Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Trump Fires Intelligence Official Involved In Impeachment Probe RFE/RL 04 Apr 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has fired the intelligence official who handled the whistle-blower complaint involving aid to Ukraine that triggered Trump's impeachment.
• Trump Removes Intel Watchdog Who Revealed Whistleblower Complaint That Led to Impeachment VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has removed the U.S. intelligence community watchdog from office.
• Donald Trump to Fire Inspector Who Defied Him on Whistleblower Complaint - Reports Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- Last year, Michael Atkinson notified the US Congress that he'd receiving a complaint from an intelligence officer concerning the July telephone conversation between the US President and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. The content of the conversation ultimately became the reason for the impeachment proceedings against Trump.
• At Least 19 Killed in Clashes Between Armed Groups in Mexico Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- A joint operation of the Public Security Secretariat and the Mexican army has been launched to find the whereabouts of the armed groups involved in the clashes.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 75 WHO 04 Apr 2020
• WHO opens door to broader use of masks to limit spread of coronavirus SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- The World Health Organization today said that medical masks should be prioritised for health workers, but it opened the door to greater public use of homemade masks or other mouth coverings as a way to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
• Confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide exceed 1.1 mln - Johns Hopkins University People's Daily 04 Apr 2020 -- A total of 1,118,921 people have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus across the world, with a death toll of 58,937, while more than 226,000 patients have recovered.

United States

• Congress lawmakers request investigation of Navy's firing of captain Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- Democratic lawmakers have formally protested to the Navy's dismissal of the commander of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, who requested urgent aid to stop a coronavirus outbreak on board his ship.
• 155 Crewmembers of US Aircraft Carrier Theodore Roosevelt Have Covid-19 After 44% of Crew Tested Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- The testing of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier's crew for COVID-19 is being conducted after an coronavirus outbreak aboard the ship was revealed through the efforts of the vessel's captain, Brett Crozier, who has since been relieved of his command.
• Production of Boeing Helicopters Halted After Factory Shuttered by COVID-19 Pandemic Sputnik 03 Apr 2020 -- Production of several Boeing helicopters and related vehicles will cease for several weeks as the company shuts down its factory amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the company announced Thursday.
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Arizona Disaster Declaration The White House 04 Apr 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Utah Disaster Declaration The White House 04 Apr 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Nevada Disaster Declaration The White House 04 Apr 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Maine Disaster Declaration The White House 04 Apr 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Nebraska Disaster Declaration The White House 04 Apr 2020
• President Donald J. Trump Approves Wisconsin Disaster Declaration The White House 04 Apr 2020
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces 1,000 Ventilators Donated to New York State New York State 04 Apr 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 04 Apr 2020
• CDC advises wearing masks as U.S. COVID-19 cases top 270,000 People's Daily 04 Apr 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that Americans wear cloth face coverings to protect against COVID-19.
• US method of sourcing protective gear baffling world amid coronavirus crisis Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- The Trump administration's method of sourcing protective equipment to tackle the coronovirus pandemic has baffled the world, with France and Germany leveling the harshest criticism at Washington.
• Researchers warn COVID-19 lockdown will cause thousands of deaths in US Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- Public health specialists in the US are warning that mass shutdowns of businesses and schools to enforce social distancing measures over the coronavirus outbreak will lead to thousands of deaths and suicides that are unrelated to the disease itself.
• Coronavirus wreaks grimmest toll yet in New York state: 630 dead in a day SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- Coronavirus-related illnesses killed 630 people in the last day in New York state, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Saturday, in the bleakest 24 hours yet for the U.S. state hit hardest by the pandemic.
• Trump Says Ordered 1000 Medical Military Personnel Deployed to New York City Amid COVID-19 Outbreak Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- A total of 300,915 COVID-19 infections have been reported in the US, and at least 8,162 people have died from the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University.
• US Army Awards $139 Million in Contracts to Build Care Centres Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- Four construction companies have received nearly $140 million in contracts to convert existing facilities into emergency hospitals from the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE), the Department of Defence said in a press release.
• New York State Reports Record 10,841 New COVID-19 Cases, 630 New Deaths – Governor Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- The US state of New York has recorded its largest daily increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases as 10,841 positive tests were reported on Saturday, with the death toll also rising by 630, State Governor Andrew Cuomo said.
• Experts: Uneven Stay-at-Home Orders Could Mean Wider Pandemic VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- Everyone in the United States should be under orders to stay home in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases chief Anthony Fauci told CNN on Thursday.

