Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 85 WHO 14 Apr 2020
• WHO Director-General's Statement on IHR Emergency Committee on Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo WHO 14 Apr 2020
• UN Chief: A Second Pandemic of COVID Misinformation 'Putting Lives at Risk' VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the U.N. is going to flood the internet and social media with facts and science to counter what he says is a "dangerous epidemic of misinformation" about the coronavirus pandemic.
• Hatred going viral in 'dangerous epidemic of misinformation' during COVID-19 pandemic UN News 14 Apr 2020 -- As the world battles the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and people are searching for clear facts and answers to questions, that could help save countless lives, "a dangerous epidemic of misinformation" is also spreading, the United Nations chief warned on Tuesday.
• UN Launches Online Initiative to Counter Misinformation About COVID-19 - Guterres Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- The United Nations has launched a new online initiative to counter the spread of misinformation about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on Tuesday.
• WHO Says World Not Past COVID-19 Peak Despite Decline in New Cases in Spain, Italy Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic has not yet reached its global peak despite showing slight slowdowns in the worst-affected European nations, it remains on the rise in other nations, World Health Organisation spokeswoman Margaret Harris said on Tuesday.
• Global COVID-19 cases surpass 1.9 mln: Johns Hopkins University People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide topped 1.9 million on Monday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
• WHO to publish updated advice on lifting COVID-19 containment measures People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday that it will soon publish updated strategic advice to support countries and regions in making decisions on when they can lift the current social and economic restrictions for COVID-19 containment.
• WHO warns of COVID-19 resurgence as countries ease restrictions People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that lifting restrictions too soon could lead to a deadly resurgence of COVID-19 as some countries are easing their social and economic restrictions amid the outbreak.
• Global COVID-19 cases near 2mn mark, deaths close to 120K Press TV 14 Apr 2020 -- At least 1,920,918 COVID-19 infections have been confirmed worldwide, and 119,686 people have died so far, with the United States leading all nations in both the number of cases and the death toll, followed by major Western European countries.
• Now is 'not the time' to reduce funding for the World Health Organization in COVID-19 fight, urges Guterres UN News 14 Apr 2020 -- Now is a time for unity in the global battle to push the COVID-19 pandemic into reverse, not a time to cut the resources of the World Health Organization (WHO), which is spearheading and coordinating the global body's efforts, said UN chief António Guterres, on Tuesday.
• Trump Cuts US Funding to WHO VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- U.S. funding to the World Health Organization is being halted by President Donald Trump, who blames it for creating "a 20-fold increase" in COVID-19 cases worldwide.
• Trump Announces Order to Halt WHO Funding Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday he was pulling funding for the World Health Organization while his administration conducted an investigation of the UN agency, claiming it had impeded the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

