Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• New Ebola Case in DR Congo Sets Back Hoped for End to Epidemic VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- The World Health Organization says it remains committed to ending the Ebola outbreak in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following discovery of a new case of the disease days before DRC authorities had hoped to declare the epidemic over. An Ebola epidemic is declared over after two incubation periods or 42 days have passed without a confirmed case of the disease.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 83 WHO 12 Apr 2020
• Live COVID-19 updates: Over 22,000 healthcare workers infected by COVID-19: WHO People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- The world is now in a battle against COVID-19, a disease caused by a previously unknown coronavirus that has spread to over 200 countries and regions.
• World in grip of viral pandemic for a month, fatalities rise above 108,000 Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- One month since the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), 108,867 people have died of complications caused by the pathogen and more than 1,777,666 people have been infected worldwide, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.

United States

• US intelligence knew of China's coronavirus outbreak as early as November: Report Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- US intelligence authorities became aware of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China as early as November 2019, informed sources have revealed, citing a classified report released at the time by the military's National Center for Medical Intelligence (NCMI), an arm of the American Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
• Trump privately weighed letting COVID-19 'wash over country': Report Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- In his desire to reopen the US economy as soon as possible, President Donald Trump privately made an eyebrow-raising suggestion to his top health adviser, wondering whether the government could simply allow the novel coronavirus to "wash over the country," according to a report.
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Issues Executive Order Directing Employers to Provide Masks to Employees Who Interact with the Public New York State 12 Apr 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 12 Apr 2020
• U.S. becomes country with most COVID-19 cases, highest death toll People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- The United States has surpassed Italy in the total number of deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, becoming the country with the most confirmed cases and fatalities worldwide.
• Live COVID-19 updates: Cases on USS Theodore Roosevelt rise to 550 - Navy People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- The world is now in a battle against COVID-19, a disease caused by a previously unknown coronavirus that has spread to over 200 countries and regions.
• Trump vows to trigger 'tremendous surge' in US economy shattered by pandemic Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has claimed he will rebuild the economy, which has been shattered by the repercussions of his administration's ineffective response to the new coronavirus pandemic.
• US records over 20,000 coronavirus deaths, surpassing Italy Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- The United States has recorded more than 20,000 deaths since the coronavirus outbreak began, surpassing Italy as the country with the highest number of confirmed deaths, the latest updates show.
• Pentagon Moves to Help Battle Coronavirus Pandemic in the US With a New Contract Sputnik 12 Apr 2020 -- The companies that will be involved in this undertaking are expected to be identified when the contract actually gets awarded.
• 'Going to Be Bad': Trump Administration Ignored Warnings About Potential COVID-19 Outbreak - Report Sputnik 12 Apr 2020 -- The first infection case with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States was registered on 21 January in Washington, six weeks before the Trump administration took what they have referred to as "aggressive" measures to slow the spread of the disease currently ravaging the country and the world.
• Fauci: 'Extraordinary Risk' of Further COVID Spread If US Reopens Too Soon VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- The top U.S. infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, warned Sunday there is an "extraordinary risk" of the further spread of the ravaging coronavirus if the United States is reopened to business and returned to a sense of normalcy too quickly on May 1, as President Donald Trump is considering.
• Trump advisers struggling with his eagerness to reopen US Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump's advisers are struggling with his eagerness to reopen the country as soon as possible despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

