Other Security News
COVID-19 Pandemic News

Other Security News

• Spain arrests one of Europe's most-wanted Daesh terrorists Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- Spain says its police forces have arrested one of Europe's most wanted fugitive Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the southern town of Almeria.
• Tajik Father Stunned By Son's Arrest In Germany On Terror Charges RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- Vali Karimov, a taxi driver from the southern Tajik district of Muminobod, thought his son was living a respectable life in Germany with a wife he met there and the two children they've had together.
• Trump praises border wall before banning immigration into US Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- US President Donald Trump is praising his border wall before banning immigration into the United States on the pretext of tackling the coronavirus crisis.

COVID-19 Pandemic News

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) situation report - 93 WHO 22 Apr 2020
• WHO Emergencies Press Conference on coronavirus disease outbreak - 22 April 2020 WHO 22 Apr 2020
• Still 'a long way to go' in coronavirus battle, WHO chief warns UN News 22 Apr 2020 -- The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against complacency as countries continue to confront COVID-19 and citizens grow weary of stay-at-home measures aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.
• WHO Chief: COVID Spread in Europe May Be Easing VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- The director-general of the World Health Organization said Wednesday that most coronavirus epidemics in Europe "appear to be stable or declining" but warned "the virus will be with us for a long time."
• Novel coronavirus is not "manipulated or constructed" in labs: WHO spokesperson People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- All available evidence suggests that the new coronavirus has an animal origin, and is not a virus "manipulated or constructed" in a lab or somewhere else, World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson Fadela Chaib said here on Tuesday.

United States

• Remarks by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force in Press Briefing The White House 22 Apr 2020
• Text of the Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate The White House 22 Apr 2020
• Deputy Secretary of Defense, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Provide Update on DOD COVID-19 Efforts DoD 22 Apr 2020 -- David L. Norquist, Deputy Secretary of Defense; Air Force General John E. Hyten, vice chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Maryland National Guard Surgeon General Discusses Maryland COVID-19 Response DoD 22 Apr 2020 -- Maryland National Guard State Surgeon Colonel Dr. Eric Allely
• Briefing with Dr. William Walters, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Operations, Bureau of Medical Services, 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 22 Apr 2020
• US Military Bracing for Pandemic to Resurge VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- U.S. military officials are planning for additional battles against the coronavirus, even after the current pandemic subsides, pointing to evidence that suggests the virus will be cyclical.
• New York Begins Manufacturing Low-Cost Ventilators VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- The first run of a new, low-cost ventilator is coming off the assembly line in New York City.
• 3,600 Guardsmen Contribute to New York's COVID-19 Fight DoD News 22 Apr 2020 -- Nearly seven weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic response mission, the New York National Guard had 3,600 troops performing missions ranging from answering public inquiry hotlines to assisting New York City in retrieving the remains of those who have died at home.
• DOD Starts Tiered COVID-19 Testing Process to Ensure Safety DoD News 22 Apr 2020 -- The Defense Department is moving to a tiered COVID-19 testing program to protect service members and ensure they can continue to do the nation's business, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
• Maryland Guard's Surgeon Details State COVID-19 Assistance DoD News 22 Apr 2020 -- Some 1,400 Maryland National Guard soldiers and airmen are on active duty, and 700 more are on enhanced standby, able to come on active duty within a matter of hours if called upon by the governor, the Maryland Guard's state surgeon said.