United States

• Remarks by President Trump in Press Briefing The White House 14 Apr 2020
• Trump Walks Back Claim of 'Absolute' Authority Over States VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- Facing intense criticism, U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday walked back earlier comments suggesting he has total authority to reopen the economy from the coronavirus crisis.
• Remarks by President Trump in a Meeting with Healthcare Executives The White House 14 Apr 2020
• Remarks by President Trump in a Meeting with Recovered COVID-19 Patients The White House 14 Apr 2020
• Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing The White House 14 Apr 2020
• Trump blasted for airing propaganda video at coronavirus briefing Press TV 14 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump shocked reporters at the White House by broadcasting a video with misleading information at his daily coronavirus press briefing that resembled a re-election campaign advertisement.
• Trump Downplayed Coronavirus Threat Throughout February VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- The White House campaign-style video promoting President Donald Trump's defense of his actions combating the emerging coronavirus threat earlier this year skips over his actions during the entire month of February, when he often downplayed concerns.
• Trump blames WHO and China to distract from his failure in coronavirus response: CNN People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- The US now has the largest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, with the toll reaching 23,604 as of Tuesday morning. US-based Cable News Network (CNN) published an op-ed on April 12 analyzing the reasons why the US tops global coronavirus deaths.
• Trump's Assertion of Authority to Reopen Economy Challenged VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- The assertion from U.S. President Donald Trump that he has "the ultimate authority" on lifting stay-at-home directives and reopening the country's economy is facing backlash.
• US Lawmakers Push for Accountability in Coronavirus Response VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- The intensity of the coronavirus pandemic has forced the U.S. Congress to focus its attention on legislation that immediately addresses funding public health needs and aiding struggling American workers and businesses.
• NYC to Begin Manufacturing COVID-19 Test Kits, PPE VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- New York City will begin manufacturing its own coronavirus test kits, as well as some personal protection equipment, its mayor announced Tuesday.
• New York Lawmakers Call for Federal Aid for Burials VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- New York Senator Charles Schumer and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Tuesday called on the federal government to provide funding for funeral and burial assistance across New York state.
• How 3 West Coast States Led the Way in Bending the Coronavirus Curve VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- With heartening results to show for swift action, the governors of Washington state, Oregon and California on Monday declared a coordinated effort to reopen their states' economies and form a long-term regional strategy for keeping the coronavirus at bay.
• Kentucky Guard supports first state drive-thru testing site Army News 14 Apr 2020 -- The Kentucky Army National Guard began supporting local agencies at Kentucky's first COVID-19 drive-thru test site at the Franklin County Fairgrounds April 13.
• DOD Medical Providers Deployed to New York City Discuss Ongoing COVID-19 Operations DoD 14 Apr 2020 -- Air Force Colonel Jennifer R. Ratcliff, Commander, 927th Aerospace Medical Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Army Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Curtis, Chief Nurse Officer, 9th Field Hospital; Navy Captain Joseph J. Kochan, Executive Officer, Operational Health Support Unit, Portsmouth, Virginia; Air Force Captain Thomas Barger, Public Affairs Officer
• Humanitarian Response Program Offers Expertise For COVID-19 Response NNS 14 Apr 2020 -- The U.S. Naval War College's Civilian-Military Humanitarian Response Program has jumped into action to help fight the spread of COVID-19.
• Marines Conducting Security Help Save Patients Bound for USNS Comfort NNS 14 Apr 2020 -- U.S. Marine Sgt. Austin Loppe had just started his shift providing security for Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) on April 7 when he got an urgent call over the radio shortly before midnight.
• Army Reservists Double Comfort's Pharmacy Capacity NNS 14 Apr 2020 -- Pharmacists from the U.S. Army Reserve joined the medical team aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) nearly doubling the pharmaceutical support available to the people of New York City and local health officials in response to the nation's COVID-19 outbreak, April 13.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 14 Apr 2020
• Illinois Air Guard C-130s join the fight against COVID-19 US Air Force 14 Apr 2020 -- What could have been a three-day trek across 2,150 miles of interstate highway was shortened to overnight delivery by Air National Guard C-130H Hercules joining Illinois' fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
• New York State Records 778 More Coronavirus Fatalities, Bringing Death Toll to 10,834 - Governor Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- On 11 April, US President Donald Trump approved Wyoming's declaration of emergency, meaning that a major disaster has now been declared in all US states and territories for the first time in the country's history.
• New York City to Start Building Supply Chain to Produce up to 50,000 Tests Weekly - Mayor Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- Last week, New York City's mayor Bill de Blasio said that the city's public school system will be closed for the rest of the school year amid the harsh coronavirus situation.
• Briefing With Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ian Brownlee, Bureau of Consular Affairs On COVID-19: Updates on Health Impact and Assistance for American Citizens Abroad US Dept. of State 14 Apr 2020
• Defense Production Act Contract to Provide 39 Million Masks DoD News 14 Apr 2020 -- A Defense Department contract under the Defense Production Act will provide more than 39 million N95 respirator masks over the next 90 days to help in the fight against the coronavirus, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.
• Military Doctors, Nurse Discuss COVID-19 Crisis in New York DoD News 14 Apr 2020 -- Military doctors and nurses are fanning out across New York hospitals to offer relief to their overworked civilian counterparts as the COVID-19 pandemic hits the city hard.
• Rush Transcript: Governor Cuomo Holds a Briefing on New York's COVID-19 Response New York State 14 Apr 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 14 Apr 2020
• Dozens of USNS Mercy Personnel Quarantined Following COVID-19 Outbreak Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- The US Naval Ship Mercy (USNS Mercy) is continuing to accept patients without the COVID-19 novel coronavirus on the West Coast, despite the fact that seven medical personnel had to be removed from the ship after testing positive for the contagious disease.
• Quarantine Cruise: US Aircraft Carrier Truman to Remain at Sea, Away From COVID-19 Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- After crew on four aircraft carriers came down with COVID-19, the US Navy has decided to keep the USS Harry Truman on deployment in a bid to protect its crew from the pandemic and ensure the warship would be available to respond if a crisis were to arise.