China

• U.S., China stepping up military messaging amid pandemic: analysts CNA 12 Apr 2020 -- Media visibility and direct messaging could be the motives behind the frequent appearances of Chinese and American military assets near Taiwan, especially as they are both struggling with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, according to analysts in Taiwan.
• UK Spy Agencies Predict More Assertive China Post-Coronavirus - Reports Sputnik 12 Apr 2020 -- Successfully coping with the COVID-19 outbreak in recent months, Beijing set about restarting its massive economy a month ago. The rest of the world, meanwhile, remains on lockdown with economies virtually shut down, and hasn't even begun to play catchup.
• Harbin requires mandatory 28-day quarantine, multiple tests amid rising risk of imported infections Global Times 12 Apr 2020-- Harbin, capital city Northeast China's Heilongjiang, is stepping up efforts to curb COVID-19 amid rising imported cases, requiring at least two nucleic acid tests, one serum antibody test and mandatory 28-day quarantine for all international arrivals.
• China's border cities escalate health steps Global Times 12 Apr 2020-- While most regions in China have seen a significant drop in the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients, some border cities with Russia returned to a state of tension.
• Xi vows to back nations' virus fight People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- China has vowed to continue providing assistance within its capacity to help the countries in need amid the global battle against COVID-19.
• China sends medical expert team to Russia People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- A team of 10 Chinese medical experts departed from Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, for Russia Saturday morning to help with its fight against the COVID-19.
• Hubei's severe, critical COVID-19 cases drop below 100 People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 patients in severe and critical condition dropped below 100 on Friday in central China's Hubei Province, which was hit hard by the novel coronavirus outbreak.
• China's border city sees more imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- The city of Suifenhe, at the China-Russia border in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, has seen the number of confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise.
• Medical team sent to NE China's border city to combat imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- A team of 15 medical experts on Sunday departed from Beijing for the city of Suifenhe, at the China-Russia border in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, to aid the city's fight against imported COVID-19 cases, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Chinese mainland reports 99 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Sunday that it received reports of 99 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Saturday, of which 97 were imported.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province Saturday, local health authority said Sunday.
• Hubei's severe, critical COVID-19 cases drop below 100 People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 patients in severe and critical condition dropped below 100 on Friday in central China's Hubei Province, which was hit hard by the novel coronavirus outbreak.
• China toughens border restrictions as imported virus cases rise Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- China has decided to tighten border controls and quarantine measures on arrivals from aboard after the number of imported coronavirus cases in the country hit a record high.

Europe

• European nations call for sticking to restriction measures as British PM continues coronavirus recovery People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- Lots of European countries on Saturday urged the public to stick to restriction measures during the Easter holiday as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson continued his coronavirus recovery in hospital.
• Jittery Boris Johnson addresses the nation after leaving hospital Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has addressed the nation for the first time since he was taken into intensive care following a marked deterioration of his coronavirus infection.
• Coronavirus Crisis Unites Doctors In Bosnia's Divided City Of Mostar RFE/RL 12 Apr 2020 -- When doctors learned last month that a woman admitted for childbirth to this city's largest hospital was infected with COVID-19, they acted quickly.
• Netherlands Reports 1188 New Coronavirus Cases and 94 Deaths SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- Netherlands reported today 1188 new cases of the novel Coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 25587.
• Dutch coronavirus infections top 25,000, deaths rise to 2,737 deaths SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands has topped 25,000, health authorities said on Sunday, with the number of deaths rising by 94 to 2,737. The Netherlands' National Institute for Health (RIVM) reported 1,188 new infections over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 25,587, according to Reuters.
• UK pleges 200 million pounds in aid to help stop second coronavirus wave SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- Britain said late today it was pledging 200 million pounds ($248 million) to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and charities to help slow the spread of the coronavirus in vulnerable countries and so help prevent a second wave of infections.
• Britain's virus deaths near 10,000; 'good progress' for Johnson SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- Britain on Saturday recorded 917 more coronavirus deaths, bringing the overall death toll to nearly 10,000, while Prime
• France's coronavirus death toll rises to 13,832 SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- France's death toll from the new coronavirus outbreak rose today to 13,832, but the number of patients in intensive care fell for the third day in a row, raising hopes that a nationwide lockdown is curbing the spread of the disease.
• Italy Records 431 COVID-19 Deaths in 24 Hours, Lowest in Three Weeks Sputnik 12 Apr 2020 -- Italy has recorded 431 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, which is the smallest overnight increase in the country in three weeks, Angelo Borrelli, the head of the National Civil Protection Department, said on Sunday, adding that the total number of COVID-19 fatalities stood at 19,899.
• England's Coronavirus Death Toll Rises by More Than 600 in 24 Hours Sputnik 12 Apr 2020 -- The day before, health officials reported that the coronavirus death toll in English hospitals rose over the past 24 hours by 823 to a total of 8,937.
• Spain's Coronavirus Death Toll Rises to 16,972 - Health Ministry Sputnik 12 Apr 2020 -- According to the World Health Organisation, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases globally has exceeded 1.6 million, with more than 99,000 deaths.
• UK's Johnson Released from Hospital VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was released from a London hospital Sunday after being treated in intensive care for the novel coronavirus.
• Italy Reports Lowest Number of New COVID Deaths in 3 Weeks VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- Italy is reporting its lowest number of new coronavirus deaths in three weeks and officials say hospitalization, including the number of patients admitted to intensive care, are also down.