• New York governor says meeting with Trump over COVID-19 "productive" Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- Governor of the U.S. state of New York Andrew Cuomo said that his meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday "went well" and their conversation on the COVID-19 pandemic was "productive."
• US COVID-19 cases top 800,000, divide deepens over reopening economy Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 800,000 on Tuesday with deaths surpassing 43,000, while Americans are increasingly divided over when and how to reopen the economy.
• COVID-19 cases in US top 800,000: Johns Hopkins University Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- The number of COVID-19 cases in the United States topped 800,000 Tuesday afternoon, reaching 804,194 by 2:30 pm (1830 GMT), according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
• U.S. COVID-19 cases rise by nearly 40,000 over past 24 hours People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- Confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States reached 823,786 as of 8:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday (0000 GMT Wednesday), up by 39,460 from 24 hours earlier, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
• CDC Director Warns Likely Second Coronavirus Pandemic Wave in US Over Winter Could Be Worse Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues ravaging the globe, the United States remains the country most deeply affected by the disease, with over 32 percent of the global number of human infections and over 25 percent of COVID-19 deaths.
• US Hospital Ship Comfort Can Be Redeployed as New York Has Enough Hospital Capacity - Cuomo Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- New York State does not need anymore the additional hospital capacity provided by the US Navy hospital ship Comfort, deployed to the state on orders of President Donald Trump amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the government may consider redeploying it, Governor Andrew Cuomo said in an interview.
• The United States Continues Leadership in the Global COVID-19 Response with More Than $270 Million in Additional U.S. Foreign Assistance US Dept. of State 22 Apr 2020 -- For more than a half century, the United States has been the largest contributor to global health security and humanitarian assistance. Through the American people's generosity and under the leadership of President Trump, the United States continues this outstanding record in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the announcement of more than $270 million in additional foreign assistance provided by Congress in supplemental funding specifically to respond to the outbreak.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 22 Apr 2020
• Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo and Mayor Mike Bloomberg Launch Nation-Leading COVID-19 Contact Tracing Program to Control Infection Rate New York State 22 Apr 2020
• State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts California Department of Public Health 22 Apr 2020
• New York to Launch Massive COVID-19 Tracing Program VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Billionaire Michael Bloomberg will help the state of New York design and fund a program to trace coronavirus infections as part of its strategy to contain the spread of the virus.
• New York Governor Says 474 COVID-19 Deaths Over Past 24 Hours Represent 'Gentle Decline' Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- The US state of New York reported 474 new deaths from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which represents a moderate decline in the death toll, Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
• Pentagon Reports 82 New COVID-19 Cases in US Military for Total of 3,578 Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- The Department of Defence said in a press release on Wednesday that 82 additional military personnel have contracted the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total to 3,578.
• US blacks, Hispanics hardest hit by coronavirus-related job losses: Study Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- A new study shows that African-American and Hispanic families in the United States have been hit hardest by job losses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