China

• China Shuts Down One Temporary COVID-19 Hospital in Wuhan After Patients Recover - Reports Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- One of the two new temporary hospitals built in China's coronavirus epicentre Wuhan to treat patients has been shut down on Tuesday after the last four patients were transferred from the facility to another local hospital, the Shanghai-based Paper news outlet reported.
• China Issues Strict Curbs on Coronavirus Research Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2020 -- A copy of an official directive now deleted from a number of Chinese universities and institutions informs researchers that any academic papers relating to the coronavirus pandemic are now subject to review by the authorities.
• Chinese premier stresses joint efforts for early victory against COVID-19 in East Asia People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday emphasized strengthening the awareness of a community with a shared future for humanity to clinch an early victory against COVID-19 in East Asia.
• China approves inactivated COVID-19 vaccines for clinical trials People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- China has approved two COVID-19 inactivated vaccine candidates for clinical trials, according to the State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against the coronavirus Tuesday.
• Chinese NE border province reports 79 imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province bordering Russia reported 79 new confirmed imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Monday, local health authority said Tuesday.
• Shanghai reports zero increase in COVID-19 cases on Monday People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Shanghai's municipal health commission said Tuesday that no domestic cases and imported cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in the municipality on Monday.
• China to strengthen nucleic acid testing of travelers leaving Wuhan People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Chinese authorities on Monday demanded officials strengthen the nucleic acid testing of travelers leaving Wuhan, the hardest-hit city in the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
• China scales up land border control for COVID-19 prevention People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- China has scaled up land border control measures for the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an official said Monday.
• China steps up efforts to find asymptomatic cases at border ports for COVID-19 containment People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Chinese authorities are strengthening containment measures to identify asymptomatic cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at border ports and block the spread of the disease, a customs official said Monday.
• Chinese, foreign nationals face equal quarantine measures in China: official People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Foreign and Chinese nationals face equal quarantine measures in China in accordance with the law amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, a senior Chinese health official said Monday.
• Most of imported COVID-19 cases diagnosed during medical observation: Chinese official People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- About 70 percent of China's COVID-19 cases from overseas were diagnosed and reported when they were under quarantine and medical observation after entering the country, a health official said on Monday.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in central China's Hubei Province Monday, local health authority said Tuesday.
• China steps up fight against illegal border crossing amid epidemic People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- China has stepped up its fight against illegal border crossings amid mounting efforts to prevent the importation of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, an official said Monday.
• Cross-provincial, cross-border tourism not encouraged in Zhejiang as imported COVID-19 cases increase People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- The eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang announced Monday cross-provincial and cross-border tourism are still not encouraged as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases from overseas continues to rise.
• Imported COVID-19 cases pose continuous risks to Beijing in mid to late April People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Due to the continuous growth in the number of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases across the world, it is estimated that Beijing will still face the risk of imported cases in mid to late April, according to a press conference Monday.
• Chinese mainland reports 86 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported 86 new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Monday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,464, the National Health Commission said Tuesday.