Russia

• Russia Registers 2,186 New Coronavirus Cases in 24 Hours Bringing Total to 15,770 Sputnik 12 Apr 2020 -- India has recorded 31 new deaths and 827 new cases due to the coronavirus on Sunday, according to the federal health ministry.

India

• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 12 Apr 2020
• India records 31 more deaths, 827 new cases, total at 8,356 People's Daily 12 Apr 2020 -- India has recorded 31 new deaths and 827 new cases due to the coronavirus on Sunday, according to the federal health ministry.
• India Reports 909 New Cases of Coronavirus, 34 Deaths SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- India has reported 909 confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and 34 deaths, during the past 24 hours.

Pakistan

• Pakistan PM Seeks Debt Relief for Developing Nations to Fight Virus VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan appealed to the international community Sunday to provide developing countries with an urgent debt relief to help tackle the COVID-19 crisis facing them.

Iran

• COVID-19 kills 117 more in Iran, official says IRNA 12 Apr 2020 -- Head of the Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Sunday that a total of 71,686 people in Iran has been infected by the coronavirus, from whom 4,474 people have lost their lives fighting COVID-19.
• President Rouhani: Low-risk activities to resume next week in Tehran IRNA 12 Apr 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that low-risk activities receiving authorization code will resume throughout Tehran by observing health protocols next Saturday.
• Official: Iran produces COVID-19 rapid test IRNA 12 Apr 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Sunday that COVID-19 antibody diagnosis test and its rapid test were produced in Iran and will be available soon.
• Iran's UN mission: Sanctions enemy's '5th column' in fight against pandemic Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York has issued a message to member countries, saying that the brutal sanctions imposed by the United States on the Islamic Republic act as the enemy's "fifth column" as they compromise the country's ability to control the ongoing pandemic of new coronavirus known as COVID-19.
• Iranian biomedicine company scales up production for serological tests Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- An Iranian biomedicine company has started mass production of serological test kits in the time of the new coronavirus pandemic.
• Iran has handled virus outbreak better than US, Europe: President Rouhani Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani says Iran has handled the novel coronavirus outbreak better than Europe and the United States, assuring that the country's stocks of basic commodities are replenished better than ever.

Saudi Arabia

• COVID-19 Follow-up Committee Urges All to Follow Instructions SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the COVID-19 Follow-up Committee held its 53rd meeting today.
• SAMA and Financial Sector's Initiatives .. Sustainable Development in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- A tremendous development of the economic and financial system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can be observed since the emergence of Corona virus (COVID-19). A high level of professionalism in dealing with local and global developments in an attempt to maintain the stability and sustainability of the economy. Through successive and precise steps, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) in cooperation with the initiatives of the financial sector in general and banks and insurance companies in particular managed to draw a beautiful picture of the social responsibility toward the community and the national economy.
• Interior Ministry Updates Forms of Movement Permit during Curfew Order SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- Due to the importance of reviewing and defining a number of allowed people for movement of the excluded entities from the curfew order, an official source at the Ministry of Interior stated that the ministry has initiated to update forms of movement permits during the curfew order for the excluded entities from the curfew order, adding that every governmental entity is required to issue necessary permits for its personnel while the competent authority of the Interior Ministry stamps these permits.
• Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Orders Extending Curfew to Curb Spread of Coronavirus Until Further Notice SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud orders the extension of the curfew according to the current rates and indicators of the spread of the novel Coronvirus until a further notice.