China

• China failed to disclose coronavirus outbreak in timely manner: Pompeo Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States strongly believes that China has failed to report the outbreak of the new coronavirus in a timely manner to the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Chinese Lab with Checkered Safety Record Draws Scrutiny over COVID-19 VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- In the more than four months since China reported an outbreak of viral pneumonia in Hubei province, the coronavirus has raced to nearly every corner of the world, but there are still no firm answers as to where it all began.
• China's quick containment of COVID-19 sets encouraging example for other countries: Lancet People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- The Lancet, an authoritative academic publication in the medical field, has published an editorial saying that the rapid containment of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in China was impressive and set an encouraging example for other countries.
• Strong evidence to show coronavirus originated naturally People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- With the coronavirus outbreak rampaging across the world, there have been rumors coming from the White House and some US media outlets that the virus may have been artificially synthesized at a Chinese bio-research lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan. However, these conspiracy theories have been debunked by scientists worldwide as more scientific evidence comes to light.
• Coronavirus mutations 'inevitable' Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- Mutations are already happening based on recent studies and a series of unexpected COVID-19 cases worldwide, like patients triggering an extended infection chain without showing symptoms, and infections with two different strains in Iceland, medical experts said on Wednesday.
• China slams Australia for copying US, blaming Beijing for pandemic Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- China has censured Australia for copying the United States and attempting to frame Beijing as the party responsible for the coronavirus pandemic.
• Northeast China Imposes Travel Restrictions Amid Surge in Virus Cases Radio Free Asia 22 Apr 2020 -- Authorities in the northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang have imposed travel restrictions in the wake of a fresh outbreak of coronavirus cases triggered by people arriving from Russia.
• Exile Groups Form Coronavirus Aid Center to Meet Needs of Uyghur Diaspora Radio Free Asia 22 Apr 2020 -- As millions of people are impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Uyghur exile groups have jointly launched an aid initiative to assist members of the diaspora–many of whom are ineligible for government assistance and healthcare benefits in their adoptive countries.
• Central govt urges boost of testing ability, expansion of scale Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- China's Central Leading Group on Responding to Novel Coronavirus Disease Outbreak on Wednesday urged boosting of COVID-19 testing ability and expanding testing scale, and accelerating the resumption of economic and social activities while maintaining normalization of epidemic control methods.
• Wuhan's COVID-19 cases drop below 100 Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- The current number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city of Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, dropped to 97 on Tuesday, the National Health Commission said at a press conference.
• Strong evidence to show coronavirus originated naturally Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- With the coronavirus outbreak rampaging across the world, there have been rumors coming from the White House and some US media outlets that the virus may have been artificially synthesized at a Chinese bio-research lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan. However, these conspiracy theories have been debunked by scientists worldwide as more scientific evidence comes to light.
• Harbin boosts anti-epidemic measures in hospitals in wake of clustered infections Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- Only patients who take normal CT scans, nucleic acid tests and antibody tests for COVID-19 can be admitted to hospitals, the Harbin Health Commission required, after two local hospitals became the source of clustered infections and the infection chain continued to expand as of press time.
• Harbin closes off communities and villages in wake of clustered infections Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, which has become the new hardest-hit region in China due to clustered infections caused by an imported case, has imposed a lockdown on all residential communities and villages.
• Wuhan's confirmed COVID-19 cases drop below 100 People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- The current number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city of Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, dropped to 97 on Tuesday, the National Health Commission said at a press conference.
• Chinese mainland reports 30 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Wednesday that it received reports of 30 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland Tuesday, of which 23 were imported.
• China's Hubei reports no increase in COVID-19 cases People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- No new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or new deaths from the disease were reported in central China's Hubei Province the previous day, local health authority said Wednesday.
• China reiterates support for WHO: spokesperson People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- China always firmly supports the leading role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in advancing global public health services and is ready to strengthen support for the WHO through various channels, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tuesday.
• China scales up coronavirus testing, treatment in border areas People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- The Chinese health authority has scaled up testing and treatment for COVID-19 infections in border areas as the country faces a rising risk of imported cases.
• Chinese mainland reports 23 new imported COVID-19 cases People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- The Chinese mainland reported 23 new imported cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Tuesday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 1,610, the National Health Commission said Wednesday.
• Chinese mainland reports 30 new confirmed COVID-19 cases People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- Chinese health authority said Wednesday that it received reports of 30 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland Tuesday, of which 23 were imported.
• 28 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals on Chinese mainland People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- A total of 28 patients of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were discharged from hospitals Tuesday on the Chinese mainland, according to the National Health Commission.
• Unity and cooperation are the international community's most potent weapon to overcome the pandemic People's Daily 22 Apr 2020
• U.S. should stop playing political games under excuse of COVID-19 People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- Some American politicians just played their same old trick again, making irresponsible remarks on multiple occasions that the novel coronavirus originated from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). They declared, in a high-sounding manner, to make an investigation, and such ridiculous remarks were even hyped by Fox News.
• China Dismisses Missouri Lawsuit as 'Absurd' VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- China's Foreign Ministry Wednesday rejected a lawsuit filed by the U.S. state of Missouri claiming the nation is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Europe