• 75 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals on Chinese mainland People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- A total of 75 patients of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from hospitals Monday on the Chinese mainland, according to the National Health Commission.
• Chinese mainland reports 89 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Tuesday that it received reports of 89 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Chinese mainland Monday, of which 86 were imported.
• 15-20% of those quarantined in Suifenhe may be infected: official Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- Medical resources are strained and the local capacity to deal with the onslaught of imported COVID-19 cases has reached its limits in the Chinese city of Suifenhe, bordering Russia, as national health authorities have sent experts to help, and donations of medical equipment from across the country have arrived.
• China issues new quarantine measures for intl air cargo crews Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- China on Monday issued strict quarantine measures for international cargo flight crews, which include restricting their movements to avoid contact with others and stopping COVID-19 tests, as part of the country's actions to thwart new cases from entering the country.
• Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine approved for clinical trials Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- A Vero-cell-derived inactivated COVID-19 vaccine developed by Chinese healthcare giant Sinopharm's subsidiary Wuhan Institute of Biological Products has been approved for clinical trials by China's National Medical Products Administration.
• China to increase virus prevention efforts at port cities Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- China's Central Leading Group on Responding to Novel Coronavirus Disease Outbreak met on Monday and deployed medical experts and resources along key border areas to increase the country's efforts in preventing COVID-19 cases from entering the country.
• Chinese provinces require school returnees to take COVID-19 tests Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- Several provinces and cities in China have made it mandatory for students and teachers returning from outside the regions to undergo COVID-19 tests before resuming classes.
• NE China's Liaoning to test all intl arrivals' nucleic acid twice for COVID-19 to prevent imported cases Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- The government of Northeast China's Liaoning Province issued a notice on Tuesday to enhance management against imported cases while Heilongjiang, another province in the region, is facing massive pressure regarding imported cases from Russia.
• Wuhan to survey 11,000 residents for COVID-19 antibodies to improve control measures Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- Wuhan in Central China's Hubei Province on Tuesday launched a three-day random sampling survey for residents to probe their antibody level and study the occurrence of asymptomatic infection and improve epidemic control measures.
• Officials warn Chinese in Russia of high infection risk on return journey Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- Frontline experts coping with soaring cases of COVID-19 in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, which is facing increasing pressure of imported cases and a local epidemic, said the region will not become the next Wuhan as it has adequate medical supplies and pursues timely intervention, while warning local governments to remain alert to prevent more cross-infections.
• 111 Africans in Guangzhou test positive, receive same treatment as Chinese Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- A total of 4,553 African people living in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, have been tested for COVID-19 from April 4 as of Monday, of whom 111 tested positive, according to the Guangzhou government on Monday night.
• 'No discrimination' against Africans amid pandemic Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- The controversy over suspected maltreatment and discrimination against Africans in Guangzhou has made headlines on Chinese social media platforms and caused many Chinese authorities, including the Guangzhou government, China's Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassies in African countries, to respond, reiterating China's firm stance to equally treat foreigners and domestic residents.
• Africans in China Complain of Coronavirus-Linked Discrimination VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- Restrictions on movement are now eased across China but some African immigrants are facing a different barrier: discrimination.
• 'No discrimination' against Africans amid pandemic Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- The controversy over suspected maltreatment and discrimination against Africans in Guangzhou has made headlines on Chinese social media platforms and caused many Chinese authorities, including the Guangzhou government, China's Foreign Ministry and Chinese embassies in African countries, to respond, reiterating China's firm stance to equally treat foreigners and domestic residents.

