolation Facility for COVID-19 Patients, Leaving Users Impressed Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- In a collective fight against the coronavirus pandemic, India has locked down its 1.3 billion citizens until 14 April. All modes of public transports including trains, planes, buses, and even metro and local rails have been suspended until then.
• Elderly People Remain at Risk of COVID-19 in Delhi's Retirement Homes Without Basic Health Kits Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation, has categorically stated that elderly people older than 60 must stay indoors, as they are more prone to catching the virus.

Iran

• Iran says will continue social distancing rules until April 8 IRNA 28 Mar 2020 -- Iran will continue the social distancing rules to combat coronavirus disease (COVID-19) until April 8, Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Saturday.
• IRGC Comdr: Basij produces 3 million masks daily IRNA 28 Mar 2020 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami said Basij approximately produces three million face-masks every day.
• Official: 11,679 Iranians survived coronavirus IRNA 28 Mar 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Saturday that 11,679 people out of a total of 35,408 infected by the coronavirus have survived the virus.
• Veep: US blocks shipment of pharmaceutical drug, basic items to Iran IRNA 28 Mar 2020 -- Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri said on Saturday that US tells lies that their sanctions do not include pharmaceutical drug and basic items, adding that Americans impede transfer of money, drug and basic products by imposing oil, banking, insurance and transportation sanctions.
• Rouhani outlines plan to contain possible coronavirus rise IRNA 28 Mar 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday said that the medics and health infrastructure are well-prepared to contain possible coronavirus spike.
• US continues to block Iranian assets needed to buy medical equipment to fight COVID-19: Foreign Ministry official Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- Iran rejects reports that the United States has agreed to grant sanctions waivers to certain countries in order to open up the way for the Islamic Republic to access frozen assets and buy medical supplies and equipment needed to fight the pandemic of the new coronavirus.
• Rouhani: Iran's health infrastructure ready for possible COVID-19 spike Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani has said that Iran's health infrastructure is strong enough and prepared to counter a possible rise in COVID-19 cases.
• Prophet's Perfume & Gourd Oil: Iran Warns Against Quackery, Islamic Medicine To Treat Coronavirus RFE/RL 28 Mar 2020 -- A Muslim cleric applying what he called the "Prophet's perfume" under the nose of coronavirus patients lying sick in a hospital in northern Iran has gone into hiding after a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Japan

• Tokyo coronavirus cases rise by daily record, residents urged to stay home SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- Tokyo has confirmed more than 50 new coronavirus infections, a record daily increase, public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday as the governor of Japan's capital urged citizens to stay indoors.
• Abe Warns Citizens of 'Unprecedented' Economic Measures, Long Battle Against COVID-19 Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday called upon citizens to prepare themselves for the "worst-case scenario" and lengthy battle against COVID-19 that will include unprecedented economic measures.

Taiwan

• Taiwan confirms 16 new cases of COVID-19, bringing total to 283 CNA 28 Mar 2020 -- Sixteen new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus were confirmed in Taiwan Saturday, bringing the total to 283 since the pandemic began, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said.
• COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect consumer confidence CNA 28 Mar 2020 -- An escalation of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic around the world continued to deal a blow to consumer confidence in Taiwan, in particular when equity investors were shocked by global volatility, according to National Central University (NCU).