• EU Monitors See Coordinated COVID-19 Disinformation Effort By Iran, Russia, China RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- EU monitors have identified a "trilateral convergence of disinformation narratives" being promoted by China, Iran, and Russia on the coronavirus pandemic and say they are being "multiplied" in a coordinated manner, according to an internal document seen by RFE/RL.
• Foreign Secretary's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 22 April 2020 UK FCO 22 Apr 2020 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave the 22 April 2020 daily press briefing on the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• UK Coronavirus Hospital Death Toll Jumps by Over 700 in 24 Hours Bringing Total to 18,100 Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who tested positive for COVID-19 on 27 March, is currently based at his Chequers residence. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is standing in for the prime minister as he continues his recovery.
• UK COVID-19-Related Death Toll May Be 40% Higher Than Announced – Report Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- New data has put the United Kingdom on track to become the second worst-hit country in Europe, after Italy, for the number fatalities from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
• 19,000 British travellers return from cruise ships after major international effort UK FCO 22 Apr 2020 -- The FCO has worked with cruise operators and more than 20 international governments and militaries to arrange flights to get Brits home safely.
• British Lawmakers Grill Government on COVID-19 Response VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- The new opposition leader in the British Parliament accused the government Wednesday of being slow in every aspect of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Britain's death toll more than 18,000 from COVID-19 SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- The British government says 759 more people with the coronavirus have died in U.K. hospitals, taking the total to 18,100.
• British army and NHS squabble over PPE logistics Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- The much lauded partnership between the British army and the National Health Service (NHS) appears to be breaking down after the army accusing the health service of incompetence and mismanagement.
• France, Europe Mull Controversial Coronavirus Tracing Apps VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- France's parliament votes next week on plans to use a controversial tracing app to help fight the coronavirus, as the country eyes easing its lockdown next month.
• Netherlands to Begin Easing COVID Restrictions VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- The Dutch government Wednesday announced the first steps in relaxing its coronavirus containment restrictions, allowing elementary school children to return to their classrooms part time from May 11, but extending restrictions on large-scale events.
• Swiss coronavirus death toll surpasses 1,200 SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- The Swiss death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 1,217, the country's public health ministry said on Wednesday, rising from 1,187 people on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
• Norway, Finland Say First COVID-19 Wave Receding, Warn of Backslide If Social Distancing Repealed Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- In the words of Norwegian Institute of Public Health director Camilla Stoltenberg, "we must prepare for the epidemic to be long, but only a few will become seriously ill".
• Italy's daily Coronavirus death toll falls, but new cases climb SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 437 on Wednesday, against 534 the day before, the Italian Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new infections increased to 3,370 from 2,729 on Tuesday.

Russia

• COVID-19: Russian Communists Break Lockdown Rules To Mark Lenin's 150th Birthday RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 178,000 with more than 2.5 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the new respiratory illness.
• 'The Government Knows Where You Live': Russia's Journalists Walk A Dangerous Tightrope Covering COVID-19 Pandemic RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- The Novosibirsk-based news website Taiga.info recently published an interview with a woman who told the independent outlet that she called an ambulance after experiencing severe flu-like symptoms that she feared could be COVID-19. The paramedics who showed up had no gloves, masks, or other personal protective equipment (PPE), she said.
• With Little Government Support, Some Russians Under Lockdown Are Resorting To Protest -- Both Online And Offline RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- An opera singer spent weeks encouraging residents of Vladikavkaz, the capital of Russia's North Ossetia region, to protest against a lockdown imposed by the authorities in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.

India

• Updates on COVID-19 India PIB 22 Apr 2020

Pakistan

• Trump Pledges Support to Pakistan in Fight Against COVID-19 VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump pledged help to Pakistan in its fight against the COVID–19 pandemic, during a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday.
• Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Tests Negative for COVID-19, Goes into Self-Isolation Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had to self-isolate days after meeting Faisal Edhi, the head of Pakistan's largest charity group the Edhi Foundation, who tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday.