Europe

• 'Worst Recession Since Great Depression' Sees European Economies Drastically Contracting - IMF Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- Chief economists at the International Monetary Fund say that the world is experiencing the worst global recession since the early 1900s as the protective measures being implemented to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus impact economies worldwide.
• Spain's COVID-19 Cases Rise From 169,496 on Monday to 172,541 on Tuesday Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- Spain's daily death toll is slowly decreasing from its peak in late March and early April when the daily death toll was at around 900 people.
• Europe Coronavirus Updates: Death toll exceeds 20,000 in Italy as France further extends lockdown to May 11 People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Italy sees ICU patients decrease for the 10th consecutive day while death toll tops 20,000;
• Occupied Malvinas Islands facing major public health crisis Press TV 14 Apr 2020 -- The coronavirus outbreak on the British-occupied Malvinas Islands (which the UK calls Falkland Islands) has considerably worsened following six new confirmed infections, bringing the territory's total to 11.
• COVID-19: Bulgarian Nationalist Leader Charged For Coronavirus Comments; Armenia Extends State Of Emergency RFE/RL 14 Apr 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is about 121,700 with 1.94 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• Death Toll from Coronavirus in Britain is more than 12,000 SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- With today's 778 new cases, the death toll from Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Britain surpassed 12,000, official reports said.
• Sweden Reports More than 1000 Deaths of Coronavirus SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- Sweden has reported more than 1000 deaths from the novel Coronavirus since the beginning of the outbreak of the epidemic.
• Coronavirus Could Shrink UK GDP 35 Percent, Raise Unemployment Million Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- The OBR forecast was based on the assumption restrictions on economic activity of some kind would be maintained for six months, to ever-decreasing levels, although the organisation made clear it wasn't predicting what the government would actually do.
• UK Coronavirus Death Toll Surpasses 12,000 Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- On Monday, UK health authorities reported that the total number of fatalities in the country had reached 11,329, up from 10,612 the previous day.
• Foreign Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 13 April 2020 UK FCO 14 Apr 2020 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave the 13 April 2020 daily press briefing on the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Europe's Nursing Homes Are Likely Coronavirus Hotspots, Officials Fear VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- The small Italian village of Celleno thought it had escaped the coronavirus – nearly a month into Italy's national lockdown. No confirmed cases of the potentially deadly virus had been recorded. The more than one thousand residents of the village on the outskirts of Rome breathed a collective sigh of relief.
• EU to Maintain Reserve of Ventilators for Nations Most in Need VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday the European Union will create a strategic reserve of ventilators for countries "most in need" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russia

• Russia may use military resources to fight COVID-19: Putin People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- Russia may resort to its military resources in the fight against COVID-19 if the situation in the country continues to worsen, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.
• Coronavirus Infections in Russia Top 20,000 SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- Russia has reported 2,774 new cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the tally of confirmed cases to 21,102.

India

• PM addresses the nation for 4th time in 4 Weeks in India's fight against COVID-19 India PIB 14 Apr 2020 -- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today announced the extension of lockdown till 3rd May, 2020. The earlier 21 day lockdown is ending on the 14th of April 2020.
• Text of PM's address to the Nation India PIB 14 Apr 2020
• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 14 Apr 2020
• 'India's Nowhere in Game': Congress Party Slams Gov't For Low Testing Rate, 'Critical' Lack of Kits Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- COVID-19 cases in India continue to spike despite the initial 21-day lockdown announced in the country on 24 March, which has now been extended until 3 May. Political parties in India are mounting pressure on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to increase the testing rate to contain the spread of the infection.
• India Extends World's Largest Lockdown till May 3rd VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- India extended a nationwide lockdown until May 3rd as the number of coronavirus cases in the country continued to surge but held out the possibility of easing restrictions in some places next week to help millions of daily wage workers.
• COVID-19: Indian Prime Minister Extends Nationwide Lockdown Until 3 May Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a televised address to the nation on 24 March had announced a complete national lockdown for 21 days "in order to protect the country, and each of its citizens" from the coronavirus.