Taiwan

• Taiwan confirms 3 new COVID-19 cases CNA 12 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan on Sunday reported three new cases of COVID-19 coronavirus, two imported and one indigenous, bringing the total number in the country to 388 since the disease outbreak began at the end of December, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• Taiwan-Singapore talks on mask donation still on track: MOFA CNA 12 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan's foreign ministry said Sunday that discussions on a donation of surgical face to Singapore are still in progress between the two countries, despite the apparent reservations expressed by Singapore's first lady.

Palestine

• Health situation in Gaza critical due to lack of supplies to run COVID-19 tests: Ministry Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- The health ministry of the besieged Gaze Strip has warned of critical healthcare situation in the impoverished enclave as its main medical laboratory faces severe shortage of necessary supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic.
• Palestinian Government Reports 19 New Cases of Coronavirus SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- The Palestinian Government announced 19 new cases of the Coronavirus in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Kuwait

• Kuwait: 80 New Cases of Novel Coronavirus SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has reported 80 confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of registered cases in Kuwait to 1234.
• Kuwait Reports Recovery of 9 Coronavirus Cases SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- Kuwaiti Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Basel Al-Sabah announced today the recovery of 9 more cases from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Turkey

• Turkish Interior Minister Resigns After Decision to Introduce Curfew Amid COVID-19 Outbreak Sputnik 12 Apr 2020 -- Turkish authorities imposed a snap 48-hour curfew across major cities on Saturday, providing little warning to citizens, leading to crowds of people flooding the streets Friday night to stock up on food and emergency supplies.
• Greece Fears Turkey Plans to Send Streams of Migrants Infected with Coronavirus to Europe VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- Greek forces are on heightened alert as reports have surfaced that Turkey is preparing to push through a fresh wave of migrants to Europe. Officials in Athens say, they fear that refugees infected with the coronavirus may be among the new wave of asylum seekers.

Other Countries

• COVID-19 in Mideast: New restrictions imposed as cases rise Press TV 12 Apr 2020 -- The coronavirus continues to spread in the Middle East, infecting more individuals and entailing more preventive measures employed by authorities.
• COVID-19: Russia Reports Largest Daily Increase Of Cases; 10,000 Graves Dug In Tehran RFE/RL 12 Apr 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 110,000 with almost 1.8 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Congo records second Ebola death in days - WHO SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- Democratic Republic of Congo recorded a second Ebola death in days following more than seven weeks without a new case, the World Health Organization said on Sunday, according to Reuters.
• Morocco Announces 72 New Cases of Novel Coronavirus, Two Deaths SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- The Moroccan Ministry of Health announced 72 new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and two deaths, during the past 24 hours.
• Oman Announces 53 New Cases of Coronavirus SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- The Omani Ministry of Health has announced 53 new cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the number of infections in the country to 599.
• Mexico registers 4,219 cases of coronavirus and 273 deaths - health ministry SPA 12 Apr 2020 -- Mexico reported 375 new cases of the coronavirus today, bringing the country's total to 4,219 cases and 273 deaths, the health ministry said.
• Stay Home - Australians Urged to Continue COVID-19 Social Distancing VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- Australian officials say the Easter holidays will be a critical part of efforts to contain the coronavirus. While the curve of new infections continues to flatten, officials have warned against complacency. Much of Australia is in lockdown, and the state of Victoria has extended its state of emergency for another month.
• ICRC Fears COVID-19 Will Compound Suffering of Conflict-Ridden Libya VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling on Libya to ensure delivery of humanitarian aid while maintaining preventive measures in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
• World Bank: South Asia Could See Worst Economic Performance in 40 Years VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- South Asian countries could see their lowest growth in 40 years as lockdowns to contain the coronavirus pandemic freeze large parts of the domestic economies in the world's most populous region, according to a World Bank report.
• Coronavirus Pandemic to Shrink Latin Economies VOA 12 Apr 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic could send Latin American and Caribbean economies plunging nearly 5% this year, the World Bank predicts.