Iran

• Health Officials In Iran Warn Of A Second Coronavirus Outbreak Radio Farda 22 Apr 2020 -- Medical officials in several Iranian provinces have expressed concern about the second wave of coronavirus outbreak following the lifting of some restrictions.
• Iran Death Toll From Coronavirus Surges to 5,391 Sputnik 22 Apr 2020 -- The Middle Eastern country recently surpassed China in the number of infected, confirming almost 86,000 cases, which puts the Islamic Republic at eighth place in the world.
• Army uses latest technologies to fight coronavirus, says Defense Minister IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Wednesday that Iran's Army made its medical equipment available for the fight against coronavirus pandemic using the latest world technologies.
• Official: COVID-19 kills 94 more in Iran IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Wednesday that 63,113 people out of a total of 85,996 infected with the coronavirus have survived while 5,391 have unfortunately succumbed to death.
• Tehran Emergency Department prepared for possible COVID-19 wave, official says IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Head of Tehran Emergency Department Peyman Saberian on Wednesday said that if there is a wave of COVID-19 infection on the way, healthcare services will be available as the equipment is available.
• Pres. Rouhani praises medical workers' response to COVID-19 pandemic IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that medical workers' skill in containing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has increased and the people are also cooperating with them more and more to battle the pandemic.
• Iran takes delivery of COVID19 test kits bought from France IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran took delivery of some six tons consignment of coronavirus test kits bought from France through Sari Su border market, the managing director of Bazargan Customs Office said.
• Iran can export COVID-19 test kits, antibody: President Rouhani ISNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Iran's president described the outbreak of coronavirus a test for the effectiveness of all countries and systems around the world, and praised people's support and the sincere services of the medical staff, saying, "In the hard days of coronavirus peak, all sectors were active".
• Vaezi: US sanctions go in parallel with COVID19 IRNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Head of Presidential Office Mahmoud Vaezi said on Wedbesday that US unlawful sanctions on Iran go in parallel with coronavirus, causing human tragedy.
• US should help own coronavirus-hit forces instead of threatening Iran: IRGC commander Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- The US government should focus on saving its own coronavirus-hit forces instead of threatening countries like Iran, says the spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi.

Japan

• 34 crew on Italian cruise ship in Japan infected with coronavirus SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- A total of 34 crew members aboard an Italian cruise ship docked in south-western Japan have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, local authorities said on Wednesday, according to dpa.

Saudi Arabia

• Health Ministry Spokesperson: 1141 New COVID-19 Cases Reported in Saudi Arabia SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- Assistant Minister of Health and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali said that 1141 new cases were reported today in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• COVID-19 Follow-up Committee Holds 63rd Meeting SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- The COVID-19 Follow-up Committee called on the citizens and the residents to continue to adhere to the advices and instructions of the Ministry of Health during the holy month of Ramadan, praising everyone's abiding by the curfew, urging all to stay at home.
• The Kingdom Continues Combat Against Trafficking in Persons Crimes Despite Current Circumstances as a Result of COVID-19 SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Human Rights Commission (HRC), continues its efforts in combating trafficking in persons crimes, despite the circumstances the world is passing through in general and the Kingdom in particular due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Taiwan

• Taiwan reports 1 new case of COVID-19 CNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan confirmed one new case of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Wednesday, bringing the total number of infections in Taiwan to 426 since the pandemic began late last year, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).
• U.S. working with Taiwan on COVID-19 assistance to Pacific CNA 22 Apr 2020 -- The United States State Department on Tuesday detailed the ways it is helping Pacific Island countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it is coordinating the assistance with "like-minded partners" including Taiwan.
• Taiwanese donations reach Slovenia, Italy in COVID-19 fight CNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Taiwanese donations for people struggling with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have been shipped to Slovenia and to hospitals in the worst-hit Lombardy region of Italy, according to Taiwanese liaison offices in those European countries.
• Singapore, Vatican thank Taiwan for mask donations CNA 22 Apr 2020 -- The Singapore Red Cross and the Holy See's top envoy to Taiwan expressed gratitude to Taiwan on Wednesday for its donations of surgical face masks to help with their countries' response to the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic.
• One of 229 returnees from Hubei shows abnormal symptoms CNA 22 Apr 2020 -- One of the 229 Taiwanese nationals who returned to Taiwan on Tuesday night after being stranded in Hubei province by the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak showed abnormal conditions and was taken to the hospital.
• Rear admiral fails to report all fever cases on COVID-19-infected ship CNA 22 Apr 2020 -- The former commander of a Navy flotilla on which a cluster of COVID-19 coronavirus infections has occurred admitted to lawmakers on Wednesday that he did not report back to his superiors all the fever cases aboard his ships during their month-long cruise as required.
• Tsai apologizes for COVID-19 cluster infection on naval ship CNA 22 Apr 2020 -- Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday apologized for the handling of a COVID-19 cluster on board a naval ship which has so far left 28 people infected with the virus, saying that as commander-in-chief, she holds ultimate responsibility for the military.