Pakistan

• Coronavirus Cases Rise to 5837 in Pakistan SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- The total number of the new Coronavirus cases in Pakistan rose to 5837, it was reported here today.
• Pakistan Extends Coronavirus Lockdown, Eases Curbs on Economic Activity VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- Pakistan has relaxed restrictions on certain industries to allow them to resume their activities but extended a lockdown on educational institutions and public gatherings for another two weeks to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Iran

• Corona death toll in Iran becomes 2-digit a day: Minister IRNA 14 Apr 2020 -- Iran's Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education Saeed Namaki said on Tuesday that the daily death toll of the coronavirus in Iran reduced to 98.
• COVID-19 kills 98 more in Iran: Official IRNA 14 Apr 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Tuesday that 48,129 people out of a total of 74,877 infected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) have survived and recovered whereas 4,683 have lost their lives.
• Iran coronavirus fatalities drop to double figures for first time in month Press TV 14 Apr 2020 -- Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki says the number of fatalities from the novel coronavirus pandemic has dropped to double figures for the first time in one month.
• Iranian, Turkish companies set for production of 1mn coronavirus test kits per week Press TV 14 Apr 2020 -- An Iranian tech company says it has designed and developed coronavirus testing kits meeting international standards in cooperation with a science-based firm in Turkey, and that the two are ready to produce one million of them per week to help speed up the detection of patients infected with COVID-19.
• Iran Records Less Than 100 COVID-19 Victims in 24 Hours, for First Time in a Month Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- Last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced the resumption of "low-risk" business activities amid economic concerns after the country had introduced social distancing measures to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus.

ASEAN

• ASEAN holds special summit on response to COVID-19 pandemic People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- The Special Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on the COVID-19 Response kicked off Tuesday morning in videoconferencing format to affirm their commitment to combating the global pandemic, ensuring peaceful life of people and sustainable development of countries in the region.
• ASEAN leaders prioritize COVID-19 pandemic control PLA Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- At the virtual Special Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on the COVID-19 on Tuesday morning, leaders of the 10 ASEAN member states affirmed that the block's current leading priority is controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and preventing it from spreading further.
• ASEAN Leaders Meet Online, Reallocate Funds to Combat COVID-19 Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2020 -- Southeast Asian leaders agreed at a special online summit on Tuesday to ensure a social safety net for the region's vulnerable populations and backed reallocating funds toward fighting the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Southeast Asian leaders vow to cooperate in coronavirus fight SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- Southeast Asian leaders agreed at their first video conference summit on Tuesday to fight together against the "gravest public health crisis" in 100 years to make the region safe again, Reuters reported.
• Asian leaders to meet on COVID-19 Global Times 14 Apr 2020 -- A special video conference on handling the COVID-19 pandemic will be held on Tuesday among top officials from China, South Korea, Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and this first-ever high-level regional meeting on fighting the pandemic after the outbreak may boost regional efforts in joint prevention and control as well as stabilize the regional industrial chain, experts said.

Saudi Arabia

• COVID-19 Follow-up Committee Holds Daily Briefing SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- Under the chairmanship of Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Follow-up Committee held its 55th meeting today.

Taiwan

• Taiwan records no new COVID-19 cases, total kept at 393 CNA 14 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan recorded no new cases of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for the first time in 36 days on Tuesday, keeping the total at 393 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• CECC sets new self-quarantine rules for returning Taiwanese, residents CNA 14 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan citizens and other residents returning from Europe or the Americas will soon be required to self-quarantine at designated hotels, depending on their home circumstances, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Tuesday.
• 300,000 masks being donated by Taiwan to Philippines (update) CNA 14 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan's government is donating 300,000 face masks to the Philippines as part of its new pledge to give 6 million masks to regional countries to help them fight the new coronavirus pandemic.
• Mask donation from Taiwan reaches United Kingdom CNA 14 Apr 2020 -- Face masks donated by Taiwan arrived in the United Kingdom on Monday, where they will be transferred to the National Healthcare Service (NHS) for distribution to front-line medical personnel, according to Taiwan's U.K. representative office.
• 214 Taiwanese from China's Hubei Province released from quarantine CNA 14 Apr 2020 -- A total of 214 Taiwanese nationals who returned to Taiwan in late March after being stranded in the Chinese province of Hubei completed their 14-day quarantine Tuesday.