China

• Wuhan Survivors, Caught Between Grief and Surveillance, Want Accountability VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- Editor's note: All names in this report are pseudonyms chosen by the interviewees who are concerned for their safety.
• China's Wuhan disinfects airport as operations soon to resume People's Daily 04 Apr 2020 -- Wuhan, the Chinese city hardest hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak, conducted disinfection Friday on the local airport as operations will soon resume on April 8 when the city lifts its travel restrictions.
• Chinese firms race to supply life-saving ventilators as global demand surges People's Daily 04 Apr 2020 -- Analytics firm GlobalData predicted that about 880,000 more ventilators are in demand globally amid the pandemic. Ventilator manufacturers across the world are running full-steam to meet the surging demand. China, one of the largest ventilator producers, has joined the global fight against COVID-19.
• China holds moment of mourning for victims of coronavirus pandemic Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- China has held a nation-wide commemoration to mourn the thousands of victims of the coronavirus pandemic in the world's most populous country, flying the national flag at half mast and observing a three-minute silence across the nation.
• China to Supply Russia With Further 1Mln COVID-19 Protective Suits, 80Mln Masks – Official Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- Moscow and Beijing have agreed on a new deal that will see China supply Russia with 1.05 million protective suits and 80 million medical masks to combat COVID-19, Alexey Gruzdev, Russia's deputy minister of industry and trade, said on Saturday.

Europe

• First confirmed case of COVID-19 on the occupied Malvinas Islands Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- After days of speculation the first case of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, has been confirmed on the occupied Malvinas Islands (which the British call Falkland Islands).
• Britain unlikely to lift coronavirus lockdown until end of May - government expert SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- Britain is unlikely to lift its stringent lockdown rules until the end of May, a leading government adviser said on Saturday, warning that the spread of the coronavirus must first slow and intense testing be introduced.
• COVID-19 UK Lockdown Measures Could be Loosened Within Weeks - Gov't Adviser Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- Many Brits are looking for a glimmer of hope as the number of recorded deaths in their country from COVID-19 (3,605) surpasses that of even China (3, 326).
• UK's COVID-19 Lockdown Has 'Painted it Into a Corner', Herd Immunity Still an Option - PM's Adviser Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- In the earlier stages of the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK, suggestions had been made that one way of dealing with the virus was by allowing 80 per cent of the population to catch it, in order to build up "herd immunity". However, the plan was swiftly dismissed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock as exposing the most vulnerable to a high risk of death.
• Spain Registers 124,736 Cases of Coronavirus, Death Toll Reaches 11,744 Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- So far, Spain ranks third in the gravity of the coronavirus pandemic as the country, with Italy standing the second and the US topping the list.
• Italian COVID-19 Death Toll Surges Past 15,000 as 681 New Deaths Reported – Gov't Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- Italy's COVID-19 death toll has surged past 15,000 as 681 more people have died after contracting the disease, Angelo Borrelli, the head of the National Civil Protection Department, announced on Saturday, adding that the daily rise in fatalities was slowing.
• British Serviceman First Confirmed Coronavirus Case in Falklands Islands Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- In just the first three months of 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has enveloped the world and seen governments impose restrictions in order to stop the spread of the virus. The United Kingdom has introduced a full-scale lockdown with the public only being allowed out of their homes for exercise and essential shopping.
• Spanish PM Extends State of Emergency Over Coronavirus Until 26 April - Reports Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- Earlier this day, the Spanish Health Ministry reported that the death toll from the coronavirus had risen to 11,744 this day from 10,935 the previous day.

Russia

• Moscow to Introduce System For Self-Isolation Control in Case of Quarantine Violations Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- The day before, Moscow's authorities stated that they had launched a system for monitoring patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Russian Aerospace Forces Send 2 More Planes to Serbia to Fight COVID-19 Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- The seventh and the eighth planes of the Russian Aerospace Forces have left for Serbia to help the Balkan nation fight the coronavirus outbreak, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Saturday.
• Russia Will Produce 500 Coronavirus Ventilators in April, 2,500 and 3,000 in Subsequent Months Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- According to Russia's Health Ministry, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country currently stands at 4,731, with 43 deaths.
• Russian Deputy Prime Minister Says 2,854 of Total COVID-19 Cases Local, 808 Imported Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- The majority of COVID-19 cases reported in Russia, 2,854 since the start of the outbreak, have been transferred locally by contact and 808 cases of the disease have been imported to the country, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said on Saturday.
• Two Teams of Russian Specialists to Stay in Belgrade, 5 to Be Sent to Other Cities to Fight COVID-19 Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry said it would send 87 military epidemiologists and medics, as well as protective gear and disinfectant to Serbia on 11 flights starting Friday.