Other Countries

• 47-nation Africa has 2,650 confirmed coronavirus cases, 49 deaths - WHO chief Tedros SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- Coronavirus has now spread to dozens of the 47 countries of the WHO Africa region, with 2,650 infected and 49 dead, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said today.
• Sri Lanka reports first coronavirus death, extends restrictions SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- Sri Lanka reported its first death of the coronavirus pandemic on Saturday as the government turned to indefinite lockdown measures in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.
• COVID-19: Why US' Influence in Latin America Fading While China & Russia Winning Soft Power Battle Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- The South American continent which has been engulfed by public protests since last year is now bracing for the Covid-19 pandemic. Professor Heinz Dieterich has given his prognosis on how the coronavirus outbreak may affect the balance of power in Latin America.
• COVID-19: Russia To Close Its Borders; 139 More Deaths In Iran RFE/RL 28 Mar 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 27,700 with almost 600,000 infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Joint fight against COVID-19 brings closer Malaysia-China ties: Malaysian FM Global Times 28 Mar 2020 -- The joint fight against COVID-19 has bonded Malaysia and China closer as China sending much-needed supplies and support to Malaysia, Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Saturday.
• Palestinian groups in Gaza Strip cancel anti-Israel mass protests over coronavirus concerns Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- Palestinian groups have cancelled mass anti-occupation rallies scheduled to be held next week along the fence separating besieged Gaza strip from the Israeli-occupied territories over coronavirus pandemic concerns.
• COVID-19: UN envoy hails strong Israel-Palestine cooperation UN News 28 Mar 2020 -- Nickolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, has praised the coordination between the Israeli and Palestine authorities in reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Thailand reports new coronavirus death as total cases reach 1,245 SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- Thailand reported 109 new coronavirus cases and one death on Saturday, bringing the total to 1,245 infections and six deaths.
• Turkey accuses Saudi Arabia of concealing coronavirus cases among pilgrims Press TV 28 Mar 2020 -- Turkey says its first cases of the new coronavirus were detected among those returning from Saudi Arabia, accusing Riyadh of concealing the number of patients among pilgrims.
• IMF's Georgieva Says World In Recession, Urges Funds for Emerging-Market Nations RFE/RL 28 Mar 2020 -- International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Kristalina Georgieva says the global economy has already been thrust into a recession because of the coronavirus pandemic and she urged countries to respond with "very massive" spending programs to avoid a flood of bankruptcies and debt defaults in emerging markets.
• COVID-19 Follow-up Committee Holds Meeting SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 38th meeting today.
• Morocco Reports 13 New Cases of Novel Coronavirus SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- The Moroccan Ministry of Health reported 13 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 358 confirmed cases.
• Kuwait Reports 10 New Cases of Novel Coronavirus SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has reported, during the last 24 hours, 10 new confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases in Kuwait to 235.
• Lebanon Reports 21 New Cases of Novel Coronavirus SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported 21 new cases of coronavirus (Covid 19) and one death.
• Sudan Reports Two New Cases of Novel Coronavirus SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- The Sudanese Ministry of Health has reported two new cases of coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the number of confirmed cases to five, and one death.
• Oman Reports 21 New Cases of Novel Coronavirus SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- The Omani Ministry of Health has reported 21 new cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the total number of the confirmed cases in Oman to 152.
• First COVID-19 Death Reported in Jordan SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- Director of Prince Hamzah Hospital, Abdulrazaq Khashman, announced the death of an 83-year-old woman, which is the first death case due to COVID-19 in Jordan.
• UAE Announces Three Recoveries and 72 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 28 Mar 2020 -- The United Arab Emirates announced 72 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bring the total number of the confirmed cases to 405.
• Possible COVID-19 Outbreak in Libya to Be 'Catastrophic' Amid Protracted Conflict, UN Warns Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- Should a COVID-19 outbreak begin in Libya, it will overwhelm the war-torn country's already overstretched healthcare system, Jennifer Bose Ratka, public information officer at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Libya, said.
• Venezuelan Army Commander Refutes US 'Narco-Terrorism' Charges Against Maduro Sputnik 28 Mar 2020 -- On Thursday, the US Department of Justice announced indictments against several senior Venezuelan officials, including President Nicolas Maduro, alleging that much of the top level of the government in Caracas engages in "narco-terrorism" while facilitating drug trafficking into the United States.
• Pakistan Converts Hundreds of Hotels Into Quarantine Centers VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- Pakistan has converted hundreds of hotels into temporary quarantine centers, one of several urgent steps to ensure its traditionally ill-prepared public health care system can deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
• Cameroonian Muslims Defy Coronavirus Prayer Restrictions VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- Muslims in Cameroon have defied and are protesting government restrictions on prayer attendance at mosques, imposed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which has so far been confirmed in 92 people in less than a month.
• Kenya Taking Drastic Measures to Curb Coronavirus Spread VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- Kenya's government is implementing drastic measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, although the country has only 31 confirmed cases of infection.
• Syrian Refugees Face Obstacles as Coronavirus Threat Looms VOA 28 Mar 2020 -- The lives of Syrian refugees across the Middle East have become increasingly difficult as families are forced to address the potential spread of coronavirus to overcrowded camps in Lebanon, Jordan, Idlib and Turkey.