North Korea

• Coronavirus Poses Major Threat to North Korea's Fragile Health System VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- North Korea is among a handful of countries in the world claiming to be free of COVID-19. The country is also among the most ill-prepared for a coronavirus outbreak.
• China Refuses North Korean Proposal to Restart Trade, Fearing Reintroduction of Coronavirus Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2020 -- China has rejected a proposal by North Korea to reopen bilateral trade in mid-April, instead offering to open up the border a month later due to concerns over the coronavirus, leaving cash-strapped Pyongyang in the lurch for yet another month while smuggling is on the rise, sources in North Korea told RFA.

NATO

• Esper, NATO Defense Ministers to Discuss Global Effort to Defeat COVID-19 DoD News 14 Apr 2020 -- The coronavirus sets its own timetable and does not respect international boundaries, and it will take an international effort to defeat the pandemic, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
• NATO Defence Ministers meet to discuss COVID-19 NATO 14 Apr 2020 -- NATO Defence Ministers will meet tomorrow (15 April 2020) by secure video conference to discuss the Alliance's response to the COVID-19 crisis. As well as ensuring the safety of Allied troops and personnel, NATO is coordinating military support to Allies in response to the pandemic.
• Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg NATO 14 Apr 2020
• NATO Chief: Alliance Has to Fight Propaganda VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says he has seen examples of propaganda being used during the COVID-19 pandemic to try to divide the alliance.

IMF

• COVID-19: Growth forecast at -3 per cent, as IMF offers debt relief to most vulnerable nations in Africa, Asia, Middle East and Caribbean UN News 14 Apr 2020 -- Forecasting the "worst economic downturn since the Great Depression", the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday that growth for the year was likely to end up at minus three per cent, with a dramatic change evident since the last World Economic Outlook report in January.
• IMF Providing Debt Relief To Help 25 Countries Deal With Pandemic RFE/RL 14 Apr 2020 -- The International Monetary Fund says it will provide immediate debt service relief to 25 of its poorer member states so they can focus more financial resources on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
• IMF Forecasts Global Growth Will Fall 3 Percent Due to 'Great Lockdown' RFE/RL 14 Apr 2020 -- The global economy will suffer its worst year since the Great Depression in the 1930s due to the coronavirus and lockdowns that have shut down much of the world, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its latest forecast.