India

• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 04 Apr 2020 -- Various actions have been initiated by Government of India along with the States/UTs for the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the country. These are being regularly monitored at the highest level.
• Covid-19: India Curbs Export of Diagnostic Kits With Immediate Effect Sputnik 04 Apr 2020 -- The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed 68 lives in India, and as of today there are at least 2,900 active cases.
• Indian officials warn of lockdown extensions as COVID-19 cases in South Asia near 6,000 SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- The number of confirmed new coronavirus cases in South Asia neared 6,000 on Saturday, even as authorities in some cities tightened restrictions on movement and warned lockdowns could be extended in a bid to rein in the pandemic.

Pakistan

• Pakistan to Reopen Border for Afghan Visitors Stranded Due to COVID-19 Closure VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- Pakistan announced Saturday it will briefly reopen the border with Afghanistan early next week to allow an unspecified number of stranded nationals of the neighboring country to return home.

Iran

• Coronavirus death toll rises to 3,452 in Iran IRNA 04 Apr 2020 -- The head of Iran's Health Ministry Public Relations Office said on Friday that the number of people who lost their lives to coronavirus has amounted to 3,452 while 19,736 others survived the fatal infection.
• Iran to follow up COVID-19 distancing plan with new 'smart distancing' initiative: Rouhani Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that the country seeks to follow up on its existing physical distancing plan with a new 'smart distancing' initiative to curb the outbreak of COVID-19.
• Tehran mayor elaborates on crippling impacts of sanctions on fighting COVID19 IRNA 04 Apr 2020 -- Tehran Mayor Pirouz Hanachi in an article published by the British daily newspaper 'The Guardian' seriously criticized the US sanctions in a situation that countries are fighting coronavirus, saying sanctions have disturbed the process of fighting the pandemic in Iran.
• Sanctions are crippling Iran's fight against coronavirus: Tehran mayor Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- The extra-territorial US sanctions prevent many countries and companies to do legitimate business with Iranians, particularly to sell medicines to the Islamic Republic, at a time that the country is severely fighting the deadly new coronavirus pandemic, the mayor of Tehran Pirouz Hanachi writes in an opinion in the British daily newspaper Guardian.
• Coronavirus Shatters Iranian Death Rituals, Robbing Many Of Last Farewell With Loved Ones RFE/RL 04 Apr 2020 -- Kambiz says the day he buried his 96-year-old grandmother, who died after contracting the coronavirus, was the "saddest and loneliest" day of his life.

South Korea

• S.Korea extends intensive social distancing to reach 50 daily coronavirus cases SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- South Korea said on Saturday it will extend its intensive social distancing campaign scheduled to end on Monday by two weeks in a bid to curb the rate of coronavirus infections to around 50 a day, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia

• COVID-19 Follow-up Committee Holds Meeting SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 44th meeting today.

Taiwan

• Taiwan adds 7 new cases of COVID-19, total up to 355 CNA 04 Apr 2020 -- Seven new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease were confirmed in Taiwan on Saturday, bringing the total in the country to 355 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• 2 more European tour group members confirmed with COVID-19 CNA 04 Apr 2020 -- Two more members of a 17-person tour group to Austria and the Czech Republic were confirmed as having contracted the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Saturday, bringing the group's cluster infections to eight, the Central Epidemic Control Center (CECC) said that day.
• Taipei to make mask wearing compulsory in all government facilities CNA 04 Apr 2020 -- All members of the public must wear a face mask when visiting government facilities and offices in Taipei from April 9, or be turned away, the city government announced Saturday.
• Two Czech politicians thank Taiwan for donation CNA 04 Apr 2020 -- Two prominent political figures in the Czech Republic thanked Taiwan for its donation of medical equipment to fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, according to a video message posted by Taiwan's foreign ministry on its Facebook page Saturday.
• U.S. State Dept. calls for Taiwan to receive WHA observer status CNA 04 Apr 2020 -- The United States State Department on Friday called for Taiwan to receive observer status in the World Health Assembly (WHA), and said Taiwan's model for fighting the COVID-19 coronavirus could benefit countries around the world.