Australia

• Australia makes progress in COVID-19 control: health minister People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- Australia continues to make progress in the fight against COVID-19, Health Minister Greg Hunt said Wednesday.
• Australia to Increase Testing as Coronavirus Battle Continues VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Health authorities in Australia are going to widen COVID-19 testing for anyone with even the mildest symptoms. Officials believe they are controlling the outbreak. There have been about 6,650 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Australia, and 74 people have died from it.

NATO

• Coronavirus response: Estonia delivers medical supplies to Spain and Italy NATO 22 Apr 2020 -- As part of continued Allied efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Estonia has donated medical supplies to Italy and Spain, including 30,000 face masks and 2,000 units of disinfectant manufactured by the local producer Nordic Group OÜ, to each ally.
• Coronavirus response: NATO-procured protective gear arrives in Spain, Norway NATO 22 Apr 2020 -- A vital shipment of protective medical equipment arrived in Spain from Luxemburg on Monday (20 April 2020) as part of NATO's efforts to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

Other Countries

• Laos Remains Vulnerable Despite Mostly Avoiding COVID-19 Carnage, Officials Say Radio Free Asia 22 Apr 2020 -- Health officials in Laos say the government has implemented effective measures to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus, but that authorities must ensure they continue to be upheld because the impoverished nation with limited medical resources remains at risk.
• The United States and ASEAN are Partnering to Defeat COVID-19, Build Long-Term Resilience, and Support Economic Recovery US Dept. of State 22 Apr 2020 -- Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are enduring strategic partners as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and plan for economic recovery. We commit to continue our collaboration with ASEAN to beat this pandemic and get back to the business of building a bright future for the region together.
• Economic impact of coronavirus threatens hard-won progress across Africa's Great Lakes region UN News 22 Apr 2020 -- Sweeping preventative measures seem to be curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the Great Lakes region of Africa, but the economic impact of the global pandemic threatens hard-won gains made along the long road back to peace and stability, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the region said on Wednesday.
• Migrant Worker Remittances Forecast To Drop 20 Percent Due To Coronavirus RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- The World Bank says remittances sent home by migrants from low- and middle-income countries are projected to drop nearly 20 percent to $445 billion this year due to the global economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
• World on brink of 'hunger pandemic' as coronavirus rages Press TV 22 Apr 2020 -- Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say the coronavirus has now infected 2,561,044 people, and more than 176,984 are known to have died of the COVID-19 disease worldwide.
• Chinese companies donate medical supplies to Zimbabwe Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- Two Chinese companies on Tuesday handed over some medical supplies to a Zimbabwean foundation initiated by Zimbabwe's First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.
• Syria reports 3 new COVID-19 cases, 42 in total Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- Three new COVID-19 infections were recorded in Syria on Tuesday, the Syrian health ministry said in a statement.
• ASEAN secretary-general hails ASEAN-China cooperation in fighting COVID-19 Global Times 22 Apr 2020 -- Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi on Tuesday thanked the Chinese government for providing medical supplies and hailed the cooperation between ASEAN and China in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Live COVID-19 updates: Trump to suspend green card immigration, Berlin marathon called off People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
• China-built COVID-19 testing lab completed in Serbia People's Daily 22 Apr 2020 -- A ceremony marking the completion of a COVID-19 testing lab contracted by China's biotech company BGI Group in Belgrade, capital of Serbia, was held on Apirl 20.
• EU To Loan Three Billion Euros In Coronavirus Aid To Eastern Europe, Tunisia, Jordan RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- The European Union's executive arm says it will give 3 billion euros ($3.25 billion) in macro-financial assistance to 10 mainly Eastern European countries to help them limit the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