Other Countries

• COVID-19: Major relief airlift will reach 'most vulnerable' African nations UN News 14 Apr 2020 -- The first of the UN's "Solidarity Flights" carrying urgently needed medical equipment to Africa, has arrived in Addis Ababa, agencies said on Tuesday.
• US Mobile Hospitals Help Fight Coronavirus in Africa VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- As Africa braces for the next wave of the global coronavirus pandemic, three U.S.-donated mobile hospitals with medics trained by U.S. forces are helping Ghana, Senegal and Uganda respond to local outbreaks.
• UN Begins Airlift to Help Africa Fight Coronavirus VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- The United Nations is transporting the first cargo of vital medical supplies Tuesday to a number of African countries to help them contain the spread of COVID-19. The supplies, which are provided by the World Health Organization and transported by the World Food Program, will be airlifted from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to countries most in need.
• IMF Announces Debt Relief for African Nations to Fight Pandemic VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- The International Monetary Fund has approved a $500 million package to give six months of debt relief to developing nations struggling with the coronavirus pandemic. While the move is being welcomed, some finance experts say the world's wealthiest nations can do more – especially for the African nations on the list.
• Nigeria President Extends Lockdown in Major Cities to Battle Coronavirus VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari extended a lockdown for two weeks in Lagos and the capital Abuja and Ogun states as officials try to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.
• AFRICOM'S PARTNERSHIP ENDURES DURING COVID-19 AFRICOM 14 Apr 2020 -- UN-standard level-2 hospitals provided by the U.S. to African partner nations as part of the African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership (ARPRP) have been deployed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Africom's Partnership Endures During COVID-19 Pandemic DoD News 14 Apr 2020 -- As the world fights to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States, through U.S. Africa Command, is doing its part to help African partner nations combat this new enemy.
• COVID-19 curve flattening "faster than had dared hoped": Aussie health minister People's Daily 14 Apr 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 cases in Australia has increased by fewer than 50 for the second straight day.
• Indonesia Reports 282 New Cases of Coronavirus and 60 Deaths SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- Indonesia reported today 282 new cases of the novel Coronavirus, bringing the total cases in the country to 4836 cases.
• UAE announces 398 new COVID-19 cases SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHaP, has announced the detection 398 new coronavirus cases of various nationalities, bringing the total number of cases in the United Arab Emirates to 4,521.
• Philippines reports 20 deaths, 291 infection cases SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHaP, has announced the detection 398 new coronavirus cases of various nationalities, bringing the total number of cases in the United Arab Emirates to 4,521.
• Kuwait Reports 55 New Cases of COVID-19, One Death SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has reported 55 confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and one death, during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of registered cases in Kuwait to 1355.
• Malaysia Reports 170 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- Malaysia has reported 170 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the tally of infections to 4987.
• Morocco Reports 75 New Cases of COVID-19 SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- Moroccan Ministry of Health has reported 75 new cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the tally of infections to 1838, while the number of death toll reached 126.
• Oman: 86 New Coronavirus Cases, 6 Recoveries SPA 14 Apr 2020 -- The Omani Ministry of Health reported 86 new cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) during the past 24 hours, bringing the total cases in the country to 813, while the number of deaths remained 4.
• Turkey Lifts Social Security Requirements for Getting Free COVID-19 Treatment - Reports Sputnik 14 Apr 2020 -- The Turkish authorities have adopted a new regulation enabling all citizens, including those who are not registered with the social security system, to be treated for the coronavirus disease for free, the Daily Sabah newspaper reported on Tuesday.
• Syria coronavirus threat sparks broad UN containment effort UN News 14 Apr 2020 -- The United Nations and its partners are doing their utmost to support a comprehensive, multi-pronged effort to stem the impact of COVID-19 in Syria, where the viral disease has claimed the lives of two people, sickened 23 others and presented epic challenges for ensuring the smooth delivery of life-saving assistance.
• India, France Extend Lockdowns as World Coronavirus Cases Top 2 Million VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- India, France and Nigeria are among several countries whose leaders are extending lockdowns aimed at stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus, as the number of confirmed cases worldwide approaches 2 million.
• Mexican Doctors, Nurses Rally Demanding Proper Gear for Treating COVID-19 Patients VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- Healthcare workers in Mexico City are demanding more protective gear as hospitals take in more patients infected with the coronavirus.
• Vietnam's Virus Checkpoints Screen for Fevers, Limit Urban Movement VOA 14 Apr 2020 -- Vietnam's cities have set up checkpoints in their fight against COVID-19, in some cases conducting virus tests on all who enter as they ramp up measures to prevent a second or third wave of the virus from hitting the nation.
• Myanmar Rock Star COVID-19 Positive, Two Pastors Face Charges After Illegal Services Radio Free Asia 14 Apr 2020 -- Two pastors and two followers were charged in Myanmar on Tuesday for holding Christian services in defiance of bans on large gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 – events that sickened the four men and a famous rock musician with the coronavirus, a local official said.