North Korea

• North Korea's Self-Isolation, Weapons Program Thwart Virus Aid VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- North Korea's decision to protect itself from the coronavirus by sealing its borders and evicting foreigners, coupled with prioritizing its nuclear and missile tests over citizens' health, may be self-defeating as humanitarian groups find anti-virus aid efforts thwarted.

Other Countries

• UN Urging Governments to Release At-Risk Prisoners to Reduce COVID-19 Spread VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- The U.N. human rights office is urging countries to release prisoners from overcrowded facilities to reduce the risk of coronavirus infections spreading throughout the prison population and into the wider community
• Confirmed COVID-19 cases soar to 509 in Cameroon People's Daily 04 Apr 2020 -- Cameroon on Friday reported 203 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 509, Health Minister Manaouda Malachie said at a press briefing.
• Gaza Strip could face real catastrophe if COVID-19 cases soar: Rights group Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- The besieged Gaza Strip might be hit by a "real catastrophe" if the number of people infected by COVID-19 rises, a rights group warns, as the new pandemic rages across the world.
• Turkey restricts youths, shuts borders to fight coronavirus Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the country has imposed a partial curfew on citizens under the age of 20 as part of measures aimed at curbing the spread of the new coronavius.
• Turkmenistan Quells Food-Shortage Protest With Bags Of Flour RFE/RL 04 Apr 2020 -- Authorities in Turkmenistan have quelled a protest over food shortages in the Central Asian country by handing out sacks of flour to the angry demonstrators.
• COVID-19: Tajikistan's Soccer Season To Kick Off Despite Coronavirus Pandemic RFE/RL 04 Apr 2020 -- The global death toll has passed 60,000 with over 1.1 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Oman Reports 25 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- The Sultanate of Oman has reported 25 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (Covid 19), bringing the total number of infections to 277 cases.
• Kuwait reports first death from coronavirus outbreak - state news agency SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- Kuwait recorded on Saturday its first death from the coronavirus outbreak, state news agency KUNA reported, citing a health ministry spokesman.
• UAE extends coronavirus night-time curfew to disinfect public areas SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended a de-facto night-time curfew indefinitely to disinfect public areas to fight the spread of coronavirus, Reuters echoed the state-run news agency WAM report, late on Friday.
• Lebanon Reports 12 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- The Lebanese Ministry of Health has reported 12 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19).
• Morocco Reports 53 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 04 Apr 2020 -- Morocco reported 53 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 844, and a new death, bringing the total number to 50 deaths.
• COVID-19 Toll Keeps Rising; Spain to Extend Lockdown VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 1 million people and killed nearly 64,000 worldwide, according to figures reported Saturday, with Europe and the U.S. feeling the most impact.
• Malaysia Arrests Thousands Amid Coronavirus Lockdown VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- Malaysia has arrested more than 4,000 people for violating virus lockdown orders, marking the toughest law enforcement action in Southeast Asia after the Philippines, where the president encourages police to shoot offenders.
• ICRC Steps Up to Curb Spread of COVID-19 and Save Lives in Somalia VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for immediate action to curb the spread of COVID-19 and save lives in Somalia, saying the country is at a critical juncture.
• Peacekeepers help fragile countries navigate conflict and COVID-19 UN News 04 Apr 2020 -- Even as UN peacekeepers adapt to the challenges posed by the coronavirus, they continue to perform their vital peace and security tasks while helping to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Answering Ayatollah Sistani's call, Iraqis support those in need amid coronavirus outbreak Press TV 04 Apr 2020 -- Thousands of people across Iraq have begun a full-fledged campaign to support those in need in the Arab country following a call by the country's most prominent Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to help the people, irrespective of their race or religion, amid the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic.
• Coronavirus, Conflict Threaten Thousands of Refugees, Migrants Detained in Libya VOA 04 Apr 2020 -- The U.N. refugee agency warns thousands of refugees and migrants detained in sub-standard facilities in Libya are threatened by COVID-19 and the ongoing conflict in the country, and should be released.