• North Ossetia Protesters Against COVID-19 Measures Receive Jail Terms RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- Authorities in Russia's North Caucasus region of North Ossetia have sentenced 13 people to jail terms of between three and 15 days for taking part in an unsanctioned rally against measures local authorities have put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
• Moldova Reaches Loan Agreements With Russia, IMF To Counter Outbreak Fallout RFE/RL 22 Apr 2020 -- Moldova's government has approved $470 million worth of loans from Russia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reduce a growing budget deficit caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
• Canada's confirmed Coronavirus deaths rise by 8% to 1,871 SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- The total number of people killed by the coronavirus in Canada rose by just over 8% to 1,871 in a day, official data posted by the Canadian public health agency showed on Wednesday.
• Singapore reports 1,016 more Coronavirus cases, 12th death SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- Singapore's health ministry on Wednesday confirmed another 1,016 cases of the novel coronavirus, taking the total infections in the Southeast Asian island nation to 10,141.
• Kuwait announces 31 COVID-19 recoveries SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- Kuwait announced on Wednesday the recovery of 31 cases from the novel coronavirus, raising the country's total recovery figures to 443.
• Oman: 106 new cases of COVID-19 SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- The Omani Ministry of Health announced today 106 new cases of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.
• Departure of first flight to Philippines as part of enabling expatriates to return to their countries SPA 22 Apr 2020 -- The first flight from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, heading to the Philippine capital Manila, is departing this evening, within the initiative announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to enable expatriates to return to their countries, as a result of the conditions that the world is living in due to the Corona pandemic.
• Kenyans Confined at Quarantine Facilities See It as Sentence VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Kenya's president, Uhuru Kenyatta, has vowed to arrest and punish 50 people who escaped mandatory coronavirus quarantines at an isolation center in Nairobi. Some Kenyans, who were forced to isolate in government facilities, have complained about high fees to stay at the center.
• Zimbabwe Disregards WHO COVID-19 Quarantine Guidelines VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Zimbabwe's government has reduced the mandatory quarantine period for possible coronavirus cases by one-half. The government says it lacks the resources to take care of patients in isolation for the two-week period recommended by the World Health Organization.
• South Sudan Urged to Free More Prisoners Over Virus Fears VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- With the threat of the coronavirus infecting thousands of prisoners held in extremely overcrowded South Sudanese facilities, Human Rights Watch (HRW) is urging the country's prison authorities to release pretrial detainees and prisoners who have served most of their terms.
• South Africa's President Announces $26 Billion Coronavirus Rescue Package VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a $26.3 billion "extraordinary budget" to help the country recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Indonesia Bans Travel for Ramadan Amid Pandemic VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Indonesia will ban people from traveling to celebrate Ramadan, bracing for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases in the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world by population.
• Vietnam Using Mask Diplomacy to Fortify Foreign Relations VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- Vietnam's shops and restaurants are closed to stop the spread of the deadly COVID-19 respiratory disease. Factory work is slowing because of weak demand in other parts of the world that are under their own shutdowns.
• COVID 19 Concerns Were Behind Israel Power-Sharing Deal VOA 22 Apr 2020 -- After three elections and more than a year, Israel has a new unity government in an emergency power-sharing deal reached this week between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Benny Gantz. But there is concern the new leadership may not be able govern because of internal differences.